The Witching Hour

Herbs and Introductions

The two looked at each other as they gazed around the space, their bags still tightly in their grips.

Serena had hoped that the inside of the house would be less intimidating than the black gothic appearance of the outside. As soon as they stepped foot into the space she felt disappointment wash over her, it wasn't. Paintings from all different time periods hung on the walls in nearly every open space. The antique furniture looked like it hadn't been touched in decades. Silk curtains cascaded like a waterfall down to the floor and ancient bookshelves lined with books covered in dust lined 3 of the 4 walls.

"Jojo..."

"Don't touch anything."

She nodded, biting her lip as the others walked calmly into the room. Tal grinned at the two before turning to Jorel. "Jorel can I speak to you in private?"

Jorel and Serena snapped their attention to one another before Jorel nodded. "Of course." He gave the girl a reassuring look as they exited the room.

The girl glanced around anxiously, playing with her fingers to keep calm.

Charlie and Dylan made their way to the couch, curling up together on the old cushions. Charlie smiled at her weakly. "Hi I'm Charlie."

His voice must have caught her off guard because she jumped and the antique lamps flickered.

"Hi...I'm Serena." She started, biting her lip as she glanced at all the people in the room before settling back on Charlie. "Have we met before?"

Charlie stuttered as Danny glared at him from his position in the worn chair. "Um no..I don't think so." Charlie nodded.

"Oh." Was all the girl said as she continued to look around the room.

"You can sit down shorty." Dylan offered but the girl shook her head.

"I'm okay."

"Girl look you're giving ME anxiety." Dylan chuckled as he patted the seat next to him on the couch.

The girl looked at him skeptically before sighing. She made her way over to the couch as something fell out of her bag onto the floor and she froze.

Dylan looked from the girl to the plastic baggy of green buds. "Is that?"

"Um no.."

"White girl, you have just become my favorite person in this house." Dylan grinned as he leaned down, scooping up the bag, he handed it to the girl whose hand shook slightly.

She smiled weakly. "Thanks."

She gently sat on the old fabric of the couch as she took a deep breath.

Dylan smiled at her. "I'm Dylan. Big and angry over there is Johnny, that's Circe she's not so bad as long as you don't talk to her and try not to look at Danny." Dylan nodded.

"Hi."

"You're a little ball of anxiety aren't you?" Dylan chuckled as he wrapped an arm around Charlie, pulling the man closer.

She laughed. "Yeah, pretty much."

"Me too." Charlie nodded and the girl genuinely smiled at him.

Johnny scoffed from his seat on an old wooden table. Charlie looked at him quickly before looking down. Dylan squeezed his side as he pulled him closer.

"So what girl, you smoke?"

"Yeah... Jojo only really lets me do it before bed." She nodded.

"Excuse me? No, no. Does it make you less anxious?"