Erin did not care for Elizabet, in fact it was safe to say she loathed her. What she had done to her, she had taken everything from her. Elizabet was nothing more than a soulless demon she thought to herself. But on the outside she appeared calm. Inside she was fuming and didn't know if the anger would ever subside. When they had finished their introductions and food Erin stood up. She began to walk out of the room when she felt a cold weathered hand grip her wrist.
Erin thought it was Elizabet and she whipped her head around. She was ready to unleash her wrath on the woman, when she noticed that it was Hattie. The wrath stayed in her throat and she swallowed her contempt.
"Hattie?"
"Don't be too angry with her." She spoke softly and let go of the girl's wrist when she realized that she wasn't going to run away from her.
Erin blinked. She was well aware of the 'her' Hattie was talking about.
"Why did you agree? Why did you let her convince the coven? WHY?" As Erin spoke her anger began to bubble out and she didn't know if she would be able to put a lid on it.
Hattie looked at the young girl. Her heart wept for her, but she couldn't let her know. It was better for her to be angry than the alternative. "I'm sorry, Elizabet did the ritual, she thought it was for the best."
Elizabet had told Hattie, she had told them all to place the blame on her. She was a demon after all. The girl already had her suspicions of her. 'It is easier this way, blame me.' Elizabet had said with a smile on her face and sadness in her eyes.
"I hate her." Erin said simply.
Hattie nodded. This was what Elizabet wanted. But, she wished she could tell the full truth. There was nothing for her to say.
"So, what am I supposed to do now?" Erin turned to Hattie.
Hattie noticed the anger disappear from the girl's eyes. There was confusion and desperation. Hattie could sense the sadness coming off the girl. "I was thinking that we could start training you to join the coven? And when the next full moon is upon us and at the witching hour we can welcome you to our tribe?"
Erin looked at Hattie. A couple days ago she would have said 'Hell yeah' now, it was different. Witchcraft took her family from her. But what else did she had to do? They wouldn't let her leave. Erin nodded, her only answer was 'yes'. Not even a week ago she was at this house, taking pictures for the junior-senior prom. Embarrassed by her parents. But now, Erin wanted them back. "Do you know where the occupants of the house went?"
"Ah, Matthew, Gregory, Ania, and Emmeline?" Hattie asked.
Erin nodded.
"Frankly, we would like to know that answer too."
So Matthew was gone, her parents forgot her and now she is training to be in a coven. Wow, life sure does throw some crazy curve balls. "So, what do I have to do?"
"I'll go get our coven's grimoire and you can start with that."
Erin thought to herself, maybe she would just wake up and this would be a bad dream. But sadly, no matter how much she pinched herself she wasn't going to wake up. This was her new reality.
Erin balked when she saw the size of the grimoire. She had to study that?! It was as thick as a phone book and there were three books so far. As the coven learned more they added to the grimoire, three and counting. She took the books and headed to the library, she would study there.
Erin set the books on the table with a thud. Hattie came into the room and set down a cup of tea. "To help your mind study. Please let me know if there is anything you need."
"Well actually...I don't have anything here, no clothes, no toiletries and I have to go to school tomorrow."
"Honey, i'm sorry, but you will not be going to school."
"What why?!"
"Who will you be? Erin Dawson doesn't exist anymore." Erin felt her heart sink. She was not just forgotten she was wiped of the map. Having Hattie say it aloud really stung and ring true. "Oh." So, that would mean that Matthew wouldn't remember her either?
"But, as for your toiletries and clothes and all that miscellaneous stuff, you only have to ask me and I can get it for you. Just ask, okay?"
Erin nodded.
In the month leading up to her joining the coven were busy. Even though she wasn't attending school she was still studying. When she wasn't studying the grimoire she studied her school textbooks. Hattie magicked a laptop with access to internet.
Erin searched her social media accounts, but they weren't there. She created a new account to check out her friends. Photo's in which she knew she was in...she wasn't there anymore. Everything was gone. She was still holding onto some scrap. But no.
Erin realized that Elizabet really backed her into a corner. She really had no choice to join the coven.