The group took Bridget to the nurse’s office for a checkup and rest. Afterward, they went their separate ways while waiting for her to get better. Lauren checked her communication device. She gasped at a green beaker blinking at the front. She exchanged glances at the halls and hurried to find the Principal’s office. Benjamin and Isabelle walked across the hall and continued to exchange conversations.

“Did you see that? It seems like they’re getting along again.” Isabelle pointed out, skipping across the hall.

“Bridget and Lauren?” Benjamin guessed, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I didn’t see any difference, to be honest. And no running in the halls, remember?”

“I’m not. I can’t believe you haven’t been paying attention to these details.”

“It’s not my business. Although, considering what happened in the past, it wouldn’t surprise me.”

Isabelle giggled. “So, what—” She stopped in place as her body froze, staring at a familiar figure across the distance. “M-mom?” Isabelle dragged Benjamin behind a corner of the wall as they watched Irene argue with somebody.

“What is she doing here?” Benjamin whispered.

“I don’t even know how she got here!” Isabelle hissed. “We got to hide!”

“Wait, why? Maybe she’s looking for you, and if that’s the case, hiding won’t help matters.”

“But if she sees me, she could take me away from here.”

“You think she’s going to give up, though?”

“Mom might not even be searching for me. But then, why would she—?”

“Isabelle, where are you?” Irene’s voice called out.

Oh no.

Isabelle stepped back and was ready to make a break for it. Irene’s voice picked up in her ears as hands grabbed the girls’ shoulders. Isabelle turned to look her mom in the eyes. The two stood there, face to face. Time seemed to stop all around them. Isabelle’s heart nearly stopped as she struggled to come up with anything to say to her mother. Irene’s eyes got misty as she wrapped her arms around her daughter in a tearful embrace.

“Oh, Isabelle, I was so worried about you. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Isabelle said, pulling away from her mom. But what are you doing here? How did you get here, and why?”

“Look, this place is not safe for you.” Irene grabbed her hand. “I can’t let you stay here with—”

“Wait, what? Why?” Isabelle snatched her hand away and stepped back.

Irene frowned. She glanced down at her hand before her face stiffened. “It doesn’t matter, we’re leaving, and that’s—”

“Oh my, what’s going on?” A familiar voice interrupted from a small distance.

Irene turned to the voice as her glare hardened. “You.”

“Ah, it’s you again?” Zelda walked over, placing a hand on her cheek. “What brings you here to our lovely establishment?”

“Don’t you play dumb with me,” Irene retorted, pointing at her. “You lied to us! You tricked me into sending my daughter to your monstrous school!”

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“Oh my, that may be true that this school is monstrous. However, she’s learning new things that could benefit her in the future—”

“How so? She could easily get herself killed, or worse!”

“Magic can heal wounds or find people quick—”

“Can they?” Irene asked, seething through her teeth. “Can they fix emotional scars, like the ones you gave me long ago?”

Isabelle and Benjamin stared and watched the chaos unfold. Neither of them could believe what they heard. Zelda tilted her head, but her expression stayed the same.

“I don’t recall. Have we met before?”

Irene’s blood boiled to the core. She had it with this woman’s games and attitude.

“Did you brainwash her?”

“No, why don’t you ask your girl how she feels?”

Irene turned to Isabelle, who stood firm with her head held high.

“Mom, I don’t want to leave.” The area grew silent. Isabelle sighed. “Look, I’m sorry I lied to you. But I was afraid you’d refuse if I—”

“So, you decided to lie to me? You didn’t think I’d do some research on this ‘school’ of yours?”

Benjamin twiddled his fingers and watched the chaos unfold. “Um, wait—”

“Stay out of this!” Irene retorted, then turned back to her daughter. “We are leaving right now.”

“No, I don’t want to go back!” Isabelle exclaimed.

“Don’t you see?” Zelda pointed out. “Your daughter clearly—”

“You stay out of this too!” Irene snapped at the principal.

Isabelle’s heart sank. Everything went out of control, slipping from her hands in a matter of seconds. How did it all go wrong? She stepped back and covered her mouth, not thinking straight. The next thing Isabelle knew, she cried.

“No!” she shouted and ran in the opposite direction.

“Isabelle!” Benjamin yelled out as he chased after her. “Come back!”

Irene turned as she extended her hand out, her face softening.

Zelda sighed as she placed a hand on her cheek. “My, what a shame. That poor girl.”

“Don’t think this is over.” Her face contorted into a grimace as she stormed off.

.-.-.-.

Isabelle escaped the school grounds and sat by a tree underneath the moonlight. The winds blew over her face as she rested her back against the tree’s bark. She buried her head under her knees and sobbed silently to herself. The sounds of grass crunching made Isabelle quickly look up and around to the source of the sound. When she spotted a silhouette on top of a hill, she got up and booked it in the opposite direction.

Isabelle ran as fast as she could down the hill, nearly tripping herself up. Once she calmed down, she looked around the dark area she found herself in. Tombstones stuck out of the ground, and fog and mist poured into the area, making it harder to see objects past her glasses. Isabelle trudged carefully as she tried to steady her beating heart.

Huh, where am I?

Isabelle's breathing got heavier. She didn't know what to do or how to get out of there until she spotted a small cave.

Man, that girl sure is fast. Benjamin thought as he panted and stopped to catch his breath. His eyes widened as he looked around the area. Something familiar dawned on him—oh no, not this place.

He memorized the path and sprinted until he came across a hair bow on the ground. After picking it up and studying it, Benjamin glanced up at the cavern in front of him. Fearing for the worst, but hoping for the best, the magician gulped and stepped inside.

Isabelle grabbed a nearby torch and trudged down the long-winded stairs. Curiosity got the better of her as she stepped closer to the darkness. Eventually, she got to the bottom of the set but found nothing there, just an empty void. What was the point? Before she turned back, a voice called out to her, beckoning her. But she didn’t know where it came from—down there or up above? Isabelle leaned in closer to inspect the darkness further.

“Wait, don’t take another step there!” a voice echoed from above.

Isabelle turned around and stared at the light standing in the darkness. “Benjamin?”

“Believe me, I know this area well,” Benjamin called out to her from a distance, as he took a step towards her. “Stay where you are, and I’ll—” He lost his footing and tripped down the stairs.

The gravity rushed through his body as he fell, right toward Isabelle. They collided with one another as the knockback pushed them back and slipped. Benjamin and Isabelle shut their eyes tight and screamed as they fell into the dark abyss.