Hell High • Book Two

• Chapter Four •

That night, Leah sat by the window in her bedroom as she stared up at the night sky while holding Salem in her arms, running her fingers through his soft, black fur.

"Dinner is ready." She heard a voice say from behind her and turned around to see her mother standing in the doorway with a small smile.

The young witch nodded silently and placed Salem down before following her mother downstairs. She entered the dining room and looked at the food on the table before her eyes landed on her father. Without a word, Leah took her plate of food and silently made her way back upstairs to her bedroom.

Amelia frowned as she watched her daughter's retreating figure disappear up the staircase before she turned to her son with a hopeful look.

But TJ had done the same: took his plate and went up to his room.

The mother watched with tears forming in her eyes before she stood from her seat and began clearing up the table. She packed the food away and leaned herself against the counter as silent tears slid down her cheek.

A hand found it's way into hers, the scent of her husband's cologne filling her senses. "I'm sorry, Amelia.." He whispered.

The brunette woman covered her face with the drying up cloth and cried softly which made Derek pull his wife into his embrace, holding onto her as she sobbed. "I'm so sorry." He whispered as she gripped onto his shirt.

"I miss them.." She said, burying her face into his chest. "It was their first day.. I missed their first day as seniors." She cried. "And none of them are telling me about college or what dress she's going to wear for prom.. Or why she's crying over Raphael.."

She looked up at him, her eyes pleading with his. "Fix this, Derek." She begged.

"How?" He asked softly. "They won't even look at me, let alone be in the same room as me.." He said, feeling useless over the entire situation.

Amelia pulled away from him and wiped her tears before she glanced at him. "You can sleep on the couch tonight.." She mumbled and made her way upstairs to their bedroom.

Leah made her way downstairs at around midnight with a blanket wrapped around herself only to find her father sleeping uncomfortably on the couch with nothing but a thin blanket to keep him warm. She frowned to herself and removed the blanket from around her, placing it over him.

As she covered him, she noticed the tear stains on his face which deepened her frown. She ran a hand through his dark hair and gently kissed his head, noticing a tear escape past his closed eyes.

"Dad.." She whispered softly, waking the warlock up. She gave him a small smile and held her hand out to him. "Come.."

"Where?" He asked softly but Leah remained silent, pulling him upstairs to her bedroom where she got him into her bed.

"No, Leah." He protested.

"You can stay here for the night.." She said softly. "It's alright."

"No." Derek said with a shake of his head. "Under no circumstances. I refuse to take over."

"Dad," She stopped him, trying her hardest to hold back her tears. "Just take the bed. Stop being stubborn." She said and left the room without another word.

She made her way through the forest that night where she came to a stop in front of a door. Taking a knife out of her pocket, she slid the blade across her palm, cutting into her skin before she placed her bleeding hand onto the door. "Father.." She whispered.

"It is almost time, Leah." The voice spoke to her.

The young witch continued to speak softly to the voice until her hand was suddenly ripped away. "Leah, you need to wake up." This voice spoke to her.

Blinking out of her daze, the 17 year old looked around in confusion until her eyes landed on Liam. "What's going on?" She asked.

"You were sleep walking again." He said with a frown. "You need to tell your Dad."

Leah frowned to herself and remained silent as Liam led her back home.