Russet awakens an hour later. Papa hastily decides this is a good time to "showcase my skills", even though I'm pretty sure he just doesn't want Russet to play with the piano. We spend the rest of the evening listening to me play a few nursery rhymes, national anthems, and of course, some songs from Beethoven. I only stop to make dinner, which is thankfully, not potatoes and sausage tonight. I was in the mood for pizza.

The next day we sleep through the morning, so for lunch I'm making knackwurst with potato salad.

"You're not using mayonnaise for the potato salad?" Russet wonders.

"Nah. Not in this heat. The potatoes are chopped, and I'll boil them with the skin on. Then I'll drain them, add a little vinegar, salt, pepper, chives and blue cheese. It actually taste better cold and if you let it sit overnight. Maybe I should use magick to age the salad a bit.."

"That means the leftovers will be scrumptious."

I scoff. "If you two ever left any leftovers."

Russet puts es hands up in innocence. "You haven't even seen what Burgundy is capable of, so don't judge me just yet. Which one is this?"

"Knackwurst? It's entirely beef. And it's heavy on the garlic. So it should pair well with the potato salad."

It doesn't take long before Papa comes down for his coffee. He chugs down the whole mug and heads for the door. Russet and I look at him like he's crazy.

"Um. That was boiling hot, you know." Russet points out.

"I'm a wizard."

Russet and I both do that thing when you realize something at the same time, look at each other and say "Ahh."

"Where are you going?" I ask, pouring another cup.

"Just to get zee mail. I'll be right back."

Oh, I wonder if there is anything for me.

He returns shortly, his food awaiting him on the table, already cooled down and ready for consumption thanks to magick. We enjoy our breakfast and Papa slides me a letter from across the table. Already? But it's only been three days.

I look at the script and my heart skips a beat. A lovely cream-colored envelope is handed to me. On the back it's stamped with a picture of iris flowers and the mailing address of the school is written down in a familiar script that makes my fingertips tingle- the front flap is sealed with an expensive wax brand. A single word written above it. "Lumina". It's from him! Not the Headmistress, or the brownies, but him!

I hide my giddiness and finish my lemon water before heading off to the living room to read it. Russet and Papa begin their usual chatter. I pluck the seal to open the letter, gently unfold the nice-smelling parchment and read the small, elegant handwriting:

"Dear Lumina,

I am pleased to hear that you are enjoying your break thus far. I had assumed that Russet and Mr. Atchung would attach rather quickly. I am not sure if I should be appreciative of their companionship, or concerned for my own well-being.

I would like to mention that I have heard of The Compass Crossways, as it is quite famous for its diverse, yet surprisingly affordable menu, as I believe the proprietors of the establishment aimed to reach to as many wizard cultures as possible- given their geography. The owners spare no expense, neither in quality ingredients nor excess of mana. I have never been there myself, but it is a renowned restaurant.

In case you are wondering, I am getting by here at Iris just fine. The days are stable, and the sizable lack of troublesome students allows me to catch up on my reading. Of course, the opportunity for a season-long vacation from the academy appears too unbearable for the delinquent students that attend my summer courses. Occasionally I surmise that they are hexed creatures- doomed to perish without the academy air and water to sustain them. Why else would they collect such a sizable amount of demerits that they would have no other choice but to live full-time at the academy?

But on to more pressing matters... I do recall the conversation we had back in the spring. I whole-heartedly support your decision to separate yourself from your mundane family. Based on your description and a few hints from the ramblings of Mr. Atchung, the relationship was not a healthy one. Petunia and I are willing to do the enchantment ourselves, however she did bring up a fair point that I wish to relay to you: Mr. Atchung is familiar with the spell, as he has performed the deed a great number of times. If it is your desire, and if he is willing- which I am positive he will be, especially for your sake, you could request that he be the one to erase their memories. Even as a retired Council Member, he is duly authorized.

As soon as the process is over, I expect an immediate notice. I shall end my notes here, with a few parting words:

I too, by the way, find myself wondering how you are faring. By no means should you consider even the small details of your day-today activities a nuisance to read, for you have my interest in that regard. I look forward to your reply

Yours- Hieronymous

I re-read the letter four or five times before wiping the cheesy smile off of my face. So he's bored, and in an off-handed kind of way, he just admitted that he misses me. He's also concerned for me, because the parting from my family is going to be emotionally difficult. I should tell Papa about this. I fold the letter and put it back in its fancy envelope. I store it in my dresser and go back downstairs to tell him what should be done.

"Guys?" I cut into their conversation.

"Ah, Missy. Need sometink?" Papa offers.

"Actually, I wanted to tell you what my letter said." I clear my throat, suddenly nervous. "Well, the instructors back at the academy are willing to do the enchantment. But they also recommended that I ask you first. So, um. Are you alright with being the one who erase's their memories?"

Papa doesn't hesitate. "If you vant me to do it, I'll do it. I don't mind."

I relax. "Thank you."

He speaks up again. "Vell, since I'm zee one voo vill be doink zee magick, it can happen much sooner. I am conveniently close. Zat and zere is no papervork to be done."

I huff. None at all, because they already disowned me. I'm not in the system. He's right too, that's probably why they'd prefer he do it. Besides, who else could do it better? "What about my extended family? I haven't seen them in years, but they know I exist. Wouldn't you have to track them down too?"

He folds his hands on the table. "Zee spell is far more complex zan zat. It is a form of plague."

"How do plagues work?"

"After the spell has been cast, anyone voo comes in contact vith zem vill also be enchanted to forget. It'll spread. It'll only effect mundane people vith memories of you. And I vill send scouts if necessary."

I get it, that'll save him tons of time. And me tons of worry.

"So. Venever you are mentioned or remembered, zee spell's effect vill take place. It vill grow stronger over time, until zee amnesia is permanent."

"Papa?"

"Yes Missy?"

"Could I go with you?"

He scratches his chin thoughtfully. "I could brink you. But you'd have to be cloaked and completely silent. Is zat understood?"

I nod.

"Vee vill go tonight zen."

I spend the day anxious and tense. I try to entertain myself but to no avail. I cannot focus on any books, play any tunes, and I try to sculpt the seashells into something with magick, but my attempt at art turns into dust under the stress. I don't try that hard for lunch, just a simple meal of hotdogs, which I don't partake in. I merely nibble on my dinner of spaghetti that night and Papa convinces me to drink something at the very least.

So I find myself here, with a cup of grape juice, sitting in the grass of the backyard. I'm admiring the night air, the chirps of the crickets and hoots of a nearby owl when Papa finally fetches me.

"Missy, are you ready?"

I nod silently.

He sits himself on the grass next to me. "You don't have to feel obligated to watch-"

"I know." I respond simply. But this is something I have to see through for myself. No regrets.

Russet is left to watch the house.

"Do zey still live in zee same place?" He says as we get to our feet.

I frown. "Nothing has changed since the first day I met you."

He wrinkles his nose at that.

We walk to the center of the yard. Papa takes my hand, shuts his eyes and focuses intensely. When he hardens his grips onto his cane, I feel an incredible surge of power go through me. An immense gust of wind begins to form from underneath our feet, circling us and gaining speed. I clench onto Papa's hand as our feet are lifted off of the ground.

With a thunderous rumble, I feel myself being rushed at incredible speed. My mind has no time to process the absurd sensations enveloping my body and I feel myself being thrust this way and that. My organs flip-flop in gut, my hair splays all over my face and the I'm forced to shut my eyes from the stinging of the cutting air. We stop, and I let out the the breath I didn't know I had been holding. I open my eyes to a squint, catching a glimpse of dark water, smelling salty air. We land on something wooden. We're at the docks. Papa squeezes my hand tighter and the rush and light-headedness returns. Another stop, we're in the city somewhere. I can only catch the lights and sounds of traffic before being pulled into the air again. We stop once more and I would have stumbled to my knees if it weren't for Papa holding my up by the arm. It hits me all at once, a great pressure in the back of my skull that I assume is my poor brain being rattled and my organs finally catch up to me in what feels like a well-placed uppercut to my stomach.

We're… At the front door... Uhhhgh.

The familiar rusty, metal door stands before us. The knocker is gone, the lock is scratched, decorating the door are many questionable stains. I break from my stupor of nausea. I look to him, amazed.

"Zat level of Teleport I can only do vith one oser person at a time. But ven I am alone, I don't need to stop at zee docks after crossink zee ocean."

I wobble in place, still holding his hand, speechless.

"Vee are cloaked and silenced. I have made it so zat vee can only see and hear each oser."

I can't do that. So this is what mastered magick looks like… Astounding...

No.

This is what the best blue mage in the world looks like.

We teleport inside. Creeping carefully, we stumble upon my younger brother first. He's fallen asleep on a chair, and he's left the television on. Papa points his cane to Mateo's head, who is snoring slightly, unaware of what is about to be done to him.

I can't help but feel a little remorseful, sneaking into their home like this, attacking their memories with magick while they sleep.

Papa recites the incantations. As he is doing this, I witness ghostly, swirling orbs appear that glow a menagerie of colors. They drift aimlessly, clustering around Mateo. The television reception breaks a little in static. But they're not coming from Papa.

"I see floating lights." I whisper.

"I'm sorry, don't interrupt me." He orders.

I keep my questions to myself, while I let him concentrate. I'm alarmed when a few of those lights drift towards me, I take a step back.

"Papa! They're coming towards us."

He takes hold of my hand. "I've got you. Don't be afraid, I'm almost done."

The lights surround me, and I feel light-headed as one touches me, my vision begins to blur.

"Papa!"

The world is fuzzy and smudged. Voices echo, colors flash. All in a slow, smoky stream.

I'm being picked up from school… Wait. I've never been to this school. I'm holding someone's hand. But it's not Papa.

I look up. "Daddy?"

That isn't my voice!

A tall man with brown hair, fair skin and emerald green eyes leads me away. I feel an overwhelming sense of admiration for this man. "Where are we going?"

His face hardens at my question. He drives us a long way and I fall asleep in my car seat. When I wake up, I'm being carried by him and we're in a strange place. Daddy leaves me behind with some police people who talk to me and play with me for a while.

I'm called right in the middle of stacking my legos to go meet with Daddy.

"Do you want to see Mommy?"

Mommy?! Mommy's here?! "Mommy!"

He takes me to a grey hallway with chairs and big glass windows. There are people talking on both sides of the glass using telephones. It's Mommy! How come she looks so sick? And her tummy is bigger.

The already blurry scene, gets blurrier, until I'm somewhere new.

I'm with Mommy. I haven't seen her in a long, long, time. We walk until my feet start to hurt. I'm not in my own body, I'm in his- I'm sharing his experience. "I'm tired. How come Daddy isn't coming to pick us up?"

Mommy doesn't answer. When I finally get home, there's something on the living room floor, it's a... girl? She had her back to us, but looks over her shoulder, stands up and looks at the both of us a bit warily. Whatever she was whispering to herself she abruptly stopped mid-sentence.

"This is your sister." Mommy says mechanically.

My sister?! No! I don't want her here! If you keep her, Daddy will go away!

There is another flash of light and color.

I'm at a park now. I'm sitting in the grass. There is a little girl with tan skin and wild dark hair playing in the dirt. I feel… Bored. Almost annoyed even.

Why is she even here? What does she want?

The girl approaches me and invites me to play.

"No! I don't want to play with you, I don't even like you!" Go away! Leave me alone!

And another flash.

"Could you help me, please? I lost my-" An older version of the girl asks.

"Do it yourself." I retort angrily.

A flash of light again.

"I want to show you something." She offers patiently.

I don't want to see anything you have to show me. "Stop bothering me!" I yell, aggravated.

It flashes once more.

The girl seems to be a teenager now, she's packing her things. There goes Mom again, screaming at her as always.

She looks at me sadly, pleading, then Mom pushes her out of the door and slams it shut. Finally! Good riddance! God, she was such a freak.

"N-ngh!" I grunt, clutching my head. "Let me out!"

The fuzziness of my vision clears and the smoky dreamworld evaporates around me.

I'm back in the dark room, Mateo is still asleep in his chair, the television has returned to normal, and there are no balls of ghostly light to be found.

God, I feel so sick.

Papa catches me as I lean forward. "Missy! Are you alright?!"

I put a hand to my head. "I-I saw…"

"Did sometink happen to you?"

"Y-yes. One of those floating lights touched me. And then… I wasn't here anymore! I was somewhere else… No. I was someone else! I think... I think I saw Mateo's memories."

"Vat exactly did you see?"

"I saw brief moments in his lifetime. I only saw a handful of our times together, but I wasn't me. I was him! I felt everything he felt. …And. It wasn't good."

He sighs and grumbles to himself. "Villow Visps."

"Willow wisps? They're real? But. What are they? What do they do?"

"Sose lights you vere seeink must've been villow visps. Zat's zee only explanation for vat happened to you just now." He takes my hand and lifts me up. "Nobody knows for sure vat zey are. Just zat zey are colorful, eerie orbs of light zat appear venever great vite magick is performed. Zey are also known to gaser vere spirits collect. Burial grounds, ritual sites and such."

"But, how come this is the first time I've ever seen them? And why here?"

"Zee visps are schrouded in mystery. Zee are not alive, but zey seem to almost portray sentience. Zey appear ven and vere zey vant. Zere have been a few accounts of people tellink us of seir encounter vith zem. Zat ven zey touch zee lights zey undergo out-of-body experiences. And osers experience short-term memory loss and nausea."

I sigh.

"Not all can see zem, even vith magick. But if you say zey are here, I believe you."

I bite my lip and look down. So these willow wisps are a mystery in the magickal world. They're not living beings but they seem to be intelligent. Not everyone can see them, so I'm going to assume it's because I'm a white mage. And for those that can see them… They in turn, give you glimpses of other people's memories? But… Papa said they gather at strong spiritual places. Or appear because they are attracted to powerful white magick. My white magick is strong, why haven't they showed up before? And Iris… I can easily sense the immense power emanating from that place. The wisps would gather there, no doubt.

"Papa, do wards keep them away?"

He shrugs. "Zey could, or zey couldn't. Zere are only a few recorded sightinks. All in unvarded areas." He takes my shoulders. "Do you feel sick, or in pain? Do you feel weaker?"

"Not exactly? Just a little."

"I am not sure if zey are stealink mana from you. But Missy, if it happens again-"

I stop him there. "I can handle it. If the willow wisps appear again, I'll squeeze your hand really hard. Just… Don't let me go, I'll tell you if I see anything."

"Mmmf. Fine. But if you don't look vell, I'll be forced to send you home."

We peer through the door to Naiara's room. As soon as I walk in, my nose wrinkles at the musk of alcohol and nicotine. The room's floor is scattered with cigarette buds and empty beer cans. Loose articles of clothing are strewn about.

Papa stops dead in his tracks. I squint, my eyes adjusting to her slightly darker room. On her bed is a tangled mess of sheets, pillows and… bodies?!

Naiara is stark naked, asleep on her belly, slung over half of the bed with one arm and leg hanging down. In the bed with her are two men I've never seen before. Both of them older than her, fatter than her, covered in tattoos and really hairy. To my disgust they're naked too. The blanket barley covers the three of them, and none of their important areas to boot.

"Missy, go back! Don't look." Papa hastily pushes me from the scene.

I push him back. "I won't look at them! Just do it!" I say, turning my back to them. Tch! It's not as if I haven't seen her like this before. She could have at least locked the door… Or closed it! I hide myself behind Papa, even though no one would be able to hear or see us anyway, just to rid myself of the view.

I can tell poor Papa is fiercely uncomfortable. He warily steps toward the bed, and I feel my foot squish against something, it isn't loud, but it feels weird. I lift my foot and stifle a squeal. Is that a- condom?! I jump away. It's not in its wrapper and it's stretched out!

Eeeew! It's used! Why is it on the floor?!

Papa whips his head towards my distressed squeak and I can see the white of his eyes grow larger even in the dark. He pulls me away and cusses under his breath. It isn't until I'm squished against his own body, with his arm wrapped around me for protection that he begins the spell.

My eyes are darting across the room, eager to find anything to rest on besides the not-so-private but very intimate scene on the bed. If only I could drone out their snoring. A shimmering flash of color in my peripherals draws my attention.

They're here.

I tug on Papa's shirt, and he in turn holds onto me harder. I'm nervous, but not afraid. As long as I can get out of those memories, I have nothing to fear. But… Who's memories will they show me this time? I don't think I want to know what happened here. And Naiara… I gulp. Am I ready to feel and see what she has in her head?

The wisps drift nearer to me and I shut my eyes in anticipation. As my eyes are closed, the pitch blackness becomes blindingly white. This is it!

I feel airy and light for a few seconds, but as the white fades away into color and shapes, I feel solid again.

This is not me. I feel incredible pain. Sadness, anger, disgust. I'm scared too.

Naiara?! I'm Naiara! Ugh… I feel so...

I slump to the ground. I'm in a grey and white room. No windows save the one on the metal wall to my right.

Where's the door?

A thin slab of a bed against the wall, and a toilet fill the space. I crawl to the bed, feeling the worst I have ever felt in my life.

My head is POUNDING.

I hear the blare of an alarm and I look towards the sound, the thick, metal wall slides away, and an officer enters to address me.

Am I in... jail?!

I can't see his face. He's so blurry, everything is blurry! His voice mumbles its way to my ears. "Come on, we have to get you checked."

Checked, checked for what? And why aren't I feeling anything? These aren't Naiara's thoughts they're mine.

Unless she wasn't feeling or thinking at the time.

Two other officers flank the man. Both women. One of them takes my hands and puts them in… Cuffs?!

"No fighting this time, or you go back in the cell. Understand?"

I shrug away from her and cuss something in a slur, but the stone hard grip of the man makes me wince. I'm dragged to a medical ward and propped up in a chair. The doctor takes my blood, swabs my throat, which to our equal repulsion I slobber abhorrently. I'm told to pee in a cup, not with any privacy of course and I stay seated for what feels like a cold eternity. I'm cussing and swaying in my seat, feeling horrible, feeling violated.

Suddenly a burst of heat that rushes from the pit of my stomach to my throat, so large and fast I can't keep my mouth closed. I heave and vomit all over the floor in front of me. Coughing and panting and sweating. Ughh… Just as I blink the wetness away from eyes, two feet come into view.

"Well, well, well. Just in time."

I zip my head up, violence and hate fill me.

"I'm sorry to say you're going to be doing that a lot from now on. You're pregnant."

WHAT?!

Suddenly the scene ends in flash of white.

Wait, who is that?! What is he doing?! My thoughts are drifting. Stop! Stop! Don't leave me! It's not my fault! It's the fair man with brown hair and green eyes. He's stomping across the room. Breaking glass, throwing furniture, cussing, screaming. I run to him.

"I'll abort it! I'll abort it! Don't leave me! DON"T LEAVE ME!" I scream in tears. I rush to embrace him, but he grits his teeth and slaps me hard across the face. I stumble to the ground.

"You stupid bitch! After everything I've done?! We were married, you whore! We have CHILDREN! I give you a better life and this is how you repay me?!"

I begin to sob as he heads towards the door.

The world flashes again.

I'm in a panic. Where is it? Where is it? WHERE IS IT?!

I claw open the medicine cabinet, YES! There's one left! I hungrily pop open the orange bottle and shove the entire bottle's contents into my mouth. A sickening but familiar sensation engulfs me, I stumble to the floor and wait. In a while, my body begins to shake uncontrollably, and my heart begins to go haywire. My lungs are on fire, my stomach even more so. I begin to dry heave and I shortly hurl the contents of my stomach into the toilet. Over and over and over. By the time I'm finished, I'm sweating profusely and can barely keep myself up. I look down into the mess.

Blood?!

The world flashes once more.

Get out of me. Get out of me. GET OUT OF ME! My belly feels swollen and hot. Like I'm about to burst. And my breasts are so heavy, they're throbbing in pain. I'm scratching at my pregnant stomach, gritting my teeth against the pain as I tear at the flesh, scabs break and blood begins to trickle. GO AWAY! DIE! DIE! DIE YOU DEVIL'S CHILD!

"She's doing it again!"

I scream like a banshee, kicking and flailing as he and a woman officer pin me down to strap me to the bed, I feel a syringe go into me. An icy, sharp pain and then my body fails me, the world goes dark.

I awake on my back, panting, unable to breathe. Hot, hot… I'm hot. I'M ON FIRE! The most unbelievable pain fills my nether regions. Like I'm being ripped open. It's only then that I realize the deafening screams echoing throughout the hall are my own. I'm being pushed on a rolling bed, many nurses running beside me.

"She's crowning!" A man in a mask and white coat yells.

Tears roll down my face, all I can do is scream. Pressure, pressure, pressure! I'm going to die! Stop! Stop! Make it stooooop! I can't take it! I can't take it!

"Push! Push!"

No! I won't! You can't make me!

"The baby's facing the wrong way!" A nurse yells.

Kill it! Kill it! Get it out of me!

I'm forced down, the pressure increases. I can feel my flesh and blood bursting, pouring down my legs the disgusting, rubbery sound of my skin stretching.

"We have no choice. Give her an epidural and get me a scalpel, we're going to have do a cesarean."

A great rush of cold fills my arm, but the brief reprise is cut short by the sharp, hot pain creasing my stomach. I scream in utter agony. The scraping noise of tearing flesh fills my ears and I can feel my eyes roll back in disbelief.

"No more, please no more. Let me out! I don't want to see anymore!"

But I'm not released this time, the entire scene goes white.

I watch a little girl with tan skin and dark, wild hair walk in circles. She's outside, talking to herself.

I look away in aggravation. That twisted child…

I walk back inside the church and I get down to my knees to pray. Dear lord, our father in heaven, our holy king, I have been cursed by the devil. Save me, and my daughter. Forgive me for my sins, bring back my husband. I offer to you the girl, take her instead.

An elderly priest kneels besides me. "We have found you a place to live."

I rejoice and begin to cry. "Oh, merciful lord!" I will do better. I will start over. I will find my love again and make him a deal. I will bless him with a son and I will give the devil girl away. We will be happy and free. We will start over...

"ENOUGH! LET GO OF ME!"

I finally break away from the scene. I'm back in the dark room, clutching to Papa for dear life. I'm panting and I have fallen to my knees, a steady stream of tears raining down my cheeks.

"Missy, Missy! Say sometink!"

To my surprise we're not in the room anymore, we're in the hallway.

"You vere cryink, you vere shakink and mutterink nonsense! Tell me vat happened." He urges.

I slink into his chest, heart-broken.

"Shh. Shh. It's okay, you're safe. Take it slow. Talk to me, Lumina." He rubs my back.

I gather myself up and describe every agonizing detail of what I have just witnessed.

We sit there on the floor for a couple of minutes. When I begin to whimper he holds me close and shushes me, rubbing my back and shoulders. I squeeze at my thighs, and clench my legs shut, traumatized by what I just felt, even if it was my own birth.

With a sigh, he helps me to my feet. "You need to rest."

"No!"

"Zat is enough Missy! You are goink home!"

"I want to go home! But not yet! This is my goodbye. There's only one person left. Let me finish this. Let me say goodbye…"

Irritated, he drags me by the arm to the last room. This one is locked from the inside, so he taps the tip of his cane against the knob and it clicks softly. When we enter, his grips softens at the sight of my sister.

She's fast asleep, and her large, swollen belly can be seen through the thin sheets.

I step towards her, mixed emotions fill me.

Cradled in her arms is a teddy bear I made for her years ago. She snores delicately, feigning rest. But I can see stress under her eyes, from tears no doubt.

I'm hesitant. Can I handle any more willow wisps?

You… I always thought… You and I were the closest. Even though we weren't close at all. But compared to the others… At least you talked to me.

"Sche'll give birth any day now." Papa announces.

She will?! I look to him in distress. And I won't be there. I won't be there to see my niece or nephew. I won't be there to help either. I'm sorry Yoana… But this is just as much your choice as it is mine.

I back away. "Papa… She's pregnant. Is it even safe to perform magick on her?"

He takes me in. "I've done it before. It isn't safe, but I have zee experience. Zee babe vill be fine."

"And her?"

"Sche vill be fine. I promise."

I take deep breaths. Relax. Relax. You're safe, you're alive, and you're in your own body. It's almost over. One more time and then you can go home. Go home and snuggle with Russet, relax with Papa. Start that letter to Hieronymous…

My heart stops. Here they come!

The wisps drift my way, I recoil, Papa remains firm, but they don't stop. I want to see, but at the same time I don't. Maybe's that is why they show me these things. Because of the part me that's curious.

As the nearest wisps aims for my heart, I inhale deeply and think a thought towards it. Please… Show me the truth. But make it brief.

As if it heard my plea, it gently swallows me in white. But not in a blinding flash, a slow, easy fade into brightness.

I'm on the floor. I must be very young, because I'm so small, and everything else is so big. I'm playing with my dolls. Mommy is yelling something in the other room. She must be mad at her again. Why is she always getting into trouble?

The girl comes back into the room. Looking agitated, but not the least bit angry or afraid. She looks at me and smiles, then shrugs at the wall, pointing to the next room where Mommy probably is.

Why doesn't she talk? Is she slow? I go back to playing with my dolls.

New scenario.

I'm at school. It's lunch time. "Hey, Yoana!" A chubby, freckled, blonde girl with pigtails runs up to me. "Tasha is fighting that skinny, freak girl. And she's getting whooped! Come on, let's go see!"

What? She's fighting again? The girl excitedly drags me to the hallway, but the fight has already been broken up. She's being carried off by a security guard, and the principal looks at me and frowns. The crowd of kids scatters to the cafeteria.

"Aww man! Did you see that?"

"Yeah, she got beat!"

"That girl is an animal! I bet she's got rabies!"

I hurry away, but the freckled girl returns. I get my lunch and eat my sandwich, worried about how much screaming Mommy is going to do when I get home. All because of her.

"Oh my god, why didn't you tell me?!" She yells loudly.

Other kids at the table look our way.

"T-tell you what?" I answer.

"That killer girl is your sister?! I heard she was going to kill Tasha!" She says even louder.

Oh no!

The kids at the table gasp, then they rush up to us.

"Woah, is it true?!"

"That girl is your sister?!"

"But you two look nothing alike!"

"Nah, Beth's lying. That girl is too ugly to be Yoana's sister."

"She killed Tasha?!"

It's happening again. And because I'm the older one, they're going to think it's my fault!

"Tell us, Yoana. Tell us!"

I run from the table and begin to cry. She ruins everything!

Next scene.

I'm nervous. Super nervous. She's back. She came back. I thought Mom kicked her out. But she's here, why is she here?!

"Hiya." She greets. "It's been a while, huh?"

Is she going to be sharing a room with me again? I hope not. She always talks to herself, and she stares at nothing. She believes in invisible people and creeps around the house at night. Ohhh. I can't handle that again!

"Um. I'm not going to be living here, but Naiara needs me to help around the house. If you need me, don't be afraid to ask."

Then it is over.

Papa hasn't even finished the spell yet, and I'm back where I stand.

I stare at Yoana. As the magick flows through her, I can see her features visibly relax- as if all of her burdens have been lifted. And she sinks into at last, what looks like a comfortable sleep. Her lips press into a small smile and she sighs in contentment.

It tears at my soul.

I clench my fists, shaking. Watching this is so painful, I can barely stand it.

A wisp pops up in front me. Then another. And another. More wisps float and fly around me, blinking in dimmed colors. Without thinking, I bow slightly, and whisper. "Thank you."

Apparently satisfied, the willow wisps evaporate.