MILLIE BROWN

I can't believe it. Alex von Schmitz—he's right there, walking into the bar. My heart races, my throat tightens, and I can actually feel tears pool in my eyes. This is it—I'm saved. I can finally go home. How did he get here? Did he start investigating Leah's disappearance after all? Maybe he found some magical way into this world like I did.

I take a step toward him, eager to reach him, but the girl from earlier pulls me back, her grip firm on my arm.

"Hey, are you listening to me? I asked if you were human?" she repeats, tugging at me.

"Please let go of me. All I did was help your grandmother." I try to pry her hands off me, but she only stares, her eyes wide, as though something just dawned on her.

"You really are human... How did you get here?" Her face is a mix of disbelief and fear.

"I need to go," I mutter, pulling away and heading for the bar, but she keeps following me.

"Why are you following me?" I ask, frustrated. She smiles sheepishly, a blush creeping up her cheeks, but I don't have time to deal with her now. I push through the bar door, scanning the dimly lit room until I see him—Alex, sitting at a table, deep in conversation with a man I don't recognize.

My heart swells with relief. I'm so close to him, so ready to tell him everything. I imagine the surprise on his face when he sees me. But just as I'm about to tap his shoulder, his words freeze me in my tracks.

"I want her found, and I want her killed."

My breath catches in my throat. My legs turn to jelly, an icy dread spreading through me. *Who is he talking about?* I feel nauseous as I stand there, my body too stunned to move.

"She can't hide forever. We'll find her soon enough," the man replies, his voice casual, as if discussing the weather.

Before I can process what's happening, the girl yanks at my shoulder. "Hey, I'm talking to you," she says, too loudly, drawing Alex's attention. I panic, grabbing her and pulling her to a nearby table, huddling as low as possible. I pull my hood further down, heart thundering in my chest.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you acting strange?" she whispers. I shush her, trying to focus, straining to hear more of their conversation. From the corner of my eye, I notice the girl has distracted herself with the menu, oblivious to the rising tension in me.

Alex slides an envelope across the table to the man. I can't see inside, but I know—it's money.

"Double your efforts. Leave no stone unturned. Nothing, and I mean nothing, will stop Leah's ascension to the throne. We've worked too hard to have poor old Millie ruin this for us," Alex says, and I barely recognize the cold tone in his voice. The kind, smiling Alex I once knew is gone.

The girl raises her hand for a server, but I'm too lost in my own thoughts. *This can't be real. Alex—he's been plotting against me?*

"Hey, are you crying?" the girl asks loudly, her voice drawing even more attention. I quickly grab her hands and pull her toward the door. I need to get out of here, now.

We're almost outside when I hear the man's voice behind us, sharp and commanding. "Hey, you—stop right there!"

The girl glances back, pointing to herself. "Who? Me?"

"No, your friend," the man growls, his words dripping with menace.

*This is it.* If I turn around now, I know it'll be the end. Without thinking, I tighten my grip on the girl's hand and bolt for the door, dragging her with me.

"Hey! Stop, you stray!" the man's voice booms behind us, the sound of a whistle piercing through the air.

We dart through the crowded street, pushing past people, knocking over crates, anything to slow him down. The girl keeps glancing back, confused. "You're a stray?" she asks, but I don't answer. I don't even know what that means right now. All I know is we need to run.

Suddenly, I hear a growl, deep and primal. I risk a glance over my shoulder, and my blood runs cold. The man chasing us leaps into the air, transforming mid-jump into a massive wolf with shaggy gray fur. He's faster now, his claws tearing into the ground as he closes in on us.

"Run faster!" I scream, yanking the girl's hand as we round a corner. My heart pounds in my ears. The wolf is right behind us, snapping at our heels. We swerve past a vendor, knocking over a basket of apples that roll into the street, causing the wolf to skid for a moment. It buys us some time, but not much.

We turn again, nearly colliding with a group of townsfolk. They shout angrily at us as we shove past, but I barely hear them. My legs burn, my lungs are on fire, but the wolf's growls are getting louder, closer.

I spot a narrow alley ahead and veer into it, dragging the girl with me. The walls are so close, barely wide enough for the wolf to squeeze through. It buys us a few precious seconds as the creature snarls, struggling to fit. We turn another corner, my legs trembling with exhaustion, but we can't stop. I can feel the wolf's hot breath on the back of my neck, the sound of his claws scraping against the cobblestones sending chills down my spine.

Finally, up ahead, I see a small wooden cart tipped over in the middle of the alley. Without thinking, I push the girl ahead of me and leap over it. The wolf crashes into it with a snarl, tangled for a brief moment in the debris. It's just enough time for us to sprint out of the alley and back into the open street.

As soon as we're back on the open street, my eyes dart frantically, searching for a way out of this nightmare. The wolf's growls echo behind us, and I can feel its breath closing in. Before I can think of anything, the girl grabs my hand tighter and sprints ahead, pulling me along.

Suddenly, I spot her grandmother a few feet away. How is that possible? We had run miles from where we left her, yet there she was, standing calmly.

The girl doesn't hesitate, running straight toward her. As her grandmother steps into a narrow alley, the girl screams, "Grandma, now!"

Without missing a beat, her grandmother throws salt onto the ground, muttering strange words under her breath. A weird sensation rushes through me, like the air itself rippling. My vision blurs for a moment, and when it clears, I find myself inside what looks like a small, run-down shop.

I blink in confusion, taking in my surroundings. Rows of dusty, mismatched pots and vases line the shelves, some cracked, others faded from age. The walls are a dingy gray, streaked with stains, and the faint scent of musty clay fills the air. The place looks old, as if time itself had forgotten about it, with cobwebs draped across the ceiling and a creaky wooden floor that groans with every step.

"What just happened? Did we just teleport?" I ask, still trying to wrap my head around everything. The girl grins, her face lighting up with pride.

"My name's Clara, and this is my grandma, Esther," she says, nodding toward the older woman who walks away, leaving us alone in the shop.

I swallow nervously, still trying to make sense of what just happened. "Are you guys... faes?" I ask cautiously, the question hanging in the air.

Clara looks at me like I've said the most ridiculous thing ever. "What? No. We're witches," she says with such casualness that it almost feels unsettling.

"Right..." I respond, unsure what that really means. Witches? Of course. Why not? I think, barely able to process everything.

Her eyes light up suddenly, her excitement almost tangible. "Wait, you know about faes? Have you been to Faeryndor too?" she asks eagerly, leaning closer.

"Faeryndor? What's that?" I repeat, my voice trailing off in confusion. I have no idea what she's talking about.

"It's only the coolest place in the world," she says, dragging me over to what looks like her vision board. It's cluttered with maps and pictures, and in one corner, there's a section labeled "Normy Town."

Allister is written beneath it, in what I assume is a mocking tone.

"It's my dream to visit every realm and learn about different cultures," she says, her eyes twinkling with excitement. Her energy is contagious, and for a brief moment, I almost forget everything that just happened.

Before I can respond, a loud, booming voice interrupts. "Hey, are you still going on about that stupid dream of yours? It's never going to happen," the voice says.

I look up to see a tall, relatively handsome guy walking in. He's young, with thick black hair that falls messily over his forehead. He's wearing a simple white shirt that clings to his ripped muscles and black shorts. His face is sharp, and there's an air of annoyance in his expression as he glances at Clara.

Clara, always smiling, waves him off. "And this annoying fellow is my younger brother, Reed."

Reed doesn't even bother to acknowledge me as he looks Clara up and down with exasperation. "You brought in another stray?" he says, his tone sharp. I wince at the word, sick of hearing it.

He crosses his arms, frustration rolling off him in waves. "We can barely take care of ourselves, and you bring another mouth to feed. I'm seriously tired of this," he snaps.

Before I can respond, Esther reappears, her face stern as she walks up to Reed and smacks him lightly on the head. "Zhe ra'than tis senna o'yia." she scolds in another language. Clara translates immediately, Noticing my confusion.

"She said stop being rude." She tells me, smiling.

Esther turns to me, her face softening as she places a bowl of something in front of me. "Vah kai, yivra. Zho taya nevorra." she says in the same language.

Clara translates again. "She's saying you should eat."

I shake my head, politely declining. "Thank you, but I'm okay," I say, my voice wavering slightly.

"You don't have to worry. I don't plan to stay," I add, directing my words toward Reed, who still looks less than thrilled with my presence.

"And where would you go?" Clara asks, her voice soft, concerned.

I don't have an answer. I don't know where to go or what to do next.

"See? You should stay here with us until you figure it out. Don't listen to Reed; he's just acting out," Clara says, tugging me along before I can protest. She doesn't give me a choice.

Reed shoots me one last annoyed look. "Fine. Suit yourselves," he mutters before walking out.

I watch as he heads outside, meeting up with a few friends who seem to be waiting for him. They walk off together, laughing and joking, and for a moment, I'm reminded of my old life back in Allister.

I remember walking to the lunch table with Leah, Jeremiah, Jacob, and Ariana, laughing about something silly. Back then, my biggest worry was getting an F on a test or maybe having to attend summer school.

Now... now I'm worried about werewolves hunting me down and delivering me to Shane, and my best friend's father, who for reasons I can't understand, wants me dead.

"Hey, you're crying again," Clara says, her voice soft as she notices the tears streaming down my face. I hadn't even realized I was crying.

And then it all comes crashing down. The fear, the confusion, the overwhelming desire to just go back to my old life. I break down completely, sobbing uncontrollably. My chest heaves as I cry, my body shaking with the weight of it all.

Without a word, Clara wraps her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug. She doesn't say anything—just holds me as I cry harder, the reality of everything sinking in.

I just want to go back to my old life... That's all I want.

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