#blessedbyhecate

"Why?" The question was almost comical. The way he acted like she was crazy for thinking he may need a day of rest. Wren knew it was hard to get him to stay home any time, let alone when he wasn't feeling well.

“I’ll go by myself! Don’t think I won’t.” Leo’s grinning, laughing – a finger pointed at Sebastian as she kicks her foot into a shoe. “I’m going through withdrawals here.” She’s always had a flair for the dramatics.

Of course, she knows Sebastian won’t let her go out at night alone. Not even on a silly little run to the convenience store. Sugar won’t help her sleeping problem, but she doesn’t care – and they don’t seem ready for bed either.

All attempts to flee had been futile – she’d resigned herself to a life full of misery. An endless loop of torment and suffering, with glimpses of better days sprinkled between, but surely ripped apart at the slightest inconvenience. She’d asked for help and gotten it, then backed away a number of times. Like she was too afraid to see if the grass was truly greener on the other side.

And yet, here she still stands – outside of a shop, a last-ditch effort to make her problem go away. It seemed ridiculous, insane even, to enlist the help of a so-called ‘witch.’ Leo had convinced herself that witches, wizards, and everything in-between were merely subjects of fantasy. But she was desperate enough to give it a shot.

Hand warily grips the handle as it turns – though she still hesitates to actually open the door. A nervous glance up and down the street to make sure she hasn’t been followed, and then she wills herself to step inside.

“I am fine.” Leo assures, though it’s not exactly true.

It’s a game of keep-up, where Leo is trying to gulp her margarita down at the same speed Penny’s going with her martini. The tequila burns her throat and makes her want to gag, but she keeps chugging – consequences be damned. The moment the glass is empty, she’s teetering a little, but it doesn’t stop her fingers from wrapping around her companion’s wrist and yanking her to the dancefloor.

Wren and Sebastian walked side by side down the narrow trail, their breath mingling with the crisp fall night air. The path was littered with fallen leaves, crunching under their boots as they moved through the golden-hued woods. The wind picked up, sending a chill through the air that cut through the cozy warmth of her flannel.

She turned to him, laughter bubbling up as she saw the exaggerated pout on his face. "You're the one who wanted a late-night walk to enjoy the 'crisp fall air,' remember?" she teased, bumping her shoulder against his. Wren chuckled and slipped her hand into his, pulling him closer. “Come on, we’re almost home. Besides, there’s something magical about the cold, the leaves…the stars,” she said, glancing up at the clear sky twinkling above them. @blessedbyhecate