111 The nightmare (part 4)

The young mare previously without a name now found herself in possession of one, Heather. The name flipped around her mind, thrilled at the thought. Heather followed the elderly woman into the cottage with a slight grin on her face. "My name is Heather and I am pleased with the name."

The woman let out a little chuckle as she moved around her little hut. She grabbed a plate of little gingerbread men and set them on the table. She ushered Heather to sit down and eat. The woman then turned her back and began to heat water as she grabbed to cups and set them off to the side.

Meanwhile, Heather sat and looked around the cosy cottage with the afternoon light spilling in through the windows. She noticed various glass bottles lining a wall filled with various items, most of which she couldn't identify. Heather then turned her attention back to the table and in the middle was a floral arrangement with wildflowers with a single heather in the middle.

Heather reached out and touched the heather in the middle and whispered to herself, "Heather." Her face exhibited a simple smile. With a name and actually speaking with someone, she felt like a real being for the first time in her paltry life. Heather glanced back to the woman that was pouring the water into the two glasses. Heather grabbed one of the gingerbread cookies and bit into the head of the little man. She chewed slowly the taste and flavors different from anything she had ever experienced before. A weird light floating feeling settled into her body...she didn't know it at the time, but it was happiness.

The elderly woman came back to the table and set the steaming beverage in front of Heather before taking the seat opposite.

Heather reached for the cup and just as quickly removed her hand from the cup. She brought her fingers up to her face. The happiness she had felt previously was replaced by the pain from almost burning her hand. Heather glared at the mug and then looked up at the woman that wore a smile. The woman held the mug from the handle and was blowing on the warm beverage.

Heather returned her attention back to the cup and emulating the woman she held the handle, this time she did not get burned. She then brought it up and blew on the cup and watched as the steam danced away. After some time she brought the drink close to her mouth and took a sip slowly, somewhat afraid she would burn her lips or her mouth.

As the warm liquid fell down her throat she again smiled. The cookies and this beverage were pleasing. She was lost in the joys of the treats she was imbibing when her thoughts were interrupted by the woman sitting across from her.

"It's not often you find a nightmare that does not like to kill and torture. It's the first time I have come across a nightmare that is interested in human behavior and only feeds off of a human once. Very interesting."

Heather set the cup down before bowing her head and lowering her eyes, "I didn't know."

The woman acorss from her furrowed her brows, "I beg your pardon, I don't understand."

"I killed Alger, his death was my fault. I didn't know." Heather said, her voice filled with the shame she felt.

The woman reached across the table and rested her hand on Heathers. "It was an accident and you were knew to this world. How were you to know?"

Heather nodded to the woman's response before replying, "I didn't want to cause more death. I am careful now."

"You are dear. You are. Would you like to stay with me?"

Heather blinked unsure of what the woman was asking.

"You can't harm me dear and I can keep you well fed without you interfering with human's dreams, if you like? You can stay with me here this can be your home too."

Home. Home, thought Heather she wanted a home. She nodded, "What is your name?"

"Ah, how rude of me. I rarely get visitors! You may call me Hattie."

***

As Erin listened to Heather's story, she couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She just appeared in the world and she was no different from a toddler in the beginning. However, she didn't have parents to guide and teach her. She was alone for well over a hundred years. Erin was glad that she had run into Hattie so early, otherwise...

Erin was surprised when the story ended story quickly, looking back up at Heather.

"I still think about Alger to this day. It is because of him and his death that made me the nightmare that I am today. Without that, I would have never met Hattie if I failed to make the vows I had made to myself so early on."

"Surely you are missing a millennia of your story?" Erin said as she noted the distant look on Heather's face.

"Yes, but really, it is no longer just my story to tell. You will have to ask Hattie about it."

"Mm." Erin mumbled as she considered what she had been told and somewhat unhappy. "Are you happy to be here? You know, with the coven?"

"Yes."

How could she answer so simply? And, without thinking Erin blurted out, "But you rarely talk and almost never smile."

Heather turned away and looked out towards the vehicles in the drive. She was unsure of how to respond. After a minute she said, "yes, I am happy to be in the coven with the others. I am not alone. But, as for the lack of displaying my happiness, I suppose that is my nature." Heather didn't feel like going into the darkness she had in her heart. Hattie knew most of it as she had lived with her the longest. Elizabet also knew, she was after all another demon.

Erin watched Heather's reactions closely. While Erin knew the answer she was provided was true she also realized Heather was leaving some things out.

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

The smile that had been resting pleasantly on Heather's face had long since disappeared. Erin stood up and was sorry because she knew deep down she was the one that had taken her smile away by asking her to tell her story.

Heather nodded and stood up as well heading off toward the cemetery.