The Real power of a Healer

Lunch time is always busy. Raelle thought as she paced around the front of the building waiting for her dad's.

*****

It was about two later that Edwin pulled up to the front gate of front Salem. They had somehow forgotten the road works in the village/ town of Salem, which was bombed just weeks ago. Which seems like a lifetime ago. But still the painful reminder hit harder than they never thought.
Edwin slowed at the checkpoint.
“Morning, can I have both your ID please, and state your purpose in visiting fort Salem today.”
Edwin handed over his citizen ID and William military ID, over and was about to speak when the guard, seeing Edwin ID, spoke.
“You know civilians are not welcome here, not after the attack, down in Salem.”
Edwin was about to respond when another guard spoke.
“outcross or want ever you are, You're not welcome here” she yelled.
William, not liking their tune, climbs out of the car suddenly. And round the car, his tags on show. Even if he is not a part of the US army but the Cession he still wears them. And pick up the guard slamming her into the wall.
“Call my husband an outcross again, and I will remove your tongue” he spoke angrily.

Edwin just looked at him and then back at the guard and waited feeling like he was done, and even if he wasn't. He was going to speak.
“I am Edwin Stone, this is my husband William Stone, here for our daughter's graduation from basic. Raelle Collar. Or is it Stone now? Our daughter hasn't really told us want name is using”
The guard still looked unimpressed. This was getting on her nerves. He looks over at his husband. And step out of the vehicle.
“William, these knock-less, mindless fools are worth getting my sister here. And you know how she is with me. I can't deal with that today”
William step back from her, “your luckily today, but I going to officially request a dual form you”
“Get in the car” Edwin yelled, enhanced with his witch vocal chords.
That startled all the guards. There sheepily hand back there ID’s and headed inside.
“I love it when you do that”
With a smirk and with know hate behind his words, “shut up”

Edwin after packing the car, jumped out and rushed over to his daughter he hadn't seen in weeks. William just chuckled before, removing the keys from the car and joining them.
He watches as he rushes up behind Raelle and picks her up. Getting a laughing reaction. He couldn't help but chuckle as well, his daughter is truly a gift. He was happy she was finally smiling, and none of that fake smiling stuff. Especially after the last mission she was on. Where she only managed to save four kids, everyone else had died. She took that very hard, as she is a healer at heart. But First she was a detective for the missing and lost souls.
As he approached them Raelle looked over at him and came over giving him a big hug, a little surprising but he didn't show it.
“Hay there, you seem much lighter than normal, it suit you”
“Thanks, dad”
For a moment she let slip how she felt and held him tight. Before stepping back with a smile, for his part he didn't say anything understanding it was the time or place.

“So where your partners, that you have”
With a sweet smile, “they stay up late, there” she stopped her. “There resting but after the ceremony your meant them, you already meant one”
“Scylla right,” William said, thinking back to the letter house.
“Yes, that right, our second is Libba Swythe, we'll technically I'm the third. Which I don't mind”
They were about to head off inside the building when Raelle mentioned.
“You know, your button is wrong” pointing to Edwin too because continuation pointing to William, “your top sticking out of you pants”
Edwin checks his top as William checks himself out. Both quickly fix their mistake before looking at each other and laughing. About everything they thought, looking their way there did.
“Sorry” they both muttered together.
“Sorry about want, being in a healthy relationship or fucking on your way to hangout with your daughter” Raelle chuckled after.
“Your cheeky, want happened to the biggest grump”
“I was forced to face it head on, it worked wonders. Plus I'm not in pain twenty-four, seven.”
“I can see how that could help,” William said, taking under his wing and together heading to the cafeteria for the higher up. Raelle was given treatment as General Stone was her aunt. It was that but she couldn’t be bothered changing the rumour. The reason was allowed up there because she is the leader of Cession army, not like everyone knew that, it was a known secret in the cession, not so much in the US.

They gathered their food and sat at the far left table close to one of the many windows. And started to get and chat among themselves about all manner of small things.
A little time for them sitting together discussing a few things that have happened. Also covering that all aren’t using the Collar name anymore and they have been informed about it.
“So you told them, then”
“Yes, there might be spineless people that created a monster, but to be given their gift of healing, they needed to know of this change.”
“A gift for a gift” a voice came out from behind her.
She turned, “hay mum, come join yes”
The only one that didn’t look shocked was Nicta herself and maybe Izadora but she couldn’t really tell. But that didn’t matter, she was good to Nicta that all she cared about.
“When did that become a thing”
Raelle looked at her dads, “want she has always been my mother figure even before the monster revealed them, i’m also not a grump anymore” she said the last word with a wink to William.

After getting their own food, both Izadora and Nicta joined them.
“So are you going to introduce this lovely lady by your side Nicta” William said with a smirk.
“You neglected the manners you were taught in the Cession,” Edwin added.
Nicta leaned over and whispered ‘sorry’ before placing her right hand on the small of Izadora's lower back.
“Edwin, William, this is Izadora Dart the head of the Necromancy facility, and at the moment we are dating”
Raelle cleared her throat which made everyone look her way.
“Sorry” Nicta cleared her own throat, “this is Raelle Coll- Stone my adopted daughter, Raelle this is Sargent Dart”
With a smile put out her hand, no longer worried about physical touch at all. Izadora happily took her hand.
“It's nice to meet you,” Izadora chuckled.
“Well welcome to the family,” Raelle replied.
As she was about to carry on, she noticed a few Privates, staring at her, she could tell they wanted her. With a small smile.
“I’ll be right back”

They all stared after her as she headed over to a group of young Privates. They could tell something wasn’t right. Nicta was about to get up and interrupted it, only for Edwin to stop her.
“If she need us, she would say something”
“What if she can’t” Nicta fired back feeling a little protective toward Raelle.
“I have hoped since the surgery and her new found look on live she would come to those around her for aid. If it ever gets out of hand, like before I will step in.”
“What else has happened”
“Tally, Raelle's unit mate was attacked. The guy was also Libba's father. I had a few guys deal with him, inside the prison. He might be in a coma because of it” he said with a smile.
“But know outside this table know that”
“Know what” Izadora says.
“I like her,” Edwin said, talking about Izadora.

Raelle walked back over, her breath was a little laboured. Which seems to worry them all. Sensing this, “It's nothing,” Raelle said very dismissively and carried on eating her food. Everyone was almost sunk in their seats.
“But it is something” William pressed the only one brave in the moment.
“There know stuff about me that could get me kicked out”
“General Stone and Alder are the two people that have the final word if a cadet or any officer leaves the military. Already know your history to a point and know about your mental health. So want ever it is, you can tell me”
“I'm tainted,” Raelle muttered.
Edwin pulled her into his side, “you might be, and that on Willa not you. You are one, if not the most powerful healer the world has seen. Everything else is nonsense”

Raelle moved away and got her things, “well I see you all later, my girl is a calling” she lied.
And headed off swiftly. She couldn’t handle the tenderness of them. She heads off after placing her plate and cup in the sink and heads to her hideout. Maybe spending the next hour with them before meeting up with her coven.

Edwin spoke up once she left, taking Williams hand in his and kissing it.
“If we see them, don’t hesitate to put them in there place”
“As you wish, my love”
“You're so whipped right now” Nicta said with a smirk.
Izadora lean close to her ear whispering, “like you are in bed want over two hours ago, if you want we can do that again”
Nicta turned red.
“How whipped now” William said, making everyone laugh. It was nice to be.

*****

It was mid afternoon when everyone gathered around. Edwin, William and Nicta headed to a small area where the parents were gathered to watch. Izadora had headed back to her room.

The stage that had been built for this event, as the last forced group of witches to graduate from fort Salem, the next will be volunteers.
Alder stood before everyone, for the first time in years without her bidders. They're still not far away as the connection has fully been broken. But she has her own mind again. Her biddies are still ready to serve her, in any way she needs. Know they can do more, with their youth back. But still there stood by her side.
After a long night where she wasn’t able to rest but she was allowed to lay down, which had been enough rest. She had talked to her biddies, her best friend Izadora and Kelly only briefly. But it was nice to speak with them in depth. Today her plan was to speak with Stone and Petra about the change that was going to happen.

“Today, I stand before you anew. We celebrated and mourned this year. But it, the last year of forced service” she allowed those words to sink in before carrying on.
“Everyone will have a choice after your graduation. This is a new age of change. Of growth. Where us witches, finally, are free to make a choice to serve this nation in any way they choose. To fight or to just live a normal live”
She carried on, talking about the changes that will be happening the following year. It wasn’t too long before she wrapped up.
“Please, remember this place will forever be a witch's place, for all levels of witches. I hate to say it like that, but people have looked down upon mixed bloods. I hope the future this can change along with other changes, that is all, at the third bell, you will know your future”

All the cadets moved outside. All exited most looked forward to the changes some, mostly the upper class where muttering to themselves. But she didn’t care, all she cared about was afterward where she could finally introduce her girls to her dads.

As the bells rang, all of them checked over their medals. Raelle gave it a quick look at her medal, smiling to herself. But quickly tucked the medal away. She looked over to Libba who was standing beside her.
“Hay, let me see”
With a large smile she did so. On her medal read, special forces.
“I don’t know what it means”
“It has been, you have special training, to be deployed in certain cases. Like when a task force is made”
“Oh, that made sense”
It was also the same with her unit and a few close people that Raelle trusted. After an hour of going over things. Raelle pulled Libba to the side.
“I want you to meet someone”

There in the distance she saw Scylla speaking with her father. An older man. But before she could get to them. A young girl with a few friends steps in her way. Stopping her and Libba.
“What are you doing with this outcross thing” directing their questioning to Libba.
With a smirk, Raelle speaks. “Libba, why don’t you head toward Scylla. I will be there in two seconds”
There locked eyes for a second and forced herself to walk away. After the night before with Raelle confession, she didn’t want to leave her alone. She wouldn’t if the rule were reversed. She quickly met up with Scylla who looked at her concern.

“What going on”, taking her hand in her own.
“It's the same people that hurt her early this year” Libba said, not sure if they should act or tell someone.
“What” a loud but somehow soft spoke over them.
Libba quickly moved back behind Scylla out of reflex. Which Scylla understood, and turned around pulling her into her embrace and whispered ‘your ok’.
Scylla looked over to this man, she remembered him from the Cession but couldn’t remember his name.

“Hay, Raelle got trouble” pointed toward her surrounded by four others.
“Right” and with that headed off.
Raelle smiled as she saw him coming. She was just ignoring the girl until one of them pushed her. She briefly looked eyes with him. Who gave her a small nod. And with a big smirk.
“So, are you done or are you wanting to carry on this. Because if you carry on. I will not pay of any medical aid that comes your way”
“What” the ring leader said, turning on her heels to face him only for her to back up a little at making eye contact.
“I see you know my little girl, she is bright. If you touch her again, I will give her permission to take you out. Because so far she been following the rules”
There back away, she wasn’t sure if this was the end of it but for now they are shutting up. Which was nice. It was one thing to face her demons head on, another for people to say hurtful things without a comeback.

She smiles at seeing her birth father come up hugging him from behind. With a smile she moved past the girl who still had their mouths open.
“So there are some people, i want you guys to meet” Raelle approached them, she could see Libba panicking a little and spoke. Before meeting up with them.
“Guys, be gentle, her father wasn’t kind. She might be distant with you but note it not you guys ok” she said trying to make them understand.
They both place a hand on each shoulder. “We understand, more than you know”
With that Raelle stepped to them holding Libba's hand.
“Scylla, Libba I want you to officially meet my fathers” she stepped to the side, “William and Edwin Collar.” her face fell a little.
Edwin step forward his hand outstretched, “it Stone know, we changed on our anniversary this year”
“I changed it once i know about Willa”
“Well that's good to know,” William said.
“Well I am saying it now” Raelle states with a little shake of her head.
Libba couldn’t stop herself from laughing. Everyone followed along right behind her. They didn’t care about the looks everyone was giving them. It would seem it had been a long time since they all felt free to laugh. It also alleviates the tension in Raelle. Talking about Willa or even mentioning her was still very painful even if she never says it out loud.

They stayed there talking after the laughter had died down. Raelle asked if she could bring them home with them to the Cession. And so they are around mainly her home and what she does as her day job. William smiles at that, it was the first time Raelle and asked this of both of them. They know Raelle views them as long term and maybe her soulmates.

*****

It was almost late by the time she headed off alone, her girlfriend hanging out with the others. She knocked onto the officer door, with a come in.
“Alder, here we are”
She looked confused at that opening statement. So seeing this she spoke up.
“I versioned this at the start of all this, now it has come to pass. But are you sure about this”
Alder smiled at this, her biddies had been allowed to visit their homes. So it was just her alone inside her office. She laughed of course she did, Alder thinks.
“About the medal or that i created a task force for you to lead, train and to be called upon. When needed, when i need it”
“Yes, with my history. My illness, my past. Are you sure”
“More than anything”
“I’m broken General, my past has been opened up, i fear it could make me hurt those around me” she said slowly looking down.
“William and Stone has mentioned your mental health, and i say to that find your enemy and make them feel it”
“It that want you do”
“yes”
Raelle smiled at that, “i want tell Kelly that”

*****

The further was set, the next few days. Everyone cheeked with glee at the changes. They learnt about the Raelle medal and what the group will be doing.
Everything was set, Alder planned her proposal.
Stone training Anacostia.

Adil, Khalida and Abigail are all heading overseas. Heading to the land where Stone had taken back their home land again. After so long being hunted. Some of the special forces had also settled, asking for permitted placement after hearing the news of change.

Scylla, Libba and Raelle closed off the little house, and haven’t left for over a week. Their little holiday is just them. There plan had changed once there had come to the Cession. Which there didn’t mind at all.

Nicta and Izadora moved in together and Izadora had introduced her kids to Nicta. Which only made her family grew just that little bigger.

*****

Frankic crawled to her, as she lay among the Mushroom field she had created. Healing the land, from trees, to plants, to all kinds of animals. The mushroom itself, if eaten, would heal any and all injuries. This was her Real power of a healer, it had been locked away since her capture. Her body and mind had been so injured that it was locked away. Now freed from the continuing pain and also the start of her recovery of her mind. Her power had slowly come back to her.
She smiles as Frankic brings her out of her mind. Whispering, “she has been found”
She pushes herself up, stretches her back out a little, before taking Frankic and placing him on her shoulder and entering the hideout that no longer was in hiding. As there was less witches and threats that could get to them now. The wards around the base were strengthened by Olly work, which was defence working.
With a smile, "guys we have our first task"
Everyone stopped doing what they were doing, Scylla placed her book down, Libba stopped mid swing, Bells and Tally entered the room, their hair a bit messy but that was fine by her.
“What the, task, baby” Scylla said.
“Hearst sister has been found, our task. However is not to bring her in. Who wants to join”
“Is that even a question?” Libba said.
“By the way it is not,” Tally added.
“Great, gear up, we got a truck to catch”