Chapter 2:

Luz was startled awake suddenly. The clock on her wall read 2:44 a.m. She was confused why she suddenly woke up, considering she never really remembered falling asleep. King was also alert beside her, ears perked up and staring at her door. She could only assume a noise woke them both up, so she tried to listen for more hints as to what made the noise.

A few moments later, a pained scream ripped through Luz's door, it was coming from the hallway. King was off the bed with his nose to the door in seconds, wanting Luz to open the door and let him out. She staggered towards King, legs still tingly with sleep but sturdy, but hesitated at the door. DO I really want to know who made that noise? More clattering and cries emanated from the halls, mixed with sobs and the rumbling of voices. Luz opened her door and King immediately waddled into the hall.

Several other girls had their heads peeking out of their rooms, a ratchet was being had in the halls. About four nurses huddled around a shaking, whimpering figure, and two more held a nearby door shut. There was a multicolored cat weaving its way through the nurses legs, but never straying far from the huddled person on the floor. The four nurses lifted the limp, no longer shaking, girl up. Luz recognized the limp form, it was her friend Viney.

She was asleep, but had new tears drying on her face and specks of maroon coating her arms. The nurse who seemed in charge started giving orders. "Take her to get patched up, then put her in solitary till after breakfast." The three other nurses carried Viney away, disappearing into the starwell. The colorful cat loyally followed, keeping pace right behind them.

The remaining nurse turned to the two who were struggling to keep the patient's door shut. Crying could be heard from inside, and a constant knocking from whoever was inside as they repeatedly hit the door. "Open it up and be prepared to cover me." King had found his way to the nurses, but sat a few feet away. He knew what he was doing obviously. One of the nurses opened the door and all three rushed in, slamming the door behind them. Screaming could be heard from inside but was slowly quieted. King remained vigilant, waiting for the door to open and do his job.

A few minutes passed and most of the other girls in the hallway had shut their doors and gone back to bed. This must have happened often, they seemed like it was no big deal. Just as Luz was about to head to bed, without King this time as he seemed to be needed elsewhere, the door in question swung open. The three nurses carried out a sleeping girl slightly taller than Luz. It was right before they headed into the stairwell that Luz recognized the teen. It was Emira Blight.

King obediently followed them away, surely to calm Emira down wherever she was being carted off to. Once the last nurse had disappeared into the stairwell, the hall was entirely empty. Now only Luz's door was cracked open, everyone else had returned to bed. What did I just witness?

It took Luz a while to settle down, her head still racing from the events that took place within the last half hour. If Emira and Viney are here, then surely Edric, Jerbo, and Barkus are here as well. I wonder if Boscha and Skara are here also? Since Willow, Gus, and Amity are here I can only assume my other classmates would be also. Everything is so different here, I just wanna be back at The Owl House… not in this strange place.

After a while Luz was able to fall back asleep, she missed King beside her but knew wherever he might be he was doing his important job. What she didn't notice was the hand knitted sweater Eda had put beside her mere hours prior, still right beside her pillow just waiting to be worn.

When Luz awoke again, sunlight had creeped across the floor and illuminated her room. A brief moment of confusion flashed through her mind before she remembered the events of the prior day, and night. I want to find out more about what happened last night, maybe I should ask my friends. A buzz from her nearby phone distracted her ponderings. The screen lit up with notifications for a text from her Mami. At least I still have my phone! And I can talk with my Mami! She opened the bat shaped phone and read her newest text.

Mami: Good morning Mija. I will arrive for visitation at the usual time, let your friends know I have fresh baked M&M cookies for them!

Luz: Sounds good Mami! What time is the usual?

Mami: 11:30 unless traffic is bad. Why?

Luz: Just making sure, see you then! Love you Mami!

Mami: Love you too Luz.

Switching her phone off and swinging out of bed she noticed an unfamiliar article of clothing sitting on her bed. It was a hand knitted sweater. She immediately read the tag and her heart melted. It was from Eda! It was two shades of purple and was extremely soft. The sweater was obviously Eda's first attempt at knitting, but it was the thought that counted. In the back of her memory she recognized the note, the familiarity was overwhelming.

To a young witch from her proud mentor -Eda

Wasn't that what the note on her witches cloak Eda made for her right before her capture in the Emperor's castle? Luz now had so many questions swirling in her head it hurt. "Why is everything here so confusing!?" She loudly grumbled. Right then Hooty's pitchy voice echoed through the halls. "Good morning kids! HOOT HOOT! Time to wake up and get dressed before breakfast! Medications will be distributed in TENNNNNN minutes!" Luz now jumped out of bed and rushed to get dressed, not forgetting to grab the sweater to wear.

Ten minutes, and one rushed morning routine later, Hooty knocked and entered a few moments later. "Gooooood morning Luz! Here are your pills for the day! Nice sweater, HOOT!" Luz examined her cup with pills, similar ones from the night before but a few different ones. "What exactly are these for?" Luz didn't want to swallow any more pills, she didn't like the fuzzy feeling they clouded her head with. "I don't know, I only distribute the meds and make sure kids like you swallow them." Hooty eyeballed her. She decided she didn't want to cause any trouble today, needing to talk to her friends as soon as possible. She proceeded to swallow the pills, gagging slightly on the larger ones.

Hooty proceeded to leave with a "HOOT" and continued down the hallway to make his daily rounds. Luz, now ready for the day, took a tentative step into the hallway. Many other teenage girls were in the wide hall. Most of them were chatting in groups but Luz could see a few either reading books, browsing their phones, or brushing their teeth. She vaguely remembered her way down to the main level with the cafeteria, but she didn't wanna get lost. If I can find Amity or Willow I bet they could help me figure my way around. So she scanned the crowd for Amity's mint green hair or Willow's round glasses.

Sure enough, she spotted Amity a few doors down. She was talking with… Boscha? She sure looked like the triclops from the Boiling Isles, except she only had two eyes, human ears, and her skin was no longer as pink. Luz made her way through the swarm of girls and headed towards Amity and possibly Boscha. "Good morning Amity!" Luz cheerfully greeted Amity with a wave. Amity and Boscha stopped talking and looked towards the bouncy Luz.

"Good morning Luz, this is Boscha. I'm sure you remember her to some degree considering the heated arguments you two get into. Oh by the way Luz, I love that sweater on you!" Boscha scowled at Luz, but remained silent. Amity gave Boscha a rushed goodbye before taking Luz by the arm and dragging her in the opposite direction.

"So, I'm assuming you need me to show you around a bit? Willow usually helps you the first day back from solitary but this morning she was in charge of breakfast duty." At Luz's confused look, Amity further explained. "We all have chores around here. Cleaning the communal bathrooms, organizing the rec rooms, helping in the kitchen at meals, the list goes on. You need to first be trusted to work in the kitchen, and since Willow is the vision of a perfect patient she helps there quite often." Luz enjoyed listening to Amity explain these things, her voice was just as melodic here as it was when they first met. Speaking of which, I need to know how we actually met. I'm going to guess it's slightly different from how I remember it.

Luz was so focused on Amity, she failed to notice where they were walking until a waft of tantalizing smells hit her. The theme was pancakes and there was an amazing looking toppings bar. Amity grabbed a tray and Luz followed suit, both girls shoveling their plates full with fresh pancakes. After no more toppings would fit on their pancakes, they found a seat at the table closest to the vending machine. "So, Willow is helping with breakfast. But where is Gus?" Luz knew if he was here, he would have found their table already. It seemed to be a known fact that this is where they met. "Not a morning person. Considering how much extra energy he carries, it's a bit surprising." Luz nodded and dove into her breakfast.

The pancakes vanished off Luz's tray before she knew it. Amity ate slower, but before long even her plate was empty. "I was wondering, how did we meet? I remember my version of the story, but with everything that has happened I'm starting to doubt what actually happened…" Luz gave Amity a sheepish smile, all but begging to hear Amity's side of the story.

"Not much to explain really, it was about four years ago and you were the new patient. Willow had a science project she needed to turn in for a school class and you helped her finish it. She got a higher grade than me, which was unusual, and I freaked out… I blamed you. We got into a fight, landed us all three in solitary for the day. That was the first encounter but we weren't really 'friends' until an incident a few weeks later." Amity had her eyes plaster to the ground this whole time, just now glancing up at Luz.

"One, that's not how I remember it but I trust you. Two, WE HAVE SCHOOL HERE?" Luz was internally panicking, this would be a normal school. No magic, just dull busy work and long hours of mind rotting boredom. "That's really the only takeaway you got from my explanation?" Amity was slightly pissed, but this WAS Luz she was talking to.

"Sorry, so what happened that made us friends?" Luz looked to Amity for an explanation once again. "It was an arts and crafts show in the adult wing. Teens, children, adults, and seniors all gathered to show off creative works they had made. It's a pretty big deal here, everyone loves it. Anyways, we got into an argument… again. Doctor Eda took your side and Lilith took mine. I can't remember the reason anymore, but it was dumb. It got violent during an 'episode' of mine and stormed off. You followed to comfort me. It actually helped, for the first time someone had been able to calm me down with only words." She paused to grab Luz's hand before continuing.

"We started being a bit more friendly from there. Like one time you snuck into the library with my siblings. I followed you guys, we barely got out of there without getting caught by Hooty. It also was when we realized how much of The Good Witch Azura book fans we are. That was actually really fun." Amity slightly chuckled at this, apparently both their memories of this event were funny.

"Then of course the time Eda and a few orderlies took some of us on a visit to a nearby park for Christmas! It was snowing and we played around for hours. Until, Ed found a dead bat and scared the littler kids with it's corpse… and you stole some poor lady's sheepdog claiming it was a 'slitherbeast' or something. Our group trip was cut short, you and Ed weren't allowed on outings for several months after that." Amity started laughing at the memory and Luz couldn't help but join in.

"Do you remember me proposing my love to you? Sure, it was in the middle of a drugged daze, but you accepted me and we have been dating since. I was just wondering because that was a surprise to me when I woke up and suddenly had a girlfriend, but I wouldn't have it any other way." Amity was blushing and visibly flustered as she asked this question. This is unexpected but not entirely unwanted, gosh Amity's so cute when she's blushing... "I can't say I remember the confession, but I'm unbelievably glad we are girlfriends!" She planted a kiss on Amity's hand tangled in hers. Both girls were blushing furiously, and giggling like mad women.

Their conversation would have continued, had Gus not entered the cafeteria running at breakneck speeds that very moment. From the distance they watched him grab a plate, fill it with pancakes, and drizzle an ungodly amount of syrup on the stack. All within twenty seconds he was at their table, wide eyed and shaking with excitement. "GOOD MORNING LUZ AND AMITY! WHERE IS WILLOW?"

"We went over this yesterday morning, she had kitchen duties today. Considering how late you slept in, she should be done any time now." Amity said as she patted Gus on the back. Amity and Luz had been up for over an hour now and breakfast time was almost over. Sure enough, Willow exited the kitchen moments later and joined their table.

"Good morning guys! Hope everyone slept well, last night's incident woke up the whole girl's level I think." It was at that moment Luz remembered her question. Just before Luz could ask anything Gus piped up. "The boy's level also had a late night incident! What a coincidence!" Amity rolled her eyes in the kindest way imaginable. "Stuff like that happens almost every night here, nothing special." Willow nodded at this fact. Well I guess that answers my question?

"I was just explaining some stuff to Luz about how stuff works around here. Chores, school, outings, things like that." Amity figured Willow would elaborate further. "Yeah, school classes start after breakfast, 9:00 am, and goes until lunch, 1:00 pm. Then after 30 min group counseling is free time in the rec rooms until dinner, 5:00 pm, this is a good time to do homework and study. After dinner, well you remember what happens. Except on visiting days, weekends and Wednesdays school is canceled. Meaning, no school today!" Luz soaked in Willow's condensed day plan, still clutching Amity's hand under the table.

Their group enjoyed chatting for a while. About stuff like what TV shows were playing in the rec rooms, how the issued toothpaste was the same flavor as glue, and how to avoid the tacos on Tuesdays. They were in the middle of debating whether Coke or Pepsi was better when two green haired siblings jumped onto their table, sufficiently startling Luz and her friends.

"What's up Mittens and co?" They both said in unison, signature smirks plastered on their identical faces. Luz perked up at the sight of more familiar faces, while Amity shrunk down into her chair in a desperate attempt to disappear. Edric turned so he and Emira were back to back on the table before quite loudly speaking. "Do us a favor will ya? If the orderlies come nosing around looking for the degenerate Blight twins, you never saw us. Capiche?" Willow rubbed her temples. "And what did you guys do this time?" Em started laughing, in a very unnerving manner. "Just a harmless prank involving plastic sporks, toilet seat lids, and a few bags of pom poms! No one will be hurt… severely." Ed and Em were now laughing maniacally in sync.

"Ohhhhh ok! Our lips are sealed! Next time I wanna help with the pra-" Gus was immediately shushed by a frantic Willow covering his mouth. "Heyyyyy isn't today when Luz's mom visits? Shoot, we will prolly miss it thanks to solitary…. Save us some cookies though!" Ed then proceeded to get shoved off the table by Em. They are just like I remember. Crazy with no regard for the rules!

"Don't worry, we will cover for you!" Willow was currently miming death threats directed at Luz, obviously worried about helping the twins… no one ever listens to the smart friend. Meanwhile Amity desperately wanted her older siblings to vanish right then and there. The conversation came to a screeching halt, much to Amity and Willow's delight, when two pissed off orderlies rushed into the cafeteria. Directly towards the Blight twins. "That's our cue to skedaddle! See ya around Mittens!" Ed and Em darted off, still chuckling, dodging between tables and pushing over children in their escape.

"Well, that was interesting." Luz muttered as she watched the sprinting twins disappear from sight. "Trust me, you don't wanna get caught up in their schemes. Viney, Jerbo, and Barkus are close friends with them and trouble follows in the form of twins. The further you are from them, the better." Willow obviously had a grudge against the twins, reasoning still undecided.

"I think they are super cool! They are so creative in their pranks. Like the time they smuggled jello into solitary? It took the nurses weeks to scrub those smudges out of the padding! It still smells fruity in there actually!" Gus clearly looked up to the twins, destined to follow their path of war crimes if not for Willow keeping him in check.

A muffled buzzer halted the conversation, actually more like Gus's rambling. A nurse, one Luz recognized from the previous night's ruckus, called out through the room. "Breakfast time is over! Please return in an orderly manner to one of the rec rooms and enjoy some free time. Visiting hours open shortly, if you don't wish to socialize you may return to your room. Thank you." The dwindling kids had now all but emptied the cafeteria, leaving four friends to rush out before orderlies scolded them.

"Hey, I'm going to water my plants before visitors start arriving. Maybe my dads will visit this week! See you guys later." Willow said final farewells before heading up to the girls dormitory level. "I'm going to go learn to play the xylophone! I have never played but maybe I will be really good at it! Wish me luck!" Gus started running down the halls at his superhuman speeds, not getting very far before a nurse reprimanded him for such dangerous behavior.

Amity turned to Luz, blushing a bit as she finally released Luz's trapped hand. It had begun to grow numb. "Well, see you later I guess? I will try to find you once your mom arrives, although my siblings usually try to spend visiting hours with me if they aren't in solitary. I wonder if they got caught this time…" She too meandered away, leaving Luz excited to see her Mami but nervous at the same time.

Luz decided to explore the main hallway a bit on her own. Popping into the open rooms and trying to remember where everything was located. The art room was filled with every type of creative supplies imaginable. Finger paint, colored pencils, easels, water colors, and so many new things Luz had never even seen before. On the wall were many other artist's creations, along with rainbow wallpaper, making the whole room look like a psychedelic dreamscape. Make a mental note to visit here more often, this place looks great!

The music room had just as much variety but in the form of instruments. Piano, harp, drum set, maracas, guitar, and many more. There was even a large shelf with sheets of music. The walls were light brown with music notes painted on them, much more toned down then the art room. Luz spotted Gus in the corner 'trying' to play the xylophone but it sounded more like a seagull on crack. I prefer drawing, but I surely will spend some time here. That drum set looks AWESOME!

The game room had a large shelf of board games, along with a giant chess board on the ground in a corner. It was much quieter here then the previous rooms, only one pair of teens playing checkers in the whole area. I bet Mami would love to play a board game here with me, I wonder if they have Candy Land... Luz also explored the library and gym, but those are pretty self explanatory. Both were decent sized rooms and made Luz ponder, how big was Hexside? If this is just the children's ward, then the adult side must be huge!

Just about ready to head back to her room to wait for Mami's arrival, a nurse approached Luz. "Doctor Eda requested you in her office, please make your way there in an orderly fashion." Remembering how to find Eda's office, the only one with a dog flap, she quickly found the door and rushed inside.

Eda's office was unsurprisingly… messy. Trinkets, books, and dog toys scattered around the area. Eda herself was sitting at a desk, one covered in owl themed memorabilia. Once King noticed Luz, he got up from his bed and waddled over for ear scritches. "You wanted to see me? Did I do something wrong?" Luz wasn't scared of Eda per say, but she sure could be intimidating sometimes.

"Nothings wrong Luz, I just wanted to make sure you were settling in well. Have your friends explained more to you? Also, I hope you liked the sweater. It looks like it fits well, thank goodness." Eda was smiling, clearly proud of her knitting work. "Yes! The sweater is amazing and super cozy! My friends helped explain everything around here, including… school. Ugh." This elicited a chuckle from Eda. "Yeah, you hate school! Sorry they had to break the news to you."

"I also got to meet Ed and Em at breakfast. Then after that I toured the rec rooms, they looked super awesome!" Right then King decided he didn't wanna be left out of the conversation, letting out a deep 'woof' and licking Luz's wrist. "Well, I'm glad to hear you know your way around the main floor. The twins haven't been caught for their prank in the kitchen this morning yet. I will keep my lips sealed on this one though, just don't tell Lilith! She walks around with a stick up her-" "WOOF WOOF!" King was upset, Luz had stopped patting his head.

"Well, I shouldn't keep you from enjoying your Saturday. Your mom usually arrives at 11:30 in case you forgot, here in about 45 mins if my clock is working. Want King to follow you today? If he is needed elsewhere, he knows what to do." Luz nodded vigorously, of course she wanted King at her side! "Thank you Eda, come on King! I think we should visit the art room for a while."