Disclaimer: I do not own W.I.T.C.H. This is a work of fan fiction.

Season Three Episode Five: "Damascus Road, Part One" Chapter Four

Meridian, two weeks ago. Sitting in her cell, with plenty of time to think, Miranda had concluded that she was tired of conflict. The world could fall apart for all she cared. All she wanted was to be left alone in her own little isolated corner, maybe somewhere in the deep woods. She looked into the next cell, where Cedric was sitting in his human form. "I know he doesn't really care. But he's all I've got. I don't want to do this completely alone." she thought.

She walked to the side of her cell nearest Cedric's and got his attention. Told him what she was thinking. "Are you insane?" he asked, "We can't back down! We'll have nothing then. My destiny is to rule over worlds, not hide in some backwoods shanty!"

"But Cedric, I'm not sure we'll ever rule over anything! The Guardians are too powerful, they've beaten us over and over. Maybe it's time to take what we can get and be content."

"What do you mean 'we?" Cedric shouted back. "You little fool. Did you ever really think I would share any power with you? Any of my authority? Have you forgotten what Phobos and I taught you? Everyone for themselves. You, little shapeshifter, were useful to me. Nothing more." He turned his back, and that was the last they spoke to each other. But Miranda still intended to find her own place to be alone.

Earth, present day. Irma answered her cell phone on the third ring. "Hello? Oh hi dad, what's up? What? Are you sure? Okay, we'll be right there, thanks pops." Hanging up, she turned to the others. "There's that lead we were hoping for. Miranda's at the Lighthouse Shelter with Martin and Alchemy."

"What? What's she doing there?" Cornelia asked.

"Believe it or not serving food and scrubbing pots, according to dad."

"She's using Martin and Alchemy as shields." Taranee said. "She knows we can't grab her with them around. Now what do we do?"

"Wait her out, if needed." Will said. "She can't stay close to them forever." Will held up the Heart. "Guardians Unite!"

Standing in the common room, shaking like a leaf, Miranda suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. Heard a voice asking, "Miranda? Are you okay?" She looked and saw Alchemy standing next to her.

"She's actually concerned about me." Miranda thought. "It's too bad. I think I could've had a friend in this person. Martin too, maybe." She spoke, "Alchemy, is there some place we can talk? I need to tell you something."

"Sure, right over here." Alchemy led Miranda to a set of benches built into a side wall. They sat in an empty section. "You were really out of it there." Alchemy said. "What's wrong?"

Miranda took a deep breath and began, "I wasn't entirely honest with you. It's true that I'm new in town, new in the country. But I'm not a tourist, or an immigrant. I'm a fugitive. Back home, I've spent most of my life doing really bad things to innocent people. I was in jail. Busted out, came running here."

"Why are you telling me this now?" Alchemy asked.

"I don't want to sound like I'm making excuses. But, when I was hurting those people I didn't understand they were innocent. I was raised to think good and innocent were lies, that everyone was out for themselves alone. Being here, seeing this place and these people, it's showed me how wrong I was."

Alchemy smiled. "I'm glad we were able to help you then. So, what are you going to do now? Keep running?"

"No. There's only one right thing to do. I belong in prison for the things I've done. I'm gonna turn myself in." Alchemy stared at her in surprise. Miranda continued, "The reason I'm telling you all of this, besides coming clean to someone, is I need to contact the people who'll be looking for me. Do you have a phone I can use?"

Alchemy handed Miranda her cell phone. "I'll give you some space to do this. I'll be in the next room when you're done." She smiled and left.

Miranda looked at the phone. "It can't be too hard to work one of these things." she thought. "I just hope what I suspect is true. She's Elyon's friend, so I should be able to find… Let's see… Menu… Directory… Here we go." She highlighted a number in the directory and pushed call.

Unbeknownst to Miranda, she was already under surveillance while talking to Alchemy. An invisible Hay Lin stood next to her, watching, listening, and telepathically sending what she saw and heard to the other Guardians who were waiting on the rooftop. As Miranda worked with Alchemy's phone, Cornelia said, "A phone? Who's she gonna call anyway?"

Moments later, Elyon's cell phone rang. Everyone looked at her. Irma said, "You don't suppose…"

Elyon answered her phone. "Hello? Miranda?" she thought, "I better play dumb." Said, "How'd you get this number anyway? Oh, I see. You're not going to hurt her are you? You're gonna what? Okay when and where? Okay. We'll be there soon." She hung up.

"She says she's going to turn herself over to us in the back alley behind the shelter, as soon as she can get away from Alchemy." There was a silence for a few moments as no one said anything. They were all thinking about what Miranda had said to Alchemy. Finally, Elyon asked, "Am I a fool?"

Cornelia looked at her friend. "How can you ask that?"

"Because I'm buying this."

Another silence. Then Will said, "If you're a fool, so am I."

Inside, Miranda found Alchemy and returned her phone. "They're on their way. I should go out to meet them now." she said.

"I'll come with you."

Miranda knew she couldn't allow Alchemy to see the Guardians. "No, it's best if I do this alone."

"Are you sure? I really think you could use a friend to lean on for this."

"A friend." Miranda thought. She smiled, actually hugged the girl. "Thank you Alchemy. For everything. But this is something I can only do by myself. Do me a favor and tell Martin goodbye for me, okay?"

"I will. Good luck Miranda." Alchemy turned and walked away. Stopped at the door, turned back and waved.

Miranda needed a few minutes to pull herself together. She was determined to do the right thing here, but it was still scary. She didn't mind being put back in her cell, she just wished Cedric wasn't going to be right next to her. Oh well, nothing to do about that.

Miranda rose from the bench and walked to the front door. She intended to circle around to the back alley and wait for the Guardians there, where there wouldn't be any witnesses. When she got to the back, the Guardians were still not in sight. She did see a large truck parked near the shelter's open back door. Hoping no one would come out the back, she leaned against the wall to wait…