This chapter is a bit short. More of it down below.


The next morning, Luz awoke from her slumber and got dressed in her same attire as yesterday. It wasn't until now when the teen realized that she hadn't packed many clothes for herself. Then again, she was originally packing for summer camp and not a demon realm. After this she went to go freshen up in the hallway bathroom which she discovered last night after a drowsy King escorted her to when the urge to go came in the middle of the night.

Out of learning that magic, witches, and demons are as real as the sun, moon, and sky; finding out that Eda's bathroom looks exactly like a modern bathroom from her world with the additions of a working toilet, shower, and sink really took her through a loop.

After finishing cleaning up, Luz stepped downstairs and into the kitchen where another plate of eggs was waiting for her as promised.

"Score!" Luz rejoiced as she picked up her fork and began digging in. Next to her on the table was King who was eating a cupcake with pink frosting on his paws and around his... mouth?

"Woah! There are cupcakes here too?" Luz asked.

King nodded as and spoke as pieces of the little cake flew from his mouth.

"Oh yeah. We got lots of sweets on the Isles. There are a few bakeries in town, too."

Luz smiled at this. She could only imagine the delectable snacks that are found here. Oh, how she'd kill for a cosmic brownie right about now.

The two then heard light footsteps behind them and looked over to see Eda entering the kitchen. The witch still wore her maroon dress now with her cloak.

Eda smiled at Luz.

"Hey Luz. Sleep well?" she asked as she reached into the cupboard and grabbed a coffee mug.

Luz nodded. "Surprisingly well. Didn't think I could after yesterday's events."

Eda smirked in remembrance while pouring coffee into her mug. She then looked at King.

"King. I've got to go pick up an order in Bonesbourough, so I need you to stay here with Luz until I get back."

Before King could reply, Luz got up from her seat.

"Oh! Can I go with you?" Luz asked, her eyes wide with excitement.

Eda blinked in surprise, but her expression mellowed.

"Sorry, kid. But after last night the guards will be on high alert for us. And besides, I know how to sneak around undetected."

Eda went over to the pantry and looked inside.

"I should be back in an hour, hopefully sooner. Here's this in case you get hungry."

Eda brought out a pack of crackers and offered it to Luz.

Luz took it but stared in confusion.

"Oh, thank you. Is this all you have?" Luz scowled.

Luz quickly realized what she said sounded rude and went to explain herself.

"I didn't mean that in a rude way! I was just wondering if this is really all you have." Luz reiterated.

"Umm. Why do you ask?" Eda questioned, not offended but unsure what Luz was getting at.

"Well, with you being wanted by the emperor I just assumed food was scarce for you, so I thought I should put this back so you can eat it." the human explained.

Eda now understood and gave Luz a reassured look. "I appreciate your concern Luz, and I got more food than this. The reason why I gave you crackers is because-"

Eda was suddenly cut off by the loud chime of her clock. She found out

"I got to get there before the noon rush starts. Be back soon." Eda said as she turned to walk away but was stopped by Luz.

"PLEASE take me with you!" Luz begged; her hands balled.

Eda looked down at her, her eyes now half-lidded in annoyance.

"I'm only going to one place and then coming straight back. I'm not hanging around." Eda replied.

Luz looked up at Eda with a certain look suggesting that the teen has an ace up her sleeve.

"All I'm asking is you take me with you. After all, you took me to that prison last night."

Eda's face scrunched up and made her resemble a prune before facepalming.

"Somehow I knew that would be used against me." the witch sighed in defeat.

"Fine, you can come with."

But before Luz could let out a cheer, she was stopped when Eda pointed close to her face.

"BUT you'll have to wear a disguise. Wrath got a good look at you, so there's a good chance there are wanted posters with your face on 'em." said Eda.

Luz smiled. "A disguise? Does involve you turning me into an otter?"

Eda slumped her shoulders.

"You really got to stop with that." she said sharply.


Over a minute later, Luz was now wearing a large cloak that covered most of her body and a hood that was big enough to hide her head, but it was hard to see out of it without pulling it back.

What's worse is that this cloak sucks eggs. It's dirty and has ugly patches stitched into it and some obvious signs of the cloak deteriorating with age. But Luz would excuse all of that if it weren't for the cloak's horrid smell.

The rancid scent is like a combination of sweaty socks, a dirty diaper, the locker rooms after a sports game, skunk spray, a full trash can during a hot summer day, and the school bathrooms on taco tuesday. Luz is grateful she has a strong stomach.

"Eda. When was the last time you washed this thing?" Luz gagged.

I didn't take long for Eda to answer the question.

"The last time that thing came into contact with water and soap was before my lifetime. I think it was my great-great-great-great-great grandfather who cleaned it last."

Luz felt sick. "That's honestly gross."

Eda shrugged. "Well, I only have two cloaks on me. So it's either you wear that or you can stay here. Your choice."

As much as Luz wanted out of the cloak of stink, this was probably her only chance to see Bonesborough.

"I'm still going." she said, standing her ground.

Eda replied with an amused smirk.

"Alright. But you need one last accessory to complete this disguise."

Eda walked over to a random pile of junk and reached into it before fishing out a pair of fake pointy ears. Luz noticed them as Eda came back to her.

"Why do you have fake ears?" the human asked.

"It's just one of many things I've... found in your realm. I never knew when I would ever need these, but now I finally know."

Eda then adjusted the ears onto the sides of Luz's head which fully covered her real ears.

"How do they feel?" Eda asked.

Luz cringed. "A little tight around the ears and the rubber bands keeping them in place are pulling my hair. But other than that, I'm peachy."

Luz then looked into a nearby mirror and saw just how goofy the plastic elf ears looked on her.

"Are you sure these things will fool people?" Luz questioned doubtfully.

"Just as long as you keep your distance and always have this hood on." Eda answered as she readjusted the ears to make it look slightly believable.

Luz glared up at Eda.

"If I'm going to town wearing that, then I want you to get me something from the bakery." Luz said sternly.

Eda looked at Luz in surprise.

"What makes you think there's-"

The witch glanced past Luz and saw King trying to lick pink icing off his face.

"That explains it." Eda grumbled. She then waved it off.

"Sure. Whatever. I guess I can get you a little treat for helping us out."

Luz beamed with pride.

Eda made a face at Luz before turning towards the door.

"Now let's move." the witch commanded, but was suddenly stopped in place by Hooty whose face was only a tiny distance away from Eda's.

"May I help you?" Eda asked; annoyed.

"Could you get me something sweet, too, please?" the owl-tube thing pleaded.

Eda scoffed. "You know what sugar does to you, Hoots."

Hooty put on a pouty face which Luz found both hilarious and kinda adorable.

"I'm sure there's something he can have." Luz suggested.

Hooty smiled seeing Luz come to his defense.

Eda would argue if she wasn't short on time. Speaking of which:

"Fine! Fine! I'll get you something." she forfeited

Hooty's limbless body danced in air.

"Yay!" he cheered.

"But it will be whole wheat!" Eda snapped.


A little over ten minutes later, Eda and Luz landed outside of Bonesborough on the former's staff.

Once her feet touched the ground, Eda peaked her head past the corner to see a clearing that led to the marketplace that was currently sprawling with the many inhabitants of the Isles.

"Alright, listen close..." Eda began as she looked at Luz.

"Stay close to me, don't talk to anyone, don't wander off, and keep your hood on. Got it?" Eda instructed.

Luz nodded as she then proceeded to conceal her head with the smelly hood. Eda did the same as well as use her magic to shrink her staff and the wooden Owlbert to a tiny size and hid him in her cloak.

"Follow me." Eda instructed calmly.

Luz followed behind Eda who walked at a moderately calm place most likely to not arouse any potential suspicion. Once at the end of the clearing, Eda stopped which Luz did as well, but she was confused as to why until her eyes saw what her friend was looking at.

On the left wall were two wanted posters; one of Eda and King which Luz has seen countless times in less than a day, but the other caught her by surprise.

The poster was about her.

WANTED

The Human

WANTED for: Aiding a Wanted Criminal, Breaking & Entering, Assaulting Guards, Freeing Criminals from Captivity, Inciting a Riot, Theft.

Bounty Price: $100,000

Warning: The Human is partnered with Edalyn Clawthorne; The Owl Lady. Approach with Caution!

...

Luz knew she'd get into some hot water after last night's riot, but what made her blood run colder than the artic was that she noticed her face was on the poster. It wasn't a poorly drawn representation of what the guards remembered of her, but it was instead the same polaroid photo Eda had taken of her yesterday and was now printed on the poster.

Luz didn't realize that photo was left behind; she didn't even remember it until now.

That guard who chased them must've picked it up. Now not only does everyone know what she looks like, but there might be hundreds more scattered all around.

That must mean people are looking for her... And what's worse is the poster doesn't state whether to bring her in alive or not. Only God knows what could happen if Luz is caught.

Luz felt her heart speed up and the air in her lungs running short. She was a wanted criminal.

She would joke about being disappointed that her bounty is way lower than Eda's, but her humor has suddenly run dry. All she can do is stare at her face which flashed her the smug grin she gave Eda when she was taking her photo.

It almost felt like it was taunting her.

Luz was suddenly snapped out of her trance when she saw Eda rip both posters off the walls and slammed them to the ground with a loud SMACK! Eda then began stomping on the posters over and over while making sure to her boot heel some action until both posters were damaged beyond repair; now just crumbled paper on the dirty ground.

"Let's go." Eda growled angrily.

For once in her life, Luz didn't smart off towards someone commanding her in such a way. She instead quietly obeyed and followed Eda.


I'm gonna cut the chapter here because I feel like it's a nice prelude to what comes next.

Speaking of which, the next chapter will be a bit longer and a lot of stuff will be happening. Like for starters, Luz will meet two witches who'll become friends with her rather quickly. I'm sure you can guess who these two are.


One last thing: what is your honest opinion of this story and AU in general? Is there something I can improve?