At last! This chapter is ready at long! Last! And just in time, because... there's only one week before the finale... And honestly I am not ready at all. I really wish we could've gotten more of this series and I will forever be salty at disney for shortening it! But at the same time, I am extremely happy we got it in the first place and I am excited to see the episode next week. Now I don't really want to ramble more right now, I believe you're here for the story right? Let's go then!

Chapter 19: Can you keep a secret?

"One more, Luz! Come on!" Amity cheered, holding a marshmallow in front of Luz's face.

"Are you serious? Look at her. Her cheeks will explode." Hunter said, grabbing another pancake.

While Luz procceded to grab the marshmallow with determination, after giving him an unintelligible grumble. Honestly, it was a miracle her mouth could move at all with all the marshmallows she stuffed into it.

"All right, ladies, demons and gentlemen! Our reigning champion Luz the Human is so far in thirty seven the small marshmallows and she's still going strong." King narrated like an MC, using a wooden mixing spoon as a microphone. "But is she strong enough to break her own record, at last? Is this the day she'll finally reach-"

"FORFY! It. If. FORFY!" Luz called out, standing up triumphantly with her fists in the air, while the others cheered her on.

Except for Hunter, who was just looking with a perplexed smile. He clearly couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he did consider this fun, like the rest of the kids.

Eda just sipped her apple blood, smiling at the scene...

Before slipping away to head upstairs, unaware of the magenta gaze that followed her from the table.

...

...

...

Nothing.

Should've known...

Eda shoved the crow back in her hair with a quiet groan. It probably made sense they didn't answer, this number was at least twenty years old. But how could she reach them now, without raising suspisions?

...

...!

Were those...?

...Photos.

"EDA!"

"See? I told you you'd look good with a mustache."

"Get that thing off my face! It's biting me!"

"Those are love bites."

"This is the last time I fall sleep around you!"

"Sure thing..."

"There they are! The hottest substitute on the Boiling Isles!"

"Please don't give another title. To anyone. Ever."

"It's called a nickname, professor. And you know I can't do that. So, how did it go?"

"I... guess it went well. I actually enjoyed it a lot more than I thought. I think I could see myself as a teacher."

"Wait... you're thinking of joining a coven?"

"No, of course not. But I don't have to, to be a substitute."

"The hottest substitute."

"Eda..."

Eda couldn't help but smile at all those memories. Even though a part of her ached to relive them, knowing how they ended... She almost thought to place the scrapbook back on its shelf, or even better in her chest, at the very bottom. And yet she couldn't help but flip the pages, seeing more pictures...

"How do I look?"

"Ridiculous."

"So, like you."

"Ha ha!"

More moments...

"Am I doing this right?"

"I hope so, because last time you almost blew up the paranoratorium..."

"You hush! She's doing amazing. For the second time."

"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence, you guys."

"You're welcome."

More memories of a much simpler time...

"Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!"

"Edalyn, come on. This is stupid."

"Then why are you watching?"

"I'm making sure my sister doesn't choke herself or blow her own face up. Why are you watching?"

"They're fun to watch sometimes."

"Aw. Hear that, Eda? He likes us."

"Awwww."

"Oh, eat an eyeball and shut up, Whispers..."

"Eda? Eda, are you coming? We're ready."

Luz's voice.

Dangit! She almost forgot they were supposed to leave!

Eda hurriedly placed the photo inside her hair and turned to head downstairs. Where everyone was waiting for her. The boys on the couch, the girls at the front door, ready to go.

"Okay, okay. We're going now. Boots, hood up." She said, upon reaching them, and while they went outside after Amity pulled her hood, she turned to the couch for a moment. Where one of the two seemed a bit more concerned. "Hooty will be keeping an eye on you and outside, until I come back. But if anything happens, give my crow a call. The number's on the fridge. Okay?"

"Yes, Eda." King replied with an eyeroll, while Hunter simply nodded. Without a word, or much of a difference in his posture or expression...

Let's try something else."Oh, and you better not play with anything in the kitchen. I'm not buying any more stuffed toys if those you have get lost in another bloodbath."

"Eda! That was one time!" She flashed a smug grin as King yelled at her, and it got even bigger, as she noticed how dumbfounded and confused both Hunter and his palisman looked now.

That's kinda better." 'Ight. You boys have fun and try not to light the house on fire. Byeeee!"

"See you guys later."
"Bye!"

And with that, they left for Hexside. Amity and Luz waving goodbye as they took flight, soon disappearing into the horizon.

"Hey, what's that?" King wondered aloud and stopped waving, noticing something that fell off from Eda's hair.

The flight to Hexside wasn't long. At least it didn't feel like it. For all Amity knew, she got on her staff and then in the next second she was with Luz and Eda in the front steps of the school.

And then she was inside. Walking carefully in the halls, while making sure her face was covered well and using an invisibility glyph once or twice (how many people were going in the bathroom today?! Couldn't they wait for the class to be over?!).

Until they finally arrived outside principal Bump's office.

...

"All right. This is it. You girls ready?" Eda asked and for a brief moment Amity felt her stomach drop, as every wost-case scenario played over her mind again and she had to take a breath. A big, heavy breath.

After which, she felt Luz's hand tight around hers. And she turned to see her and Eda looking her in the eyes. One's gaze sweet and hopeful, the other's reassuring with a protective glint. Both bringing a confident smile on the young witch's face. Reminding her that she was ready. That she wasn't alone.

"Let's do this." She said and-

"Hey Bumpers. We need to have a word." Eda slammed the door open and walked inside with Luz.

While Bump went from shocked at the forced entry, to already fed up. At this point he had given up on trying to get her to stop with the nicknames, but that didn't mean he still didn't find it annoying (at least there were no students around for her to influence). "Edalyn, it's way too early for this. Whatever this is." He sighed, before noticing Luz entering with her (spoke too soon...). "And what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in class?"

"Yes, but I'm not the only one." She responded with a serious look and stepped to the side, while Eda shot him a warning glare.

Bump just stared at the two, unsure of what this was about. Before he could ask, though, much to his surprise, the sound of the door closing was heard just now. As a third, hooded person approached the other two. And when they removed their hood-

"Amity?! Where have you been all this time? Your parents have been worried sick. I'm calling them right-"

Before he could finish, Luz grabbed the crystal ball from his desk and passed it to Eda, who then hid it inside her hair.

"No, you're not. I said we need to have a word and we are having it. So sit. Down." The older witch said, eyes narrowed in determination.

Bump held her gaze for a moment, before begrudgingly sitting down and summoning three chairs for them."All right then, I'm listening. What do you want?"

"First of all, to not tell the Blights about Amity being with us and about us being here. And secondly, we need you to un-seal my secret hideout, so that she can resume school in secret."

"You know I can't do any of this. Mrs. Blight has already contacted me and demanded I tell her if I have any information about her daughter." He tried to sound professional as he talked, but it was still pretty obvious that he didn't really like this.

Like that day he had to expel Luz and the others...

"And why should you do what she says?!" Luz piped up, after glancing over to (a pretty tense) Amity, and stood up. "You had no problem letting me, the pupil of one of the most wanted criminals on the Boiling Isles, attend Hexside! You're not afraid of the freaking emperor's coven and you are of a couple of rich people?!"

"A couple of rich people that are the heads of the Parent-Creature Association and have this school in their pocket! You of all people should know that I can't go against them, even if I want to."

"Says the guy that was willing to stake his entire career for his students." Eda spat, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"Edalyn! It's not that simple..." Bump said, sounding actually ashamed, before his tone hardened again. "And besides what do I owe you an explanation for?"

"I am owed one, as the current guardian of Amity Blight. And even if I'm not, she definitely is."

...!

Amity stared at Eda for a moment, the surprise on her face slowly turning to a subtle smile. Current guardian... She supposed that fit. She had been staying at her house, feeling safe, comfortable, things that were supposed to mean home. Things that she had basically forgotten. And she wouldn't lose again.

She turned her attention to principal Bump, who now was avoiding looking at anyone. "Principal Bump? You don't really owe me an explanation."

"What now?"
"Amity-"

"It's okay." She calmly interrupted the other two, before carrying on. "If anyone knows about my parents' influence, it's me. I know it's hard to ask you to go against them. And I know it can have consequences if they find out you did. Why do you think I wasn't coming to school before my Mom told you about my disappearance?" At that question, he turned to her and received a knowing look. One he returned, still laced with shame.

And one that didn't go unnoticed. "Wait, you knew they had her locked up?" Luz asked, shocked (if not pissed).

"I... had suspicions." He admitted.

She opened her mouth, ready to tell him off, but Eda placed a hand on her shoulder before she could. While also giving her a knowing look, similar to the one Amity was. Asking her to trust her.

...Luz gave a small nod in response, letting Amity carry on.

"But they really can't learn any of what we ask you, unless you tell them. We're the ones taking the risk by coming here. Whatever you decide, you won't face any trouble. It will all fall on u-... On me. So if you really want to tell them I'm here, go ahe-"

"Amity." Bump cut her off, before taking a deep breath.

But he didn't go on.

And time suddenly felt like it had been slowed. Every second stretched into an agonising, silent eternity, with no one doing anything to end it. Until...

"All right."

...!

Bump raised his hand and made a big spell circle above his desk, before stretching his arms and the spell, which almost immediately after dissolved. And it felt like the whole building breathed, along with the other three. "The hideout is open now. You may use it as you wish." He said with a fond smile.

While Amity broke into one as well. One that was wide, relieved, thankful...

This was it! She was going back to school! They did it!

"Wooo! YES!" Luz yelled happily, pulling her into a hug and jumping up and down a little. While Eda watched with a smile of her own.

Amity hugged her back, just as tight, breaking into a happy laugh with her.

"Thank you, principal Bumpers!" And it only got louder when Luz thanked... Bumpers, who once again seemed fed up. For a second.

"Yes. Thank you." Amity thanked him too.

And then, after giving her a nod of acknowledgement, he got serious again. "But you still need to be careful. I will keep my mouth shut, but we don't know who else will. So-"

"Oh, don't worry. We've already preapared plans of entry and departure." Luz said and he responded with an eyeroll.

"Of course you have. Now. I believe we are done here. Shouldn't you be in class? Both of you?"

The two girls gave a nod, their smiles reaching their ears, and ran out of the office, without another word.

However...

"You really mean it?" Eda asked, her own smile replaced by a stern look. "You won't snitch?"

"No, I won't. For Amity's sake." He replied, his voice echoing sincerity. "Believe it or not, I'm glad for this outcome. She seemed so much... happier with you two. But I still have to ask: Are you sure about this?"

"About what?"

"About being her... current guardian. Her parents won't just give up on their search, Odalia especially. And while it is working now and I am willing to help, how long do you think this can last?"

Eda averted her eyes for a moment, her expression clouded. As much as she was trying to keep it in the back of her mind, she had been thinking about this too at times. But she never really ended up in anything, other than... "As long as possible. We're... taking things one day at a time, for now. And after everything that happened the last weeks... that is all the kids need."

"All right. I'm just saying that someday you'll need to think of a long-term solution. One that will put Amity first."

"Don't worry about that. She's in good hands."

"I'm sure of that." The two exchanged a smile at this. But then Eda dropped hers, remembering something.

"Uh, there's also one more thing. Didn't... Raine Whispers teach here for a while?" She asked, much to Bump's surprise.

"They did. But after about two years they left. Now they work at the castle. They recently became a coven head. Why-?"

"I need to contact them about something and... I can't really trust my penstagram right now. Do you have the number of their crow?"

"Hmm... Hold on a minute." After that, he stood up and went to one of his drawer chests and started rummaging through.

Caw caw!

...!

Was that Eda's crow?

Caw caw!

"Yes?" Immediately she grabbed it from her hair and-

"EDA!"

Her ears exploded once again... Why did this keep happening? "King? King, what's wrong?"

"You need to come back! Something got into the house!" King screamed from the other side, clearly scared.

"What got into the house? What was Hooty doing?! Are you okay?" She asked, trying to keep herself from screaming too. Even though it was pretty hard, and all the background voice from the other side was not helping...

"I don't know! Hunter said it was some sort of... worm-beast- Aah!"

"King? King?!" Eda called out, as King's voice disappeared. For a moment hearing some loud noises. And then nothing.

And this is it. The last chapter before the finale... Hopefully the next one won't take as long. Hope you enjoyed it and I hope we'll all enjoy the finale next week! See you next time, guys! Please leave a review and stay safe. Byeeee! :)