Avery stands on the edge an eternal abyss. The urge to leap and never die gripped her with its icy claws and she flinched.
Touching the mark on her neck, Avery closes her eyes.
I don't want to be here anymore.
Her eyes opened, and she finds herself in bed. Sunlight is filtering through the blinds, reminding her with a polite efficiency that it was daybreak.
Avery groaned and rolled over, wrapping her arms around an irritated Mochi. He flicked his tail and hissed, but Avery knew he was all bark and no bite.
Still, she respected his space and got up. Preparing her morning tea took no time at all, and soon she was finished and bored, so it was with no indecision that she decided to wander.
The first time she had entered the neighborhood, she had remarked to her gentle aunt that it stank of magic.
"Yes," Auntie had replied. "You should find the source, little pumpkin."
So Avery decided that today was the day she would discover the hidden witch.
She shrugged on a sweatshirt, smirking at the mirror. It covered the mark completely, something which she was glad for. She hated the stain on her skin, reminding her every moment of an engagement she didn't want.
The air outside was remarkably fresh, for a city. Avery was used to the quiet buzz of cicadas, not the low growl of cars, so finding that her aunt lived in a relatively quiet neighborhood made her happy.
Wandering down a side road, she passed by a small convenience store. The old man inside was harsh but never impolite. And he had a nice cat, which was always a pleasant bonus.
Avery walked past it and continued on. The tickle in her nose became stronger, and she rounded a corner to see a small, unassuming building.
Avery shoved her hands into the pockets of her hoodie.
Proper witches liked to lay low, avoiding mortals until they were forced out into society. The witch who lived here was clever to put their building in such a quiet corner of town.
A bell jingled good-naturedly when she entered. Avery stood in silence as she surveyed the place with a raised eyebrow.
Cats were milling around or sleeping contently. It seemed like a cafe, which Avery was glad for. She had picked at her breakfast, so having something proper to eat would be a nice treat.
She was startled slightly when a lanky boy came up to greet her.
"Hello," he said kindly, noticing her surprised jerk. "Welcome to the cafe. My name is Landry. Would you like a tour?"
Avery shook her head.
"Just something to eat," she replied, smiling a little. His positive aura was infectious. "Where should I sit?"
"Anywhere is fine." Landry gestured around. "Just don't sit on a cat.''
"I was going to, but now I guess I can't," Avery sighed.
Landry laughed a little once he realized she wasn't serious. "Let me go get you a menu."
He bounded off like a dog, skipping over cats as he hurried along.
Avery walked over to a table by the window and sat down. A Siamese was curled up on the sill, and it cracked open an eye nervously when she looked over.
"Don't mind me," Avery apologized. "Would you like me to move?"
The cat shook his head and lay back down.
The tickling in Avery's nose became a buzzing in her head, and she looked over. A tall, skinny man was peering down at her curiously, his blue eye smiling even as his amber one glared. "Intriguing."
A witch, Avery thought triumphantly. She extended a hand, trying not to appear as awkward as she felt. Slowly, the man took it, and understanding filled his eyes.
"I see,'' he murmured.