Jack peeked over the hill as dawn colored the sky in pastels. He hadn't expected Wuya to trust him with retrieving this rare flower for her next potion. She hadn't even whipped him for his disobedience. Maybe he could become a proper apprentice. The town below was quiet and still, a beautiful yet ruined castle glistened in the fresh morning light on the opposite side. Jack wondered if anyone or anything lived in it./

He yawned, sitting down in the grass. It had been a long time since he'd been out in the world, had a chance to see and appreciate a sunrise. Once the town woke up and the market started, he could go down to find the ingredient Wuya needed.

A few hours later, the town was alive and bustling. Jack covered his skin in clay dust and adjusted his hat. The last thing he needed was someone to see his strange looks and cause a scene. He came down into the village, looking around. There were friendly merchants greeting regulars and children laughing. He smiled, simply looking before heading to the apothecary. After looking at jars unsuccessfully, he went up to the merchant behind the counter./

"Excuse me, do you have any powdered Heylin Flower?" He asked, looking at the jars behind the counter to see if he could spot it./

"Heylin Flower? I'm not familiar with that plant."

"I was told this village was the only place to fine it…" He looked over, meeting the merchant's eyes. Jack jumped when he screamed, his hat falling off. He skittered back when things started being thrown at him, the man shouting about a demon. Jack stumbled out onto the street, a crowd already forming. He squinted in the bright light, trying to look for a way to get away, get to safety. The crowd started muttering, calling him a demon. Water was thrown at him, the clay dust dripping off to reveal his milky white complexion. Gasps and frightened whispers ran through the crowd.

Jack stood, his hands up. "Please, I'm just trying to find an ingredient…" Large hands from behind grabbed him. Jack shouted as he felt the bruises starting to form on his skin as he was roughly pulled. There were so many voices, shouting and overlapping as Jack was dragged through the town. The majority of the crowd stopped on the edge of the village, continuing to shout while Jack was brought closer to the castle ruins. He pleaded for them not to hurt him, trembling and scared. What was going on? What were they going to do to him?