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Victoria's head was spinning. She glanced around at the dark green trees around her, her thoughts moving at a hundred miles per hour through her head. She had ran out of her house shortly after Father Blackwood left, muttering a quick I need some fresh air, and then dashing out of her house.

She went to the only place she could think of, the place that had drawn her in since she had first moved her a little over a week ago; the forest. Something about the forest made her feel at home, as if she was safe here. In her current state of mind, she needed to be in a space like that.

As if it was not enough that her best friend passed away only nearly a month ago, she now found out her brother was alive. Her real brother, from her real family, who, by the way, where witches. A small detail.

Victoria took a deep breath to rid her head of the thoughts, sitting down on a fallen tree's trunk. Maybe the magic skipped her, maybe she was still normal. She was still dealing with losing Cindy, she didn't need her life doing another 180 degree somersault. She was supposed to be grieving, which to be honest she didn't find herself doing for some reason. Maybe she was in denial? Or maybe, just maybe, her life had been so crazy since the party on October 11th, she had grown accustomed to it and not dealing with it was how she was dealing with it? Or maybe she was just consumed by the newness of everything around her, she hadn't had the time to process her emotions.

Nicholas Scratch watched as his sister sat on the tree log, panic and confusion present on her features. He remembered when they were younger and would play in the garden of their family mansion, zapping each other with small bolts of energy to slow the other one down whilst racing. Of course, Victoria didn't remember instances like that, since she had no recollection of him ever existing, and that broke his heart.

His sister was the only thing he knew he had left from his family, after having been taken the scene of the accident by his familiar. She was the thing that was always in the corner of his mind, wandering how she was doing, what she was up to in that exact moment. Albeit unfortunate, the night of the party on October 11th was fortunate for Nicholas; the summoning of, and later release of a demon by an Ouija Board caught the attention of the Church of Night.Thus, it brought Victoria to Nicholas, and he couldn't have been more grateful.

However, he was not grateful in the slightest for the state the whole situation put his sister in. Deciding to stop hiding like he had been for the past week, since there was no need anymore, he de-cloaked himself. 

Victoria looked up to see a young man, around 17 years old standing in front of her. She jumped, looking at the stranger in equal parts fright and curiosity. Suddenly, it clicked in her mind, her memories of why this stranger is so familiar.

"You're the boy from my dream!" She exclaimed.

Nick laughed, "Vicky, we have already had this conversation." He smirked, "Though I doubt you remember it because you were slightly wasted and moments away from passing out."

Victoria's eyes widened, "You're the boy who helped me go home on halloween! I thought I imagined that..." she trailed off.

"No, you did not." He answered, "Let me introduce myself." He extended his hand, "Nicholas Scratch, at your service."

Victoria's world seemed to slow to a stop. "Nicholas... Scratch?" She repeated.

Nicholas smiled gently at her. "Hey, sis. Long time no see."

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Ten minutes later, after the initial shock wore off, Victoria was sitting on the same log, smiling as if she had one the lotto. Because in her eyes, she had done just that, since her brother was sitting next to her.

"So," she glanced at her brother, "tell me more about our parents." She sighed. "You are so lucky to remember them."

Nick smiled gently at her, "I don't remember a whole lot, but a lot of people I have met during my life have helped me fill in the gaps." He glanced at her, "Notice how when you were panicking, your first instinct was to run to the forest to be surrounded by nature?"

Victoria nodded slowly, not sure what he was getting to. He continued, "Well, you got that from mum."

Victoria stared at him quizzically, "What, was she a nature freak too? Great."

Nicholas nodded, "Nature freak isn't just what she was, or what you are. She had the gift of elementalism gifted to her by the Dark Lord, as many of her ancestors before." He paused, before continuing in a sour tone. "Only woman could be gifted that though."

Victoria paused, the fact that she was a witch having been forgotten by her when she laid eyes on Nick. She swallowed thickly, "So it's true? I'm a-" she paused, the word feeling bizarre on her tongue, "witch?"

Nick nodded and smiled apologetically, "Yes, you are. And I'm sorry Blackwood had to be the one to break it to you, I know he can be brutal. He didn't allow for me to do it because it was 'official business of the coven' according to him."

Victoria nodded understandingly, "It's okay." She paused, confusion written across her face. "He kept mentioning something about a Dark Baptism and an Academy of some sorts."

Nick nodded grimly, knowing how the dark baptism will most probably shock his sister. He did not want her to have to go through that, knowing that she considered herself a mere mortal only hours ago, thus not being used to the sometimes... brutal side of the witch world. But, he knew his sister need to sign her name in the Dark Lord's book to claim her powers to the full extent; it was something every Scratch before her had done, and she should be no different.

"About that..." He sighed, glancing at Victoria. "I know it is a difficult decision, leaving all your new friends behind, changing schools and being the new girl all over again, but I truly believe The Academy is the school you should attend, with me. Learning how to be a witch," he said whilst smiling at her teasingly, "after all you are nearly sixteen years behind."

Victoria sighed, "Well, I guess you are right. When would I transfer?"

"After your Dark Baptism."

Victoria squinted her eyes at Nick, "And what exactly is that again?"

"The Dark Baptism is a major event in every witch's and warlock's life. It is where we are granted all our powers by signing our name in the Dark Lords book." He paused, wanting to gauge Victoria's reaction to his next few sentences, "The process will most likely be intimidating and terrifying for you, since you are not accustomed to our ways. But, do not worry I will be by your side through it all."

Victoria nodded, "Okay, I think I will do it. When will it take place?"

"Tomorrow evening, at midnight."

an: currently listening to calm by 5sos and just wow :') also tysm for 75 reads, love you guys ‹3

h xx