Obscure

The Shed

"She - she what?" I heard hushed voices whisper a foot or so away from me. I froze, my eyes screwed shut - dreading what I would see when I finally took a peek.

"Jacob, her hair just changed colour - I highly doubt that is the most extraordinary thing you've witnessed today." Newt's voice was so much closer to me than - Jacob's? Who on earth was Jacob?

 I made out quiet clicks and Newt sighing, "No Pickett, what have we talked about? You can't just perch on her face - as nice as it is - she might have a heart attack and I don't think she would survive this time little one."

I mustered up the courage to open my eyes only to be met with a blurry film obscuring my vision. 

"Victoria! Oh thank Merlin!" Newt almost shouted, I saw a blue fuzz lean forward but other than that I couldn't make out a single thing. "Oh my lord, are your eyes ok? They're all glassed over?"

"They're fine, well, not fine but normal." I sighed propping myself up on my elbows on what I presumed was a bed. Damn, I need glasses. "You wouldn't happen to have a spare, rather inexpensive pen or something? Oh and my wand?" I enquired, my questions were quickly met with shuffling and muttering.

Expectantly, I held out my hand. Soon enough I felt a cool metal pen being placed on my palm and the comforting weight of my cypress wand quickly followed. Holding my wand, I flicked it and aimed it roughly at the pen whilst muttering a transfiguration incantation. Instantly I felt the pens weight shift and change into the weight of a pair of half moon glasses. I quickly slipped them on and blinked a few times to become accustomed to the change. 

I saw Newt crouched at my side, looking at me intently although refusing to make eye contact. A small plant like creature in his teal pocket gazed up at me, clicking brightly. I was lying on a small wooden bed in a shed like building. It was only small, no bigger than five or six foot wide. The walls were crammed with various scientific instruments and equipment I couldn't even tell you the purpose of. A small mucky window allowed filtered light to dapple the room. There was a large ladder which lead up to some strange trapdoor, this occupied the vast majority of the room. Perched on a step of this ladder was a large man with black hair, he was wearing a tux and looking at me worriedly. He had kind features and must have been the man who found me - Jacob. I looked down at myself, white, long hair infringed on my field of vision and I could see I was still wearing my office clothes Mr Graves picked out for me. 

Oh. Mr Graves.

Before I knew it a rogue sob escaped my lips and my body shook violently. I tumbled back into the mental state I wished to escape so badly. 

I felt myself being pulled into Newt's arms, which wrapped protectively around me and pressed me against his chest. His fingers softly smoothed down my hair, calming me. I clung tightly to his coat, as if it on its own could save me.

"Hey, it's ok, I've got you - you're safe with me." Newt cooed in my ear. I believed him, I was safe here and quite honestly I didn't want to move. My hacking sobs slowed into gentle tears as he continued to reassure me.

Jacob cleared his throat, "I'll leave you to it, I guess." he muttered awkwardly. 

"What are you talking about? Get over here big guy!" Newt exclaimed, I didn't have to look to his face to know there was a massive dorky grin plastered all over it. I couldn't help but giggle and I could feel Newt laughing too. I looked up and saw Jacob just behind Newt, looking at me apprehensively - I pulled him into the hug apologetically. 

"Thank you! You saved me. Both of you." I mumbled after a few minutes of the awkward but strangely comfortable three way hug. Both of the men made a small noise of acknowledgement before Jacob pulled away, leaving Newt and I in a rather uncomfortable embrace which I soon clambered out of.

Abruptly the trap door flung open and in tumbled two cloaked figures, followed by a third more cautious figure. Both Newt and I had out of instinct pointed our wands at the now rather noisy mass on the floor. Jacob, however had not. Which was strange to me, why on earth did he not? Did he not carry his wand with him?

Meanwhile the two figured which had fallen to the ground rather ungracefully removed their cloaks. 

Tina and Martha were sat on top of one another, each angrily glaring at the other. I couldn't help but stifle a laugh at how comical the two looked - both very flustered,pouting with a hilarious fury.

"Wipe that pout off of your face Porpentina or I swear down I will whoop-" Martha launched a verbal offensive, which was met with Tina's own. As I gathered from the two bickering, Tina had accidentally pushed the feisty girl down the ladder which was a bad move - accidental or not. I knew many a goblin who had nearly lost an arm due to them getting a little too close for comfort at the bar. I had grown very aware of her impeccable reflexes and sharp intuition. 

"She overheard me getting Credence and refused to leave until I brought her to you, she was banging on about being your friend Victoria." Tina explained after the pair had finished fighting. I laughed lightly and thanked both of them. 

Wait. 

Despite my wobbly state and lack of coordination I stumbled over to the third figure who had stood quietly since arriving. Newt followed in hot pursuit after he realised where I was going, he held my waist gently to support me as I staggered. 

Lowering the hood of the cloak I went up on my tip toes to kiss the cheek of the person beneath. 

"Credence, you're safe. He didn't get to you." I sighed, content as my legs gave way and I collapsed comfortably into Newt's arms. He lifted me up to carry me back to the bed with a giggle. I turned back to get a glimpse of Credence again. 

I screamed as I watched his cloak fall to the floor. Slashes and bruises decorated his skin in an angry pattern. His white top was drenched in crimson and a single tear trickled down his cheek.