Prologue
Hazel walked up the stairs and onto the deck, her footfalls barely making any noise. She leaned against the railing. Hazel glanced down at the figure sitting on the deck with his feet dangling over the edge with his hands tucked into the pockets of his sweatshirt. "I know that you don't want to talk about it. But I know what I saw. Percy, tell me what actually happened."
Percy closed his eyes,wringing his hands. "I told you Hazel, I don't know what happened. A rock dropped on its head and it must've passed out."
"That's a lie and we both know it. No monster that big would be knocked out by a single rock. And regardless of that strong mist, I still saw what I saw. You shot a beam of light at it. How's that possible?"
"Frank was going to be killed! Does it matter what happened?"
Hazel looked out to sea. She didn't say anything, and after a while, turned around to head back to her cabin, a slightly pained look on her face. "I know he was." She whispered softly. "That's why I need to know."
And with that, Hazel walked away, leaving Percy behind. Percy looked up at the sky, waiting until he was positive Hazel was off the deck. He pulled out his wand and held it close to his chest.
September 1, 1991
The long, drawn out whistle pierced the air as families cluttering the platform gave their last goodbyes. A little boy attempted to drag his trunk behind him, doing a strange hop, as a fluffy black cat darted ahead and onto the train.
"Do you want help?"
"Nope." The boy grunted as he pulled it behind him. "I got this"
The woman laughed, levitating the trunk onto the train as she ruffled the messy hair of the small 11 year old. He smiled toothily up at her.
"Thanks mom"
She offered back a weak smile. "You be a good kid, write me as much as you can. I love you honey."
"I love you too mom." The boy frowned. "I'll try not to get expelled this time."
The woman laughed "Just be careful, okay? Promise me that."
"I promise." He gave her a hug. The sharp whistle made both jump, and the boy pulled away. "I'll see you at Christmas!" The boy rushed onto the train, trying around before the doors closed behind him, and waved one last time before running back to the compartment where his mother had stowed his trunk.
New York, 1991
Sally Jackson dusted off her clothes. With a clear of her throat, she tucked her wand into her jacket and left the alleyway. She let herself into her apartment as silently as she could. Gabe was snoring on the couch, a relief to the witch. Checking one last time to make sure Gabe wouldn't get up anytime soon, Sally gently closed the door of the bedroom, unscrewed the lightbulb of the lamp on her nightstand, and put her wand in the hidden compartment. She sighed, and sunk down onto her bed. She had to believe everything was alright. She had to. But then again, she already was pushing her luck.