Sandy followed us so she could continue to take notes. ‘This sucks,’ I said quietly to Sandy. ‘Mrs. Fine, could I have just a minute with Ashley...’ she asked. ‘Just a minute,’ my mother answered. ‘What!?’ I said to Sandy. ‘Do something about it,’ she said quietly. ‘What am I supposed to do?’ ‘I don’t know. But then, I’m not Ashley Fine. If I were, the whole thing would be handled by now.’ That arrogant, presumptuous… young lady was spot on. Whoever I was now, the Ashley Fine I used to be would. The girls were both breathless, describing everything in detail.“It does sound like a dryad,” I whispered to Fiona. “I don't know how she's controlling more than one tree.”Fiona nodded, biting her lip. “Yes. But why would she take the girl?“Because he needs the witch,” one of the girls said. “That's what the dryad said.”“He?” Fiona asked.“Witch?” I asked.“She's the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter,” proclaimed the blacksmith. “Seventh out of my nine.” He had a proud face. “And her mother. "You're still wearing the collar. Wouldn't he let you take it off?" asked Janey."It was the other way around. I wouldn't let him remove it," said her mom."Doesn't it bother you? It looks kind of tight." No. I don't mind," said Sally. "In fact, I want to wear it all the time now. Last night was, well, last night he became my Master. Janey, I don't know if you will ever understand, but if you could only have one thing in life, my wish for you, with all my heart, is that you find that one special. His trembling turned into tremors, and he had to sit on his hands to hide his shakes.Finally the questions ended, and the nurse pointed out a seating area and instructed Darrin to wait. "A doctor will speak with you as soon as possible."A half-hour later, he remembered he'd left his car with the engine running in front of the emergency room. He walked outside and found the car still running with passenger door wide open. He parked and locked the car and hurried back inside. A doctor standing in.