Untamable Resolve: The Witheridge Witches

Ch. 13 - Bearings

"What do you want to wear? A dress?" Delia shouted from the closet. 

"Um, sure," I responded hesitantly as I fell back on the bed staring at the white ceiling. 

"I'm going to change too. My clothes are soaking wet."

The clothes weren't technically mine to begin with so I didn't care.

"You don't need to ask. Go ahead. I don't even know what's in there."

A few minutes later she came out changed, I sat up and saw her holding an earthy blue simple long-sleeved dress in one hand and a pair of off white canvas sneakers in the other. I dropped my towel as she helped me maneuver the garment over my head. I stood up and pulled the dress down, so it lay straight. It was quite warm despite its' thin material.

"Do you know where my things are?" I asked while bending down to put on a shoe.

 I desperately wanted to have some sense of comfort here. Also, I was very anxious to get my ring back. Not only did my hand feel naked without it, but I was curious to find out why it had reacted the way it did under the ice. Perhaps the image of my mother had been a hallucination, but the ring's illumination moat certainly had not been.

"Silas was given all of my belongings, so I'm sure that Lucas has yours."

We reentered the bathroom in search of a brush when after a few minutes, we gave up and resorted to using our fingers. I had multiple rat nests that needed to be tamed. 

As we were attempting to comb through my hair with nothing less than our fingers, I asked, "Do we know where Claire is?"

She shook her head no saying, "I asked, but I haven't heard anything yet."

I decided not to share the horrific scene that I had witnessed when her brute of a mate had found her. We'd been traumatized enough. I'd tell her later. Delia's and my mate were not kind by any means, but I didn't even want to imagine what Claire would do to her or had already done to her. He was so menacingly animalistic, and her being so sensitive and sweet; it hurt me that she was paired with such a monster. Not that any of us deserved any of this but specifically not her. If I could find her, I would do my best to get her away from all of this. The question was how. First things first, though was I needed to get to know my surroundings and get familiar with the prison I'd be living in. Also, I desperately wanted to stretch my legs. 

So I asked Delia, "Could you show me around? Believe it or not, I haven't left this room."

"Sure," she answered.

She started to lead me to the door. As we went through the opening of the door, I face a straight hallway that had multiple empty rooms attached to it. I ran my hands in my hair in frustration. 

Fuck this shit.

The upstairs of this home had been designed to house at least six additional people. It didn't take much thought to understand that Lucas had brought me here with the intent of starting a family. Continuing with the tour, Delia walked me to the end of the hallway, which had a large bonus room filled with a large sofa and television that covered most of the wall. I peered inside before we went down the stairs to what was the first level. After going down a winding staircase, there was a roomy kitchen that overlooked the living room. I walked over to the kitchen sink that overlooked a small garden. Nothing about this house had any personality except the little cottage behind it by the yard. I nearly missed it as it blended into the greenery behind the house. It looked old and homey with vines almost fully encompassing it. This is where I would find my solace until I could get my bearings. Something about the Earth at my fingertips calmed and centered me.

I eyed the back door that entered into the garden area before walking over to it the Delia said, "Wait, I'm going to grab a jacket. It's a bit cold out there."

As I turned the doorknob and opened the door as the crisp winter air hit my face, I inhaled and replied, saying,

"I like the cold. It keeps you with it."

And boy, did I need all the help in that department right now.

With that, I kicked off my shoes and walked outside. My bare feet connected with the chilly grass as I looked up at the sky. They would never take this away from me. I would have to enjoy the little freedoms I got as they came. I started walking around the back yard when Delia ran to catch up with me. We talked about where she had come from, which I found out was not very far from my own home. She also told me that Silas and her house were right next door so if we ever wanted to see each other, we could. I was telling her about my grandfather as I heard the entrance to the back of the house open and Lucas call to me.

"Jo! What are you doing? Come here."

My instinct was to resist; however, Delia grabbed my hand and led me back towards him. When I got nearer to him, he pulled me into him and hugged me as he warmed my body up with his. He looked at Delia,

"Thanks for helping her. Silas is waiting for you back home. Your escort will bring you there."

She smiled and said, "Anytime. See you then."

Before heading out the door leaving Lucas and me alone.