SCRATCH Vol.2

Part 2 - Act 1 The Discovery of Witches

"What are you suggesting?" Ebony's green eyes narrowed.

"Well," Nicky muttered, releasing the necklace, only to then rub her neck wearily. "Surely someone here could point us in the right direction." She waved the card at the cat, holding it between her index and middle fingers.

"Nicole," the cat sighed, sounding nettled. "I just said your mother wasn't welcome there."

"I'm not Agatha Harkness," Nicky said, crossing her arms. "They wouldn't even know who I am. Who's to say I am not welcome?" The cat let out a low grumble.

"It's only been a few months," she said sternly. "You just need to keep looking."

"I'm just saying," Nicky held her hands up defensively. "Instead of trawling through the god knows how many books in here, I could just ask someone to point me in the right direction."

"Other witches..." Ebony growled. "Can't exactly be trusted. Why do you think your mother isn't in a coven?"

"I wouldn't know. It never came up. Besides, I'm not joining a coven," Nicky retorted. "I'm asking for some recommendations. Some advice." The cat glowered at her. She returned the familiar a sober look. "Ebs, this is me admitting that I am out of my depth. It's been months, and I haven't made a dent in any of this." She gestured at the room, the bookcases, and the seemingly countless books and scrolls that filled them. "What's the harm in asking some shop assistant if they have a book on curses or chaos magic?"

"It might arouse suspicion," the cat replied, agitatedly pacing the rug. "And garner us unwanted attention."

"We'll be discreet," Nicky promised, eagerly sitting up. "Please. I need the help. And a change of scenery." Her eyes trailed over to the forest outside, the scene dark and bleak thanks to another moonless night.

"Fine," Ebony conceded, growling once again. "But we must be vigilant. If your mother were here, she'd say the same thing. The only witch she could ever trust was herself." The cat followed Nicky's gaze towards the window, her tail wagging lethargically as she stared out into the cold darkness. "Let's get some rest," she yawned, motioning for the door. "We can leave for New York tomorrow."

***

"This is it, Ebs," Nicky shivered, squinting between the brass-etched sign attached to the red brick wall ahead of her and the card in her gloved hand. In the snow-drenched half-light, she was finding it difficult to read either the sign or the card. The card itself had led her and her familiar to a basement store, tucked underneath an 1800s tenement building in the East Village.

"Yes, yes, it appears so," Ebony replied, shaking her body furiously. "Let's get this on with and get out of the cold!" A decent layer of snow had fallen since they'd arrived in the city, powdering her coat with startlingly white snowflakes, much to the cat's chagrin.

Down the stone steps towards the entrance, Nicky paused in the doorway. 'Richmond County Wiccan Society Bookshop' was printed against the glass of the door in gold leaf, black-lettered calligraphy. Dusting off the snow from her beanie and coat, Nicky took one last glance at Ebony, the cat merely giving her a begrudging nod in reply. She removed her woolen glove, grasped the cold brass doorknob, and opened the door.

Above her, a small bell chimed with a light twinkling sound that rang out through the store, signalling her arrival. Scents of dried rosemary, lilac, and tobacco mingling with dried parchment, ink, and leather reached her nose as she stepped further inside, letting the door swing closed behind her.

At first glance, the store appeared to be quite small. Warm and cozy, the eclectic establishment felt like something from a different age, its period dressings and finishes giving Nicky the feeling she had just about stepped into another era. The walls were dressed in ornate wallpaper and framed paintings of what she could only presume were witches and their familiars. Even the light fixtures, old gas lamps with bronze fittings and glass cases, partially blackened by smoke, added to the antique vibe.