VENEFICA

[13] The Raven in the Serpent's Den

The world was covered in yellow caution tape. Every move Lily made was done with care and calculation. The shallow creaks in the opening and closing of doorframes and the pitter-patter of student footsteps behind her back filled her mind with hints of weariness and unease. But despite all of this, she put on a brave face and walked into the dining hall for this Saturday's breakfast. Nothing could hurt her anymore. The nightmare was gone.

"Lily!" Elora cried, running up and throwing her arms around the girl's upper body.

"We were worried about you," Abelle added. She too grabbed a hold of Lily's hand and squeezed it tight with joy.

Lily flinched, uncomfortable by the sudden grasp. "I'm fine," she said, pulling her body away from Elora's embrace. She smiled and sighed. "I'm fine," she reassured herself. Just Fine. Mystic stood by Claire and Abelle's side. She knew Lily wasn't as fine as she made herself be. She could tell by the smile. The trick to good fake smile was to squint the eyes a little. Eyes naturally squint when smiling. So as she looked at the corners of Lily's eyes, she could tell that Lily's smile was one that Lily forced onto herself. Ungenuine and terrified. Yet, she couldn't find it in herself to bring it up. Abelle and Elora were so happy to finally see their friend again. This was not the time to question the validity of Lily's claims. "I'm glad you're back!"

Mystic pulled Abelle aside. "Something's not right with Lily," she whispered. She handed Abelle an open textbook on nightmares and dream sequences. "I just have this feeling, Abelle."

"Well, she's a bit quieter than normal, but I guess that must be the aftereffect of having a Nightmare possessing you," Abelle replied. She scanned through the highlighted passages and shrugged. If anything, the fact that Lily was back warranted the idea to let this ordeal go.

Mystic wouldn't take that as an answer. "Look, I know a lie when I see one, even the half-truth lies that you tell yourself to make you feel better about lying. I don't think Lily feels as safe as she's letting us believe, and if that's not a reason to be concerned, then I don't know what is." She took a step back and glanced over her shoulder at Elora and Lily at the table.

Abelle sighed at Mystic. "This isn't the best time Mystic. She did just come out of a Nightmare attack after all." Mystic, Abelle, and Claire sat on the wooden bench opposite of Lily and Elora. "Lil'," Mystic started, "you'd tell us if there's something wrong, right?" She looked directly into Lily's eyes. Her pupils dilated in a hypnotic fashion.

Lily swallowed, her face frozen in ponderance. Something about the way Mystic asked the question made her want to reveal the secrets she's been hiding. "Well, actually..." Her eyes locked onto Claire's for a few measly seconds before quickly towards Abelle's.

Claire took it as a sign she wasn't privy to this information. She got up from the bench, stepping away from the imaginary safety bubble that was Abelle's presence. "I'm going to get water for the table."

Once Claire was out of range, Lily took a deep breath. "I know you've been researching Nightmares..." she muttered. She sat silent for a moment before continuing, not engaging in eye contact. Elora whisper-shouted, "I knew it! She is what brought it to you!" "No Elora, I know Claire didn't do it—bring the Nightmare that is," The phrase left Abelle with a sigh of relief. Even she started to doubt the validity of Claire's own innocence. She looked at Claire for a brief moment as the girl walked to the drink stand and picked up a metal pitcher of water.

"Magic leaves this sort of trace, like a signature list of the people it had contact with. My mom taught me and my brother how to 'sense it', a feature of my family of sorts, probably enhanced by this vampirism." Lily glanced at Abelle. "I can still feel it, the nightmare, in the air. Like it took a part of me and my mind wants it back. It's supposed to be gone. Everyone says it's gone. But what if it isn't?" Lily looked towards Claire standing at the opposite side of the room and back at the table.