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With the heat of the summer forcing everyone inside, Leo and Tillie decided that it would be a perfect time for a wedding. With the usual fanfare of a Belle Fleur wedding, they were married in the gardens early in the morning to avoid the heat and then partied in the tents until late at night.

Victoria sat at the entrance the entire day. Waiting.

“Is Hayes supposed to come home?” asked Angel, looking at Trak. The self-professed protectors of their introverted, reclusive genius, they both worried about her mental state.

“She thought he was. We’ve had no word from him,” said Trak.

“She’s going to make herself sick thinking about him. The only thing that will help is if she actually gets off this property on her own, and I don’t know how to make that happen.”

“Me either,” said Trak.

The two men walked toward their wives, taking their hands and twirling around the dance floor. In the corner of the tent, Ruby, Claudette, Irene, and the ghosts were sitting around a table.

“We have to help them,” said Irene.

“I know we do, but how do we do that when she won’t move from here,” said Ruby.

“I’m at a loss,” said Claudette. “I asked her to go shopping with me the other day, and she refused. What young woman in her early twenties refuses to go shopping? What is she so terrified of?”

“She’s worried that she will be taken again,” said Martha. “It’s a horrible fear, and one that we can all feel when we’re around her.”

“Alright,” said Irene, tapping the table. “We’re all smart people, and we’ve helped plenty of young girls here.”

“What young girls?” asked Ajei, walking up with Sophia Ann, Gwen, and Kate.

“Never you mind. We’ve helped plenty,” said Irene.

“Then let us help you with whoever you’re talking about,” said Sophia Ann.

“Who do you think we’re talking about?” smirked Ruby.

“Well, it has to be Victoria. She’s so depressed it’s like stepping in mud when you’re around her,” said Gwen.

“Then let’s put our heads together and figure this out, ladies. That girl needs to get off this property, and we have to find a way to do it. I don’t care if we find another young man for her, but whatever it takes, we need to help that young woman.”

“Sounds like a challenge,” smirked Kate. “I’m always up for a challenge.” Irene smiled at them, nodding her white-haired head.

“Now we’re talkin’.”