The Witches of Weston

Family Reunited

Happiness was the emotion that felt so foreign to me these days. Relief and grief have been my companions since Weston's destruction. Feeling giddiness again I began to walk in a daze to that figure at the door.

"I hope we aren't interrupting anything" the figure said in a familiar voice. Leaning against the doorframe was my father. He looked awful his face was swollen and arm in a sling but alive.

And beside him was Grandma Ruth with Mrs. Seymour as the two elderly women waved at Sarah and Rachel greeting them. I felt my feet moving before I realize I was in his arms.

"Father, I'm so glad to see you safe." I cried feeling him embrace me back.

"Me too my twin" choked out father letting his head rest on mine. I didn't want to let go and when I heard Thomas gesturing to all the Weston survivors to sit and eat. Jacob took  to prodding me to let go of father and let him get some food in his belly.

Having him take my seat I could see he was hungry from the growls coming from his stomach. Allowing for father to eat, I looked at the rest of my friends as Laura was talking to grandma.

Moving over to her I wanted to see to my grandma's welfare myself. She seems all right her clothes looked fresh and unlike my father didn't seem hurt.

"Grandma" hugging me as she patted my head like she did when I was a child.

"I'm okay child it takes more than those Delianians to take me down" she said releasing me. "I guess my old eyes didn't warn me about this one." She made it sound like a joke, but I could tell grandma felt guilty. Her eyes  always picked up danger and to not be able to do that at the festival must have hurt her.

"Grandma this wasn't your fault. Your sight couldn't protect Weston from what happened."  I stressed taking her by the shoulder  staring into her eyes. "It's the fault of the raiders and everyone that help them not yours."

"Maybe I could have saved some lives." She sniffed rubbing her eyes. Shaking my head, I wouldn't let her do that to herself. This guilt didn't belong to her but the criminals that destroyed Weston.

"Foresight cannot prevent things but let us deal with the aftermath." I reminded her of what she told me countless times in the past.

 Snorting at that comment grandma made a sly smirk. "When did my hot temper granddaughter become so wise."

"When I saw in a vision my home being destroyed by my mother and sister:" I answered making her shake her head.

"Ella was always rotten I could tell from the beginning." She grunted moving to sit down. I was about to ask her how she knew but a dispute started across the table. Observing the parties, I groaned seeing Rachel and Gail having a screaming match.

"Mother there is nothing wrong with Malcolm" Rachel hissed at her mother who could be her twin. Gail had the same dark caramel brown skin and eyes as her daughter. But her height was two inches shorter than Rachel and she kept her hair shaved off. In a more matron dress she looked like a woman in her thirties than one in her forties.

"Rachel I won't have this man in our family" Gail barked lifting her nose at Malcolm. But seeing they were causing a spectacle she lowers her voice "We will discuss this later in private now let me and your brothers get some rest." Being dismissed Rachel tensed up but her face was determined. Taking a long breath she finally did something I never seen before.

"Mother there is nothing to discuss." Gail looked shock that Rachel didn't back down to her request. Rachel's brothers didn't seem to share their mother's outrage and continued on their way. Taking plates of food and walking to the nearest table letting their mother and sister argue.