Basilisk number five. For nearly all of her life that had been the name the guards used to order her somewhere. Hours of experiments and observation. If she refused she was shocked, if she did something right and they learned something she was forced to do it over and over again no matter how exhausted she became. It wasn't until one night when another basilisk told her they were planning to escape did she get hopeful.

Weeks of planning and waiting for their chance flew by. Their leader the first basilisk or Uno as she preferred escaped first before freeing the others. Alarms started going off and everyone was terrified as they used what magic and abilities they knew to escape from the castle and deep into the wilds. For days they survived by hiding and feeding of whatever magic they could get their claws on.

Eventually they came to realize that if they stayed together they'd just be an easier target. Uno and Double I formed a pair and slithered off. IV simply said "I'll find a home somewhere quiet" before shapeshifting and walking away. Three who had been treated harshly due to her hunger clutched a stolen emperor's coven hood and smirking said. "Those cowards can run if they want, but I'm getting my revenge on those filthy witches." Before running off leaving the youngest of the lot alone for the first time carving her name into a tree.

"V…V…Ve?...Vee? Yeah Vee will do." It wasn't much of a name but for the first time in her life it was something she had to her own. Something she'd decided for herself.

And so Vee stayed in those woods for a long time gathering her magic and running. Any time she felt any kind of danger she ran, ran so far and so hard she reached the edge of the city of Bonsburrow. Using a stolen cloak she entered the city fearful of any and every one not knowing what to do or where she was going.

All I want is someplace safe! Is that to much to ask for!? Someplace anyplace that I can call home. She came to a stop taking the chance to look into some broken shards showing her reflection.

"Even if it's temporary I'll still take it."

Perhaps it was they mythical will of the titan but she found herself being drawn to a particular smell of magic and the cheers of a crowd. Gently brushing people aside she got close enough to see the so called "Owl Lady" holding some kind of black square with strange people moving inside. But while Vee was somewhat curious about that box what really caught her eye was the human sitting next to her.

A human?! How? Humans can't do magic only witch can. But it's possible… the owl Lady is selling stuff from their realm so she must have some way of getting there…

Somewhere away from here

Somewhere with no guards chasing you…

Catching the strange scent again her eyes darted to the slight glow coming from her tent. Her shot down to the ground and as quietly and rapidly as she could slithered behind them and into the tent seeing some kind of door with woods on the other side. Her heart was beating faster then she ever thought as she eyed the other side.

"Do it now Vee before you lose your chance." Mustering her courage she took a breath and jumped through landing on some wooden porch just as the portal closed.

As the cloak fell away, she smiled and stared up at the sun feeling happy for the first time in weeks.

"I did it! I'm finally free form that place!"

Then it occurred to her that humans my not be as welcoming to the giant magical sucking demon in their realm. So after a moment of concentrating took on the only human form she knew just as a older human women came into view.

"Luz there you are you had me worried."

Being new to conversation she did her best to talk trying not to give anything away.

"Yes mother it is I your daughter Luz"

Stupid! You had one shot to mimic her and now she's going to- instated of whatever horrible thing she imagine she nearly transformed back when she hugged her.

"Oh Mija I just can't let the last time I'll see you for months be you getting on a bus. So I've decided to drive you all the way to camp. Just you, me and all the crazy music you can find on the radio. That sound alright with you?"

…

…

Huh? Camp? Radio? I don't know what those things are but at least my disguise is working and this women seems so kind. Not like I have any other options right now anyway.

As it turned out this woman was far more caring then Vee thought. The entire car ride there was filled with laughter and peaceful music and snacks from something called a "gas station" she wasn't sure what gas was, but she was sure that her new favorite food in both worlds was something called sour taffy along with chips and a fizzy drink called soda.

She quickly learned that this camp she was going to was supposed to help her be "normal" and with helping her make friends. Vee didn't care either way so long as she safe and had a place to sleep and eat. When they finally pulled into the camp and were getting checked in by the counselors Camilla bent down and gave her a warm hug.

"Be sure to listen to them Luz, and make sure to call me if you want to talk. I love you mija I hope you understand why you're here."

Not wanting to make Luz's mother sad she nodded her head. "I know mom and who knows? This could be fun." This earned her another hug before she was ushered into the cabin she'd be staying in for the next few weeks.

It honestly wasn't much just a small cabin with her- Luz's stuff already on the left and another girl setting on her right dressed in all black. She said her name was Zoe and within a few hours she became the first friend Vee had every had. They were cabin mates and did everything together.

Apparently, she was here because her parents wanted her to be less "dark and brooding" but to Vee she was just a bit moody. But she was always there when Vee needed her and as it turned to this camp was the best place for a new arrival to the human realm to learn what she needed to do and what she needed to avoid. Some of the other campers hated the activities like job hunting or learning what a mortgage was but she liked it. However her favorite thing was writing letters to Camilla. It had started as just a mandatory thing, but she kept sending them if only to keep up the charade. But when she received her first letter telling her how proud she was and wishing her a fun camp experience she kept it up.

The weeks flew by and when the time to leave came she was a bit disappointed. After all she'd made her first friend here and made so many good memories. Even the moody Zoe seemed upset when she saw her parents coming her way.

She actually surprised her by hugging her and writing her number on her arm leaving with a slightly chipper. "You'd better call me. Not about to lose the one good thing that came from this place." Before disappearing into the crowd of people leaving Vee to wonder where she was going next.

Then she heard it. The happy voice of Camila breaking through the crowd before scooping her up.

"There you are! How's my Luz doing after so long at camp?" Something slide into place in her embrace. As if she finally knew she belonged.

"Mom I'm fine really. In fact I had a great time."

"That's wonderful honey now how about we go home?"

"Okay." Once in the car she looked at her reflection in the mirror and had one single thought.

Luz Noceda. That's who I am now. A normal human girl in the human world with a home and a loving mother.

And for the rest of the summer that was who she was. She went to bed every night in her bed woke up and had breakfast with her mother before exploring the town and calling Zoe over the computer chatting with her and enjoying her new life. Then it happened, the eventual downfall she'd secretly been hoping would never happen. The real Luz appeared in her mirror screaming at her and causing her to flee and get captured exposing her true form draining most of her stored magic.

Vee was actually surprised when she helped her out and promised to find her magic, she even surprised herself when after getting caught she smashed the mirror telling Luz to leave her.

Her heart nearly broke when Camila was the one to save her telling her how proud she was of her instead of being repulsed by her true form. From that point she was led home and told she could stay as long as she wanted. She watched from inside as their conversation turned sour and Luz was forced back.

Things were awkward around home for while and Vee thought it would be best if she left however Camilla sensing this sat her told and told her that this was her home, and she didn't want the young girl to leave because she felt guilty. In fact she told her she shouldn't feel guilty as anyone would do the same thing. Even ruffling her exposed ears before hugging her.

From that day on she was no longer Luz Noceda but Vee. Even staying in her semi transformed form even though Camilla told her it was okay if she took Luz's form. However as she looked in the mirror, she didn't feel fear or guilt.

"Thanks but I like this form. I feel comfortable looking like this."

Of course she still changed back when she left the house.

For a couple months things were great if still a little awkward. Luz's arrival did put an end to that though.

Apparently, she'd made a semi usable portal though it had to charge three days after each use, but it was till a two way portal with a working crystal to talk to the demon realm. With Luz home Vee told herself it was time to go but they both stopped her.

"Young lady just where to you think you're going?"

"Oh… well I just thought that…" she couldn't look her in the eye wanting just to slither away from the reunited family. Camila however wasn't having any of that.

"Vee it's already nine and you have school in the morning."

"I know but with Luz back I-…. Wait what?"

"You heard me. Noceda house rules, in your room by eight and in bed by ten."

"But Cam-"

"Vee Noceda! do not talk back to your mother. Now Luz I love that your back and I promise we'll talk in the morning but for now take your sister upstairs and get ready for bed."

Luz took her hand happily teased. "Come on sis I can't wait to tell you about everything."

She was halfway up the stairs when realizing dawned on her.

She called herself my mother! Luz called me her sister! Called me Vee Noceda!

From the top of the stars she looked down at her adopted mother. "Night mom"

"Good night Vee, don't let Luz keep you up to late." She was finally truly home and had a family that loved her. As she went to bed somewhat listening as Luz went on about her studies and someone named Amity all she could do was smile knowing that Vee Noceda finally had everything she ever wanted.