CHAPTER 7

　　* Weston Hills was formerly a town of witches, a town of dark powerful witches. Amongst these witches were other supernatural creatures, spirits, vampires, werewolves, gargoyles, golems, and the rest of them. Most of them were extinct. Some years ago, these witches fled away due to the numerous attacks launched by humans on them. Though they had the power to fight back, they had to flee because they never wanted what was imprisoned to be returned. Weston Hills had other natural creatures, poisonous spiders, venomous snakes, deers, and a few birds. Raven was common, but these humans who had taken over Weston Hills hated Ravens because they were known to depict evil. Amongst these creatures was a vast land of forest with evergreen trees, beautiful lakes, seashores, and steep mountains. It also had a few caves that were scattered around the town.

　　Earnestine turned a page of a book, she had told them what she saw in her research. Only but a few histories dating back to when witches and other creatures were dominant in Weston Hills.

　　“There is nothing related to the rituals.” Earnestine told them.

　　“It's rather confidential.” Janeka said. “This pedagogy was given to us by our mother. We should heed it more than anything in this world.” Freya said. Earnestine sniffled. She stared at Freya with watery eyes, and they all heaved a sigh.

　　“Why are you so concerned about what you ruined or are you afraid of what would happen to the family? You don't want your sweet little Hayley to abandon you.” Sabrina said scathingly, she just barged into the conversation after she stepped into the library leaving the door open. Earnestine was older than her, but Sabrina didn't care so long as she was doing what she felt was right. It didn't matter to her. “Sabrina...please no more drama,” Freya told her. Sabrina stood there exhaling deeply, she could not just believe that after all was said and done they were siding with Earnestine and Hayley. “What matters is our family. We can keep it together.” Freya said.

　　“Some stupid ritual can't take us apart.” Janeka interrupted.

　　Hayley was walking down the street with Wendy by her side. She was seeing her off, and she had strolled far away from home.

　　“See you tomorrow.” Wendy said, as they embraced each other, and bade each other goodbye. Hayley turned back, she thought about her family, and the rituals and she promised that nothing would ever break their sisters' bond. She followed a short lonely path that led to their house, as she contemplated her sisters.

　　Hayley felt someone speed past her, but she wasn't sure, ignoring it, as she kept on moving. She was about to take a turn when she bumped into a gray-haired short woman with red eyes, and pale blue skin. She seemed like someone who had been wailing all her life. This old woman reiterated some indistinct words, glaring, and trying to scare the living daylights out of her.

　　“You can't escape your destiny.” The old woman told her. Hayley had flashes of the things she saw when she came in contact with the oak tree in her school. She fell to her knees screaming until the woman vanished, as she stood on her feet, she felt tears trickle down her eyes.

　　“My destiny is greater than you think.” She muttered. All she could think of was to run back home and lock herself up. She couldn't explain what just happened to her, but she kept on running until she got home. The farther she ran the scarier it got, the Ravens cawed, wolves howled, birds chirped, having flashes of the old woman as if she was about to devour her mind. She felt as if those things were after her, but all she wanted was to go home. She barged into her room and stepped into the bathroom turning on the shower, as she pulled off her dress taking a nice warm bath.

　　The five sisters sat in the dining after they finished Sabrina's food. They held one another and promised that they'd always stand together no matter where life takes them to. Hayley finally smiled. This was the kind of family she was looking for. A family with an unbreakable bond. They all were about to leave when Freya's phone beeped, and she checked her message. She smiled when she saw the message, she wasn't sure what to do, but something told her to read it. Her sisters couldn't wait to hear why she was smiling, they all felt tickling under their feet.

　　“It's him.” She informed them grinning, but it didn't last for long, she looked sternly at them, and they all raised an eyebrow before they all smiled, chortling, as they embraced each other.

　　Hayley opened her eyes. The whole place got covered by a thick white cloud, and she couldn't see a thing. “Where am I?” She asked herself, as she stood up trying to find her way out of the fog which was nearly impossible to escape.

　　The unbinding

　　Freya was in the closet, she was gazing at the mirror not quite sure of what to say. Is this the life that awaited her? Could she handle it now their family was experiencing numerous issues? She looked at the engagement ring on her finger, as she had flashes of Eamon. She loved him, and that was the verity. Finally, her wedding was around the corner, and she was overwrought that she was going to leave her sisters and the house of witches for a whole new environment with her spouse. She knew Janeka was old enough to lead her sisters through everything that would come their way in the future, but still, she was part of the family. She puffed out, as she walked out of the closet down to the kitchen to get herself a bottle of water. She heard footsteps, and she hastily turned meeting Janeka sauntering down the stairs.

　　“Hey.” Janeka said.

　　“You are supposed to be asleep.” Freya directed.

　　“We all can survive. We are always a family, and family never dies. Don't worry about yourself. We'll be always there for you.” Janeka said, patting Freya's back as if she knew that was what she would be worrying about. They stepped into the kitchen.

　　“I'm worried about Hayley. I'm worried about all of you.” Freya uttered.

　　“You have been always there for us, and you should have a family. You should have your life.” Janeka told her. Though she was happy she would be getting married, she'd miss her sister, Freya. “My life is incomplete without all of you.”

　　“We are a family. Always and Forever.” Janeka told her, as they left the kitchen.