“…It’s now been three weeks since the disappearance of Katrina Worth. Authorities have searched the woodland surrounding Spring Falls but have yet to find any evidence relating to Miss Worth. Anyone with information is urged to come forward…”
Liam turned the TV off and threw the remote at the wall. “Three weeks and nothing!” Dragging his hands through his already messy hair, he turned. “She can’t have got far! Unless she’s…”
Face crumpling, he picked a stuffed bunny from the table; one ear was threadbare from being stroked and there was ketchup on one leg. “She loves this dirty old thing.” Hearing no reply, Liam looked over at the sofa and his face clouded over.
“Our little sister is missing and you’re sitting there reading?” Stomping over and snatching the book, Liam glared at Ash, who didn’t respond.
“What is wrong with you? Kat has been gone for three weeks.” Liam threw the book on the sofa and leaned in close to Ash. “Do you even care that she’s gone?”
Flecks of spittle landed on Ash’s face and still he said nothing. He held Liam’s stare in silence.
“You…” Liam threw his hands up and turned away. “I’m going out to look for our sister.”
Ash waited until the front door slammed and feet pounded down the steps before reaching for the book. He hated getting his brother all riled up but needed to get him out of the house for this. Liam wouldn’t understand. Ash wasn’t even sure he did, but it was worth a try to get Kat back. Flicking to the page he needed, Ash pulled a box from under the sofa, placed it on the table and began to remove its contents.
“Rose of Jericho. Myrrh. Thyme. Yarrow. Gold thread. What else?” Ash ran his finger over the page, mumbling to himself. “Ah! Dragons blood sap. Where did I put that?” He rummaged in the box, pulling out all kinds of containers and bags. “There you are!” Brandishing the odd-shaped bottle, Ash turned his attention back to the book. “Ashes of a Phoenix. Saw that... there!”
Carrying the bottles and containers into the bathroom, he ran a bath. Not too deep, not too hot.
Consulting the old book yet again, he began to place the ingredients into the tub. Once done, he sat back on his heels and watched as a small grey shadow climbed in and submerged itself under the water.
“Here goes nothing.” Ash took a deep breath then began to read an incantation from the book.
“Mortuum oritur. Rutum revertitur Ex spiritu incarnatum est. Oriatur et educatur.Oriatur et educatur.”
Silence. Ash moved closer to the bath and was soaked when a little girl jumped up giggling and splashing.
“You scared me.” Laughing, and relieved it worked, he grabbed a towel and wrapped his little sister up.
“Now. What do we tell Liam?”
Kat smiled at him and shrugged. “I found my own way home.”
(492)
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