Tucson, Arizona



I silenced my phone as it rang for the umpteenth time, keeping my eyes focused on the road ahead as I made my way through the Arizona desert. My visit to Shadows Of Salem had led me here; Cassie's manager had informed me that the last he had heard of her, she'd been planning a trip here to see her Aunt Sylvia. He had been kind enough to provide me with an address, and I'd left Huntington Beach without a second thought. There was nothing left for me there.

I took a right and began to make my way down a winding path. The further I drove, the more colourful my surroundings became; out of season flowers in full bloom sprouting up through the tall grass, exotic-looking birds nestled among them. Given the dry desert-land that made up most of the state, it definitely wasn't natural. A white, victorian'esque farmhouse loomed up at the very end of the path, tucked deep within the surrounding flora, well and truly isolated from the outside world.



I shut off the engine and climbed out of my car, making my way up the wooden steps. The wind chimes that hung off the verandah jingled as a gentle breeze blew across the front porch and a hummingbird fluttered nearby as I knocked on the front door. A few brief moments passed, and the large wooden door opened just a crack.

"What do you want?" a heavily Spanish accent asked.
"Are you Sylvia Whyre?"
"Who's asking?"
"Bri-" I cut myself off, unsure if I should reveal my true name. "Eli." I said, clearing my throat. "Eli Hellwin." I lied, spontaneously deciding to use the name of a line of amps I was supposed to create with Schecter, before I got myself tangled up in this mess of a life.
"Never heard of you." she answered. "What is it you want?"
"I'm looking for Cassie."
The door clicked shut.
"Ma'am?"
I heard what sounded like a chain being unhooked, and the woman opened the door once more. "Come in." she sighed, stepping aside to let me in.

The house smelled strongly of Dragon's Blood incense as I stepped inside. Tapestries and feathered masks, dream-catchers and strange herbs lined the walls, bamboo rugs covering every inch of floor space. Sylvia led me down the hall, brushing aside a beaded curtain as she led me into a room at the very end.

The room wasn't unlike the rest of the house, but yards of organza in bright orange, yellow and pink hung from the ceiling, forming a tent'like shape in the centre of the room. Sylvia sat down on one of the velvet cushions surrounding a wooden table that laid very close to the ground, crossing her legs.

"Please." she said, motioning to another cushion opposite her.
I took a seat, still taking in my surroundings. What a strange place, though not unlike the shop her niece had worked at.
"Tea?" she asked, pointing at a silver teapot that sat atop the table's surface.
"Sure." I nodded.
"So." she started, filling a small wooden cup that had no handle, sliding it toward me. "How did you find me?"
"Cassie's Boss gave me the address, told me I may be able to find her here."
"Well, he was wrong."
"Do you know where I may be able to find her?"
"I have not heard from her since she left for New Mexico." Sylvia frowned.
"Not a word?"
"I tried calling her." she said. "Several times, no answer."
"Do you know why she was going to Mexico?"
"She was offered a job, from a Mr. Midnite."
"What kind of job?" I asked.
"How well do you know Cassie?" she asked.
"Not very well, we went to school together but-"
"Then you know nothing of our family?" she interrupted.
I shook my head No.
"Why do you think she worked at Shadows Of Salem?" she asked, cocking an eyebrow.
I shrugged.
"You strike me as a smart boy, take a look around you." she smirked.
I glanced around the room once more; suddenly taking in the strange statues and crystals that sat atop the shelves lining the walls. "Just a stab in the dark, here." I said. "Witches?"
Sylvia nodded in response. "Cassie was offered a once in a lifetime opportunity, to work for a very well-respected Witch Doctor, whom saw her potential."
"So Cassie's a Witch?" I asked, just to clarify.
"Indeed." she smiled. "Incredibly gifted."
"Isn't it dangerous to be meddling in that kind of stuff?"
"We do not deal in the dark arts." Sylvia said. "The magic we practice is only intended to help others."
"So like, White Witches?"
"Correct."
"This Mr. Midnite, where do I find him?"
"He owns the Midnight Club in New Mexico." Sylvia stated. "I believe you will be able to find him there."
"Thank you." I said, downing the last of my tea and getting to my feet.
"Please, let me know if you find her." she asked, tears glinting in the corners of her eyes. "I must know that she is okay."



"I will." I nodded. "I promise."
"One more thing before you go." she said, getting to her feet and retrieving something from a small trinket box on one of the shelves. "Take this with you."



She placed a small pendant in my hand, etched with strange engravings I had never seen before.
"It is the Sixth Pentacle of Mars." she informed me. "It will protect you from harm."
"Thank you."
"Be safe." she urged, her dark brown eyes widening as she surveyed me. "Horrible things lurk in the dark, and the Midnight Club is a Haven for them."
"Then why would you let Cassie go there?"
"It was not up to me." she said. "I cannot tell her how to live her life, I warned her, but she would not listen, and now I fear she has fallen to harm."
"I'll find her." I said, feigning confidence.
"I hope you do."

Notes

Okay so, the chapter is kind of short, but I felt this was a good cut-off point. This story is kind-of taking a different turn to what I had originally planned, and I'll be slipping more of the Hellblazer/Constantine world into it. The good thing about that, is it blends well with the Supernatural universe. - And don't worry, the next chapter will be a little more exciting.

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