Chapter Text
“Luz… I’m so happy I had you as a big sister.” King cries out before letting out a powerful blast of his magic. Throwing Luz, Amity, Hunter, Willow, and Gus into the crumbling portal. They tumble onto the ground after being thrown into the human realm.
“Nooo… KING!!!” Luz gets up as fast as she can and runs to the portal door. Trying desperately to not lose her best friend. However, as she takes her first step onto the cabin porch, the portal door slams shut. She runs into the door before desperately reaching for the handle. The door swings open…
Nothing…
She closes the door and throws it open again, in the hopes that it will reopen the portal.
Still nothing. She tries again, and again!
She takes a second before looking back to her friends as they collect themselves off the ground. Nothing feels real anymore. Time freezes as a horrible thought creeps up into her mind.
*He’s… He’s gone !*
~~~
*Knock knock knock knock* Camila’s head perks up as she wonders who’d come knocking in this ugly weather. She steps away from the stove and heads to the front door.
As she opens the door, her heart skips a beat. She gasps in shock as her daughter who's been stuck in another dimension for months, stands directly in front of her.
She instinctively brings her hands up to cover her mouth as her vision tunnels onto Luz. She looks upon her torn and dirty clothes, all completely drenched from the rain. She immediately notices a fresh wound across her daughter's left brow as well as the numerous scratches covering her body.
Luz looks as if she had been through hell. Camila becomes so fixated on her daughter, that she doesn't even notice the four witches standing directly behind her.
“Hey, Mom.” Luz mumbles as her building emotions start to cloud her vision. Her voice begins to waiver. “I’m b-back.”
She tries her best to fight back the tears, forcing a smile the best she can. Camila wastes no time to reach out to her daughter. Luz’s smile immediately fades as the two embrace in a deep and much needed hug.
As her daughter cries profusely into her shoulder, Camila slowly opens her eyes and finds herself looking at four other individuals. They all look about the same, covered in filth and drenched head to toe. They also have… pointed… ears?
Camila doesn't think about it for too long though. Living with a greater basilisk for the past few weeks has given her plenty of time to become accustomed to new and… bizarre… experiences.
She feels her daughter pull into the hug even harder. She looks down at Luz with mixed feelings of worry and relief. As she looks back to the others, her eyes land on a young short purple haired individual.
The individual begins to show the tears welling in her eyes as clasps her hands together at her chest. She tries her best to hide it just like Luz did, and actually has some success. The girl to her right puts a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.
“Come on inside everyone. Let’s get you guys out of the rain.” Camila says as kindly as she can.
~~~
“We have to do whatever it takes to get back.” Amity says as confidently as she can. Though the level of confidence amongst everyone at the table is at an all time low. Especially after experiencing a fight to the death with a near four-hundred year old monarch whose sole intention was to eradicate every single being on the Isles.
“And you will.” Camila reassures with a warm hearted smile, bringing some peace-of-mind to everyone at the table. Everyone… except for Luz. “But for now, you should all rest. You’re safe here.”
Amity returns a small smile after hearing Camila's kind words. But her smile quickly fades as she looks to her girlfriend. Luz stares at the table, completely distraught. Luz soon finds herself getting lost in her own thoughts.
* This can’t be happening. How could I let this happen? Why… Why can’t I ever do anything right? King… Eda… * A hand gently lands on her shoulder, quickly snapping her out of her negative thoughts.
“Luz?” Amity mumbles just loud enough for Luz to hear. Luz looks up at her with an emotional stare as a small tear starts to form in her left eye. “Are you ok–”
“Now.” Camila unintentionally interrupts, capturing everyone's attention. “I’ve done some thinking. We unfortunately don’t have enough beds in the house for everyone. But I think if I setup the boys downstairs, I can get the girls settled upstairs in Luz’s room. Is that okay with you guys?”
“Thank you, Ma’am. That works for us.” Hunter speaks up. Gus smiles in return from Camila’s immense generosity.
“You can all follow me upstairs. I'll show you to Luz’s room.” Vee says enthusiastically to the other girls as she moves out from her seat.
“Gracias, Vee.” Camila steps in before looking at Gus and Hunter. “I’ll show you two down stairs.” She rises from her chair.
Everyone gets up from the table. Camila and the boys head to the basement door, whilst Vee and Willow head to the main stairwell, Amity follows right behind. However she stops at the kitchen doorway once noticing that Luz hasn’t moved at all. She turns back and heads back over to Luz.
“A-are you coming?” She speaks softly. Luz seems to snap out of yet another trance and looks toward Amity.
“Yeah… You go on ahead, I… I just need a few minutes.” Luz replies whilst forcing a small smile. Amity's no fool though. She knows everyone is hurting. But Luz… King… She can’t imagine what’s going through her girlfriend’s head right now. The very thought sends chills down her spine.
“Sure thing.” Amity says with a smile before heading to the stairs. She stops once more as she gets to the stairwell. Peering back into the kitchen, just in time to witness a tear roll off her girlfriend's cheek and onto the table. Luz wipes away her tears before resting her arms on the table, placing her head upon them just after.
Amity can feel a small pain emerge from her heart. There's nothing she can do for her right now. Luz just needs time. She carries on upstairs.
~~~
The sound of Camila coming up the basement stairs snaps Luz out of her thoughts. She quickly gets up from the table and pushes in her chair.
“Mija?”
“Yes, Mamá?” Luz quickly responds whilst turning her face away to wipe her tears.
“Can you pull out those two cots from the closest upstairs and set them up in your room?”
“Sure thing.” Luz mutters while putting on a fake smile. She heads out of the kitchen and over to the stairs. Camila winces slightly as she hears the sound of glass shattering coming from the basement. She grabs a few blankets from the living room and heads back downstairs.
As Luz arrives at the top of the stairs, she watches as Vee is already wheeling in the last cot into the bedroom. The two look at each other and exchange a small smile from across the hall. Luz watches as Vee disappears into her room.
As Luz walks down the hallway a wall covered in photos catches her eye. She looks emotionlessly amongst the pictures before one in particular catches her eye. It’s not long before the sound of footsteps comes from the bottom of the stairs.
~~~
Camila slowly opens the door to Luz’s bedroom. Peering inside to make sure that the girls are getting settled. She watches as Vee shows Willow and Amity Luz’s alarm clock. Before long, the beeping alarm clock shatters against a wall whilst a green magical vine lies across the bedroom floor. Camila shrieks in confusion before slowly closing the bedroom door.
“I’ll figure that out later.” She chuckles to herself. She looks down the hallway and finds her daughter holding an old photo from a few years back.
As she walks over to her daughter, she can begin to feel just how upset Luz truly is.
Luz may be home, but from everything that Camila heard over supper, she knows things are not okay. Not in the slightest.
Camila's presence brings an overwhelming sense of guilt to Luz’s mind. She places the photo of their whole family back onto the stand. “M-Mamá I… I know I shouldn’t have left. I-I never meant to lie but… I had to stay an-and it w-wasn’t because I–” Luz tries to explain herself as her voice becomes more and more unstable.
“Hey hey.” Camila opens her arms and brings her daughter into another hug. “We’ll have time to talk later. I-I’m just so happy you’re h-home.” Camila says softly while trying to keep her own emotions in check.
“Yeah… I’m home.” Luz mumbles before looking through the crack in her bedroom door. She watches as Willow rubs her eyes whilst Amity takes out her hair ties. “But they’re not.”
“I know, Bebé. We will find a way to make things right. Don’t you worry.” Camila says as she pulls back from their hug. Luz simply hangs her head, and doesn't say anything in return.
“Now….” –Camila and Luz start to walk towards Luz’s bedroom– “You and your friends need to rest. We can talk about it tomorrow. I’ve already sent Diane a message that I won’t be coming in to work tomorrow.” Luz sniffs back a tear as they get to the bedroom door. Camila looks at her daughter, and can almost feel her sadness as if it were her own.
“Everything will be okay, Mija. I promise.” Camila reassures her daughter before bringing her into another hug. “Now, make sure you get some sleep. I’ll be just across the hall.” Luz nods in affirmation before pulling out of the hug. She watches as Camila heads back downstairs.
Luz opens the bedroom door and picks up on the conversation the girls were having.
“So you’ve been in the human realm all this time?” Willow inquires with awe.
“Are there other demons here as well?” Amity adds in.
Vee chuckles before replying. “Well… Once Luz and Camila saved me, Camila took me in, I didn't have to shapeshift anymore while I was around her. She was so understanding and kind about it all.” Vee replies while a smile covers her face.
“What form did you take when you were around Camila?” Willow chirps up.
“Oh, well why don't I just show you!” Vee begins to morph her body into a humanoid like figure. Amity watches in awe for a moment before her eyes land on Luz who’s standing in the doorway. A worried look fills Amity's face once she sees the distraught look on Luz’s face.
“Vee, maybe you can show us late–” Amity tries to cut in. But before she can fully raise her concern. A carbon copy of Luz now stands before her. She has slightly shorter and better kept hair, with a golden hair clip on the left side of her head. Besides that, Amity would never be able to tell the difference.
Willow’s expression is not exactly what Vee was expecting. * She doesn't even seem to be looking at me… * Vee thinks to herself before a sudden realization comes over her. She quickly turns around. All three of the girls are now looking at Luz. Time seems to come to a halt.
“L-Luz! I… I didn’t mean to–” Vee nervously speaks up. Luz grabs Vee and pulls her into a surprising hug. Vee is shocked but doesn’t reject the gesture.
“Thank you, Vee.”
“Wait… Y-You’re not mad?”
“I could never be mad at you, Vee. You filled in for me when I was supposed to be at camp. And you kept my mamá company when she found out I was stuck in another dimension. There's nothing you could do that would anger me. I owe you the world, Vee. Thank you.” Luz cheers happily as she pulls back from the hug. Vee smiles in return before quickly shape-shifting back to her normal basilisk form.
Vee steps aside which reveals a hole in the carpet, a large green vine lying on the floor, and a broken alarm clock on the ground. Luz looks around whilst raising an eyebrow.
“Umm… Is that my alarm clock?” Luz asks whilst looking at the other girls.
“Well…” Willow and Amity say in unison as they shrug their shoulders. Luz kneels down to scoop up the broken pieces of plastic and electronics.
“Sorry Luz, I didn’t think they’d destroy it.” Vee says whilst glaring at Amity and Willow. The two chuckle nervously in unison. Amity stands up from sitting on her cot.
“Here. Let me help you with that, Luz.” Amity chirps up as she moves over to Luz.
“It’s okay, Ams. I got it.” Luz says as she finishes picking up the broken pieces off the floor. Amity watches as she shuffles over to the trash can, dumping the pieces into the garbage.
“I-I’ll get you a new one, I promise.” Amity stutters as she moves closer to Luz.
“It’s okay, Amity. Really. I can just use my phone from now on.” Luz says with a smile as she pulls out her phone, setting it on her desk.
“Oh, I brought your backpack upstairs. I set it down next to the door.” Luz looks in the direction and spots her blue backpack.
“Oh. Thanks, Willow.” Luz mumbles as she moves over to her backpack. She picks it up and brings it back to the desk. She opens the backpack after setting it down. Pulling out a small journal, a blue pen with a pink plastic gem on top, and a large light-blue egg which lies within a dark purple cloak. She sets them all down on the desk. All except for the egg.
“Wait. What’s that?” Amity asks, which peaks Vee’s and Willow’s curiosity as well.
Luz smiles slightly before responding. “Eda and King went on a heist to the Bonesborough garden club the same day you all got your palisman. I didn’t end up connecting with any of the palisman at school so... Eda and King may have stolen a piece of palistrom wood for me.”
“Wait, are you saying?” Amity begins to connect the dots in her mind. Luz turns to show off the egg that's wrapped up safely in a purple cloak made from witches wool.
“This… is my palisman.” Luz says as she shows it off to the girls.
“Oh my Titan! Are you serious?!” Amity's face lights up like the sun. Willow puts on a big smile before speaking.
“So that's why your bag was so heavy! I mean, it was pretty light for me.” Willow gloats causing the girls to laugh in unison.
“Wait.” Amity gets slightly confused as she takes a closer look at the piece of wood. “Why does it look like an egg?”
“Well, I was gonna carve an otter. But it didn’t feel right to give it an identity it couldn’t choose for itself. So… I carved it into an egg hoping that when it hatches… It will be able to choose for itself.”
“Luz, that’s so sweet!” Amity says as her heart fills with joy.
“I wonder how long it will take to hatch.” Willow ponders. Luz sets the palisman down on her desk after wrapping it in a warmer yellow blanket. She stuffs the cloak back into her blue bag.
“Well the Bat Queen said that palisman bond through emotion, right? Then who knows, maybe it will be really soon.” Amity says as Luz turns on her desk lamp, pointing it at the palisman in an attempt to keep it warm.
“I-I hope so. Eda showed me h-how to carve it. I-it was…” Luz's voice starts to waiver as she looks down at her motionless palisman. A falling tear splashes against the desk. “It was t-the last thing we did t-together.” She stutters as she wipes the remaining tears in her eyes.
Amity moves in to comfort her, hugging her from behind. Luz brings her arms in and places her hands on Amity’s arms.
“It’s okay Luz. Eda is one of the strongest witches I know. Magic or not, I know she'll be okay.”
Luz sniffles. “Yeah, you’re right. We should really get to bed. It’s been a very … long day.”
Luz heads over to the door whilst the girls jump into their respective beds, Willow is next to the closet with Amity right beside her. Vee climbs up to the top bunk. Which leaves the bottom bunk bed for Luz.
She turns off the lights before making her way to the bed. As she climbs into bed, she makes sure to lie down on her right so she can face her girlfriend. Amity reciprocates by lying on her left.
“Goodnight everyone.” Luz speaks up.
“Goodnight.” Everyone else says in unison.
“Umm, quick question. What’s a palisman?” Vee chirps from the top bunk.
~~~ 2 hours later
“We gotta stick together! We gotta stick together!!!” Luz cries out as she tries her hardest to hold onto King's paw.
“I’m sorry… Not this time… But I can keep you safe.”
Luz’s eyes now streaming with tears. “No…”
“Luz… I’m so happy I had you as a big sister.” King cries out before letting out a powerful blast of his magic.
***
“Ah!” Luz screams as she shoots up from her bed. She quickly covers her mouth hoping that she didn’t wake anyone. Her heart beats faster than ever before. Her mind races as negative thoughts consume her mind. * It felt so real. It was real. It just happened. And it’s… It’s all my fault.* As a tear trickles down her face and onto her lap. She lets out a muffled sob as she tries desperately to keep it to herself.
Luz turns away from Amity to face the wall whilst clutching one of her pillows to her chest. She tries hard to stop her tears. But it’s no use. * I let King get taken, It’s my fault he's gone. It’s my fault all of this happened. Luz. Why couldn’t I just be better. Luz. I-I’m so sorry King… Eda… *
“Luz?” Amity gently places a hand on Luz’s shoulder. Immediately snapping her out of her thoughts. Luz gets freaked out by the slight touch and aggressively turns to Amity.
Amity looks upon her girlfriend's shocked expression causing her to move back slightly. She immediately notices the immense amount of tears in her eyes, on her face, and staining her clothes. Luz shuffles back in a panic, before finally realizing that it was just her girlfriend Amity.
“Luz? A-are you okay?” Luz pulls her blankets up to her chest before nodding her head. Her whole body shakes violently in fear and in sadness. She tries her best to suppress it, but it’s no use. Amity knows better than to take her hasty nod as a way of saying she's okay. She’s not okay. Not at all.
Amity slowly moves back towards Luz, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Luz… Can you tell me wha–” Luz quickly lashes out for a hug. Completely catching Amity off guard. She buries her face into Amity's shoulder as she begins to cry profusely. Amity slowly wraps her arms around her and brings her in tight.
“I-It’s okay, Luz. Just let it all out.” Amity can feel tears starting to well in her own eyes. She hates seeing Luz like this, she feels her pain, her sorrow. Amity sheds a tear before looking over her shoulder. She looks upon Willow who is now sitting up in her bed. Willow’s worry-filled face speaks loudly so that she doesn't have to.
The two don’t bother exchanging words. Luz is hurt. That's all that matters right now.
Luz takes in a shaky breath in between her sobs. She tries her best to speak clearly.
“A-Amity… It… it’s all my fault.” Amity slightly gasps at what she just heard.
“What do you mean Luz? How could it be your fault? It was Belo’s and that.. Collector kid.” Amity replies after wiping away her own tears. The words only make Luz cry harder.
“N-No… i-it was my fault, I should have just stopped him when I had the chance. None of this… s-should have happened. I-I just needed to be better.” Luz mumbles through her tears.
“Luz… Three of the coven heads and the most powerful witch on the isles couldn’t stop him. It was never meant to be you who was supposed to stop him. P-please… don’t be so hard on yourself.” Luz pulls back from her girlfriend's embrace. She looks straight into her eyes with intent, raising her voice in the process.
“B-but I–I was the o-one who s-showed–” Luz stops herself mid sentence. * I can’t tell her… I-I won’t. * She thinks to herself. Luz pulls her arms back from Amity. Clasping her hands together, holding them tight to her chest.
“Luz?” Amity pleads. Luz breaks down completely crying into her hands as she completely falls apart. Amity hears Willow rise from her bed. She turns and watches as Willow exits the room.
Amity turns back to Luz and slowly wraps her arms around her. Pulling her in close. She slowly brings her hand up to Luz’s head and leans it towards her.
Not even a minute goes by before Amity hears the bedroom door creak open once again. She watches as Willow walks in, with Camila following right behind.
“Oh, bebé.” Camila cries out as she makes her way over to Luz and Amity. Amity tries to pull away to let Camila take over but she can feel Luz pull her back in, refusing to let go. She whispers softly to Luz.
“Luz.. Your mom is here.” Amity softly whispers in her girlfriend's ear. Luz slowly opens her eyes as she feels the weight on the bed shift. Camila sits down next to them, placing a soothing hand on Luz’s back.
“Qué pasa, cariño?” Camila mumbles softly to her heartbroken daughter.
“Mamá, I… I…” Luz stutters as she finally pulls back from Amity. Though it only takes a second for her to break again. “I-It’s all my fault.” Camila wraps her arms around Luz, bringing her daughter into a warm embrace.
Amity is saddened that she wasn’t able to get through to Luz. She thought she did her best to comfort her, but it still wasn’t enough. Luz is still set on blaming herself for what happened, but… why?
Amity sits down on her foldable bed while a tear runs down her face.
Willow sits down next to her before gently placing her hand on her fellow witch’s shoulder. The two look at each other whilst they listen through Luz’s sobs.
“I’m here, bebe, it’s gonna be okay.”
~~~
“Wake up wake up wake up! We have a whole new world to explore, Hunter!” Hunter startles awake to find Gus hovering directly over top of him.
“Ah, wait what?”
“Come on dude. Let’s go.” Gus shouts in excitement as he runs up the basement stairs. He runs through the kitchen and over to the window by the sink. He excitedly looks outside as he watches small birds fly around in the dark blue twilight sky.
“Gus! Wait! We should let them get their rest.” A faint voice from downstairs calls out. Gus doesn't care though he's on a mission! An alarm from upstairs sounds for only a few seconds. Gus’s ear twitches at the noise of footsteps above him.
With excitement filling his face, he runs to the stairwell and starts to run upstairs. At the top of the stairs stands a shadowy figure, It’s too dark to see their face. Gus stops himself as he gets to the second step. Chills run down his spine as the figure takes a step towards him. The lights suddenly flick on.
“Oh… Good morning. You’re up already? It’s Gus, right?” The voice from the top of the stairs calls out. Gus is relieved to see it’s just another friendly face.
“Hi Luz’s mom. I mean… Camila. I was just on my way to see if anyone's awake.” He says with a look of enthusiasm.
“Sorry, Gus. The girls are still sleeping. Let’s let them sleep a bit longer okay?” Camila says with a smile as she passes him on the stairs.
“Oh. Sure thing.”
“Why don't you help me prepare breakfast for everyone. I’m used to only making food for two, so I could really use the extra hands.” She says as she enters the kitchen.
“Wait… I get to make human food? WITH A HUMAN!? Oh this day is gonna be AWESOME!” Gus cheers as he runs into the kitchen after her.
~~~
“Hey, you awake?” A kind voice says as they slightly nudge on Luz’s shoulder.
“Huh?” Luz mumbles as she slowly starts to wake. She slowly opens her eyes to find Amity sitting next to her on the edge of the bed. A smile litters her face. “Oh hey, Amity.”
“Hey sleepy head, how are you feeling?” Luz rubs the sleep from her eyes before watching Vee and Willow peacefully leave the room.
“I guess so, sorry about all that.” Luz says as she sits up in her bed. Amity isn’t having any of it though. She grabs Luz’s hand and pulls her close.
“Luz! You don’t need to be sorry for anything. It’s okay to cry.” Luz looks at Amity with surprise. * I can’t believe how supportive Amity is. She is so kind. I can’t believe how much she has changed these past few months. *
Her face heats up a bit once she realizes they are still holding hands. Luz can’t help but blush and look to the side. Amity smiles in return.
“Your mom made breakfast for everyone. Gus allegedly helped. So hopefully it is still edible.” The two chuckle. “Come down when you're ready, okay?” Amity says as she stands from the bed. Luz quickly reaches out, grabbing her girlfriend's hand.
“Amity, wait.” Luz quickly stands and pulls her into a surprise hug. Amity is taken slightly but quickly returns the hug. “Thank you.” Luz softly mumbles.
“Of course.” Amity responds before pulling back from the hug. “That’s what friends do!” She says with a smirk.
*Gasp* “You didn’t!” Luz steps back as her face turns red. Amity quickly steps back toward the door. Winking at Luz before leaving the room. As the door closes, both girls can’t help but smile.
~~~
“Wow, Camila! This breakfast is even better than the meal we had last night. How do you do it!” Willow says with a smile across her face.
“Don't you mean, how did we do it!” Gus chirps up with a smirk across his face.
“Awe! Thank you, Willow. And yes, Gus did help. I hope it’s to your liking. It’s just some eggs and bacon.” Amity looks at her plate with skepticism before taking her first bite.
“Mmh! Wow, this is so good. So much better than the griffon eggs from back home.” Amity approves before going in for another bite.
“Wait… Griffins are real?” Camila mumbles to herself after recalling Luz’s last taxidermy project from art class.
Luz strolls into breakfast fashionably late. Hunter and Gus had finished eating a while ago. Willow and Vee were nearly finished. And Amity had just taken her first couple bites so It looks like Luz won’t be eating alone.
Luz sits down at the table as Camila sets a small plate of food in front of her.
“Gracias mamá.”
“De nada cariño.” The two exchange words that only two other people in the room somewhat understand. Willow, Gus, and Hunter, all look at each other with raised eyebrows.
“Alright you guys, now that you are all awake. We need to talk about a few things.” After getting everyone’s attention, Camila clears her throat before continuing.
“I can understand how exciting it can be to be in another world. For some more than others.” –She looks at Gus with a sheepish smile. Gus returns with a large smile and two thumbs up– “But I need you four to keep a low profile like Vee has been while you're staying here.”
“Wait, what?!” Gus nearly screams before pulling on his hair slightly. “That’s so not fair!”
“Gus!” Hunter steps in whilst giving Gus a bit of a glare. Gus catches on to his own reckless behavior.
“Sorry.” Gus mumbles as he hangs his head. Camila smiles and moves over to Gus, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t be, I know you're excited.” She looks back up to address everyone. “However, there are certain… individuals…that would be really… startled… if you were seen in public.” This brings a slight concern to almost everyone at the table.
“Wait. Like who?” Hunter inquires.
“Weeeellllllllll…”
“Everyone.” Luz speaks up as she sets her fork down on her plate. Everyone at the table nearly gasps in unison. Camila hangs her head as she knows there was no easier way to say it.
“Wait, but you were able to waltz right into the boiling isles with no issues. Why can’t we do the same here?” Amity chirps up.
“Things just aren’t the same here. The Isles is so diverse in its habitants that seeing someone like me causes little to no reaction. Witches and Demons of hundreds of variations life peacefully together in your realm. Here in the human realm, well… It’s just humans. Everywhere. Seeing a human with pointed ears might raise some chaos. A-and then b-before you know it, th-the government shows up. And… And then t-they–”
“Luz, Luz.” Camila's voice breaks through to her before she loses her cool. “It’s okay.”
“But, what are we supposed to do if we are stuck in here all day?” Willows raises her concerns.
“Willow’s right. We won't be able to find a way home if we can't get out there to look.” Amity adds in.
“I understand girls. Just…. Give me a few days to figure something out. But please, stay around the house for the time being. I don't want you guys running into that witch hunter wannabe guy.” Camila groans. The whole room goes quiet as all eyes land on Camila.
She reaches into her purse and pulls out a photo of a man by the name of ‘Jacob Hopkins’.
“If you spot this individual you turn and go the other way.” Vee flinches a little once she spots the individual in the photo. Luz notices her discontent and completely understands why. She told Amity and Willow about him and what he did, but in full.
“Do you guys all understand?” Camila says sternly. Everyone present nods in affirmation.
“Phew… I’m glad that's over.” Camila states with a smile. “I really don’t like being the overbearing mother type.” She chuckles aloud which raises everyone's spirits. “One more thing. I thought I was gonna be able to take a day away from work today. But it looks like they still need me for a short shift. I know I can trust you guys to stay safe on your own. Vee and Luz have my number, so If you need anything, anything at all. Just call me, and I'll be here as fast as I can.”
“Thanks, Mamá. I’m sure we’ll be okay.” Luz says as she gives her mom a confident smile.
“Gracias, Mija.” Camils says as she walks over to Luz, kissing her on the head. This brings a small smile to Amity’s face. Camila’s phone beeps, she quickly pulls it out to check it.
“Shoot, I’m gonna be late. I have to leave now, but I'll be back in a few hours.” Camila opens the front door stepping outside.
“Bye, mom.” Luz says with little to no enthusiasm. Camila closes the door, a few seconds go by of pure silence.
“Soooo. Are we just gonna stand here or are we gonna get out there.” Luz nearly spits out her food after hearing that from the person she least expected it from.
“Hunter! You can’t be serious, Camila told us to stay put.” Gus speaks up even though deep down he knows he really wants to get out and explore.
“Gus is right, Hunter, You guys can’t just head out into the world, especially in those dirty clothes.” Vee states
Everyone takes a look at themselves as they are still wearing the same attire as yesterday. The exact same attire they wore when they fought monstrous emperor Belos. Luz knew she had some clothes that would fit a few of them, but It wouldn’t be enough. They would all need new clothes.
“Vee’s right you guys. We can’t head out into public looking like this, even if we hid our ears our dirty-witchy clothing would bring too much attention to us.” Willow grumbles as she pulls at a tear in her shirt.
Amity stands up from the table after finishing her food. “Well we can at least go back to that… cabin place… right?”
“I don’t know Amity, are you sure that's a good idea?” Vee chirps up.
“It sounds like a good place to start. It's just out behind the house. A-and there’s no other buildings nearby which will allow us to not draw any attention to ourselves.” Hunter elaborates. “What do you think, Luz.”
Luz looks at everyone around her and then outside the kitchen window. * Every single person here is stuck here because of me. It’s up to me to get them home! * She thinks to herself, building her confidence ever so slightly. She looks to Hunter before grunting and nodding her head in affirmation.
Luz stands to her feet. “It’s okay, Vee. We won't be gone long.”
~~~
Luz opens the cabin door. Taking a brief look inside before entering. She enters with Hunter on her left and her girlfriend Amity on her right. The place looks completely destroyed. In the corner lies a broken shelf, a torn arm chair, papers littering almost every inch of the rustic wooden floor. What could they possibly find here?
Gus enters the cabin last, closing the door behind him. A brief thought comes to his mind as he tries to open and close the door a few times. Checking to see if the portal would reopen. But nothing. The exact same result as last night.
He looks to Luz with a worried expression. Luz reciprocates before rebuilding her confidence once again. * You can do this Luz. You got to the demon realm by accident the first time. How hard can it be to get there while actually trying. Nada funcionará a menos que lo haga funcionar. *
“This place… It looks… completely abandoned…” Amity says as the team moves further into the house. In through the next door lies a stairwell that leads up stairs and a few other doors down the hall to the left.
“Do you think anyone still lives here? Maybe a ghost? *Gasp* A… human ghost?” Gus states nervously.
“I wouldn’t count on it.” Willow chuckles as she gives him a smirk.
~~~ 10 minutes later
Hunter picks up a large piece of wood covering the floor in the main room and moves it aside. Hoping to find anything… anything at all. He claps away the dust from his hands before stating what has unfortunately become painfully obvious to everyone here.
“Pft. There’s nothing here. What a waste of time.” Hunter scoffs while heading for the door. Willow watches as he storms out of the cabin.
“Hunter, wait! Let's talk about it. Maybe we just need to look some more.” Willow calls out before chasing after him.
“I’m gonna go with them.” Gus states before heading outside. Amity watches as everyone leaves. Everyone except for her girlfriend. Luz stands in the middle of the room with her head held low. Motionless, as she stares at her feet.
“Luz–”
“I will find a way to get back.” Luz sniffles before turning to face her girlfriend. “I p-promise!” She cries out as a tear falls from her face. Amity’s heart breaks in two, she walks up to her girlfriend before wrapping her arms around her.
“I know, Luz. We’ll figure it out… Together!” She pulls back from the hug whilst keeping her hands on Luz’s shoulders. The two exchange a warmhearted smile as Luz wipes the tears from her eyes. Amity reaches down, grabbing Luz’s free hand. Gently pulling her to the exit.
“Let’s head back.”
~~~
The front door of the house swings open.
“Hey kids, I’m home.” Camila kicks off her work shoes as she gets through the door. As she enters the kitchen she looks upon Hunter and Gus at the dinner table. Hunter looks to be lost in thought while Gus is preoccupied with what looks like Luz’s old handheld game console. Hunter looks up as Camila walks in.
“Hey, Camila.” Hunter and Gus say in near unison. Yet Gus refuses to look up from the game.
“Hey you two. Where are the girls?”
“Upstairs I think.” Hunter says. Camila walks over to the bottom of the stairs and calls the girls down stairs. Stepping into the kitchen once again.
“Hunter, do you think you can help me unload some things from the car?” Camila asks. Hunter nearly smiles as he finally has something to do. A purpose! Sitting around all day has been extremely dull for him to say the least.
“I’d be happy to.” Hunter exclaims as he shoots up from his chair.
~~~
“Thanks Hunter, just set those groceries on the counter over there.”
“You got it. Camila.” As Hunter and Camila set down the last of the bags, Camila turns around to see the kids sitting at the kitchen table. Uncertainty and sadness is plastered all across their faces. Everyone except for Gus that is as he is still locked into his game. They are all stuck in their dirty and torn clothes. Camila hasn’t had the time to do any laundry as of yet, and even then, there’s nothing else for them to wear.
An idea comes to mind. She reaches into her bag before pulling out her wallet. Counting up the bills, a smile comes across her face.
“Tell you what! What If I took you guys to the thrift store tomorrow to get some new clothes.”
Everyone gasps in unison.
“Really?” Amity cheers as a smile fills her face. Gus’s eyes shoot wide open. He lets the console fall out of his hands as he turns motionless.
“Human… clothes… for me?” His face lights light as he jumps up from his chair, cheering as loud as he can. Everyone laughs at his extremely upbeat attitude. Luz herself even cracks a smile.
“What about being out in public? I thought we didn’t want to attract attention to ourselves.” Willow chirps up.
“Don't worry, We will head there first thing in the morning, as soon as they open. And I think I know a way to hide your ears.”
“That’s very generous, Mamá. But are you sure this is a good idea?” Luz brings up in question.
“Don’t worry, Mija. We will be just fine. Though I may have to dip into your college fund a little.” Camila chuckles.