Trigger Warning! Meltdown/Self Harm Scene in this chapter.

Seren felt their heart pounding in their ears as they hopped up to the entryway to the sitting room. Eric was standing looking at the fire in the fireplace. Seren walked into the room and waited to be noticed, hoping they could slip away instead.

“Where have you been?” Eric asked suddenly. Seren felt their throat close.

“I went for a walk.” Seren said, “And I lost track of time, I apologize. I was lost in my thoughts.”

“Where.” Eric said, it wasn’t a question and it still demanded an answer.

“I lost track of time, what does it matter where I went?” Seren said.

“Because I was told you went outside the gates.” Eric said as he turned around. Now looking directly at Seren. They felt their stomach drop and their throat close. They kept their mouth shut, with no idea what to say and not trusting themself to speak.

“Did you?” Eric asked. Seren felt frozen in place. “Did you go outside the gate?!”

“Yeah. There’s no law stopping me!” Seren yelled, surprising themself with the outburst.

“You were forbidden!”

“By who? Who’s stopping me!?” Seren felt like they were running downhill. The words coming out of their mouth faster than their better judgment could stop them.

“I AM!” Eric yelled, trying to be louder than Seren.

“YOU CAN’T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!” Seren raised their voice,

“YOU LIVE IN MY HOUSE, YOU WILL FOLLOW MY RULES!” The whole house felt like it was shaking. Seren tried to stop but they couldn’t.

“OR WHAT?!” They regretted that instantly. It was the first moment of pause in the whole argument.

“Who else wants you?” Eric said. The complete calm of it shattered the entire argument. Seren felt their heart rip in two. The air escaped their lungs and they couldn’t breathe in.

“Go” Eric started, trying to find his own words again. “Go to your room.” Seren turned and ran. Not able to get up the stairs to their room fast enough. Slamming the door behind them with a crash that made them flinch. Sobs making them convulse as they tried to make it to their bed before collapsing. They caught themself before falling fully on the bed, sitting up and gingerly pulling the sprite from their vest pocket. The little figure still moved so daintily. Seren pulled one of the pillows off their bed and put it into the corner.

They laid the sprite down on it, trying not to drip their tears over the small body and failing miserably.

“You’ll be safe here.” Seren said, trying to keep their voice steady. They held their breath and backed away from the small body. Seren was shaking with the effort to keep the looming meltdown back. The shame of breaking down in front of another living soul felt like it would crush them. They let out the breath they were holding and shakily took in another breath and held it. Opening the door and looking around before running to the bathroom. Once the door was safely closed and locked they let it go.

* Beginning Melt Down/Self Harm scene. -

Breathing out and letting their tears flow. Hyperventilating and trying to stay quiet. They grabbed their hair hard, pulling at their scalp until it ached. It wasn’t enough. The pain and pressure inside was building and pounding. It needed to get out. Seren looked around and saw the bathroom hutch. Made of sturdy wood and thick. It was heavy. Seren stood and wound up. Punching right into the flat side of the wood. Pain radiating up their wrist. They grit their teeth, it didn’t feel good. But it didn’t feel bad. It felt like relief.

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They hit it again, feeling their knuckles pop and tweak in the wrong way. There was a bruise forming over their hand. Adrenaline was building and numbing the pain. Another hit rocked the hutch. A basket clattering to the floor and spilling everything inside over the floor.

All the items Mrs. Houper had given them for their ‘changing body’ scattered across the floor. Seren eye’s were attracted to the razors, They were sharp, Seren knew that first hand from their first attempt at shaving their legs. They picked it up and without a second thought, or even a first. They slid it across their shin. It felt like their wind was taken from their chest and the pressure eased. Blood welled up and dripped down.

Seren’s heart was pounding, their eyes hurt. But they dragged that blade across their skin again and again until rows and rows of neat bloody lines littered up their shin and the pressure inside them settled.

* End Melt Down/Self Harm scene. -

Seren sat back. Exhaustion dragged their bones to the ground. Now thinking clearly, Seren got up to their feet and cleaned up the mess they made. Putting the basket of items back into the hutch. They ran a bath and soaked. Half dozing in the hot water. When they could barely keep their eyes open, they drained the tub and dragged themself back to their bedroom. Barely able to drag their pajamas on before collapsing into their bed and falling asleep.

Morning came and when Seren started coming back to consciousness, they became aware that they were starving. But they didn’t get a chance to ruminate on that as they heard the sound of soft rustling on their floor. Seren’s eyes flew open. Now listening intently,

There it was again, that rustling in their drawers and curtains. Seren sat up and turned over. Their heart leaped up into their throat. The pillow had been ripped up and turned into a little nest. They sat up, staring in awe at the scraps of fabric that were just beginning to glow. The fabric scraps seemed glued to the wall, giving it a strange haunted structure to it.

“Hello?” Seren asked. A tiny face poked out from the fabrics. “Good morning?” The sprite flew out of the nest and up to Seren. Closer up, Seren could see the speckled fair face of the sprite was smiling.

“Good morning indeed.” The sprite said, her voice high pitched like a bell. “I am forever in your debt, cursed one.”

“What’s that mean?” Seren’s wonder turned instantly to annoyance. “Why cursed?”

“You are cursed by a fae but not turned.” The sprite said. “You are lost between worlds, cursed one.”

“We just call them ‘fae-touched’, the curse thing is kinda offensive.” Seren said. They pushed their blankets off and got out of bed. The sprite gracefully moving out of the way. Flying through the air and leaving little mists of water in her wake.

“Why are you dripping?” Seren asked as they went to their dresser.

“I am the Waterbearer. In our nests there is a queen that gives water magical qualities. That is me. That will be my daughter after me.” The sprite said, still following Seren.

“Oh, that magic thing is why the fae were hunting for you last night?” Seren asked before shutting their mouth. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be insensitive.”

“It is understandable. You are correct.” The sprite said. “May I perhaps trouble you for a favor more?”

“Uhhh… sure?” Seren said as they picked out their clothes for the day.

“I am famished. Is there anything sweet for consumption?” She asked. Clasping her tiny claws together before her chest.

“Yeah. I think there’s some honey in the pantry. I can bring it up.” Seren nodded.

“Yes that would be lovely! And, pray, may I ask yet another?”

“Sure.” Seren picked up their clothes. Deciding that changing in the bathroom would offer more privacy.

“May you open the window?” The sprite pointed to the window.

“Oh, yeah.” Seren said, walking over and opening the window enough for the sprite to escape when she had her strength back.

“Your kindness will be remembered always.” The sprite said.

“You’re welcome?” Seren said. “I’m going to change and then I’ll be back up with the honey.” Seren left, shutting their door and going to the bathroom. Dressing while pacing the floor. Pausing to rub at their calf, only to be surprised by the marks left there. Seren stared for a moment before they remembered what happened. They hissed as they could hear the talking to they’d get for them. They entertained the idea that maybe they’d heal before they’d be noticed. The colder months were coming, so it wouldn't be unusual for Seren to wear only long pants.

They dressed, tossing their pj’s into the laundry basket more grateful than ever their pajama pants were dark colored. Then they brushed out their hair and braided it and brushed their teeth and went downstairs for breakfast.