Hattie was beyond thrilled to see Myrtle, she was ready to see the rest of her sisters. She hadn't seen them all in over 100 years! It had been far too long. When the blonde girl exited the vehicle Hattie was ready to pounce. She hugged her tightly. "I've missed you so much!"
Liz slowly walked over taking a quick peak at the child in the bug. "How come I didn't receive that kind of welcome?" She said as she turned and faced Hattie.
Hattie shrugged her shoulders, "We had two days together. I would think you would be tired of me. Besides, I stunk to high heaven!" Hattie laughed.
Liz rolled her eyes, "Good to see you Myrtle." Liz walked close and embraced her in a hug. "I too have missed you. Where were you?"
"I was up North."
"The Upper Peninsula? It shouldn't-" Hattie began to say and stopped as Myrtle was shaking her head.
"No, further North! I was in Nuvahut near the Hudson Bay."
Hattie turned over to Liz, "See, I'm not the only one that prefers isolation!"
Liz rolled her eyes again, was this going to start being a thing now? Liz waved her hand indicating for Myrtle to continue.
Myrtle let out a soft chuckle. "It is easier to maintain a place when there are fewer people to deal with. But, I don't know 30 years or so I headed up that way, the waters so clear and so dangerous." A sly smile flashed upon her face before fading to nothing. "I was up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Lake Superior for a while." Myrtle licked her lips, "Oh quite the dangerous spot! The sailors that came and went and fell to the bottom of the sea."
Hattie shook her head and Liz began coughing from laughing so hard.
"So Liz, I heard you were in the desert of Nevada?" Myrtle asked.
"Yup! The brothel is legal out there and it is a great way to earn money and sate my hunger! You are right, I had to change between places more frequently than you two did. Before that was the red light district in Amsterdam." Liz licked her lips. Part of her wishing she never had to leave this place, the Octagon House. As quickly as the idea came to her mind she let go of it just as fast. No use dwelling on something that could never be.
Myrtle smile, "Its good to be back and I have missed you both. I can't wait for the others." Then myrtle turned her attention to what used to be the Octagon House. "Liz, what happened here?"
Liz looked at what was left of the Octagon House she let out a defeated sigh. "Well, obviously it burned to the ground." She said sarcastically, but truth was she didn't know. She thought maybe that girl, Erin, would have an idea. In fact she had a strong feeling about the girl.
Myrtle smiled, "Thanks smart ass."
The smile dropped from Liz's face and was replaced by pursed lips and hard eyes. "Truthfully I don't know what happened. I awoke a couple of days ago realizing that the protection spell had broken. What happened between then and now, I truthfully do not know."
Myrtle nodded, "Will we be staying here?"
"Mmm"
"Do you suppose we should seal the gates again?" Myrtle asked looking towards Liz and Hattie.
"Yes, I definitely think we should, it couldn't hurt." Liz turned her attention back to the house. "We have to come up with a plan anyways, this place is as good as any."
Hattie looked over at the bug, "Liz, I think your kidnapee has run away."
Liz let out a frustrated grunt and headed towards the VW Beetle. She peaked in the drivers seat. "That sneaky..." Liz trailed off. Well, she couldn't really blame the girl for running! Liz was more angry with herself. She lifted her head and slapped her hand on the fabric top of the convertible and called out to Hattie and Myrtle, "We need to find that girl, now!"
"Shouldn't we just let her go?" Hattie asked.
"No, I think she will cause serious trouble for us if we let her go." Liz paused for a moment, "I think she will come in handy for us. Didn't you feel it?"
Hattie shook her head, "No, but just let me know what you want me to do."
"Myrtle, why don't you seal the gate? While Hattie and I look for the girl. We have a better idea of what she looks like."
Myrtle nodded, she went to the glove compartment in her vehicle and pulled out her ceremonial knife. "You guys do what you guys do, leave the binding and sealing to me."
With that Hattie and Liz darted off into the woods. "Hattie, your skills please?"
Hattie nodded and knelt down on the ground. She closed her eyes for a moment and then pointed in the direction of the running human girl.