Eda dragged me all the way through the town and down a small path in the woods. Winding our way through, Eda's spell wore off and I could see her yellow eyes were bloodshot and dripping. Her face, which was usually pale, was bright pink, as if she had been sprinting for hours. We continued walking, Eda clinging to my hand as if it were a lifeline. In some ways it was, because I truly believed if I had let go, she would fly away into the forest never to be seen again.

My mind flicked back to my work in the Organization. It was a difficult job, and dangerous, but so much of the population was confused. Dr. Money's strongest force was his propaganda and entertainment division. Many people coming to us did not even know the true nature of the situation. All they knew was that something was off. When we finally broke through, it often shattered their world-view. People don't like to believe they have been lied to their whole lives. It was not pretty after that. Some learned to accept it, and joined our ranks as fighters. Some fled. It was interesting watching the same thing seem to unravel before me in this young witch, though it made my heart ache nonetheless. I hated to see people in pain.

We made our way to a tiny cabin, its lights were now a beacon in the darkness. Eda breathed a sigh of relief at the sight, before pointing me to a second story window. With a swirl of her finger, a large vine sprouted out of the ground, carrying us up to the room. We entered through the unlatched entrance and landed on a small plain bed.

Paper stars and a moon hung from the ceiling, lit up with a gentle light spell. There was a dresser next to the bed, lined with a large mirror and a small number of toys. Posters lined the wall and I watched as Eda began tearing a number of them down. They read "Be Like the Golden Guard! Join the Emperor's Coven!"

Frowning at the scene before me, I stepped behind Eda and pressed my palms into her shoulders and began forming little circles on her back. Eda's destruction stopped with that and I turned her back to the bed to sit. Pulling a stuffed gazelle-like toy, I pushed it gently into her arms. Eda's crying only intensified.

"Look," I peered gently into the girl's yellow eyes, "I know it hurts to see something like that. I hate it, but its better you know."

"I wish I didn't. . ." Eda let out a shaky sigh, "Lili and I were going to join the Emperor's Coven, and-and- I don't think I could do something like that now."

"So you were wrong," I smiled for the girl's sake, "It happens all the time."

"But not joining is illegal, and Lili- she'd never believe. . ."

I interrupted the girl, "You're only 14, Eda. How old do you have to be?"

"16 in most cases," Eda shivered, "Then they train you to get branded by 17."

"Then let's just live our lives," I brushed a loose piece of hair from her face, "And cross that bridge when we get to it, okay?"

"Okay. . . Can we stay here tonight?"

"Of course, Eda," I chuckled, "This is your home, right."

"Yeah."