By sundown, Marvin arrived to Croaker Swamp with his caravan. Barbara exited her hut with some of her belongings and the lizard meet before locking the door. She walked down the steps, then strode her way to Marvin's caravan, her silhouette moved in the dim swamp while her protection charm lit up like a flashlight before entering.

Nightfall came by the time the caravan headed to the mountains.

In the shorouded darkness, a fire lit up, encased in a small glass of the gas lamp. Donovan tresspassed in the pluvial region of the swamp, dark trees in rows along with moss and vines, parting shrubs with one hand while carrying a lamp with another hand. Not far from where he stood, he spotted the murky waters of the swamp hearing the croaks of toads. As he moved forward, he found a 2 story hut. He stepped on the creaky steps and walked to the door. He knocked on the door twice, inside the hut a broomstick laid in place.

Silence.

Donovan saw that the door was locked, the lock must've rusted away. As he pushed the door, it opened with a squeak. He entered inside the hut, and brought his gas lamp to the living room.

At the caravan, Marvin unrolled a parchment and pressed his index figer around the path that led to Mt. Draco on the map.
"We will be taking the yhord route that leads to Dragon's Roc, problem is that it has a rocky terrain and the shop won't be able to pass so easily. That is why I packed the things we need for this trip. It will be a 2 day long hike from here on out." Marvin said as she listened to the merchant as she observed the map.

Donovan looked around the rooms before heading upstairs to look for Barbara's room. When he found her room, he opened the curtain and shed light on the room. From what he could see, her head rested as her face was covered under the sheets, leaving her dark hair exposed. He left the gas lamp on the vanity set before opening the drawers. He saw a folded cloth with a dry blood stain. An eye opened from beneath the sheets.

Just as I thought. He closed the drawer and grabbed the gas lamp and left the room to let her rest, without knowing that Barbara wasn't in the hut. Now that I know that Barbara is there. I can tell Mrs. Corretjer with certainty that she is safe in the comfort of her own house, sleeping like nothing happened. But something feels... off. I just can't wrap my head around it. He thought to himself before an intrusive thought came in.

You like her don't you? Edwin's words gnawed at him.

"No!" Donovan firmly refutted. "If she had gone with the merchant. She would have kept her doors locked, if that wasn't the case she would have kept the doors closed if she was sick. Meaning that she is not really sick at all! Thus, she isolated herself this whole time because of her issue." He muttered to himself to keep his mind distracted in order to prevent that temptation to check on her. He got out of the door and walked out of the hut at a much faster pace.

Meanwhile, at Dreadsville. Elizabeth headed to the cemetery with a gas lamp in hand as the gates opened. She entered therein to seek for the person she would never thought that she would see again.

As she walked past the rows of tombstones of different shapes and sizes, one of which was sculpted in the form of a cross. Once she has reached the Old Hag's dwelling, a cottage door opened to show an elderly woman crouched in a dark cloak. The old hag a long nose and two dark warts on the left side of her cheek. She squinted at Elizabeth for several second before the corners of her mouth creased into a crooked smile. "Ah," she exhaled, "well if it isn't needlework. Long time, no see."
"I left that life behind a long time ago." Elizabeth reminded her.
"Yet, here you are. Come in." The Old Hag invited her in as she disappeared into the darkness of her dwelling. Elizabeth entered as she brought the gas lamp deep underground into a chamber that the Old Hag used for her fortune telling. "Follow me." The old hag walked up to the stony steps before she sat down on a cushioned stool, just as Elizabeth took her seat, leaving the gas lamp on the ground beside her.

The elderly witch laid her bony fingers on the table, showing her elongated nails. "What is it that you seek?" She inquired, looking at Elizabeth.

"My niece ran away with a merchant. I want to know if you can use your witchcraft yo find her." She requested.

"I need to know her name in order to find her." The old hag hinted.

Elizabeth inhaled, then exhaled, hesitating for a second. Then gave the Old Hag an authorative glance. "Her name is Barbara Bogg."

"I'll see what I can do." The elderly witch said before she laid eyes on her crystal ball. "Magic crystal ball, hear my call. Where is hiding Elizabeth's niece? Would you please show us where is Barbara Bogg? Reveal her face and clear the fog." The transparent crystal ball appeared a dark cloud as it dispersed to reveal a face. A face of a young woman with long dark hair, pale skin, thin build, dark eyes and a thick monobrow.

"Hmm... interesting." The old hag stroked her chin.
"What is it?"
"Your niece has taken a long and dangerous path," The old hag looked closer into the crystal ball, "she will gain many enemies along the way, hiding from place to place to seek refuge and find none. She will be hunted down like a dog. She will be accused of causing a disaster, then betrayed by someone close to her and become possessed by a powerful creature." Elizabeth's blue eyes widened in bafflement as the old hag porecceded with her prediction. "She will return to her birthplace to fight her demons and once she is free from her binds, she will die." The old hag told her.

Elizabeth froze in fear as her icy blue eyes watered as she remembered the day she found Barbara. A weak, malnourished baby wailing. Elizabeth quickly stood then grabbed the gas lamp. "I have to go." She rushed down the stony step on her way out of the chamber.

"Fear not! She will return soon enough." The old hag informed her.