#witch!hazel

“Get yourself together Grace. There are bigger problems to worry about. Like the wolves.” Jason muttered to himself. Stopping, he sighed and weighed his options. With the full moon this close, he needed to go to Hazel’s cottage to get ready for the change. Then he could handle the wolves properly. However, her brother was going to the same place and wasn’t aware of what was about to happen. Even with Frank being in control of his transformation, it was still dangerous for anyone outside the pack to be around. Groaning, Jason changed directions and started making his way to Hazel’s cottage. Hopefully he got there before the angel in the red hood did.

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Nico stood there for a couple of seconds in shock about 2 things. One being the fact that the man had yet again ran into the woods that was filled with dangerous animals. The other was that the same man just called him red riding hood. Nico felt his cheeks burn slightly as he continued his way down the path. He was only 10 more minutes away from the back of Hazel’s cottage, where she started a garden with the help of their stepmother. Looking up, Nico noticed that the sun was getting past the midpoint. If he wanted to make it back before sundown. The last thing he wanted to do was spend a night in the woods.

However, the rest of the way through the woods seemed more dangerous than usual. There was a constant shuffling through the nearby trees and bushes, causing him to get nervous and grip the hilt of his sword more securely. He would fight the wolves if he had to, but it wasn’t something that he wanted to do. The last fight left him with large scars on his arms and a shredded jacket. Thankfully, he soon came to the clearing right before Hazel’s cottage. It was in full bloom, with the loveliest of flowers he had ever seen. As he got closer though, he became confused.

“Wolfsbane? Night blooming jasmine? Moonflower?” He muttered, picking a few of the flowers to examine them closer. “Why are they growing in this part of the forest? In the middle of the day no less?” Nico settled into the clearing and opened his basket to grab an empty jar he had brought along just in case. He might as well take them to Hazel, seeing that she liked to collect flowers and herbs and could use the seeds to plant some in her garden. He started with the moonflowers, making sure to pick the whitest of flowers that were in full bloom, and then moved onto the night blooming jasmine. He took extra care to wrap the purple beauties in a napkin so that their scent could be contained. Finally, he took some wolfsbane. This could keep her safe from any wolf attack that may happen in the future. Nico stood up and stored the jar back in the basket, looking back up in the sky. He had spent way too much time picking flowers. He would be lucky to make it to Hazel’s before dinner, let alone make the journey back to the village.

“Looks like I am staying the night at Hazel’s.” He whispered to himself as he continued his way through the forest.

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Jason had made it to Hazel’s cottage just as the sun was getting low in the sky. He only had some time left before the pack would be going into the woods and he would have to join them. There was some shuffling thoughout the building as he knocked 3 times.

“Who is it?” a sweet voiced called from the house.

“Hazel, it’s Jason. Something urgent has come up.” He called. Immediately, the dull thud of the wooden plank lock being taken off was hear and the door swung open. Hazel was in her usual yellow apron and green dress, her curly hair tied back with a matching bandana. He could smell the beginnings of a potion brewing.

“Come in. Frank just left to get me some last minute ingrediaents that I will need for a few brews that I’m going to spread around the house. He’ll be back soon.” She replied, grabbing his wrist and dragging him into the small cottage. Jason felt at home as soon as the door closed. “Whats the problem?”

“Well, your brother is on his way to the cottage.” Jason started out. Hazel froze slightly, her eyes widening.

“What! No no, he cant be in the forest tonight! Why is he coming here?”

Jason paused and tried to remember what the dark haired boy had told him. “He had heard that you were sick and came to take care of you I believe.” Hazel smiled slightly at that before realizing the actual situation.

“That’s sweet, but this isn’t good.” She went over the brewing potion and stopped for a moment. “Wait, if he left this morning, he should have been here by now. Do you think-”

“The rogues didn’t attack him. They were on the other side of the forest. I’ve been tracking them. He was on the north path last time I saw him.”

Hazel hummed. “Which means he might have stopped at the clearing. That would bring him to my garden.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, they heard footsteps coming towards them. Jason started towards the door before a smell hit him. He groaned and backed away. “Jason? What’s wrong?”

“Wolfsbane.” He whispered hoarsely as the smell got closer. He felt the familiar tingle go through his spine and hunch over. No, this couldn’t be happening right now. “Hazel get out of the way. Go get Frank!”

“I’m not going to leave you to change on your own!” She cried out, going to the shelves. “I think I still have an antidote for wolfsbane.”