28 The Witches (1/2)
That week had been hectic for everyone, but the town was just happy to be out of the shelters and back to work. It took the small town a few days for everyone to get things back to normal, but that was easier to accomplish knowing that no one was injured during the incident. This also scored some big brownie points for Gabriel and his new band of friends, who helped greatly to defend the town and prevent a siege that could have lasted for days, maybe even weeks. Gabriel chose to lay low since his discussion with the cat, not telling anyone about it. He knew that Alyssa and Pablo would become more unnerved if he told them about it, which pretty much confirmed there was at least one former resident of New Salem residing in their town. Gabriel saw the cat again days later, but didn't speak to him. The Vampire thought it would be better to give the cat and his master some space, let them think and discuss what he had proposed earlier. Gabe didn't want to cause any trouble, so being pushy with a witch didn't seem wise, so he decided to be patient and fly to Nashville and a few other cities to gather supplies to pass the time. With Max very happy about his work, less questions were asked, and that allowed Pablo, Sean, and the rest of their people time to settle in and become a part of this caring community. Sean was by far the most popular of the new additions, as not even the town's previous medical staff had an issue with him. Sean took the regular doctors under his wing and gave them additional training, making them even better at their job than before. His ability to each medicine and expanded what their own doctors could do made Sean even more invaluable to the town. His family as showered with gifts and other tokens of appreciation from thankful people who appreciated his work.
When eating at the town's cafeteria, Pablo and Diane were sharing an early breakfast. Pablo had agreed to take care of Diane while Alyssa and Gabriel were gathering supplies and staying a few nights in one of the human cities on the east coast. He knew Alyssa would enjoy that, but watching Diane wasn't that much of a chore, as it reminded him of his own kids. A part of his history he never discussed that much to anyone, not even Gabriel.
”Are you alright?” Diane asked.
”I'm good,” Pablo replied, ”Just thinking about the past.”
”Don't do it too much,” Diane said with a smile, ”The future is the other way.”
”Well said,” Pablo agreed, ”I'll try to remain focused.”
Without warning or invitation, something he was known for doing, Max came over to their table and sat down. ”Pablo, I need something from you.”
”Alright,” Pablo said, eager to be helpful, ”What's up?”
”One of my men is sick,” Max reported, ”And next to him, you're the best shot in town with a rifle. I'd like you to take his shift on the wall.”
Pablo paused for a moment. ”I'm actually watching Diane for Alyssa.”
”Well, she has school today.” Max reminded him, ”And I can get someone to watch her until your shift is done.”
Pablo paused for a second, then he turned to Diane. ”Are you okay with hanging with someone else this afternoon?”
”I'll survive.” Diane replied, ”It's alright.”
Max seemed genuinely happy. ”Thank you very much!”
After he bolted off, Pablo and Diane slowly finished their breakfast before he walked the young lady off to school. Once she was inside, Pablo grabbed his personal rifle and too his duty seriously as he went to the wall to cover the shift requested. Diane had a normal day at school, learning about human history, doing Shakespeare in English and even playing dodgeball in gym. It was a typical day, and when she left the school after the final bell, there was a lady out there waiting for her.
”Hello Diane,” the lady said, smiling to her. ”I'll be watching you this afternoon.”
”Hello, Mrs. Goldman.” Diane said, remembering the nice lady from the town's herb garden. Before she died, Diane's mother always took her to the garden to gather things to cook for the town.
”I can't believe how much you've grown,” Mrs. Goldman gushed. ”You look so much like your mother.”
”Thank you,” Diane said, taking it for the compliment that it clearly was.
Mrs. Goldman took Diane back to the garden, and they worked there together for a few hours before calling it a day. But rather than take Diane to the town's dining hall to eat, she invited the young girl back to her place. Mrs. Goldman started to work in the kitchen, making her own meal from scratch for the two of them. It wasn't everyday that Mrs. Goldman had company and she wanted to make it special. Diane was looking around the apartment, and all the old photos that were framed on the walls. Some looked very old, while some others looked more recent.
”It smells very nice,” Diane said, trying to be polite.
”Thank you dear,” Mrs. Goldman replied. She watched as Diane walked closer to one of the more recent picture frames. The young girl picked it up and looked at it for a moment. She looked back at her host with a confused look on her face.
”This picture here,” Diane said, showing it to her. ”Is that my mother?”
”It is,” Mrs. Goldman answered.
”Who is that woman beside her?” Diane asked.
”That would be me,” she answered.
”But you look so young in it,” Diane said, but then she paused. ”I'm sorry.”
”Don't be, dear.” Mrs. Goldman said with a smile. ”I am old, and it was no secret that your mother aged much better than the rest of us.”
”How long did you know my mother?” Diane inquired.
”Longer than your father did,” Mrs. Goldman answered. ”We came to this town together, back when the wall was a lot shorter.”
”I see,” Diane said, pausing again. ”Why is he hiding?”