Part 2: The Aftermath

Yes, you hurt me. Yes, you lied to me. Yes, you left me. Yes, I cared about you. Yes, I cried about you.

No, I haven't stopped loving you but I'm trying to.

Hours turned into days. Days into weeks. Weeks into months. Months into years. Years I've been without them. It was supposed to get easier. I wasn't supposed to still feel like this and I definitely wasn't supposed to go back.

Threatening clouds swelled in the bleak, grey sky overhead as I rode reluctantly back toward town. The howling wind gathered around me flinging my hair in different directions. Strands licked my face so that I could barely see worsening my already sour mood.

Kain galloped on under me, undisturbed as always. Despite his dark color, he was a light in my dreary, purposeless life. Him and Mina, the one who'd brought me back to this wretched town in the first place. The town that held too many memories. Good ones to remind me of the bad and bad ones to remind me of the worst.

I lowered my head against the chilling breeze and tried to forget, forget his voice that soothed my sorrows, his hands like scorching fire on my skin, his lips that told so many lies. Tried to forget her kindness that brightened up the world, hugs that helped me breathe just a little bit lighter, words that had always comforted me; she was the sister I'd never had and had just as soon lost.

I wished for years that when the siblings crossed my mind the emotions I'd feel would be nothing short of hatred and anger but when I still only felt love for them I gave up trying to control it and resolved to simply not think about them but their presence was permanently ingrained in my mind and it showed no plans of leaving. I didn't like thinking about them, in fact I hated every moment I allowed myself to remember them and love the times we had together but more often than not, our good memories plagued both my dreams and reality.

I pulled out of my thoughts, slowing Kain to a trot as we crossed the threshold into Augsberg. The village was quiet for the most part but I could distinctly hear a commotion emanating from the town square; I steered clear of it. The less people I saw the better. People wouldn't like knowing a witch hunter was in town, they never did. Unless, of course, when we were done saving their asses. I rolled my eyes, guiding Kain away towards Mina's small cottage.

We traveled leisurely for a moment before spotting a quivering frame walking alone, arms wound tightly around their middle. Even Kain sped up, curious about this possible threat. The hair is what made me stop, not the bright yellow dress, nor the water dripping from her figure; it was the soaking orange tresses cascading down the woman's back.

"Mina?"

I hopped off my horse quickly and ran to the drenched witch wrapping my cloak around her shivering form. "What happened to you?" I asked concern filling my voice.

She laughed hysterically at the question. "They accused me of being a witch. Ironic, since for once they got it right...the bastards."

She shook her head muttering the last part and shivering again. I wrapped my arms tighter around her, holding her body upright.

Words spewed out of my mouth quickly, desperately wanting to ensure her safety. The safety of my one and only companion. "What did they do? Did they follow you? Are you-?"

Mina patted my hand in reassurance. "It's okay. I'm alright."

It was quiet for a moment as we continued on our way to her house. "Your friends saved my life."

I stopped to give her a confused look though my heart beat faster anticipating her answer. I didn't have friends. There was only Mina, but even as I claimed that, my mind betrayed me: Hansel and Gretel. I shook the thought off.

"I don't have any friends besides you..so pray tell what friends do you speak of?"

We reached her small cottage and I busied myself with lighting a fire for her.

"It has been a long time but Hansel and Gretel are still very much your friends."

My body stilled at her words. "What?"

"They're here Charlotte."

I sat, soaking in the information for a moment trying to grasp the fact that they were indeed back. "Did you know they were coming Mina?"

There was a brief pause before she answered honestly, "Yes."

My fists clenched. She set me up. Can't trust her. Can't trust anyone.

"And that's why you asked me back?"

"Among other reasons."

They tightened. Leave. I need to leave.

I got to my feet brushing my hands off and moving towards the door. She beat me to it, arms wide and blocking my exit.

"You promised me Charlotte."

"You lied to me Mina." Liars. They're all liars. First Hansel, now Mina.

"I did not." I looked up at her finally, eyes blazing. "Okay, maybe I didn't tell the whole truth…"

I pushed her out of the way and yanked the door open in fury. They were here which means I couldn't be. I didn't need to be.

"I was being a good friend, your best friend!" she pointed out.

"My best friend would never do this, not when she knew how much they'd hurt me." I shot her an accusatory glance over my shoulder still stalking back to my horse who stood, mighty and unaffected. They'd hurt me. They'd left me and now they were back.

"They might have had an explanation and you would never know it. I know you're dying to know Charlotte no matter how much you deny it." I don't care. I don't care about them. Not anymore. I don't care. I can't care.

I mounted my horse ignoring her, yet she continued. "Besides I called you here for the children, three witch hunters are better than one." But they're better. They're the professionals. I'm weak. I'm fragile. They don't need me. They've never needed me.

"I'm not in the mood to hear your 'more is better' bullshit." I spat at her. Even I was surprised at the harshness in my voice. She took a couple steps back looking up at me clearly hurt by my words. You've hurt her like they hurt you. You're no better. No better.

I sighed, snapping out of my anxious thoughts. "I'm sorry. I just...can't. I've dreamed of meeting them again but knowing that they're here...it's completely different. It's not a dream anymore. I'm not brave enough to face them. I know I'm not." I shook my head looking down, tears brimming just at the edge of my eyelids.

"You're not alone Charlotte. I will help you. Besides I've missed you and I would hate for you to leave again because of them."

I didn't speak.

"C'mon. We can go find them together. I'll be right there okay? We'll just-"

"No." I declared.

"Charlotte just-"

"NO." Mina's shoulders sagged in defeat and I let out another breath turning Kain back around.

"I did miss you Mina." I glanced back at her but she didn't meet my eyes.

"Just not enough to stay right?" She glared up at me but I couldn't hold her gaze. "See you in another five years Charlotte." She bit out angrily, turning on her heel to stomp back to her house.

I stared after her for only a second, swallowing the guilt, and galloped away.