Crown Of Thorns [ Michael Langdon ]

2 - strange little town - 2

{Chapter Two - Strange Little Town}

~ Before you go to sleep,
say a little prayer ~

- Beautiful Boy

Myrtle set down the car seat on the table, the baby woke up and glanced around at her surroundings. She did not cry or whine, but just stared with wide eyes. A young teenager stood next to Myrtle and peered into the seat, at the baby.

"Is this her?"  The girl asked, her blonde hair falling in front of her face. The baby looked curiously up at her.

"Yes, but let her rest. We've had a long journey."  Myrtle sighed, "Delia, I need to speak with your mother."

The girl raised an eyebrow and was about to say something, until the door opened suddenly,

"I'm here, I'm here."

Another woman in her late forties entered and headed straight over to the baby. She completely disregarded her daughter and peered into the car seat.

"Fiona, this is Elora."  Myrtle said.

"Well, you certainly weren't lying," Fiona breathed, her eyes never leaving the baby, "This girl is oozing with magic."

"Is she a witch?" Cordelia asked.

"Delia, leave the room, please. This is grown up's business." Fiona instructed, and Cordelia slipped out the door, staying close enough to hear the conversation.

"So, you convinced the boy to let you take her?" Fiona pestered.

"Yes, the poor boy couldn't remember anything from when his body was being inhabited. I convinced him it was for the best." Myrtle answered.

"Hmm... do we know what exactly she is?"

Neither of the two women spoke for a minute.

"The Messiah." The two women glanced at the baby, and the cross necklace that hung around her chubby neck. She looked back at them, without a clue of who she really was.

✧

4 years before the bombs

Elora set down the last box in the hallway of their new apartment and wiped her brow.

"Nate, what's this box?" Elora called down the hallway, to her boyfriend in the kitchen.

"Uhh... I think that's the stuff Cordelia gave you." Nathan called his reply, and Elora ripped open the tape that bound the box. Inside were the things from her old room, like her crystals, photo frames, and diaries. But Cordelia had also left her some spell books and tarot cards.

With a quick glance towards the kitchen, Elora picked up the box and carried it to the master bedroom, shoving it deep inside the cupboard. The last thing that Elora needed was for Nathan to find out she was a witch.

She pulled out her phone and checked one unread message,

Mom🤍

How was your flight? Did
you make it to the apartment
alright? Let me know if you
need anything!

Elora smiled to herself and typed back a quick response,

Seriously, I'm fine!