I'm back everybody! I'm going hard with this story, mostly because I wanna see how much I got right when the next season rolls in. I imagine that's a lot of fun for fanfiction writers, writing a 'how it happened' story or a 'what will happen' story and then finding out they weren't far off.

Now let's do this dance.

I do not own 'The Owl House'.


Chapter 3

New in Town


Camila sat down at the bus stop. Dressed in her blue work scrubs, the Latina veterinarian dug through her purse and pulled out her phone.

[Have fun at school sweetheart!] Camila texted her daughter.

[I will mom. Love you!] she texted back.

Camila smiled and put her phone back in her purse. She looked across the road at the pair of statues depicting two men standing side by side. Camila adjusted her glasses at the statues. They had been there for as long as she could remember.

An old man with a bald head and a big beard sat down on the bench with Camila. He rested his hands on his cane as he sat down to wait for the bus. He wore a brown suit and a matching fedora over his bald scalp.

The old man looked over and smiled at Camila. "Hello, there."

"Hello," Camila said back.

"Can't afford a car?" the old man asked.

"It's in the shop right now," said Camila.

"Ah." the old man nodded. "I just prefer the bus. You meet more people that way."

"Heh. Yeah, I guess you do." Camila looked back across the street at the statues. "You know, I must have walked past those statues a hundred times. I never bothered to figure out why they were there."

"Oh, those two?" the old man asked. "Those are the Wittebane brothers."

"Who?" Camila asked.

"Caleb and Philip Wittebane. See, back in the 17th century, this town was huntin' and killin' so many accused witches, it made Salem look like small potatoes," the old man explained. "One of the brothers was a Witch Hunter, while the other one was a lawyer who defended witches with little to no success. I can't for the life of me recall which one was which."

"I like the sound of the second brother more," Camila commented.

"Heh, heh. Yeah. The books always made the lawyer brother sound like the nicer of the two. Tall and handsome, saving young women from the rope or the fire, I believe he was the older of the two brothers." said the old man. "Anyway, the reason this town built a pair of statues for the Wittebane Brothers was that they're credited for ending the Gravesfeild Witch Trials."

"Really?" Camila asked.

"Well, the actual story borders on legend, same as the founding of Rome." said the old man. "See, the Witch Hunters of Connecticut, led by Witch Hunter General Amadeus Belos at the time, were responsible for hunting down and executing hundreds of accused witches all over the state."

"And the Wittebane brothers stopped it?" Camila asked.

"Not exactly." said the old man. "One day, the Witch Hunters caught and imprisoned a witch with pale skin and red hair. This wasn't just any witch. This witch was something else. Something quite terrifying. She could command fire, fly through the air, and bring inanimate objects to life. Almost killed the Constable who kept her prisoner. The Wittebane brother who was the lawyer, feeling bad for the witch, set her free and she escaped. The other brother, the Witch Hunter, in order to protect his brother from the authorities, killed Amadeus Belos, and made a run for it with his brother."

"And that stopped the Witch Trials?" Camila asked.

"The witch they caught that day was so scary, with her pale skin, red hair, long, pointy ears, and ink-black lips, it proved that every other witch that was caught and killed was innocent of witchcraft. After that day, the Witch Hunters took a steady decline until they simply faded away, no longer wanted or needed by the community."

"That's good to hear," said Camila. "But, what happened to the Wittebane Brothers?"

"According to the story? The brothers ran into the elder brother's home, there was a flash of unearthly light, and they just vanished. Most say it was the witch that did it, leading them into the hellscape from whence the witch hailed from." the old man shrugged. "Whatever the case, Caleb and Philip Wittebane were never seen again after that day."


"Welcome to the Boiling Isles."

The Wittebane Brothers looked at each other, then they looked back at the strange, bizarre view of the land they got from atop the cliff. An enormous ribcage with a town living within it as if substituting for organs.

"Dear God…are we in Hell?" Philip looked back at the witch and pointed an accusing finger at her. "This evil temptress has brought us to Hell!"

"I'm not a temptress. I'm just attractive." the witch shrugged. "Also, I do not know what 'Hell' is. Sorry to disappoint."

"What is this place?" Caleb asked. "You called it the Demon Realm? Is this…an evil place?"

"No more evil than your world." The witch pulled out a strange key bearing the same snake eye as the door behind her did. She pressed the eye and the door folded itself until it became a portable briefcase.

"Gah!" The brothers jumped back. "What was that?" Caleb asked.

The witch picked up the briefcase and pocketed the key. "This, my friend, is a portal leading from my world to yours. It was made long ago, by the first generation of witches."

"So you truly are a witch? A witch from the realm of demons," said Caleb. "Margaret, correct?"

The witch smiled. "My friends call me Maggie."

"I don't care what you call yourself, witch." Philip stepped forward angrily. "Reopen that portal and send us back home this instant, dammit!"

"You can go ahead and call me Margaret."

Caleb walked up and placed a hand on Philip's shoulder. "Listen, Maggie, my brother and I are just a little…rattled, by all of this. Where are we? What is this place? And, why did you bring us here?"

"This is the Boiling Isles, home of the witches of the Demon Realm." Maggie spread her arms. "We walk among the body of the fallen Titan, who fell dead into the Boiling Sea many millennia ago and became the terrain upon which we thrive."

"So…like maggots, thriving on a giant corpse?" Philip asked.

Maggie chuckled. "Not the most encouraging comparison, but yeah, basically."

"So…an entire nation of witches?" Caleb asked.

"That's right." Maggie held up her finger and traced a golden circle in the air and her hand caught fire.

Caleb and Philip stared at the fire in Maggie's hand in awe. "Incredible." Caleb marveled.

"Oh, you ain't seen nothing, Caleb." Maggie clenched her fist and killed the fire. "It's Caleb, right?"

"Yes, and this is Philip." Caleb took a step forward. "But, Maggie, why did you bring us here?"

"I couldn't just let those savage morons–no offense to your species–kill you." Maggie smiled kindly. "You saved my life. They were gonna torture me and kill me, but you patched me up and brought me Woodrow. So, I saved you when the Witch Hunters came for you. I opened the portal and let you into my world before they could get you."

Caleb blinked. "...Thank you, Maggie."

"Yes, thank you, Miss Witch. You have our gratitude," said Philip. "Now, if you would kindly reopen your portal and send us back to our world, we'd be even more grateful."

"You really think that's a good idea?" Maggie asked. "Those Witch Hunters are probably still looking for you."

"She's right, Philip," Caleb said. "I don't think it would be a good idea to return home just yet. Maybe we should lay low for a bit before going back?"

"Or maybe we have Margaret here open a portal somewhere that isn't Gravesfield," Philip suggested.

Maggie shrugged. "Sorry, Phil,"

"It's Philip."

"But I'm afraid the portal doesn't work that way. Caleb's front door was where I last opened the portal from the Human Realm. And therefore, anytime I decide to open the portal in the Demon Realm, it will only open at Caleb's front door."

"There's no way to change it?" Caleb asked.

"Not that I know of. We only just recently found the portal. I'm the first one to use the thing in Titan knows how long." Maggie said. "Look. I like you guys. Namely you, blondie. So here's what I'll do. I'll take you both to my hometown and see if I can't find you both a place to stay while you wait for the heat to die down back in the Human Realm. How's that sound?"

"That sounds wonderful, actually," said Caleb. "I don't know about you, Philip, but I could use a holiday."

"Uh, Caleb? Could I talk to you in private for a moment?" Philip asked. He grabbed Caleb's arm and dragged him out of earshot before he could even get a response.

Out of earshot, Philip let go of his brother and crossed his arms. "What are you doing, Caleb?"

"What? Maggie's right. We need a place to lay low until the heat's off of us." said Caleb. "Knowing Gravesfield, we're gonna need to stay out of town for a while. After all, I set a witch free and you murdered the Witch Hunter General."

"That's not the issue," said Philip. "That woman is a witch, Caleb, who brought us to a realm of demons for Christ's sake. And you're just going to trust her without an ounce of suspicion?"

"She saved our lives." Caleb reminded his brother. "She could've left us for the Witch Hunters, but instead, she helped us escape them."

"She owed you one," said Philip. "And now that the debt's been paid, she's free to do whatever she wants to us. There's no telling what she has planned. Maybe she's going to sacrifice us to her heathen gods, or to this Titan she speaks of."

"Philip, your profession as a Witch Hunter has been a lie, get over it and stop trying to target Maggie just to make up for your wasted life."

Philip recoiled angrily.

Caleb's face softened with guilt and regret. "...I'm…I'm sorry, Philip. That was…uncalled for."

Philip sighed and looked away. "I was wondering when you would finally say 'I told you so'. You have every right to. After all, living proof that my life as a Witch Hunter has been wasted is standing right over there."

Philip looked back into his big brother's eyes. "But look at her, Caleb. Those wine-colored eyes, that pale face, that hair, that dress. She's a strange, multicolored witch from a Demon Realm, who commands fire and woodpeckers. We can't trust her."

"I like her colors," said Caleb. "And besides, we're not exactly spoiled for choices. We can't go back to Gravesfeild. Not yet, anyway. And whether we like it or not, this is the only place we can hide out in. We need Maggie to be our native guide, or else who knows what'll happen to us? This place is called the Demon Realm, after all."

Philip rolled his eyes. "Okay, fine. We'll do it your way. But let's be clear, I don't trust that witch or this world. And neither should you."

"So how about you let me do the talking?" Caleb suggested. "Between the witch hunter and the witch lawyer, who has the better chance of getting along with the locals? Also, good God, let's not mention our professions to these people."

Philip sighed and nodded. "Very well."

Caleb and Philip walked back to Maggie, who was tracing a golden circle over her black eye.

"We both accept and appreciate your offer, Maggie," said Caleb. "You have our thanks."

"Ah, it's no trouble." Maggie's black eye healed from her magic and she ended the circle. "To be honest, the town might actually get a kick out of meeting the two of you."

"Your eye." Caleb marveled.

"Yeah, but I'll have to get my leg looked at once we get into town. Healing magic was never quite my forte." Woodrow flew off of Maggie's shoulder and extended into a magic staff. Maggie tucked the portable portal under her arm and mounted the staff. Woodrow's wings extended and the staff levitated off the ground a few feet. "Hop on, humans."

"You…want us to ride on...that?" Philip asked dubiously.

"Magic staff," Maggie said. "Most common form of transportation for witches."

"All three of us are going to ride on that staff? And fly through the air down into your town?" Philip asked. "It's a stick. There is not a lot of room. Even with only a single rider, I cannot imagine a more unsafe form of travel. Flying hundreds of feet in the air on a stick?"

"I'll admit, it doesn't really sound like a very safe or reliable mode of transportation." Caleb agreed.

"Just get on the staff, I don't have all day."

Caleb and Philip glanced at each other nervously. Then Caleb walked up and got on the staff behind Maggie. Caleb reached awkwardly toward the witch. "Um…should I…where do I…"

Maggie rolled her eyes and reached behind her to grab Caleb's hands, placing them around her waist.

Caleb blushed. "Very well, then. This works."

"You coming, Phil?" Maggie asked.

"Philip." he corrected her before coming over and sitting down on the staff behind Caleb, grabbing him by the waist.

Once they were all on the staff, Maggie flew them over to the cliff's edge.

Caleb and Philip gulped in fear. "Uh, on second thought, couldn't we walk?" Caleb asked.

"Nah," said Maggie.

"Isn't there something else we could ride?" Philip asked.

"Yes, but we're sticking with the staff."

"This is safe, correct?"

"With three people, it's not completely safe, no."

"I wanna get off."

"Here we go."

"Our father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name,"

Maggie flew them down the cliff.

The brothers screamed as they soared down the cliff. Maggie leveled out and they soared through the air towards the town. Caleb looked out over the land as Maggie flew through the air. It was a strange, yet beautiful view. In the air, it could be seen that the entire land was surrounded by an endless ocean. It really was a really big island. Or rather, it was a really big dead guy, lying in ocean water. the skeleton of the fallen Titan could be seen from the height. He had apparently fallen on his back, with his leg bent. the Titan's right knee stuck up into the air, the highest reach in all the land. The three of them reached the town and Maggie landed them down onto one of the cobblestone streets. Houses and other buildings surrounded them.

"Alright, you boys can get off now," Maggie told them.

"No, I'm fine," Caleb said as he clung to Maggie.

"I think I need a few moments as well," said Philip.

"Humans, I tell ya." Maggie whistled and Woodrow shrank back into a simple bird. Maggie landed on her feet while Caleb and Philip landed on their butts.

"Need help, friend?" Caleb heard someone behind him ask.

"Oh, thank you, I–AHHHHHHH!" Caleb screamed as he frantically backed away until he reached Maggie's feet.

"Caleb?" Philip looked up to see a creature with purple skin, a big head, and four eyes looking down at him.

"GOD HELP US!" Philip shot to his feet and ran behind Maggie. "What is that thing?!"

The creature scratched his bald head and blinked his four eyes. He wore a blue cloak over his green clothing. "Oh, dear. Was it something I said?"

"It's not you, Edmund. They're just new to these parts." Maggie said as she helped Caleb back to his feet.

"Maggie! You're back!" Edmund came up and embraced her. "You had us all worried!" still hugging Maggie, Edmund called out behind him, "Hey, everyone! Maggie's back!"

Caleb and Philip huddled next to each other in fear as creatures of all shapes and sizes began to surround them. Many of them seemed to be the same species as Maggie, but many others looked like something out of a myth or a nightmare. They didn't appear at all hostile though. In fact, they were all smiling happily at Maggie.

"Maggie's back!"

"Hey, Maggie!"

"Good to have you back, Maggie!"

"How was your trip, Maggie dear?"

"Maggie, what happened to your leg?"

"Who are those two scared weirdos with you, Maggie?"

Maggie smiled and waved at everyone around her. "Hi, everyone! Yeah, I'm back from the Human Realm."

"Did you bring anything to show us?" someone asked. "Something neat and interesting?"

"I didn't bring you guys anything. Except for a pair of actual live humans!" Maggie dramatically raised her hands towards Caleb and Philip. "Introducing, the Wittebane Brothers!"

"Ooooooooooooooooooooo," went the crowd.

"Look at those tiny, round ears, they're adorable!"

"Other than that, they really don't look much different from witches, do they?"

"Right? I thought humans would be hairier."

"I like the blonde one, he's a cutie."

"I'm going crazy just for that gap between his teeth."

Caleb blushed and covered his mouth. Philip patted his brother's shoulder. "Don't feel bad, you have mother's teeth."

A small child wearing a blue dress who had green skin, fangs, and horns ran up to the brothers excitedly. "You have round ears and they look funny!"

Philip immediately recoiled away from the child, who kept her excited focus on Caleb.

"Um…Hello…small, green, demon child." Caleb stepped back as the child approached him. "You're an odd one, aren't you?"

Caleb backed into someone. Someone big.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry–Ah! Blackbeard! He's come for us!"

It wasn't actually Blackbeard, though. It was just a really big and hairy man. He was easily seven feet tall, with long hair and a big beard the color of coal. He looked like an older man, perhaps in his late thirties or forties. The man stood with his back straight and his hands folded behind him. He wore a dark, black cloak that went well with his beard over a navy-blue jacket and trousers stuffed into black boats. His pointed ears marked him as a witch, as did his unnaturally colored eyes. A green parrot sat atop the big man's shoulder, making him look even more like a pirate.

The big witch raised one of his big, bushy eyebrows. "I'm sorry?"

Caleb took a moment to steady his heartbeat. "No, good sir, I-I'm sorry. You simply startled me."

The big witch laughed. Despite his fearsome appearance, his deep voice was kind and wise. "My apologies, then. I didn't mean to frighten you. I imagine you are already quite spooked. You're from the Human Realm, if I'm not mistaken."

Caleb nodded and offered his hand to the witch. "Caleb Wittebane."

The witch took a huge hand from behind his back and shook Caleb's hand. It was like shaking hands with a grizzly bear.

"Hector Clawthorne."

"Well met, Mr. Clawthorne." said Caleb. "That over there is my brother, Philip. Don't mind his…eh…introversion. This whole endeavor has him slightly more freaked out than it has me."

"It was Margaret who brought you two humans here, yes?" Hector asked.

"You mean Maggie? Yeah, she brought me and my brother both here," said Caleb. "Saved our lives too."

"...Did she now?" Hector turned towards Maggie who, for some reason, looked to be trying to hide among the crowd.

"Margaret," Hector called. "Come over here, please."

Maggie sighed before making her way over to Hector and Caleb. To Caleb's confusion, Maggie looked a little nervous and guilty.

"I am glad to see you have returned, Margaret," Hector said. "Your mother will be overjoyed when she hears."

Caleb looked back and forth between Maggie and Hector. "Do you two know each other?"

Hector chuckled and looked over at Caleb, who just now realized that Hector's eyes were the same magenta color as Maggie's. "You could say that."

Maggie groaned and rolled her eyes. "Hello, father."

Caleb's eyes shot wide open. "God help me, you're the father? Uh, I mean, you're Maggie's father?"

"Indeed I am." Hector turned back to Maggie and crossed his arms sternly. "I am the father that warned his daughter not to go to the Human Realm. And when that didn't work, I warned her to stay clear of the humans. And apparently, that didn't work either, because she brought of pair of humans with her to the Boiling Isles."

"I wasn't planning on bringing any humans. My plan was to just bring back a bunch of stuff I stole," said Maggie.

Hector narrowed his eyes.

"Um…I mean…" Maggie rubbed the back of her head nervously. "You look great today, father. The beard looks simply amazing."

"Tell me everything. Right now." Hector ordered. "Beginning with what happened to your leg."

Maggie sighed. "The humans I was stealing from caught on and chased me into the woods. I stepped on a trap and they caught me."

"What?" said Hector. Caleb flinched at the anger in the big man's voice.

Maggie rubbed her forearm and looked away. "I got knocked out, and they locked me in a cell. My hands were cuffed and Woodrow couldn't follow me into the prison."

"How did you escape?" Hector demanded.

Maggie looked over at Caleb. "He saved me."

Hector's bushy eyebrows shot up. He turned to Caleb and stared down at him. "Is this true?"

Caleb gulped at the sight of the large man looming over him. Philip came up and put a hand on Caleb's shoulder protectively.

"Yes, it is," said Caleb. "I took care of her leg injury and then I helped her break out of prison. The rest of the town tried to kill me for that. Philip here had to shoot his boss so I could escape them. We both ran inside my house, next thing you know, we're in this place."

Hector looked over at Maggie.

"They were gonna torture and kill me. He saved my life, so I saved his." Maggie explained. "I used the portal and brought them both to the Boiling Isles before their people could get them."

"...I see." Hector turned back to Caleb and Philip. "In that case, I welcome you to Bonesborough, Brothers Wittebane."

"Thank you," said Caleb.

"No. Thank you." Hector's tone became serious. "You saved my daughter's life. You healed her wound and helped her escape imprisonment. If there is anything you desire, just make it known."

"We only need a place to stay until things calm down back home," said Caleb. "Would this town happen to have an inn?"

"In fact, we do," said Hector. "Walk with me. I'll take you both there."

"Wonderful," said Caleb. "How much does a night's stay cost? I didn't bring any money. And even if I did, I'm not certain our currency would be worth anything here."

"Oh, do not worry yourself over that. Your stay at the inn will be free of cost for as long as you remain." Hector said. "I know the innkeeper. I can put in a good word."

"I suppose I should go and tell mother I'm back," said Maggie.

"Yes, you should. She's been worried sick," said Hector. "And leave the portal and key with your mother at the house. I don't want you losing the thing."

Maggie nodded. Woodrow flew off of her shoulder and extended into a staff. Maggie got on her staff and looked at Caleb, giving him a smile. "I'll see you later, Caleb."

Caleb smiled back.

Maggie took off into the air, her hair and her cloak billowing in the wind as she did. Caleb watched her in fascination as she flew through the air. "Amazing."

Hector looked over at him.

"Uh…people don't fly through the air where we're from. And I doubt they ever will. it's...fascinating to watch."

Hector continued to stare at Caleb for a couple more seconds before he began walking down the road. "Follow me."

Caleb and Philip followed behind Hector as he led them through the town of Bonesborough. As they traveled through the town, Caleb and Philp gawked and stared at every new sight. It was truly an…exotic place. Caleb found it beautiful, in its own, strange way. In fact, it wasn't all that different from what Caleb imagined New York would be like. A bustling community of people, full of opportunity. It wasn't anything particularly special to these witches, though, other than the fact that they called it home. Although, he doubted Philip saw it in the same light as he did. The younger brother was uncharacteristically quiet as they walked.

"So…everyone here is a witch?" Caleb asked. "Capable of performing magic?"

"The Boiling Isles is home to both witches and demons," Hector replied. "There are witches, like Margaret and I, and then there are bipedal demons, like Edmund, the demon you met earlier. Most people just refer to them as witches, though, regardless of any demon ancestry. Other species of demons cannot perform magic like witches and bipedal demons can, but they live among us. Mostly as tiny annoyances. I'm still trying to get that snaggleback out of my attic. Damn squatter."

"But, how do you perform magic?" Caleb asked. "All Maggie did was draw a circle in the air with her finger."

"A circle is the most basic representation of magic there is," Hector explained. "No corners, no edges, no set beginning or end, a circle represents the cycle. This is actually pretty basic stuff. I must confess, it feels rather odd to have to explain this to someone who isn't a child. I mean no offense, I know you are both very new to this place."

"So, that's how you do magic? Simply by making a circle in the air?" Caleb tried to make a magic circle, but nothing happened.

"Well, you also need a magic bile sac attached to your heart, like all witches and bipedal demons have," said Hector. "We're born with them. When a witch turns about five or so, their bile sac starts to develop and their magic begins to show. When Margaret first started using magic, she ended up putting a couple of holes in the walls. In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have started her off by showing her how to conjure fire. I had no idea she would possess such talent, she was four. Let me tell ya, my wife was...not happy with me."

Caleb looked around at the locals they passed. "I've noticed that a lot of you witches have an animal companion of one kind or the other," Caleb commented. "You and Maggie both have a bird."

"Ah, yes, our palismans." said Hector.

"Palis..man?" Caleb asked.

"Sometimes referred to as a familiar. Carved from the wood of a palistrom tree, a palisman is a witch's lifelong companion." Hector extended his hand and the parrot flew off his shoulder and extended into a long, green staff. "I carved Randall here with my father when I was but a boy."

"Wow," said Caleb, eyes full of wonder. "I like that he's a bird. I'm a bit of a bird-lover myself. I used to hang up feeders for the birds back home."

"Birds are sort of the Clawthorne signature trademark." Randall shrunk back into his palisman form and flew back onto Hector's shoulder. "My family are palisman carvers, you see. Best in the business, if I do say so myself. Ah, we have arrived."

Hector led them to a modestly large building of stone. It was a comfortable-looking place, as befitting an inn. Hector led the brothers inside, showing them a cozy interior. The main room had a fireplace burning in front of a table and sofa chairs on one side of the room. The other side looked to be a kitchen area, with a wooden dining table, a metal stove, and everything else required in a kitchen.

At the front desk sat a bipedal demon. A thin creature with orange skin and three eyes obscured by his black hair. He was well dressed like a gentleman, in tailored red clothing. The demon was writing with an ink quill as Hector and the humans came in.

"Hello, Sam." Hector greeted.

The demon called Sam looked up from his work. "Ah, Hector! What brings you by? And who are your friends?" Sam narrowed his eyes at Caleb and Philip. "My, what round ears they have."

"These two are travelers far from their homeland. I need them set up with a room until they can return home." Hector placed a big hand on Caleb's shoulder. "This one here betrayed his people to save Margaret's life when they were about to kill her."

"Oh, my." Sam brought a hand up to his lip. "Is Maggie okay?"

"A leg injury, patched up by Caleb here, but without any magic," said Hector. "Ethel will take a look at it. She knows enough healing magic to get rid of Maggie's limp."

"Oh, thank goodness," said Sam, clearly relieved. "May the Titan bless, Mr. Caleb, for your kindness. How can I be of service to you?"

"My brother and I need a room. For how long, I cannot say for sure," said Caleb.

"Right away, sir." Sam rifled through his papers. "We have a room available that may suit the both of you. Two beds, one washroom. Will that do?"

"That will be perfect," said Caleb.

"The room shall be free of charge, of course," said Sam. "Provided the two of you are respectable towards the property."

"Of course," said Caleb. "We will be of no trouble."

Sam reached below his desk and pulled out a pair of keys. "Welcome to the Broomstick Inn. Here are your room keys. Top floor, third door on your right."

"Many thanks, innkeeper." Caleb took the keys and handed one to Philip.

"Well, I'll let you boys get settled in," said Hector. "Unless there is anything else you need?"

"Oh, no, I think my brother and I are going to call it a day," said Caleb. "It's…been a long one."

Hector nodded. "As you wish. If you need anything, just ask Sam." the big witch turned around and headed for the exit, but stopped at the door.

"And, Caleb?" Hector turned around and met the blonde man's gaze. "Thank you. Thank you for saving my daughter's life."

Caleb smiled and nodded.

And with that, Hector left the inn, closing the door behind him.

"Breakfast is served between five and seven, dinner at eleven to one, and supper at four to six," said Sam. "Please enjoy your stay at the Broomstick Inn."


(Later that evening)

The room was big enough for the brothers to be roommates. The two separate beds both had a nightstand set beside them. On top of both nightstands, sat a burning candelabra. There was a window with white curtains, and the floor was covered with a brown carpet. A wooden table and a pair of chairs sat next to the washroom door.

Philp and Caleb, wearing nightshirts and caps provided by the inn, sat in bed. Caleb had his copy of the Bible tucked away in his coat pocket when they had been brought to the Boiling Isles, and he was reading the book in the candlelight. Philip wasn't getting any sleep either. The younger brother lay in bed and stared unblinking up at the ceiling.

"Caleb?" Philip finally said. "May I read from the Bible now?"

Caleb looked over at his brother. He then memorized his page number before closing the book and tossing it over to Philip. Philip caught the book and opened it up to the first page.

"...You've been terribly quiet ever since we came to Bonesburough, Philip." Caleb pointed out. "Is there something you would like to talk about?"

Philip closed his eyes and took a deep breath through his nose. "This place, Caleb…it's just too much. All of this goes against everything we have ever been taught."

"That doesn't make it bad," said Caleb. "That just makes it different."

"Caleb, these people are witches. Capable of terrifying feats." Philip kept reading from the Bible. "We are not safe here."

"These witches have been kind to us, Philip. They brought us to their local inn and gave us one of their best rooms." Caleb reminded him. "And keep in mind, Maggie could have ratted you out as a Witch Hunter. But she didn't. That means something."

"That doesn't change what these people are capable of," said Philip. "Witches and demons, who command fire and fly through the air. Is this place meant for two Christians like us?"

"They mean us no harm. If they wanted to hurt us, they would've done it by now." Caleb argued. "And besides, this world isn't so terrible. It's filled with new and exciting wonders. Even these candles are something to behold." Caleb raised a hand to his candelabra. "The candle burns, but the wax never melts. Sam called it fire beeswax. Remarkable, isn't it?"

"We don't belong here," said Philip. "And furthermore, this world shouldn't even exist. They have frightening powers, and they have a portal to our world. What's to stop them if they decide one day to go through the portal by the hundreds are start killing every human they come across?"

"Then we have Maggie destroy the portal once we go back home," said Caleb. "Put an end to it once and for all."

Philip laughed without humor. "Yes, you trust the thief who burned down Allingham's barn with your life. All because of how pretty she and her unnatural coloring are."

Caleb narrowed his eyes. "Just go ahead and say it. You wish I hadn't saved Maggie. You wish I had let her be tortured and killed."

Philip sighed. "Caleb...you're a good man, and I love you for your kind heart. But let's face it, things would have been better for the both of us if you hadn't interfered."

"She was going to be killed, right after she was tortured for information on how to find and kill her family," Caleb said. "I did the right thing, Philip."

"Well, it cost us both everything," Philip replied bitterly. "Our careers, our home, and even our world."

Caleb looked away. "...I won't apologize for saving Maggie's life. But...I will apologize for dragging you along with me in all of this."

"You're my brother, Caleb," Philip said as he focused on his reading. "We both made a promise to never abandon each other, and always have each other's back."

Caleb suddenly felt a rush of guilt hit him. Before he had saved Maggie, Caleb had been entirely ready to abandon Philip and head to New York. If the Witch Hunters hadn't tried to bring him in, Caleb would have done it.

"Philip...I-"

There was a knock on the door.

"I'll get it." Caleb got up out of bed and went to answer the door.

He was surprised to see Maggie on the other side. She had ditched her black cloak, wearing only her high-heeled boots and her violet dress.

"Maggie?" Caleb took off his cap.

"Hi, Caleb." Maggie peeked into the room. "Hey, Phil."

Philip ignored her, keeping his focus on reading the Bible.

"What are you doing here?" Caleb asked.

"Well, my mother took care of my leg." Maggie showed off her leg, which didn't have a bandage or even a scratch. "And she finally let me go after hours of scolding and making me make promises." Maggie shuddered. "I was not looking forward to that conversation."

"Your mother sounds like a fierce woman," Caleb said.

"You have no idea." Maggie rubbed her arm and bit her lip nervously. "Listen, Caleb…I…I never actually thanked you for saving my life…so, you know…thank you…for saving my life."

Caleb smiled. "You're welcome. It was kind of my fault you were caught in the first place. I'm the one who reported you to the Witch Hunters. For that, I'm sorry."

"Well, you did betray your whole town by setting me free." Maggie smiled back. "I was about to be tortured and killed. You saved me from that. Thank you, Caleb."

Maggie leaned in and planted a kiss on Caleb's cheek.

Caleb blushed and brought a hand to his cheek.

"Hey, all things considered, feel free to say no, but, would you like me to show you around the Boiling Isles tomorrow?" Maggie asked. "I can show you…anything you would like to see."

Over in bed, Philip coughed into his fist.

"Shut up, Philip," said Caleb. "I would love to see the Boiling Isles with you, Maggie."

"Great," said Maggie. "I'll see you tomorrow, Caleb. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Maggie." Caleb smiled as he closed the door. He walked back and got into bed, staring up at the ceiling with a grin on his face.

Philip flipped to the next page. "You know, I always figured you would end up fancying one of the witches you saved."

Caleb groaned with irritation. "I'm going to sleep." he blew his candelabra out and rolled onto his side, keeping his back towards Philip.

"You should try to keep an open mind while you're here, Philip," Caleb said. "'Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.'"

"Mathew 7," said Philip.

"Mmm-hmm," Caleb said as he fell asleep.

Philip looked over at Caleb. His face softened at the sight of his slumbering big brother and a slight smile graced his lips.

"Goodnight, Caleb."


Hope you enjoyed the chapter! 'Till next time!