Black Magic Women

93

Hilda finally came down the stairs after what felt like an eternity. After she had finished up with Mary, they had decided to move Zelda up into her bedroom, as it made it easier for Hilda to look after her injuries without the crowdedness of the living room. Hilda had spent a lot of time dealing with what at first seemed like just some minor injuries but turned out to be more than just a few scratches, much to her worry.

A quick glance into the living room told her that Mary was fast asleep on their couch and for a minute Hilda couldn't decide between letting her rest and waking her up to force some food down her throat. The brunette had protested loudly when the plan of moving Zelda had been voiced for the first time, wanting to be near her loved one but Hilda managed to keep her down the stairs with great effort.

Mary wasn't ready to move around yet and while the pain killers might give her the feeling that she was more than just ready, Hilda knew that the agony would catch up to her sooner than later and she wanted to make that as bearable as possible for the brunette, even if that meant keeping her on a short leash.

She went over to the couch and put her hand onto Mary's shoulder, shaking her lightly.

"Mary..."

The brunette didn't move even after a few seconds of continous shaking and so she shook her a bit firmer.

"Mary, wake up."

"Please, no. Leave them alone," Mary whimpered in her sleep and it broke Hilda's heart as she realized that Mary was having a nightmare. It wasn't hard to guess what the nightmare was all about and so the British woman watched as Mary's face contorted and her breath grew rapid and shallow.

"Mary, wake up. You're having a nightmare," Hilda said and shook her again.

Hilda didn't want to startled Mary, as she didn't know Mary's record of being woken out of a bad dream and so she kept her distance and just gave her soft but firm shakes once in a while, all the time continuing to talk to the brunette, who had started trashing.

"It's time to wake up, my dear," Hilda said one more time and gave one harder push, pushing Mary awake.

"No," Mary said as her body shot upwards, ready to either fight or flight. As her eyes scanned her surroundings, searching for the potential threat, she started to realize where she was and confusion clouded her face.

"It's all fine. You're safe. You only had a bad dream," Hilda said and brushed a hand soothingly over Mary's back, wanting to comfort the confused woman.

"But, but it was so real," Mary said and looked at Hilda with tears in her eyes.

"It's not real. We're all here. Ambrose and Sabrina are in the kitchen, you are here with me and Zelda is upstairs, still sleeping," Hilda said and brushed the tears that had fallen off Mary's cheeks in a motherly way.

"How is she?"

"She'll come around. She is a though cookie," Hilda said and patted her shoulder before she straightened her body, feeling every single one of her muscles ache in pain.

"You need to eat something."

"I am not hungry."

Mary curled up in a ball again and pulled the blanket up to her nose, wanting to hide from the world but Hilda wouldn't have any of it.

"You are going to eat, if you like it or not. Your body needs the nutrition so you don't add a weak system on top of your long list of things your body needs to fix."

"But I feel sick already. I don't want to risk throwing up."

"I made some soup that will do your stomach good. It's mixed with some herbs and a little bit of magic, so you definitely won't be throwing up any time soon."

"Can I eat here? I don't really feel like moving."

"That's what I would have suggested. Do you want us to join you?"

"I'd rather eat alone..."

"So it's settled, we're joining you, my love."

"But-"

"No 'buts'"

Hilda said and disappeared into the direction of the kitchen, where rustling and talking soon emerged from. Mary slowly sat up and pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them thightly. She didn't feel like socializing and just wanted to spend some alone time with Zelda.

Oh, what she would give to be curled up in Zelda's embrace, to hear her sweet voice talk her out of her stupid thoughts. Truth was, Mary was still feeling like an outsider in this family. With her history of destruction and wreaking havoc, it was no wonder Sabrina was still as distant as ever and she had hardly seen Ambrose and therefor had no idea where she stood with him. Not having Zelda by her side was frightening her, as she was the one, who always stood up for her when her family was getting too much.

She almost winced when Hilda set down the plate on the small coffe table and she watched the family pool around the table with clouded eyes, still hesitant to take the plate. Only when everybody had settled down, did she relax a bit into her seat.

"How are you doing? You're looking much better than out there," Ambrose said and gave her an encouraging smile.

"I feel a bit better thanks to Hilda's lifesaver. I bet I'll feel dead tomorrow though," she said and reached for the plate, Hilda immediately reaching for it as well and handing it to her safely.

"We wouldn't want anything to go wrong," she said and smiled at the brunette warmly, making her feel more at ease with the situation.

"So you and auntie performed a bonding spell. What on earth did I miss?" Ambrose said and Mary chuckled quietly.

"You certainly missed a lot," Hilda said and looked at Sabrina, who had been quiet all day long.

"Is everything allright, my dear?" She asked and looked at her niece worriedly.

"Yes." Sabrina said and looked at her aunt with tears threatening to spill.

"It's just that I am... So sorry."