Aspen looked at Eden

"I trusted you" she said loudly and with anger.

"And your trust was not miss-placed. I'm sorry did you not want to see your family again?" Eden replied with anger in her heart.

Aspen has always had a hard time with trust. Not trusting the people she loved felt like a disease that ate at her from the inside out. Leaving her lonely and riddled with what-ifs and Butts. Leaving nothing but anger in the paths of her mind. She didn't want to be like this. It was something she couldn't help. She tried to trust but anytime she got too comfortable with someone she reminded herself of all the times that trust would be exchanged for heart break. Looking for any reason why she could justify her sickness along with how they could eventually betray her.

"You could've warned me about the cult that you were giving me over to?" aspen fired back.

"You should be grateful, do you think banned spells fall out the sky aspen. Get real." Eden said inches from her face. Eden took a deep breath and stepped back.

"I'm sorry I know that must have been scary and I'm overreacting. But I hope you can calm down. I would never put you in any harm. I'll go get us some coffee and explain everything. I promise. I love you." Eden added then gathered her stuff and walked out the front door. As soon as her feet hit the payment of the sidewalk her eyes filled with tears. Eden quickly stops her tears and went on. Upstairs aspen sat in shock and began to overthink.

This seemed insane to her. Eden needs to explain why she felt comfortable leaving me with a cult as well Aspen thought. aspen layed on the floor watching the ceiling fan.

forty minutes went by when Eden finally arrives. they sat across from each other at Eden's kitchen table.

Eden starred at the table while aspen gave her dirty looks. "I left you with them because I had to." aspen went to respond but then Eden looked her right in the eyes and said "Let me finish. The Cult... is faction one. And if they choose you, Well you're above the law. Like me. How do you think I get the grapes and not get caught? I can't tell them not to do anything or it all crumbles. I mean shit Aspen, they'll murder me! They're like the fucking mob but worse." Eden said with fear in her face, causing it to grow pale. "You expect me to believe this Eden" was all aspen could get out of her mouth. "Oh well it's the truth and you should. Because they are going to come for you. You need to be ready. I'm serious." Eden spoke with a tone that would make anyone shut up and be ashamed of themselves. "Why did you drag me in to this?" Aspen asked while raising both eyebrows as high as she could get them. "Well, if you comply, you can do any banned spells as long as you aren't open about it and that's including the one that helps you bring your family back to life. Also, you can pretty much get anything you want. Play the system to your advantage." Eden spoke with encouragement. They sat there drinking coffee and staring at each other and Aspen's anger turns into appreciation.

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Eden broke the silence "It comes with a price."

Fuck! of course nothing comes that easy aspen thought to herself. "What is it?" Aspen asked with the calmest voice she used all morning. "I don't know... Your relationship with them, is going to be different than mine. We can't do this together and that's why I wasn't in the woods with you. Don't worry Aspen it can't be too bad for what you get right?"

"Thanks, Eden, for clearing things up. I have to go to my house to pick up some clothes."

Aspen was nervous getting on her broom, not only for what her future held but seeing John. She felt bad for how she had left things. Although on another hand she did didn't. Mostly because she felt like he took her emotions and thoughts and picked them apart like it was for research. How could she not feel that way, she spent a lot of days and nights telling him everything. She just felt like the only reason he cared in the first place was because he was in love. When she got there, she paced her porch before walking in. As she did her cat ran up on her very excited, she spent a few minutes loving on him. "Awh, it's only been a few days" she said while scratching the cat behind the ears. She was able to to leave her cat alone because she had installed an automatic feeder and water bowl. He also had a cat door at the back window.

"John?" she yelled. She didn't get an answer, so she walked up her stairs to knock on his door.

"John!" she called out again.

*Knock knock* she stood at his bedroom door but still got nothing in return. Aspen opened the door to see half of his stuff gone.

a note on the bed read:

Aspen, if you find this I've gone to the human world.

stay safe.

-John.

"Shit, well I can't say I blame him, I probably would have left too. What a mess" these words rang in aspens mind. She was in a way happy because with everything going on she didn't even think about what she was going to say to him.

--------------------------

It was Monday. Aspen sat in Law and Ethics trying to keep her eyes open. She couldn't sleep the night before, she was too worried about the cult taking over her life or what they want or ask from her. It was too good of a deal not to take her option. When the bell rang, she picked up her sore and tired body. "Ms. Hibiscus please stay behind really quick." Mr. Crumble said while looking from above his glasses while grading papers. "How can I help?" aspen asked him clutching books to her side. "Well, I have the most amazing news for you. Every year faction one picks one student to come to the court room and watch a trial. They picked you, I'm sure Joseph Will be very Jealous." Mr. Crumble said with a wink. His smile was warm. He was proud of aspen for her work in class and she was doing extremely well so was slowly growing to favor her.

Still, she couldn't help but think Man Fuck Joseph

No Aspen. don't think that way it's not fair to him. After losing someone you love, you'll do anything to keep the people in your life safe.