Archive of Our Own

It had only been a week since Luz had returned to her home in Gravesfield, but in that week, so much had happened. She'd crossed back over to the human realm with her closest friends from the Boiling Isles... including her girlfriend, Amity. None of Luz's friends had ever been to the human realm before, and to say that it would take some getting used to for them would have been a tremendous understatement... but not only did they have to learn about the human realm, fast, they also had to confront the reality that they might never get to go home again.

A week later, and things had somewhat returned to normal... or at least, a sense of normalcy. Luz had overcome her trauma enough to explain everything to her mother Camila, who already had to absorb a great deal of information when she'd learned about Vee, the basilisk who had once disguised herself as Luz to assume the human girl's place. At the same time, Amity, Willow, Gus, and Hunter had all needed to get used to their new reality as best they could... and despite some early struggles and lots of tears, they'd adjusted as best they could, while also maintaining some hope that they could someday return home.

And despite the jarring transition from the Boiling Isles to the human realm, things did have to return to at least the appearance of normal... and Luz needed to return to school. Fortunately, this did provide Camila with an opportunity to spend more time with her friends... save for the one that was missing.

“Luz, have you seen Amity anywhere?” asked Camila. She was standing in the living room with Gus, Willow, and Hunter, and was ready to take them out on a shopping trip while Luz attended school and Vee held down the fort at home. “I'd like to buy some clothes for all four of your friends, but I haven't seen her since breakfast...”

“Oh!” said Luz, holding up her phone. “Amity said she had somewhere she wanted to go today, I think the library? She's... really dead set on getting herself and the others back to the Boiling Isles...”

Camila let out a long sigh. Though she knew Luz desperately needed to return to the Isles, she still wasn't ready to let her daughter go back, or even try to go back, and Luz had kept her promise to the letter... but that promise didn't bind any of her friends, and Amity had been especially zealous in looking for a way back, despite her wishes.

“You've been really kind to us, Mrs. Noceda,” said Willow, smiling warmly at Camila. “But we're all looking for a way to get back... there are people back home who need us, despite the risks.”

“It's not like we're trying to get back every waking moment,” said Gus, shrugging his shoulders.

“That's because you've been on that... computer device most of the time,” said Hunter, staring at Gus.

“Hey, an unlimited treasure trove of human knowledge at my fingertips, and you expect me not to take advantage of it?” Gus replied defensively. “Besides, I've caught you on there too!”

“Me? All I did was try out the game Luz told me about, Olden Tomes V: Magic Realm! ...it's... addictive!”

“You've all been spending too much time staring into screens, that's why I'm taking you all out today,” said Camila, who then turned to Luz. “And you really need to get to school, you're going to be late!”

“Yes, mamá,” said Luz, who then turned to Vee. The basilisk was in the kitchen, cleaning up after breakfast and even looking through the kitchen supplies for things she could use to make lunch. “Vee, you're sure you'll be okay by yourself?”

“Of course!” said Vee, smiling and waving at Luz and the others.

“You can come with us if you'd like, Vee,” Camila replied, only for Vee to shake her head.

“I'm... starting to run out of magic cards,” Vee said. “I think I've only got enough for half a dozen more transformations, and I wanna save them for really important stuff.”

“I'll try to find you some more, I promise,” said Luz. She walked over and gave Vee a hug, then headed toward the front door. “Bye, guys, I'll see you all after school!”

“Bye, Luz!” said Gus, a sentiment echoed by Willow and Hunter as Luz also gave Camila a hug before leaving.

As Luz walked out of the house and made her way into town, she took out her phone and texted Amity.

U sure u don't want to go to the store w/mom? She rlly wants 2 get u some nice clothes... not that ur clothes aren't already nice!

Luz only had to wait about thirty seconds before a text came in. As it did, she silently thanked her mother for buying phones for all of her friends... it meant so much that they were all able to stay in touch, and the phones also helped them learn about the human realm... or, in Hunter's case, amuse themselves with games.

I'm just glad Hunter doesn't have access to any money, because I'm pretty sure he'd blow it all on lootboxes... thought Luz, as she took out her phone to read Amity's text.

It's okay, but thanks for asking. I'm doing research at the library.

Again? Luz texted back to her. U've been there 4 times this wk!

Another text.

I have to find a way to get us all back to the Boiling Isles. I know your mom made you promise not to go back... but when I find a way back, I'll convince her to let you go. I promise.

Luz sighed. She and Amity had already talked about this before, and she still had no idea how to convince her mom to let her return to the Isles to save Eda and the others... if there even was a Boiling Isles left to save. She texted Amity back again, knowing it was pointless to try and convince her not to do this... once she set her mind to something, she was determined to see it through.

Be careful, sweet potato .

I'll be okay, batata, Amity texted back.

Luz boarded the bus with another sigh. Even in a place as strange as the human realm, Amity knew how to handle herself... and Vee had figured it out well enough, though she did have the benefit of three months at “Camp Reality Check”.

I just hope Amity doesn't run into trouble , thought Luz, slumping into her seat.

O-O-O

Amity emerged from the library shortly after eleven o'clock, having found out some interesting tidbits about Gravesfield history, but nothing about magic or how to return to the Boiling Isles. By this point, she'd done extensive research on Philip Wittebane, but it had gotten her no closer to opening up any sort of portal, and she let out a sigh as she walked into Gravesfield's town square.

A whole morning wasted... thought Amity, bowing her head slightly. I should've just gone with Luz's mom. It would've given us a chance to bond more... and pick up some clothes that aren't just Luz's old outfits.

At least Camila had been kind enough to wash the outfit Amity had worn as she'd passed through to the human realm, and she was wearing it for the first time since emerging from the portal. She hoped she'd get another chance to spend time with her soon... mostly so she could ask again about the promise Luz had made to her.

I know why you did it, I know why you're worried about Luz. The Boiling Isles is... it's way more dangerous than the human realm, even with all the terrible things going on here that we've been reading about the past few days. Luz has almost been killed... dozens of times, and I know why you don't want to lose her, not after losing your husband. I get it... I don't want to lose her either.

Amity took out her phone and got ready to text Luz again, hoping her girlfriend was doing okay. As she did so, she could see another building nearby. She'd never noticed it before, as it wasn't quite as ornate as the library, but it did seem to be of some significance, and as she got closer, she was able to make out the lettering on the sign.

“Gravesfield Historical Society...?” Amity read, blinking. After reaching up to her ears to make sure the makeup Camila had given her still concealed their pointed tips, she walked over to the building and approached the front entrance. “Not sure it'd have as much information on magic as the library, but I've scoured that place and I haven't found a thing, maybe here I'll have a bit more luck...”

Amity stepped inside and approached the front desk, where she could see a man rearranging objects. As she approached, the man looked up at her, and their eyes met from across the desk.

“Um, hello...?” said Amity, somewhat shyly. She and her friends hadn't spend much time talking to humans since arriving in Gravesfield, as even with their disguises on, Camila had advised them all to be wary. Still, over the past few days, all of them, especially Amity, had become somewhat more comfortable, as the humans of Gravesfield were much like the denizens of the Boiling Isles apart from their lack of magic and pointy ears. “I was looking for some information about witches?”

“Witches, you say?” replied the man behind the desk, perking up his ears in interest. “Ah yes, Gravesfield has a long history of witch burnings...”

Ooooh boy, thought Amity, letting out a sigh. Though Luz had told her that humans no longer burned witches, it had also been a very long time since humans had even seen witches, and that most of the “witches” that had been burned weren't actually witches at all. “That's... not entirely what I meant. What I meant to ask was, has any actual magic been performed here? Ever?”

“Ohhhhhh!” said the man, his ears perking up even more. He gave Amity an excited look, and began fishing for different things inside his desk, pulling out numerous pictures and slamming them down on the desk, and even pulling up a video on his phone. “Are you a believer as well?”

“You... could say that,” Amity replied. She picked up the pictures and began thumbing through them, but they contained no evidence of real witchcraft, just some blurry photographs of misshapen objects, strange floating lights, and something that Amity believed might've been part of Eda's hair, though it also could've just been the tip of a mop. “Uh...”

“The name's Jacob, by the way,” said the man, indicating his badge. Amity looked at it, then back up at Jacob, who showed off the video that was on his phone. On it, Amity could see a car that was seemingly driving on its own, propelled by a force that looked like a burning flame. She narrowed her eyes, and could see that the car had just been hijacked by a possum, who was pressing hard on the pedals and causing the car to spin its wheels in place awkwardly before repeatedly jerking forward. “And you won't believe what else I've seen!”

I don't think I believe any of this, thought Amity, whose eyes scanned the shelves behind the desk, finally coming to rest on something she recognized. Wait a minute, is that a training wand?!

Amity could've recognized a training wand anywhere, having used one extensively for a brief period before and shortly after meeting Luz. She shook her head in disbelief.

There's no way one of those could be here. It's got to be a toy... but there's only one way to make sure.

“Um, sir?” said Amity, pointing at the wand. “Do you think I could see that thing up there for a second?”

“What, you mean this?” asked Jacob, picking up the training wand and showing it off to Amity. “This is one of the objects that the Martians use to enthrall their human prey! It's very dangerous, I can't let anyone touch it.”

...I'm starting to think this guy doesn't know a thing about witches, thought Amity, who remained persistent. “Oh, I think I might know what it really does! I'm a... young... scholar of witchcraft!”

“Another one?” Jacob replied, eagerly extending his hand while holding the training wand in the other. “You're talking to a Junior Witchcraft Scholar, Class of 1999!”

Jacob pulled up another picture on his phone, of him and some of his middle school acquaintances standing in front of a “Junior Witchcraft Scholars” banner. Amity narrowed her eyes and could see that Jacob and his friends strongly resembled a group of Azura cosplayers that Luz had shown her pictures of a few days ago... only Jacob and his friends were even more elaborately costumed and had way more props. Even Amity had to roll her eyes and cringe slightly, and her attention was now focused almost entirely on the training wand.

This guy's no help, but if I can get that wand, I might be able to use its magic toward making a portal. It's a long shot but it's the best lead I've had so far, I just need to trick him into giving it to me. It shouldn't be too difficult...

“That's... some really impressive witch regalia!” said Amity.

“I like your costume too,” said Jacob, gesturing to Amity's clothing. “A little basic, but I get it, it's a little warm out here to go around dressed up all the time.”

“Oh... this old thing?” Amity replied, letting out a fake laugh. “Pssshh... anyway, I was just wondering if you'd let me have just a little bit of time with that wand. Maybe if I take a closer look, I can get some valuable research for my... witch... scholar... exam!”

“Sorry... I appreciate you taking an interest in the arcane arts, but it's still way too dangerous for a kid to handle,” said Jacob, starting to put the wand back on the shelf. “Hey, I know! I've got some neat surveillance footage I can show you, most of it got erased but I think there's still a few seconds of-”

“Gimme!” Amity shouted, suddenly lunging forward and grabbing for the training wand. I have to help Luz and my friends, I'm not taking no for an answer!

“Hey!” shouted Jacob, trying to keep the wand away from Amity. “Geez, you're even worse than that lady with the flip flop!”

Too excited to hear what Jacob had just said, Amity continued to grab for the wand, leaning over as much as she could and attempting to swipe it from him. Jacob reached out and tried to keep Amity at bay, but he hadn't been expecting the purple haired girl to come at him so vigorously, and after a few seconds of holding her back, the grip on his other hand slipped and he dropped the wand to the ground. Amity let out a gasp, then dove over the desk and scooped it up.

“Got it!”

“Give that back!” shouted Jacob. He lunged for Amity, only for her to clamber over the top of the desk, landing hard on her backside. “I'm warning you...!”

The fall had briefly stunned Amity, and as she struggled to get back to her feet, Jacob walked toward her. Remembering the controls, Amity quickly turned on the wand, and fired off a small burst of magic that sent Jacob flying back over the desk and Amity slamming into the nearest wall. She hit with a loud grunt and a thud, and Jacob groaned as he climbed to his feet.

“Whoa...” the curator muttered, rubbing the top of his head as he stumbled toward Amity. “I've never seen it do that before... how did you...?”

As Amity groaned, spots dancing in her vision, she looked down at the wand and could see that its power indicator was flashing.

Figures... she thought with a frustrated grunt. It only had enough juice for that one little shot.

She could then feel something popping off one of her ears, and looked down to see a small lump of flesh-colored putty fall to the ground. She looked up, and saw Jacob gasp.

She then felt one of her ears, and sure enough, there was a pointed tip instead of the rounded curve that the makeup had given her. She gasped, then saw Jacob's expression turn from one of shock, to one of excitement.

“I... can't believe it! Of course!”

Amity stumbled to her feet, not knowing whether to try to explain herself or to run.

At least he's not screaming in fear... thought Amity, as Jacob continued to stare at her with a smile on his face. What do I even say...?

“It all makes sense now!” shouted Jacob, starting to take out his phone. “Aw man, I gotta film this!”

“Uh, hold on there,” replied Amity, lifting up her hand. As relieved as she was that Jacob didn't seem to be upset about her trying to take his training wand, and that he wasn't panicking that she was a witch, she certainly didn't want to have her face and pointed ears plastered up on MewTube for the entire human realm to see. “I didn't say you could film me... here, just... take your wand and maybe tell me more stuff about witches?”

“Hmm...”

The curator put his hand up to his chin, seemingly in thought about something. Then, he put his phone away.

“You know what? I can't film this,” said Jacob, who then reached in his pocket for something else.

“Good idea,” Amity replied, holding up the training wand to hand it back to Jacob. Maybe there's something here that can charge this thing... or maybe I just need to come back later with Luz and the others, just in case this guy tries to pull something.

“Can't film a live specimen unless I know exactly what I'm dealing with!” said Jacob, suddenly pulling out a taser. “Got this in case the crazy flip-flop lady ever came back, but I bet it'll work just as well on you!”

Before Amity could react, she was being zapped with hundreds of thousands of volts of electricity. She let out a shriek, then fell to her knees, her entire body shaking. She couldn't move her arms, while her legs felt like the “jelly legs” that Luz sometimes seemed to get when she was really emotional. She looked up at Jacob, her eyes wide, pain continuing to course through her body.

“What... did you.... do...?” Amity mouthed to him. She tried tracing a spell circle, but it fell apart as soon as it appeared, and either way, magic was significantly weaker in the human realm... and this human was clearly armed. Wait, flip-flop lady? Does he mean Camila?!

Amity didn't have time to ponder the question further, as she felt herself being tased again. This time, everything went black.

“This is an incredible find! I'll be verified this time for sure!”

Jacob quickly went to the front door and locked it, turning the sign from “open” to “closed”. Then, he lifted up Amity and put her over his shoulder, carrying her to the back of the museum...

O-O-O

Amity could still feel a slight tingling in her limbs as she slowly opened her eyes. She was sore, both from being tased twice and from falling to the ground, but that wasn't the most frightening thing she awoke to as her vision came back into focus.

“Mmm...mmnh..?”

All at once, Amity realized two things. She couldn't move her limbs, and she couldn't move her lips. She felt as if a great weight was pushing down on her body, and when she tried to open her mouth to say something, it was as if her lips were stuck shut. She tried calling out anyway.

“Mmmmmm!!”

She got a good look at herself, and to her horror, she could see a thick leather strap, pinning her arms and upper body to a cold metal table. Her ankles were pinned down similarly. She began to struggle, and called out again, but like the last cry she tried to emit, it was muffled by a strip of duct tape that had been plastered over her lips. She began to scream, and continued screaming even as she looked around the room, which was littered with all sorts of strange magical memorabilia, and a gigantic posterboard covered in pictures and newspaper clippings. She craned her head around as much as she could, trying to see in the dim lighting. She continued to scream, calling out for anyone who could hear her, her expression a mix of anger and fear.

What's going on?! Let me out! Let me out right now!

“Finally awake! Oh, that's good.”

Amity looked and could see the same man from the lobby, the one named Jacob, who she remembered brawling with over the training wand. He no longer held the wand in his hand, but he was holding a phone, and was smiling proudly as he walked over to Amity, who continued to struggle and yell on the table.

“I thought tasing you twice was kinda dangerous, but, you know, experimentation always carries with it the aura of danger, right? How you feelin'? Comfy?”

Amity glared up fiercely, trying as best she could to project defiance.

Let me go, Amity muffled, narrowing her eyes. I'm warning you!

“Wow,” Jacob exclaimed quietly, pacing around the table. “I mean, wow! The last specimen was kinda weird, and it was a shame she got away, but you, I mean... you're almost human! ...is this a disguise? It's not, right? I already cleaned up your ears, these... these are real?”

Jacob then bent over Amity and reached down, his fingers moving toward her right ear. She squealed, and tried to pull away, but he quickly reached down, grabbing her pointed ear by the tip and tugging on it as hard as he could. Amity squealed, crying out in pain, and an involuntary tear made its way to her eye.

“Look at these ears! I can't believe it!” Jacob exclaimed, overwhelmed with excitement. “I've caught a real live ELF!”

Jacob's misidentification was deeply insulting, and for a brief moment, Amity's indignation cut through her pain and fear.

WHAT?! Amity muffled loudly, continuing to glare at him even as the tear fell down her cheek. An elf?! You bastard!

Amity tried tugging her head away again, but every movement she made as Jacob gripped her sensitive ear brought another wave of pain, and so she was forced to communicate her displeasure through more muffled shouting. Jacob, still fascinated, studied Amity's face closely, and she shivered as he continued to lean in.

“Aw man, this'll get me in the scientific journals for sure! And I'll finally get the green checkmark I deserve!” Jacob said, finally releasing Amity's ear so that he could pump his fists victoriously. “I've definitely gotta film this, but first, let's study you a little bit more...”

This can't be happening, thought Amity, continuing to shiver as Jacob looked her over. As insulting as it was for her to be studied like some wild animal, at least it was better than the alternate... but thankfully, he didn't seem to be taking that kind of interest in her. I need to find a way out of this. Luz, the others, they don't even know I'm... wait a second!

Amity's thoughts then returned to what Jacob had said before... mentioning a previous specimen... and a flip-flop lady.

Wait a minute, Luz and her mom told us about this... and Vee was there too. The last specimen... was that Vee? And that means the 'flip-flop lady' WAS Camila! Oh no, I think this is the guy Luz was trying to warn us about, and I was too caught up in trying to get us back home to listen!

Amity started fretting, and she continued to pull at her bonds, but the straps held tight, and she could barely move enough to cast a weak spell circle that fizzled as soon as it was completed.

“Oh, what was that?!” asked Jacob, before suddenly grabbing Amity's hand and laying it out flat on the table. “That thing you did, you made light appear... of course, elves can use magic, that's why you could use that wand too! Oh, I gotta study everything I can about you!”

Don't touch me you freak! Amity screamed through the tape, trying desperately to pull her hand away as Jacob used one of his hands to hold it down and began tracing the fingers of one of his other hands across her palm. Leave me alone, your hands are disgusting!

Amity tried to clench her hand into a fist, but Jacob yanked one of her fingers back, forcing another loud scream out of her.

“Just hold still, I need to study you for science! You won't get away with coming here and trying to steal our teeth! I let the last of you get away, and I bet they sent for more, didn't they? That stupid veterinarian, she's nothing but a traitor to humanity!”

Don't talk about Camila that way! Amity muffled indignantly, managing to extricate two of her fingers from Jacob's grasp and digging them hard into the top of his hand, scratching him fiercely. YOU JERK!

Jacob cried out in pain, yanking his hand away from Amity's and clutching it tightly.

“Oh no, look what you've done!” shouted Jacob, holding his hand up to show the bleeding scratch marks Amity had made in his skin. “Now I've got to go disinfect the wound, or I'll catch alien germs!”

You're insane, Amity thought, coldly glaring at Jacob before resuming her struggles, crying out in rage. Now let me go, dammit...!

“When I get back, I'm going to start dissecting you!” shouted Jacob, pointing at Amity. “In the meantime, don't you dare try casting any more of your vile elf magic!”

As Jacob ran off to tend to his wound, Amity continued to struggle... she hoped Luz and the others would come save her, but none of them even knew where she was... and Jacob had also taken her phone. After he left, after she was sure he was gone, she finally allowed the fear to catch up to her... she closed her eyes and let out a single sob, clenching her fists before tugging upwards against the straps as hard as she could.

Luz, thought Amity, blinking back another tear. If you're out there somewhere, please, help me...!

O-O-O

But Luz was currently in no position to help Amity... she was in school, and it was just before her final class of the day was set to begin. Her mother had given her a few days off to relax and re-acclimate to the human world, but afterwards, she'd insisted that Luz go back... Vee was running out of transformations to cover for her, and Camila had also wanted Luz to return to a sense of normalcy. Of course, going back to school, where she'd always felt like an outcast, was a brutal transition. The other kids were no less cruel, and her antics were no more accepted... though she had found a few new friends to spend time with, friends that Vee had made back at camp. Their presence had, at the very least, made school tolerable, but she wanted to be back home, with her Boiling Isles friends... and with Amity.

She's still not responding to my texts, thought Luz, who'd been trying to get a hold of her girlfriend for the past couple of hours. It's not like her... maybe her phone's out of juice? No... no, she's the most responsible of all of us, she always remembers to charge her phone before she leaves. She's got to be in trouble...

Luz was worried, but she tried to reassure herself by remembering that Amity had probably gone to the library, and how much trouble could someone get into at the library?

It's not like she went to the museum where that weird guy is still running the place... thought Luz, remembering her mom and Vee's ordeal vividly, both from what she'd seen and heard through her tenuous connection from the Boiling Isles, and from what the two had told her when they'd returned. That jerk should be in jail, but mom never turned him in... I mean, how could she? What would she have told the cops, that he tried to kidnap and dissect a magical being?

Luz sighed and shook her head, laughing to herself.

“Amity wouldn't go there. I told everyone not to go there. I mean, Amity was studying something really hard when I told her... and she was sitting way across the room... but still, I know she heard me, right?”

As Luz continued to fret, her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the bell. She sighed.

One more class , thought Luz, trudging down the hallway. And then I'll see my sweet potato again.

O-O-O

Amity didn't know how much time had passed since Jacob had left her alone to tend to the scratch wounds she'd given him. All she knew was that she'd been struggling ever since he'd left, and had little to show for it save for a sweat-drenched face and soreness all over her body. The straps held her down inescapably tightly, and she still hadn't been able to conjure up any magic, at least nothing strong enough to get her loose. As she lay there, catching her breath while looking up at the dark ceiling, she could see the extensive bruising on her arms that she'd acquired while struggling against her restraints, and she was sure that her ankles were similarly bruised. Her throat was also starting to get sore from repeated screaming, which had all been muffled by the tape pressed over her lips.

The gravity of her dire situation was beginning to sink in. There was still no sign of Luz, or anyone else, no indication that help might be on the way.

All Amity could think of as she lay on that table was how badly she'd messed up, and how much she missed her friends.

I should've been more careful... I shouldn't have come to this weird place, I shouldn't have grabbed for that creepy guy's wand, I shouldn't have tried to get information... I just wanted to get us home. I just wanted to help my friends... I just wanted to see my dad again.

Amity felt another tear, mixing with the sweat still running down her face. She closed her eyes, hoping her captor wouldn't come back. She knew she could get free, she just needed more time...

“I'm back!”

Amity was out of time.

“Whew, sorry that took so long,” said Jacob, holding up his now bandaged hand. “I had to use six different disinfectants because of what you did! Never can be too careful when dealing with Martian elves...”

Why are you apologizing to me? thought Amity, glaring fiercely. If anything, you should be apologizing for taking me prisoner!

“So, where were we?” he continued, looking Amity up and down. He noticed the bruising on her wrists, and leaned down to observe it more closely. “I see you've been struggling. You should know by now it's pointless, I bought this operation table from the survivalist online website! It's meant for restraining zombies, so a little elf like you doesn't have a chance of breaking free!”

You're crazy! Amity shouted, mustering up another burst of strength. I'm not a zombie, I'm not an elf, I'm a person and you need to let me go right now! What is WRONG with you, seriously?!

Amity's struggles had gotten weaker, but as she continued to squirm as best she could, her body continuing to fight, Jacob backed off and walked over to a nearby cabinet to fetch more supplies.

“Okay, can't say I didn't warn you,” he told her, digging through one of the drawers. Amity could hear the sound of metal clanging together, and looked over to see Jacob's hands rummaging through numerous medical implements. “Guess it won't matter anyway, not after the dissection...”

Amity's eyes went wide, and her mind flashed back to the last thing Jacob said before he'd left the room earlier.

...right. He's really planning to dissect me.

As Amity began shouting in protest, her cries becoming increasingly fearful, Jacob pulled a large scalpel out of the drawer and began walking back over to where she was restrained. As it glinted in the dim light, Amity gasped under her gag, tugging at her bonds with all her might, while her mind began to flash back to her very first encounter with Luz.

She still remembered everything from that day. How could she forget? What had once been one of the most humiliating days of her life had become so much more... but when she looked back on it, she didn't have fond memories of the very first time she'd met the girl who'd later become her girlfriend.

She remembered that day with a mixture of shame, regret... and dread. She'd apologized to Luz and to Willow so many times for that day, and both of them, especially Luz, had forgiven her... but sometimes when she thought about that day, her mind drifted to a darker place.

I tried to have Luz dissected. What if Principal Bump had actually done it?

Of course, from what Amity now realized about her principal, he'd never have actually dissected Luz once she'd revealed the truth about herself. Amity had tried to reassure herself so many times, but in the back of her mind, in her worst nightmares, she could still imagine that knife cutting into Luz.

And now her nightmares were coming true... and Amity was the one under the knife.

“I'm starting to wonder where I should cut first,” said Jacob, looking at his scalpel. “Should I go for the chest, or maybe cut off one of your ears to get a sample? Oh! I should cut open your stomach to search for teeth!”

“NMMMMMM!” Amity screamed, shaking her head rapidly. Don't you dare! I'm not an elf, I'm a person! A living, breathing, sentient PERSON! I'm not some science experiment! Please, don't do this!

As Amity's expression grew increasingly frantic, Jacob hesitated, and tried his best to discern her muffled screams.

“Hmmm... you're trying to tell me something, aren't you?”

Amity nodded vigorously, her wide, scared eyes conveying the hope that he would somehow see reason.

Please, just let me go... this is insanity, you can't dissect me, I'm a person!

Amity could only imagine that these were some of the things that were going through Luz's mind as Principal Bump prepared to dissect her. Of course, Luz hadn't been gagged and strapped down to a table... and Bump was eccentric, not completely insane.

Just... let... me... explain...! muffled Amity, her chest rapidly rising and falling with her fearful breathing.

“Fine,” said Jacob, reaching toward the tape covering Amity's mouth. “But you'd better not try any of your elf tricks again!”

He grabbed a corner of the tape and ripped it from Amity's face, leaving her lips surrounded with a harsh, red mark. She winced, letting out a cry of pain, then looked up at him and tried to calm herself down. As furious as she was with her captor, she knew this wasn't the time for threats that she had no way of carrying out.

“Listen to me,” said Amity, looking up into his eyes and pleading for mercy. “I am not an elf. I'm not a human either, but I am a person... a sentient, sapient, PERSON, with thoughts, and feelings, and emotions, and I am not your science experiment, do you understand? If you cut me open, you'll be a murderer, and I know you don't want to murder anyone, right?”

“That depends!” Jacob replied, pointing the scalpel at her. “If you're here to steal our teeth for your space colonies, I'm doing my duty as a defender of the Earth! I'm the good guy here, got it?”

“And good guys don't strap people down and murder them,” Amity said, breathing deeply between every few words. “Even if I really am some kind of... evil elf, the honorable thing to do would be to let me defend myself...”

“Hey, you attacked me first!”

“...and I'm... sorry,” Amity replied, trying her best to get Jacob to sympathize with her. “I needed that wand for something very important...”

“To take over the world?”

“No! I'm trying to go back home!”

“So you can summon more of your elf friends to come back and take over?!”

Amity sighed, rolling her eyes as she realized that convincing Jacob that she wasn't some evil space elf was going to be harder than she thought.

“...I'm not evil, I'm not trying to take over... I'm just a kid, okay? A scared kid who made a big mistake, and now I just want to get back home...” said Amity, her voice starting to quiver. “...and when I do get home, I owe someone another apology for trying to have her dissected just like this.”

“...what do you mean?” Jacob asked, leaning in a bit closer.

“I mean... I used to be just like you,” said Amity, as much as it disgusted her to say that. “Thinking I was the good guy, scared and suspicious of this human girl from a different world... I tried to have her dissected too, and it was one of the worst mistakes I ever made! I'm just... lucky she saw it in her heart to forgive me. And if you let me go... I'll forgive you too, okay? It'll be like this never happened. Just let me go and I'll go home and leave you alone, you won't have to worry about me ever again.”

Another tear slid down Amity's face, and Jacob's expression softened. The two looked into each other's eyes, and Amity could see a spark of understanding and sympathy. She smiled.

“Is all of that true?” Jacob asked.

“Of course it is,” replied Amity, shedding a second tear. “Just let me go and I won't tell-”

“You tried to have a human girl dissected?!”

Jacob's eyes narrowed, and his face began to contort with anger. Amity gasped, and shook her head.

“It was a misunderstanding!”

“Oh, I see exactly how it is!” Jacob said angrily, pointing at Amity. “You abducted a human girl and tried to dissect her! It's a good thing she got away, but I can promise you, you won't!”

“No, wait!”

“You really are an evil space elf bent on world domination, it's a good thing you're about to be dissected for science!”

As Jacob began fishing in his cabinet again, Amity continued to struggle, all the while trying to convince her captor that what she'd done to Luz was no reason to cut her up.

“I'm telling you, don't do this! I'm not evil!”

But Amity could see that Jacob was no longer in the mood to be reasoned with... he was determined to complete his experiment, and she was helpless to stop him. With that in mind, Amity did the only thing she could.

She began to scream at the top of her lungs.

“HELP! HELP! SOMEONE HELP ME, PLEASE! I'VE BEEN KIDNAPPED, HELP ME!”

As Amity screamed for help, Jacob quickly peeled off more duct tape from the roll. She kept screaming, refusing to close her mouth, not wanting him to seal up her lips again... but he didn't wait, and began to gag Amity anyway, wrapping the tape several times around her head between her wide open lips, her screams growing quieter with each tight turn. He then covered up her upper lip, then her lower lip, covering her mouth completely as he took more than twenty turns of tape around her head, gagging her even more tightly than he'd done to his previous prisoner, the basilisk Amity knew as Vee. Amity's frantic screams were almost completely muted by the time he was done with the tape, but she continued to scream, a quiet, almost indecipherable sound emanating from behind her covered lips, while her eyes remained wide and frantic from both her fear and the pain that the tight wrappings had inflicted on her hair and face.

“There, no more elf tricks,” said Jacob, setting down the tape and picking up his scalpel. “This should also keep you quiet for the rest of the experiments... I'm pretty sure it's gonna hurt once I start cutting you open.”

Oh no, no, no, no... thought Amity, who began to struggle again, knowing that her last chance to escape was about to slip away. Please, Luz, Willow, Camila, someone, anyone, help me!!!

O-O-O

As Luz's final class of the day dragged on, she couldn't stop worrying about Amity. It was almost impossible for her to concentrate on the teacher or anything else. She still hadn't gotten any texts, and she just had a terrible, sinking feeling that something must've been wrong.

Amity would've texted by now, I know it! Even if she hadn't found something, she'd text me just to say hi...

As Luz silently fretted, she felt someone tapping on her shoulder. When she looked back, she could see a familiar girl... it was one of the students Vee had made friends with on her trip to Camp Reality Check, and Luz, who knew the students still thought Vee was her, did her best to maintain the friendships as best she could, in the hope that some day soon, she and Vee could reveal the truth to them.

In the meantime, these three kids were pretty cool, and Luz was glad to have them around during the school day.

“You okay? You look nervous. Forget to do your homework again?”

“No, just worried about someone,” said Luz, sighing. “And... yeah, I forgot my homework too, but I'm mostly just worried."

“About who?” the girl asked. “Is it your mom?”

“No, it's... um, it's a friend,” said Luz. “My girlfriend actually.”

“Whoa, cool! You should introduce us sometime!”

“Heh heh, yeah...” stammered Luz, who hadn't yet thought to introduce Vee's group of friends to her own friends from the Boiling Isles. It was, like the secret of Vee herself, something Luz knew she needed to be honest about, but for the moment, she didn't want to cause any unnecessary problems. “She's really pretty, she's got purple hair, and-”

“Oh! I think we saw her at lunch,” said the girl.

“Really?”

“Yeah, she was walking toward the historical society...”

“WHAT?!” Luz suddenly shouted, rising to her feet in the middle of class.

“Ms. Noceda, please, I'm trying to teach everyone about The Grapes Of Wrath!”

Luz began breathing heavily, eyes frantic with worry.

Oh no, I thought I told everyone to stay away from there! I mean, I'm pretty sure I did! I told them about Vee, and that creepy guy, and... oh my gosh, Amity! She couldn't, she wouldn't, she didn't!

“Ms. Noceda, please sit down!”

Luz looked back and forth, at Vee's group of friends, and at the teacher, and at the window... and without taking more than a second to think about it, she chose the window, running toward it and climbing outside, then running away from the school toward the town square as fast as she could. As some of the other kids in class walked to the window, talking and murmuring amongst themselves, the teacher just sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose.

“At least she's not releasing spiders this time...” sighed the teacher.

O-O-O

I never should have come here. I should have listened to Luz.

Amity just watched as Jacob studied her up and down, still searching for the best spot to make his first incision. As she did, her terrified mind flooded with regrets.

Why didn't I wait until the others were back? Why am I so obsessed with going home? I know we need to get back, but I should be spending time with Luz, getting to know her mom... this might be where I'm going to live someday... assuming I'm even alive after today.

Amity's struggles had grown weak, and, for the moment, she'd stopped trying to scream, wanting to give her throat a rest... and with the tape wrapped so tightly over her face, she could barely make a sound anyway.

“Guess the chest's as good a place to start as any!” said Jacob, holding up his scalpel. “Time to find out if it's true what they say and elves have three hearts! I sure hope they do, I want to keep you alive as long as possible!”

Amity just shook her head, more tears flooding her eyes. Her mind once again returned to that day when she'd first met Luz at Hexside, and how callously she'd reacted when the prospect of dissecting the human girl had come up.

I was going to let this happen to Luz. I was enjoying it. Her fear... I was enjoying it because I wanted to get my star back! I was going to let Luz suffer and die just to get my star back!

Tears flooded down Amity's cheeks. She blinked her eyes shut, opening them again and seeing Jacob lowering the scalpel toward her chest. She sobbed, and turned her head away.

Please, don't do this... Amity begged, her pleading completely silenced by the tape.

“Oh, almost forgot!” said Jacob, stopping for a moment to set up his phone and make sure it was recording. “Hello, MewTube, it's WitchingHourJacob here and I'm about to do the world's first ever elven autopsy! I've got a real life elf on my operating table, and we're going to cut her open and see what makes her tick!”

Maybe I deserve this, thought Amity, opening her eyes again just long enough to see the scalpel coming down.

A loud crashing noise interrupted Jacob, just as he began to press the tip of the scalpel into Amity's chest. The sound of a door flying open and shattering glass could be heard throughout the room, and Jacob quickly lifted his head up, adjusting his glasses and blinking his eyes.

“Ugh, am I being swatted?!” Jacob shouted angrily. “WitchesGetStitches117, are you the one responsible for this? Sorry MewTubers, I'll be right back...”

“Amity?!” Luz could be heard yelling from the front room. “Amity, where are you?”

LUZ! Amity screamed at the top of her lungs, trying to call out her girlfriend's name through the tightly wrapped gag as she thrashed against the table with all the strength she had left. LUZ, HELP ME! LUZ! LUZ!!!

“AMITY!” Luz called out, barely able to hear her girlfriend's muffled screams but immediately recognizing the sound of someone in trouble.

“Since when did they let little girls on the SWAT team?” said Jacob, standing between the door and the operating table. “Get out of here, you're interrupting a very important-”

The door flew open, and Luz stormed in, stomping toward Jacob. As soon as she saw Amity strapped down, her eyes got very narrow, and her fists clenched with rage.

Luz! Amity called out again, her eyes reflecting her relief, but also her worry that this dangerous man could still hurt her girlfriend. Be careful!

“Let my girlfriend go right now!” Luz shouted, pointing at Jacob. “Or I'll kick your... ass!”

Luz had hesitated for only a moment before swearing, but realized that it was indeed the most appropriate word for the situation. Jacob just chuckled, seeing the skinny teenage girl in front of him and putting his hands on his hips.

“Look, I don't know what you're talking about, but this elf is dangerous, and I'm-”

“Amity is NOT an elf, she's a person!” shouted Luz, stomping toward Jacob and putting her finger in his face. “And she's my girlfriend! You're lucky I don't take you down right now after you threatened my mom and attacked my sister!”

“Your sister?” Jacob stammered, blinking.

“Vee,” said Luz, her eyes narrowing. “You put her in a cage and you were going to dissect her before my mom came in and stopped you!”

Jacob suddenly gasped as he had a burst of recognition. Then, his own expression became angry, and he took a step toward Luz, who refused to back down.

“I should've known... your mom's that nasty lady who came in here and attacked me! She lied about working for the government and then she hit me with her stupid flip-flop-”

“It's a chancla, pendejo!” Luz swore through gritted teeth.

“Who cares? Your mom's a Martian hugging freak, just like y-”

That was all Luz needed to hear, before she reared back and struck Jacob in the face with as hard a punch as she could throw. She split one of her knuckles, but Jacob got the worst of it by far, the force of the punch shattering his nose and throwing him to the ground. As he screamed in pain, clutching his face with blood starting to pour through his fingers, Luz rushed to Amity's side, her expression immediately changing from rage to concern.

“Amity!” Luz gasped, putting her hands up to her mouth at the sight of her bound and gagged girlfriend. “Oh my God, are you okay?”

Amity silently nodded, her face bright red after seeing Luz throw that punch for her. Luz looked her over, and could see the small cut in the front of her shirt... and the smaller cut underneath, where scalpel had, for a brief moment, sliced through skin.

“Oh no...”

I'm okay, Amity muffled, trying to reassure Luz, and even twitching in her straps to try and take her hand. It's nothing. Your hand is hurt worse. Luz, I'm so sorry...

As Amity began trying to reassure Luz despite the tape slathered over half her face, she could see Jacob slowly standing up behind her, and holding a taser in his hand. She gasped, her eyes going wide.

Luz, look out!

“Don't worry, batata, I'll get this off your mouth... it's wrapped so tight, that can't feel good..."

LUZ!!! Amity screamed, tugging hard at her bonds.

Luz's eyebrow raised, and she started to turn... only for the taser to slam into her side, causing her to cry out and fall. Amity shrieked, eyes wide with terror.

“You... little... brat...” Jacob muttered, before grabbing his phone and shutting off the camera. “I'm gonna cut you into pieces and leave them for mommy to find on your front porch...”

Luz's punch had clearly driven Jacob completely off the deep end, and as blood continued to drip from his chin, his eyes were narrowed in murderous rage. He grabbed Luz by her collar and lifted her to her feet, while on the table, Amity struggled violently, so much that the straps began to cut into her skin.

NO! Leave Luz alone, you bastard! Don't you dare touch her! I'll kill you! I'll kill you!!

Amity thrashed against the table, but just like before, her bonds held fast, and she was powerless to stop Jacob as he raised the scalpel up in the air, holding the still twitching Luz in place as he prepared to jab the scalpel into the side of her neck.

He brought the scalpel down, and Amity screamed.

Luz brought up her hand and grabbed him by the wrist, stopping the scalpel inches from her neck.

Then, she brought up her other hand, and, grabbing Jacob's arm as hard as she could, bent his hand back as hard as she could until she heard the bone snap.

Jacob screamed.

And Luz pounced.

She grabbed his scalpel and taser first, tossing them across the room, then began raining punches down on him, not caring where or how hard she hit him, just trying to strike him as hard as he could. He struggled, trying to throw the smaller Luz off, but fueled by adrenaline and rage, she didn't back down. She rained blow after blow, smashing Jacob's glasses, breaking one of his ribs, and splitting two more of her knuckles open as she kept hitting him, tears running down her face, screaming incomprehensible words in a mixture of Spanish and English, many of them profanities.

“Please, stop, stop, I'm sorry...!”

“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!”

Sobbing, screaming, howling, her face contorted in anguish, Luz punched, elbowed, even stomped Jacob a few times, aiming several blows between his legs and not stopping, even as he sobbed in pain. Amity, watching her girlfriend become consumed with rage, was at first able to derive some cathartic satisfaction... but as blow after blow rained down, she became terrified at what she was watching her girlfriend become. She screamed out, but her muffled cries were easily drowned out by Luz's cries of rage and Jacob's screams of pain. She continued to call out to Luz, no longer trying to warn her of danger, but begging her to stop.

Luz!

Luz!!!

LUZ!!!!!

“I hate you...! I hate you...! You hurt Amity... I hate you....!”

“PLEASE STOP IT! PLEASE! I PROMISE I WON'T DO IT AGAIN!”

“Shut up!”

“I'M SORRY!”

“I said SHUT UP!”

Fighting with everything she had to save Luz, not from Jacob, but from herself, Amity managed to get one of her hands free. She reached up to the tape binding her mouth and began tugging at it as hard as she could, clawing so hard at the edges that she broke one of her fingernails. She got a small part of the tape down, and yanked at it fiercely, not caring how much it was hurting her skin. She pulled down all the layers of tape that were covering her mouth, leaving several more layers between her lips. She bit down, hard, compressing the tape until it formed a thin silver cleave between her teeth. She screamed again.

“LLMMHHHZZ!!!”

Amity's scream still wasn't entirely clear, but it was loud, loud enough to fill the room, and loud enough to finally break the spell of rage that had come over Luz. She gasped, and looked down at her hands. They were covered in blood, some of it hers, most of it Jacob's. She looked down at him, and though he was still conscious, he was badly hurt, and his eyes were the most terrified eyes Luz had ever seen.

Oh... my God.

Shaking, Luz rose to her feet and looked over at Amity, who just lay there on that table, trembling.

“Amity... I'm so sorry...”

Luz stumbled over to Amity, who was still wide-eyed and frightened. She took the last step over to the table and nearly fell, having to catch herself on the edge. Amity, her hands now free, reached over and grabbed Luz's hands, helping her back to her feet. Luz, hands shaking, reached over and helped to remove the rest of the tape from Amity's face, until all of it was just hanging around her like a very loose fitting necklace.

“Luz...”

“Amity... I...”

“...it's going to be okay, Luz.”

Luz collapsed on top of Amity, who caught her and held her tight, embracing her as both girls finally let the tears and emotion pour out of them. Luz sobbed into Amity's shoulder, and Amity sobbed against Luz's face, and they both continued to sob, unable to speak a single word despite having so much they both wanted to say. Finally, Amity mustered up enough composure to begin talking, and she too had an apology to deliver, for the events of the day and for the very first day they met.

“I'm the one who should be sorry...” sobbed Amity, her hands caressing Luz's back. “I shouldn't have left, I shouldn't have tried to hard to get us back to the Boiling Isles... I was stupid, and reckless, and I almost got both of us killed... and... and I'm sorry about before... about the day we met...”

“...why... would you be sorry about that?” asked Luz, parting from the embrace just enough to look Amity in the eyes.

“...you know...” Amity replied, looking down at the operating table. “I was going to let this... happen to you...”

“...Amity, every day since that happened I've wanted to be your friend,” Luz replied, taking Amity's hands in hers and gripping them tightly. “I forgave you as soon as it happened..."

Amity sniffled, and Luz reached up and wiped the tears from her face. Amity then smiled and did the same for Luz before the two embraced again, tears still flowing from both of them.

“I'm... so sorry you had to see that...” Luz whispered, gesturing toward the injured and groaning Jacob on the floor. “I've... never felt anything like that before... I just got so mad, and I... everything that's happened since we got back... I just... I lost control, Amity...”

“No,” Amity replied, looking past Luz at Jacob, and narrowing her eyes with rage. “You gave him exactly what he deserved.”

Amity then looked back at Luz, smiling warmly at her.

“I just... hated seeing you be the one to have to give it to him,” she said. “If anything, it should've been me.”

“Oh, Amity...”

Luz then began releasing Amity's legs from the straps, setting her girlfriend entirely free. After one final hug, the two got up from the table, standing over Jacob as he continued to crawl on the floor, trying to get to his taser that Luz had tossed across the room.

“We should... probably call an ambulance for him,” said Luz, who stood next to Amity with a comforting arm around her back. “...and the police.”

“Call... the police...?” said Jacob, spitting out a clump of blood as he angrily looked up at the two girls. “Who do you think they're gonna arrest...? You beat me half to death!”

“And you recorded yourself on your phone about to cut me up while I was strapped down to that table,” replied Amity, holding up Jacob's phone and waving it at him. “Luz came in and saved me. That's self-defense... right? Is... is that how it works here in the human realm?”

“Oh yeah, that's exactly how it works,” said Luz, smirking.

“Fine!” shouted Jacob. “Call the cops! And what'll they say when I tell them your girlfriend's a pointy eared freak? They'll lock her up in a government research lab where she belongs!”

“That's a risk I'm willing to take to make sure you never hurt anyone again,” said Amity.

“No,” said Luz, taking Jacob's phone from Amity and pointing at him.

“Luz...?” Amity asked, blinking. “You're not going to let him go, are you?”

“Here's how it's gonna go,” said Luz, leaning down toward Jacob and speaking with the same anger and authority that her mother Camila had spoken to him with when he'd taken Vee. “I'm going to call the police, and an ambulance for you. I'm going to tell them that you kidnapped my girlfriend and tried to kill her, and you're going to go to jail for a very long time. And if you try to tell them anything else... if you try to tell them that Amity's not human and if anything happens to her...”

Luz handed the phone back to Amity, then picked up Jacob's taser and scalpel from the ground, before standing over him and pointing the scalpel at his face, looking into his eyes with absolute sincerity and resolute anger.

“If anything happens to Amity, I will find you in whatever prison they put you in and I will kill you. And it won't be quick. It will be as slow and as painful as I can make it, and you won't just wish you'd left Amity alone, you'll wish you'd never been born, do you understand me?”

Jacob hesitated to reply for just a moment, and Luz immediately got on top of him and pushed the scalpel hard into his chest, in the same exact spot he'd cut Amity. Jacob began to tremble, and Luz pushed the scalpel in deeper, drawing blood as her eyes never left his, wanting him to know that she'd carry out her threat.

“Well?”

Realizing that this girl really was serious, Jacob nodded his head... then bowed it, realizing he wouldn't be on MewTube again for a very, very, very long time.

“Good,” said Luz, climbing to her feet. “Amity, you remember the emergency number?”

“It's three numbers, how could I forget?” said Amity, putting down Jacob's phone before being handed Luz's. She dialed the emergency number, holding the phone up to speak with one hand as Luz held and caressed the other. “Yes, I have an emergency, someone attacked me and tied me up... I'm okay, but we need an ambulance for the kidnapper, my girlfriend hurt him pretty badly...”

Luz and Amity smiled at each other, continuing to hold hands as Amity finished her call... both of them still traumatized from their ordeal, but knowing now that they would be safe.

O-O-O

It would take a few hours for Luz and Amity to be able to return home... of course, Luz made sure that Amity's ears were covered up before the emergency vehicles arrived, and Jacob was as good as his word, keeping silent about Amity's non-human nature for fear that Luz would carry out her threat... a threat that the human girl never intended to carry out.

As angry as Luz had been with Jacob and what he'd done, the idea of killing him repulsed her... and the first chance she got, she expressed to Amity how gross it made her feel to threaten him like that. Amity, being the understanding person she was, reassured Luz immediately... and when the two of them were finally able to return to the Nocedas' house that evening, all of their friends were there to reassure them.

“I'm so sorry you had to go through that,” said Vee, cuddling close to Amity on the couch as she and Luz told their story to Camila and the others. “It was awful, wasn't it?”

“It was,” said Amity, nuzzling Vee's cheek with her own and feeling Luz nuzzle up against her on her other side. “How long did it take for you to stop being scared after what happened?”

“I had nightmares for a couple weeks,” said Vee, who then smiled up at Camila. “But I'm lucky Camila was there for me, it was a lot less scary knowing I had someone like her I could trust.”

“I've never felt that angry before at anyone...” said Luz, bowing her head after Amity finished speaking, then looking up at her mom and all her other friends, then finally looking at Amity. “I completely lost it after he tased me, it was like... I felt so powerless to help Amity, and I couldn't even think straight, I barely remember attacking him...”

“It's all right, mija,” said Camila, gently stroking her hand through Luz's hair. “Frankly, I would have done worse to him if it had been you lying on that table...”

“Yeah, I think I would have too,” said Willow, pounding her fist into her hand. “Luz, you did nothing wrong.”

“I did something wrong,” said Amity with a sigh. She looked up at Camila. “I should've gone with you to pick up clothes today. You've been so kind to all of us, and instead of taking you up on your... really, really kind offer, I insisted on trying to get everyone back to the Boiling Isles. I know we need to get back and help our friends, but... I took a really stupid risk, and we have to work together. I can't go off on my own like that. The human realm is way more dangerous than it looks.”

“Amity, I appreciate that you're trying to help people... Luz has already told me about how brave you are,” said Camila, placing a reassuring hand on Amity's shoulder. “And Luz... I know why you want to go back... why you need to go back. I still don't want you to go, but...”

“Mamá...” Luz said softly, looking up into her mom's eyes. “I promised I wouldn't...”

“...and we'll talk about that very soon,” said Camila, whose eyes reflected her conflict, but whose softened expression indicated that she was open to releasing Luz from that promise sooner rather than later. “You've been through a lot today, both of you...”

“Is that Jacob guy going to jail?” asked Hunter, looking over at Luz and Amity. “He deserves to rot for what he did...”

“Luz put quite the scare into him, so I doubt he'll even try to contest the charges,” said Amity, looking over at Luz.

“Both of us have already been to the police station to make statements, so...” Luz trailed off, sighing, hoping that would be the end of the ordeal... they already had enough on their plate to worry about, and as she looked down at her bandaged fingers, she knew she never wanted to see that curator again as long as she lived. Camila could also see that her daughter and Amity were still shaken, and she walked around to the front of the couch, hoping to lighten the mood.

“You know, there's still a couple hours left before the store closes, how would you two like to come clothes shopping with me?” asked Camila, smiling warmly.

“Are you sure?” asked Amity, blushing slightly. “You've already been out once today, I couldn't possibly-”

“It's all right if you don't want to, I know today must have been quite stressful.”

“No, no, it's okay!” said Amity, looking over at Luz. “If you're up for coming with us...”

“I'd love to!” Luz exclaimed excitedly. “But... what about you guys?”

“We'll be okay here,” said Willow, before reaching out and taking Luz and Amity's hands. “Your mom's a lot of fun, we had a blast today!”

“Yeah, I got to pick out so much stuff!” said Gus, showing off his new t-shirt that just said “HUMAN” in bright black letters. “Think this'll be a good disguise, or do I still need to wear my hat?”

“Oooh!” Vee exclaimed, pumping her fists excitedly. “Hunter said he was gonna show off something in his game!”

“We could all watch Hunter play!” Willow chimed in, causing Hunter to blush.

“I'm just playing to get ideas about what humans think about magic, I am not addicted!” Hunter said defensively, his eyes darting back and forth.

“Never said you were,” replied Willow, smiling and rolling her eyes.

And after saying a couple more goodbyes, Luz, Amity, and Camila left the house to make their way to Camila's car. As soon as they were out of the house, Camila wrapped her arms tightly around Luz, giving her what must have been the eighth hug since learning of the incident at the museum.

“I am so proud of you, mija...” Camila said to Luz, hugging her tightly. “You're so strong to have endured everything that's happened, and I want you to know that I support your decision no matter what it is... just... please give me a bit more time to process all of this...”

“Thanks, mamá...” whispered Luz, tenderly stroking her mother's back as she struggled to hold back another wave of tears. “I promise, when we find a way to get back, we'll all sit down and talk about everything we're going to do. I won't leave suddenly like that again...”

Camila then turned to Amity, who was already struggling to hold back her tears. She wrapped the purple haired girl tightly in her arms, hugging her just as vigorously as she had Luz.

“I'm sorry I put Luz in danger...” said Amity, a tear streaking down her face. “...more than once.”

“Thank you for being there for Luz...” Camila replied. She didn't say she forgave Amity, because there was nothing to forgive... nothing that Luz hadn't already forgiven. “I'm just glad you're safe, Amity...”

Camila then parted from Amity, and briefly held one of her hands, and one of Luz's, for a few more moments before walking over to start the car. Luz and Amity began to follow, but Luz stopped, and Amity stayed with her.

“Luz...? Are you okay? I mean, really okay?”

Luz sniffled, shaking her head. Amity immediately pulled her in, and the two exchanged a light embrace, which helped Luz to calm down from the ordeal... something she knew would stick with her for quite some time.

“...I'm not the one who should be feeling like this,” said Luz, looking into Amity's eyes. “You're the one who got hurt, but it feels like I'm taking this harder than you are... unless... unless you're just trying to hide how you're feeling? I'm usually the one who does that, so it can't be that, right?”

Amity wiped another tear from her face, then looked slightly away.

“It's... going to be with me for a while, Luz. That guy, he... he was a monster, just as bad as any of the evil people on the Boiling Isles.”

“There's... a lot of humans like him, sadly,” Luz replied, bowing her head in vicarious shame for the rest of the humans in her realm. “There are a lot of people worse than him.”

“I've... learned about some of them. But Luz, I know you're not like that. And your mom, and... most humans aren't like that, just like most witches aren't either.”

“For a moment, though, I....”

“...I've been there.”

“Not like that,” Luz replied. “It's like everything... everything on the Boiling Isles, my promise to mom, missing Eda and King, and then I almost lost you... it all came crashing down on me at once, what if it happens again? What if someone I love gets hurt really bad and I can't stop myself next time?!”

As Luz closed her eyes, as tears streaked down her face and she started to look away, Amity gently took her by the chin and lifted her up, holding her head up until she opened her eyes again, until the two of them were looking into each other's eyes and until Luz could see both the pain in Amity's face from seeing her so upset... and the pure, unconditional love in her eyes that would always be there no matter what.

“You saved me,” said Amity. “That's what you did today.”

Before Luz could say anything else, Amity closed the gap the rest of the way. Their lips met, and Luz immediately tightened her embrace about Amity as she was reminded that, more than anything else, Amity was alive and safe because of her.

As the two kissed for what seemed like a lot longer than a couple of seconds, the headlights of Camila's car shined on them both, and they quickly opened their eyes and looked over to see her sitting in the driver's seat with a smile. She quickly waved both her hands as if to say 'don't let me interrupt you, it's okay!', but the moment was already ruined, and Luz and Amity parted, both of them now smiling and holding each other's hands. As they walked to the car, Amity could still feel Luz's hand trembling slightly... and knew that even though her kiss had comforted Luz, the effects of what had happened would linger over both of them for a long time. For a moment, Amity's mind drifted back to that room... to that dark and terrible place she hoped to never visit again.

If it had been the other way around... if it had been you on that table and me on top of that bastard... he'd be dead. There's nothing you could've said to me that would've been able to stop me. The fact that you even feel bad about just hurting him is proof that you are the kindest person I have ever known, and I wasn't scared because you were hurting him... I was scared because you were hurting.

Amity didn't know how to convey those thoughts to Luz... those sad, angry, frightened thoughts... but one look back at her girlfriend made those thoughts start to fade away... and even though she was a world away from home, and even though she was scared about everyone back on the Boiling Isles, she still had Luz, and no matter what she had to face, she'd be stronger because of the human girl she'd fallen in love with, the human girl who'd forgiven her after she'd been just as terrible as that awful museum curator... the human girl she was starting to think she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, in this world or any.

“Amity,” said Luz, still holding Amity's hand as the two sat in the back seat of her mother's car.

“Hmm?”

“...you saved me too.”

Luz rested her head on Amity's shoulder, and Amity just held Luz's hand and stroked it softly, letting the last of the day's bad memories retreat to the back of her mind. In time, they would surface again, but as long as she had Luz, they'd be nothing more than storm clouds blocking the inevitable return of the light.