In an undisclosed location:

Manouche *groping her way through the dark passageway, suddenly notices a dim light up ahead.  She heads for it, mindful of her footing on the uneven stones.  She finally reaches a very small room, dimly lit by an oil lamp.  She’s surprised to see no other items in the room except a full size, free-standing floor mirror, in a heavy mahogany frame.  She approaches it cautiously, then she admonishes herself.  After all, it’s only a mirror; what harm can it possibly do?  She steps up to it, observes her reflection critically, mutters*  Blimey, Manouche, yer a sight.  *she brings her hands up, tries to tame her wild, dark hair.  She wipes at a smudge of dirt on her face with a sleeve, but she only succeeds in making it worse.  She looks at her reflection again, laughs.  She starts to turn away, then brings a hand up to her eyes as she feels another strange sensation.  She braces herself for a vision … everything is hazy at first, then she hears a voice, a small faint voice that gradually grows louder, and she soon recognizes it to be a child’s voice.  She looks into the mirror, and her eyes widen as she sees another face besides her own – a little girl’s face, probably about eight years old, staring mournfully back at Manouche with large dark eyes.  Manouche’s heart goes out to her, and she shakes her head sadly to see the eyes filled with far more care and anguish than should ever be for such a young girl.  She murmurs*  By th’ powers, too much unhappiness fer a child.  Jus’ like Raven were at times … *the thought grows in her mind, and she brings a hand up to her mouth*  J-jus’ like … Raven … *she snaps her gaze back to the mirror*  Ch-Chiana?

Chiana *tears fill her eyes*  I – I’m sorry …

Manouche *soothing*  It ain’t yer fault, sunbeam … *not even sure why she says this, or what Chiana is talking about; she just feels certain that it’s what the child wants to hear*

Chiana *sniffles*  You can do it … but you shouldn’t have to.

Manouche *stares at her*  D-do what?  Chiana, tell me … *her voice trails off as the sad little face fades slowly*  Chiana, please don’t go … *she watches in dismay as the image disappears, then gasps and jumps back slightly as her own reflection is joined by yet another face, not Chiana, as she’d hoped*  Kat?  No, it ain’t … it’s … Metrea … *she hears Metrea’s voice, distorted, she can’t tell what she’s saying, then it’s soon followed by a loud, ugly laugh—and Manouche quickly shields her eyes from a blinding flash of light.  She cries out and drops to the stone floor, covers her head with her arms as the mirror starts to shake violently, then cracks and flies apart with a tremendous crash.  After a moment, Manouche cautiously lifts her head, looks at the mirror in pieces, its heavy wooden frame splintered into kindling.  She becomes aware of the fact that there’s a bit more light in the room, and she’s surprised to see illumination filtering through the outlines of an ill-fitting door frame in the stone wall.  She moves closer to it, a wooden door she hadn’t noticed earlier when she entered the room.  She brings a hand to it, winces slightly at the heat in its surface.  She pushes it, and it swings open with a loud creak.  She steps through the doorway, starts coughing at the dust and debris she encounters, sees fallen beams and smouldering rubble, light coming from above.  She scrambles her way through the mess, wondering where on earth she could be … then as the light increases around her, she looks down and something catches her eye on the boards and materials she’s pulling aside.  She grasps one large piece of drywall, pushes it upright so she can get a closer look at it, and she’s horrified to see part of a familiar painting.  She recognizes it all too well – a section of the pirate map that was painted on the wall of Raven’s bedroom in Kat’s house.*  Bloody ‘ell … Ravenwood.  *she stares at it in disbelief, still in a daze over everything that’s happened to her since she first encountered Jerod.  Then it really hits her what has happened, and she’s galvanized into action.  She swears, tosses the board aside, starts making her way through the mess with renewed vigor, calling out desperately*  KAT!  KAT, ARE YE ‘ERE?  RAVEN!  IS ANYONE ‘ERE?  *she stops for a moment, listens, hears nothing.  She continues on, hoping the house was empty when it happened.  After what seems an eternity, she finally emerges, and she takes in big gulps of fresh air, coughing and sputtering, covered with dust and grime.  She casts her gaze over the ruin, eyes filled with tears; it was such a fine house.  She hopes no one was hurt, and she wonders how it happened.  Kat loved it so; she must be inconsolable.  She finally sighs deeply, turns away, heads wearily for Rartigillichal.  She pats her pockets, feels for the few little items she had seen along the way that seemed like they might be worth retrieving as she made her way out.  None of them seem to be of great monetary worth, but she hopes they’ll bring Kat some comfort*

At From Hell Court:

Abberline *glances again at the bat.  He has never heard about such a way to put a curse on someone.  Who would use a bat?  A witch ... Metrea?  he shudders at the thought of her, then he reaches up and detaches the bat and pockets the knife.  Then he sits by the bedside and lights a cigarrette, looking at Kat.  She seems to be peaceful enough.  The best course seems to wait when she comes to.  The bloody doctors can't do much more, not at that bloody excuse for a hospital.  He wishes he had a mobile to alert Martin ... He gets up, paces restlessly, smoking, looks out of the small dirty window with the broken glass at the boys playing in the alley.  And after a while it dawns on him that he indeed has been too much out of the slums, he goes out and calls to the boys*  Someone need a penny?  *The boys gather around him warily and expectantly.  They have seen him many times before, the Inspector in fine clothes staggering out from a den, so there is no need to be afraid of him.  But they know that not even pennies come for free.*

The oldest boy*  Watcha want us te do?

Abberline *Takes his notebook, writes a short message to Martin -  I found Kat, this boy is taking you to there.  I can't leave her alone.*  Can you read?  *the boy shakes his head.*  Good.  Now, I want you to take this to Isabella Martin.  You know her, guys like you know everyone here.  She is probably at the Security.  Show her a note and take her with you.  And don't tarry on the way.  Otherwise you won't get this.  *and he digs a silvery coin from his pocket, and they boys' eyes light with greed.  A Deppville dime!  They nod eagerly, he hands over the note and goes back to Kat*

At the Security office:

Roddy *the eldest boy, carefully approaches the dreaded Security Office, but he sees the glint of the silver before his eyes, so he ventures in.  The corridor seems wide and empty, and there are golden plaques on doors, he stares at them for a moment wondering how one could pry them loose, but then she hears a sharp clicking of high heels and freezes.  It's the Commander!  He turns around, only to be faced by a blonde woman who immediately catches his shoulder*

DeeDee:  And what are you sneaking around here for!  *she shakes him with a well-manicured hand so that his only shirt rips, then she releases him with a disgusted expression*  Show what you got in your pockets, you slimy thief!  What arrogance, come to steal from the Security.  *Roddy quickly pulls out the note, DeeDee snatches it with her fingertips and folds it open, mutters*  He should learn to use a mobile ...  Isabella Martin is not here.  And now, get out fast!  *she throws the note on the floor, Roddy picks it up and with a pounding heart flees out, where the other boys gather around him.  They won't take the failure, the price is too high.  Isabella must be found.*

At From Hell Court:

George *enters From Hell court he has a meeting with an associate he doesn’t really like From Hell court the unfortunates swarm around him like he candy or something. He doesn’t know what to expect from the meeting he has never met the bloke before let alone heard of him so he is going in blind as it were.  George still hurts after Ava left he can’t believe that Don is the father, the man couldn’t look after himself never mind the babies. He can’t forgive himself for hurting Ava, he has spent most of his time since Ava left high on line after line of coke. He has discovered that along with the coke he can chew the coca leaves from the plant for an even higher high.  He makes his way to the nag’s head he has a slight smile on his face as the nags head is a picture of Portsmith. He walks in the bar where a man in an all black suite, he as two burley body guards behind him. Where the man sits at a table he hails George over. George takes a seat at the table*

Mr Black: My name is Mr Black *holds his hand out and George shakes his hand* Well Mr Jung I hope you don’t mind me calling you this although you have no say in the matter.

George:  Hello Mr Black who are the boys behind you

Mr Black: Them they are my associates George they do what I say

George: Ok why do you want me here for?

Mr Black: Well Mr Jung you are selling on my territory stealing my money I caught one of you friends selling here let’s say he is swimming with the fishes now.

George: Ok so you killed him.

Mr Black: You see that was a warning to you George but you never took it so I brought you here to teach you a lesson.

George: What lesson I know all about dope Mr Black we are all stars in this dope show *he stands up to leave but one of the body guards sits him back down by putting his hands his shoulder.*

Mr Black: where do you think you are going I haven’t told you to leave yet Mr Jung. *Waving to his bodyguards* Phil Grant show Mr George the way out. You know what to do with him. *Mr Black’s bodyguards pick George up and take him out of the back way. They start to beat up George he cannot fight back they are too strong even for him. George lays on the floor his nosebleeds his right eye swells up and his chest hurts. The bodyguards walk back in to the nag’s head leaving George to lay there. After a couple of minutes of laying on the floor he staggers to the only place he can think off. He manages in great pain to stagger to Sacred Mists he bangs on the door. A woman opens the door; it's not Ava*

At the DeMarcos house:

Shane: Hello my name is Shane here is my CV I am fully trained in childcare

Ava: Hello Shane it’s very nice to met you *reading his CV* oh wow you have such a good CV *while Ava was talking he starts to play with the twins*

Shane: Hello little ones my name is Shane *Shane shakes there little hands Sam doesn’t quite know what to do and Lola just drools*. Is some one getting her teeth in?

Ava: *surprised at how well he gets on with the children* yes she we are having a bit of trouble with her *standing up* Well Shane congratulations you have the job. Do you have any questions?

Shane: No Mrs Le Fay

Ava: You can call me Ava Shane. Ok I will introduce you to my little darlings this is Sam however when his father is around you have to call him Samuel, Don Samuel to be exact, ok but when you are with me which would be most of the time it’s just good old Sam.  And just ignore the old hag her name is Maryann my husband took pity on her and slept with her when we had a break he I suspect she was like a prune.  Now she thinks that Don loves her *rolling her eyes* I treat her the way she treats me as you can tell we do not get along *smiles*. Here’s another rule my husband and I we like to exercise a lot *smiles and then it fades* well we haven’t for a long time now  *her mind starts to wander a bit maybe it’s her that he doesn’t like he seems to act odd around her, maybe she’s not pretty enough for him* so if we aren’t around I trust you so don’t let me down. But Shane you needn’t worry about that as he’s acting odd around me lately *pauses* never mind

Shane: Ok Ava

Ava: Ok next we shall head to the kitchen *she hands Sam to Shane and Ava picks up Lola up* This way please Shane this is where the hag likes to hide just ignore her she is totally obsessed with Don’s life. Now Shane this cupboard here has all the twin’s things in I like to make things from scratch so I know what’s going into their food.  This is where I keep the magic juice makes the feel better if they aren’t feeling to well and this is where I keep there juices and their SMA wysoy milk they get a poorly tummy when they have cows milk they have am intolerance to it. *she rubs her nose against Lola’s which makes her laugh*  Right Shane have you got that *Shane nods* Right to the play room next or would you like to meet my handsome husband first *thinks for a moment* yes you can meet Don before we head any where else I don’t want the hag think I have brought a man in the house to cheat on Don. Shane if you would like to follow me to his office *laughs and they both walk up to Don’s and Ava’s bedroom, Ava knocks on the door* Don my love are you decent I have the new nanny here. 

At From Hell Court:

Roddy *with his friends, start searching taverns and public places first, peeking in, returning disappointed, until they come to the Shark's Tooth.  It's such a classy place for them that they never dare to enter, they are always chased out, but Roddy braces himself and slinks in.  After all, he was inside that Security building and got out alive.  He recognizes her immediately, she's the kind lady who always has some coins for the kids, so he approaches her and puts the note on the table*  Ma'am?

Isabella *despite her bad mood puts on a smile*  Hi … Roddy, is it?

Roddy *nods and hands her the note*  I have a message for you.

Isabella *takes the note and reads it – so the Inspector needs her help after all; perhaps she was too quick to give up.  For a moment she’s tempted to dismiss it and let Abberline deal with his own problems, but she knows that if something happened, she’d end up feeling guilty for not helping … and she doesn’t need anymore guilt trips.  Looks at Roddy*  The Inspector wants you to take me to him.  *She throws a few bills on the table to pay for her drinks and follows Roddy as he leads her to Abberline.*

In Sleepy Hollow Woods:

Delano *sits on the hard floor of the cave leaning against the wall just waiting for darkness to replace the bright light of day.  He hates these hours of being trapped in the cave or having to hide in the shadows to keep away from the sunlight.  He feels as if trapped in a cage when he can’t walk freely…especially after Loralee was brought back.  He gave her the offer to remain human, to start her life over, but she begged him to turn her and he did.  But their strange relationship changed – she used to be his sire and he was bound to her; she was his dark queen and he would’ve gone through Hell and back for her.  But now he is her sire and the spell has been broken.  Now he almost resents her for the long years when she treated him like nothing more than a lap-dog, while she fantasized about her beloved LaCroix.  Sure, he’s still fascinated by her and drawn to her, but not in the same way.  He’s free to go … only she would never let him, because she is now bound to him.  Even though he doesn’t have the same power over her as she did over him.  He leans his head against the wall of the cave and closes his eyes; may as well rest while he’s trapped in the small cave … and dream of a girl he once knew.*

Loralee *sits across from him and studies him; she leans her head to the side and speaks with a velvet soft voice*  You are thinking of her again.  *It’s not a question, it’s a statement … she’ s not guessing, she knows.  Delano opens his eyes and looks at her for a moment, then closes his eyes again.  She rises and walks quietly back and forth in front of him; the only sound the rustling of her long, black dress.  She squats down in front of him and without any kind of warning slaps him hard on the cheek*  Do not ignore me!

Delano *despite the burning on his cheek, he doesn’t wince or make a move.  He slowly opens his eyes and gazes at her coldly; then pushes her hard so she falls on her back; quietly*  Leave me be.  I am trying to rest.

Loralee *sits up and looks at him in surprise, speaks with a small voice like a little girl*  You used to take care of me … I was your world, but ever since you saw that girl, you have rejected me.  *her expression changes and her eyes harden*  She is human and frightened of you.  If she even remembers you, it is with horror.

Delano *lowers his eyes; her words hurt, because they are true.  He closes his eyes again, determined to ignore Loralee completely and instead dream of a beautiful girl who once cared for him as if he was human too.*

At From Hell Court:

Noelle and Sweeney *still sit in one of the many grotty bars at from hell court the light coming from the window highlights the dust tumbling to the floor. Sweeney downs another rum whilst Noelle watches on. Sweeney still doest know what Noelle meant by you left me with more than I intended you too. Sweeney stares at Noelle for some time, Noelle knowing that something is up his staring at her makes her feel slightly uncomfortable.*

Noelle: Ye be thirsty no what ye looking at Sweeney luv.

Sweeney: Nothing Noelle I was just thinking about what you said about me leaving you with something. *picking the razor blade up and he puts it back into his pocket*.

Noelle: What ye left me with Sweeney luv was this *rolling her sleeve up she reveals a P branded on her arm* After ye left Sweeney they caught me branded be and chucked me in jail to rot in hell. However I managed to escape luv you see it was them four legged freaks that help *laughs* they gnawed through the bars of me cell, but that means I be on the run a fugitive as it were has a certain ring to it don’t it. *She stares at Sweeney face* What did ye think I meant *pauses* Ah a child ye thought *Sweeney violently shakes his head* Sweeney I may be a pirate rascal scallywag rogue whatever but I know ‘ow te handle me engagements savvy.

Sweeney: No I detest them screaming horrible brats all of them

Noelle:  Then we ‘ave an accord then don’t we *drinks some more rum* what be going around ye head Sweeney ye lost that glint that spark. Listen luv I know ye mean will an’ all but it will never work out again luv, ye just gonna ‘ave te let go.

Sweeney: Noelle I am sick of this place *he pulls the razor back out of his pocket and caress it underneath the table and with an evil glint in his eye and a evil smile on his face he smiles at Noelle. Sweeney puts the blade back into his pocket. He stands up chucks some crumpled notes on the table, his mind has changed something deep inside clicked, he is now the demon barber of Fleet Street.* If that’s the fate you want Noelle then so let it be.  *Whispers a limerick underneath his breathe* The coffin lid shut with a thud. The pallbearers clomped through the mud. The requiem started. The dearly departed was dead as a dodo or dud. *he speaks normally again* why don’t we get out of this place Noelle.

Noelle and Sweeney *leave the bar, the sky grows darker and Sweeney purposely takes Noelle through the dark secluded alleys ways of from hell court.  They walk some distant through the alleys ways to a dark enough alleyway where they wont be seen or heard.  He scopes the area just to make sure he doesn’t want anyone to see what he is about to do. He pushes Noelle on the wall and kisses her*

Sweeney: *whispers in to Noelle’s ear* Goodbye.  *Noelle’s body falls lifelessly to the floor. The pirate captain did not die in a battle on the sea that she hoped she died at the hands of a scorned lover. Her body starts to grow cold and she is surrounded by her own blood. Sweeney cleans the blade with a handkerchief and he leaves the Noelle’s body alone. He walks past a poor person’s fire and chucks the handkerchief in the fire to burn.  He starts to head back to Stratford Castle like nothing ever happened. He does feel good, though the rush was amazing; he always loved a good hunt.*

At Abberline’s hideaway:

Isabella *Before entering, digs into her pocket and pulls out a few coins and hands them to Roddy*  I’m sure the Inspector has already promised you something for your troubles, so this will be our little secret.  *Winks*

Roddy *breaks into a smile and quickly puts the coins in his pocket*  Thanks!

Isabella *smiles*  My pleasure … *she enters the small room followed by Roddy; she looks at Kat with concern, then turns to Abberline; this isn’t the time for smart remarks or gloating, speaks softly*  What can I do? 

Abberline: *absentmindedly hands over the coveted silver coin to the boy*  Get off now, will you!  *then he turns to Isabella and there's not a trace of his former hostile sound in his voice*  I couldn't leave her alone here in this kind of state.  I think all she needs is a rest, but ... *he unwraps the bat and its detached head from the handkerchief*  Do you know anything of witchcraft?  This body was nailed to the ceiling above the bed with a knife, and this head was beside the pillow.  She said someone has cursed her and then she fainted.  Candy is a kind of witch, and so is Grace, but they would not do this to Kat.  And besides them there is one that I know of - Metrea, her sister.  *once again he feels the desperation when he thinks about the baby*  She - she can assume any shape *his voice goes still fainter when he thinks about the tart he was with*  I don't know how to find her ... But this curse, I want to know what it means ... And it seems that the arson was against Kat and not my sister. Kat said that she lost all her treasures ... I don't know what kind they were ... Metrea ... she ... *his voice goes all fainter and fainter, and he sinks down on the bedside, cursing himself for showing this kind of weakness to Martin, and Kat for making him feel like this again.*

Isabella *Looks at the bat and its detached head; shakes her head slowly*  I’m not sure, but like you said, Grace is something of a witch.  I’m sure she’ll know …*takes out her cell-phone and quickly dials the number to Arwen … she explains to Grace what Abberline told her about the position of the bat and what Kat had said about the curse; listens to Grace and then hangs up*  It is a curse … designed to leave your enemy in a permanent of dizziness or sleep … much like being drunk or the effect of drugs.  *She lays the bat and the head on the floor and takes out a lighter*  According to Grace, burning the bat will lift the curse.  *Encouragingly*  I’m sure she’ll be alright … *She sets the bat on fire and quietly watches it burn to ashes, look at Kat*  Any changes?

Abberline *watches as quietly as Isabella as the bat burns,the flesh cracking sickeningly and slowly charring, then turning to ashes, he takes Kat's hand, feels tenderly her pulse.*  I think she's now sleeping peacefully away the poison in her veins.  *He turns away from her with an effort.*  She could go to her place to recover now that Ravenwood has burned down.  Martin, do you know Manouche?  It would be best to call her.  *he gets up, lights a smoke and looks at Isabella very intently straight in her eyes*  Everything that happened here stays strictly between us.  I don't want any mentions about it in any reports.  Understood?

Isabella:  Good.  *Holds his gaze*  Don’t worry, I can keep a secret.  *Lowers her eyes again*  Do you have Manouche’s phone-number?  Cell-phone or home? 

Abberline:  I have her home phone number.  *he searches briefly in his notebook then hands it to her open with the page of Manouche's number.*  Here.  *he glances again at Kat, restrains with an effort an urge to stoke her hair, to touch her.  It feels still so hard for him to understand that they are now going their separate ways.  He doesn't want Isabella to get a grip on him, to expose too much to her.*  I have to find Metrea ...

Isabella *sympathetically*  I’ll stay with your wife till Manouche comes if you want to go look for her sister.  *Dials Manouche’s number and waits for an answer.*

Abberline:  I appreciate it, Martin.  *he walks out, relieved to be free of them both, at least for a while.  He needs to gather his strength before he goes back.  Isabella starts soon to wonder why Kat is there and not at home.  And why he himself did not take her to Bournemouth House.  Probably she was just too smart to say anything.  She could have gloated on him, but she chose not to.  Which made her even more dangerous.  It's better to let her hate than get too close and start asking awkward questions or what's still worse, looking at him with compassion.  He doesn't want her sympathy, especially after to look she gave him and tried to hide from him at lunch .... But probably he hasn't have to do anything about her, she complains to her buddy Donnie the CHIEF Inspector Brasco, and he does not have to work with her anymore.  He stops at the crossroads.  It's sheer stupidity to try to find Metrea this way.  But at least it feels better be here than in that small room watching over Kat.  She looked so tranquil, and as beautiful as ever, and so vulnerable … If he had taken her into his arms, they would have been there again ... He sighs, starts to walk towards the Office.*