Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Just breathe in. and breathe out. I close my eyes trying to block out the memories of my father. His hugs, the way he always smiled a little when he said my name, the way his blood ran down the sidewalk. I wish I wasn’t here in Connecticut. I wish I was staying with John back in London. My fathers first friend since mom died. Or with Uncle Mycroft or even grandma and grandpa. They're dull but at least they’re closer to home. Instead I’m shipped off to the middle of Gravesfield Connecticut to stay with my Aunt and cousin. Then they disappeared my moms sister's husband got sick. Really sick and they couldn’t afford plane tickets anymore and given how similar my Aunt and Mom looked my Father always pushed it off. My Uncle died three years ago. I went to the funeral and that was the last I’ve seen of them. Though I occasionally text Luz. Recently we’ve been chatting about The Good Witch Azura books. My dad hates… hated those books with all their spelling and grammar mistakes. I take a deep breath. I knock on the door.

“¡Hola Viviana, ya te has puesto tan grande!” Aunt Camila rushes me inside

“Hola Tia Camila.” I wince internally about how dejected I sound. I’m a Holmes, I'm strong and I don’t allow weakness. 

“Oh, how are you feeling Viviana,” she rests a hand on my shoulder. Viviana. I almost never use my first name. My father and his coworkers always used my middle name Ximena. I think before I correct her though as childish as it is I don’t think I can handle being Ximena Holmes: child genius right now.

“I’m ok Tia,” I can usually lie better but Tia Camila is a mother and she lost Tio Manny she knows better than anyone I’m not. 

“Si?” I nod, “we’ve installed bunk beds in Luz’s room she can help you move in your things ok?” I nodded mutely a second time, “LUZ, YOUR PRIMAS HERE!” Tia calls up the stairs. Luz in turn pops her head down the stairs and beams at me. 

“Viviana!” She does a flying tackle hug and if I didn't get more exercise than an average student I probably would have fell on the floor. Crack the sound of a skull breaking on a sidewalk .

“Hola Luz!” Luz grins a bright happy grin talking excitedly as she drags me upstairs helping me carry my luggage. “So I know I have a lot of stuff, but I’m sure I can help you fit things around here,” Luz starts to push aside some of her own items.

“It's ok, this can be dealt with tomorrow, I just…” suddenly I feel like breaking down. How could I be so stupid and childish.

“Do you want a distraction cause I know I did, I still do sometimes,” I nod why can’t I just speak up, “we’ve been put in the same class and I’ve argued with our teacher and she's going to let us do a book report together. I’ve done all the writing and I put together the diorama. All we need is a couple snakes and some fireworks.” well this could be an… interesting distraction.

“Ok.” Why am I so quiet? Usually I’m obnoxious and abrasive. Releasing everything I’ve noticed out for everyone to hear. Always studying everyone's movements. I could always see. I look at Luz and I feel blind. It's like all my skills and years of hard work broke somehow. Maybe my brilliance died with my dad. 

“Great!” clearly not seeing my distress, “so for the snakes I have a… friend? Sort of. Who said that they will give us fifty snakes in exchange for fifty fireworks. And well it would totally add a big bang to the finale of the book report so why not snag a couple extra along the way,” so not the most detailed plan still it could be pretty fun.

“I have an idea,”

“Really!”

“My father taught me how to make minor forgeries ages ago. I keep an I.D.of a fake age in my bag at all times just in case.” I pulled it out, “It won’t work for you but if we play around a little with make up then we could probably pass as an older and younger sister even though we're the same age,” Luz grinned.

“That's great I was planning on going full heist mode,” Luz lifted her hoodie and flicked up the Cat Ears, “Meow, Meow.”. That gets a small smile out of me. 

“All right let's get started,” honestly how bad could it possibly go.

____________________________________________________________________________

I jinxed it. It went very bad and I have bruises in places I didn’t know were possible. But hey! Mission success. That's something. Last night's chaos doesn’t seem to affect Luz in the slightest and I feel a slight twinge of jealousy that she absolutely does not deserve. And honestly jealousy is a childish emotion and it's getting quite aggravating that I can’t seem to block them out like I used too.

“Luz, Viviana hora de levantarte llegarás tarde a la escuela!” Tia called up the stairs.

“Are you ready Viviana,” Luz suddenly appeared over my bed, startling me.

“Uh,” I blink a few times. Ugh I’m not a mourning person. Tias right we’ll be late soon so I just throw on a baggy gray sweatshirt and jeans. I look in the mirror and throw my dark brown hair up into a messy bun. Exposing my bright blue eyes sharply contrasting my darker skin tone. My fathers eyes. That lay open on the sidewalk staring lifelessly at me . I’ve always wished I looked more like my dad. Alright deep breath. I don’t look as composed as I usually do. More like a normal teenager. Dad would be horrified at the thought of me pretending to be normal but I can’t deduce so I am normal. And well he's not here to make a comment about it and neither is John. Alright. Time to fit in.

Chapter Text

Fitting in didn’t work. Apparently ordinary children are afraid of snakes. How dull their lives must be. This is how I end up in the principal's office. Side by side with Luz. Tia gave us both a vaguely disappointed look. Luz didn’t seem to read the tension proudly showing off her book report while I did my best not trying to melt into a puddle of shame. The Principle sighed and turned his attention to a pamphlet on his desk. A pamphlet for a summer camp designed to think inside the box. I pointedly started to ignore the screams of distress of the children running from snakes. I also did my best to tune out Tia Camila sending Luz away for the summer. Well until I heard my name too.

“And Viviana you’ve never had a normal childhood. It may be good for you to learn how to be a normal kid.”  I bit my tongue swallowing the scathing remarks rising from my throat. After all Tia is just trying to convince herself more so than us. And that is how the two of us end up with our bags packed (though mine were never unpacked) on the side of the road waiting for the bus. I mostly tune out the mother and daughter argument. It's not really my speed.

“Do you have any friends?” that's too far, “Real ones, not imagined, drawn or reptilian.” Luz looks down dejected.

“She has me,” friends may not be my thing and Luz may be more like a sister. But I count. Besides, Luz would hardly want me as a sister; better stick to friends. 

“You're her prima that doesn’t count,” Camila why do people always say family doesn’t count. My dads my best… was my best friend. He's dead now so I guess I have a slot open. I watch Luz dejectedly throw away her book. The moment Tia was out of sight though she went to snatch her book back. Unfortunately an owl snatched it so I guess that's the end of that. Whatever. I'll just give her my copy and nope there she goes chasing the owl. And nope there's Luz. Chasing an owl. I guess I’m chasing her. When I finally caught up she was taking a breath in front of a creep abandoned house.

“Wait!” Luz decidedly did not wait and ran into the creepy house and I fell into a full sprint to catch up. The room we ended up in is filled with junk. 

“Finally your back,” I immediately hid. After all, you don’t want to get caught do you? I watched as a woman came into view as I began to creep closer, far stealthier than my cousin. The woman's hair had prematurely gone gray with a paler streak in her big hair. Her eyes are bright gold. She also seemed to throw away everything valuable away, instead keeping a pair of glasses with eyeballs slinking off them. While she is distracted as curious as I am  I go to drag Luz back through the door. When the woman starts to burn The Good Witch Azura. And Luz popped out and snatched her book back.

“Excuse me, sorry, its mine, thank you.” the woman closes the door.

“You're not going anywhere,” she rips off her glasses. And Luz takes off leaving me standing next to the woman. 

“Hello,” I wave. Before she opens her mouth I kick her in the shins and run after Luz.

“GIVE ME YOUR SKIN!” a fairy with large teeth screams. I swat it down seeing it was screaming at Luz. 

“Oh no, did we die?” blue eyes so similar to my own lying open on the pavement , “Are we in a bad place?” 

“Luz…” my voice is quieter and less confident than it used to be. 

“You wish,” the older woman appears out of nowhere. I step in front of Luz a tiny bit. But she sweeps us up and sits us down. As Luz continues her little freak out I cling to a cool calm facade hiding my own panic. Luckily the woman is just interested in selling her wares. Some of her names for things make Luz giggle which is a good thing. 

“That's not all it can do.” Luz reaches to fix the T.V. or ‘Black Shadow Box that Reflects only Sadness’. Luz pops the batteries from the human candy section and the T.V. turns on as a Jazzercise video begins. Thus attracting many customers which well pleases the woman.

“Voila,” Luz smiles proudly. 

“What did you kids say your names are,” 

“I’m Luz Noceda,”

“Viviana Hol… Noceda,” the name Holmes, feels like lead on my tongue. My father gave me one of his rare smiles (he's so proud) . Luz gives me a bewildered glance.

“Well,” the woman brushes off my quick change of a last name. “Luz that was pretty clever… for a human,” oh! That's a really gentle way of saying she isn’t human either. Luz didn’t seem to catch that though given her next comment. The woman takes it in stride though.

“I’m Eda The Owl Lady,” yay. Now name. “The most powerful witch in the Boiling Isles,” and a name for wherever we are. 

“A witch?” Luz voices my question. Witches? Magic? Other Dimensions? They don’t exist. My father would call this nonsense. A drug induced hallucination. Maybe I’ve descended into madness. Maybe I fell asleep on the bus to camp. 

“Busted!” a guard presumably shouts. Ok whatever if I could just get the key it's all fine.  “And you both for fraternizing with a criminal,” that's so not cool which Luz voices. Eda knocks the guy out with his staff before packing up her stuff and taking the door home.

“This is crazy. If I die here my moms gonna kill me.” 

“Ha! I won't let 'em hurt you. A human like you is much more valuable to me alive than dead.” 

“What is that supposed to mean!” I say back. However then Eda grabs us and throws on her magic stick. Luz shut her eyes tightly but I’m too enthralled by the world spinning. It's like the world came to life for the first time in what seems like ages. It's at this moment I know it's all real, the rush that startled a laughter out of me. The adrenaline comes alive around me. 

“You won’t get away with this Owl Lady!” the guard shouts after us before continuing in a way I couldn’t hear him. Eda steadies her stick. 

“You can open your eyes now human,” her voice is gentle as Luz continues to panics sliding under the magic stick to which I panic and slide back on top of her stick. Luz begins to, finally, question where we are. 

“This is the Boiling Isles. Every myth you humans have is caused by a little of our world leaking into yours.”. Eda begins to explain as I stare in wonder at the world around me. I snap out of my wonder as Eda brings up giraffes and we land. “Bunch of freaks,” Eda snorted as if this was the funniest thing in the world. I glance back when Luz expresses her shock and I yelp a little bit because there is a hand still attached to the staff. 

“Oops, that happens sometimes,” she explains as reattaches her hand.

“Well, I’ve had enough adventure for today.” Luz begins but I cut her off.

“Are you kidding this is amazing,” I spin in the blood colored grass. 

“Tell you what, I'll let you go home if you help me first.” Eda leans forward to cut us a deal. Desperate, isolated, dangerous, protective . I quickly read her before pausing realizing I’ve done it. I almost smile before I realize that I can’t figure out how I read her and without proper reasoning I’m just guessing. Fact and reasoning must reign supreme over guessing so I have nothing on this woman. 

“Welcome… to the Owl House,” Eda reveals a house with a tower. The way it's shaped almost makes it seem alive. That's when I see the live owl face on the door. And in true fantasy-like fashion he asked for a password. However Eda didn’t appreciate this instead poking him in the eyes. When Hooty opens the door I’m memorized by the house in front of me. The living room is… well actually living. I’m so distracted by the splendor of it all that I’m only jolted back to reality when Eda mentions a roommate. Suddenly the sound of a large creature crashes through the house and I let my whole body tense. Until it revealed one of the most adorable creatures on the planet. Evidently Luz agreed.

“!Ay que lindo!” Luz then proceeded to smother the little demon… thing. 

“This is Luz and Viviana the Humans. They’re here to help us with our little… situation,” I leaned forward but Luz protested. And Eda explains how King was once the King of Demons and now that his crown of powers has been stolen he's forever just like this. The story seems far too rehearsed to be anything but a lie. How disappointing. I’m about to voice this fact as Luz cuddles the tiny demon when I remember all the times I’ve been called a freak. I don’t want to get kicked out and labeled within the first few minutes in this strange, nightmarishly beautiful place.

“I mean, we're kinda your only way home.” Eda pointed out

“So we don't really have a choice, do we?” Lux looked down a little nervous. 

“Nope!” Eda exclaimed before urging us to keep moving. Eda quickly ushered us to Azkaban. Ok, it's actually called the Conformatorium. But the entire building screamed evil prison right down to the ominous thunder. 

“The Conformatorium, a place for those considered unsuitable for society.”. Like freaks. Like me.

“Whoa. These guys really have the hots for you.” Luz states looking at the mass amounts of wanted pictures of Eda. Luz seemed nervous but perked up at the idea of a disguise. Flicking up her cat ears.

“Meow, meow,” Eda staired puzzled at Luz for a moment before looking at me. I picked up some dirt off the ground before closing my eyes and smearing it across my face. 

“Your hideous,” King told us bluntly 

“Oh, you'll fit right in,” Eda added on. Eda made a platform quickly and the three of us rose up. Luz and I immediately fell through the window.

“Ha, ha, cats don’t do that,” King points and laughs. We came up on prisoners. Prisoners who are just like us. Oddballs, weirdos,  FREAKS ! Just like us. Just like me. Luz voices this beside me. The two of us quickly hide as the Warden Wrath arrives. I huddle in the corner, powerless, weak. As Wrath drags away the nose lady. Together we catch up with Eda and King. After bypassing the door and King ramming the golden dome a few times Luz and I entered. The two of us look up to see a… Burger Queen Crown. 

“Seriously,” I close my eyes. All this for a crown you get with your Happy Meal. 

“Oh, look at us, you two. King and I don't have much in this world. We only have each other. So if that dumb crown is important to him, it's important to me. And besides, us weirdos have to stick together, you know?”. Eda smiled at the two of us. After a comment on the Warden losing his head I watch as Edas head… is removed. I don’t scream, not like Luz. Lifeless blue eyes staring straight ahead of me . Luz is holding Eda’s head. Unseeing lying on the pavement . 

“Ow! I hate when that happens,” the severed head speaks. A corpse on the ground. Screaming. Someones screaming. It's sharp and full of emotion. Whose screaming…  is that me. It's me screaming. Hard to tell I can hear the sound of a body hitting pavement ringing in my ear. Is someone dragging me? They sound like Luz and Eda. Johns rubbing my back slightly moving me away from the body. 

“Viviana,” Luz gently interrupts my train of thoughts. 

“What?” I blink still dazed 

“Are you ok?” the lady who ships food together asked. 

“What's going on,” I shake off what's left of the haze of my memories(flashbacks). 

“I just gave an inspirational speech and now we're starting a prison riot!” Luz beamed though her eyes and was still worried. 

“That's been on my bucket list,” I grinned, not quite reaching my eyes. The five of us charge Warden Wrath. The three prisoners defeat Warden Wrath before Eda, Luz, King, and I run. Once we arrive back at the Owl House we take a breather before Eda gains attention. 

“Well a deals a deal,” Eda snaps her fingers, “let's get you home,” 

“Home,” I whisper so quietly. What a home. A place? A person? I haven’t felt at home since my Father: he tosses his phone and leaps, wind caught in his coat making it flap wildly . I turn and see looking at the Reality Check Summer Pamphlet. We make eye contact already making are choice. We both spin around to turn back to Eda and King. 

“Okay. I know you got your head cut off, and we started some kind of prison riot, but this was the most fun I've ever had.”.

“Besides I believe we were quite helpful back there,” weedling for leverage.

“I don’t fit in at home,”

“I barely have a home… no offense Luz,” Luz just brushes off the comment

“I’m not going to summer camp,” Luz adds with determination.

“Summer camp?” Eda blinked owlishly

“What we're saying is we want to become witches,” I keep the conversation moving a little impatiently. 

“Like Azura,” Luz held up her book excitedly. Eda laughs a little.

“What thats crazy, humans can’t become witches,”

“Maybe that's because they haven't tried. If you teach me to become a witch, I'll do anything you want.”. Luz implores.

“Bad deal saying that we’ll do whatever you want but I’m in,” I lean forward. King speaks up for letting the two of us stay, mentioning his desire for snacks. Eda tries to hide a grin before ‘reluctantly’ agreeing. Luz rushes in for a hug, greatly confusing Eda while fighting down a genuine smile. 

“Alright kids I’ve got an extra room and a large storage closet. Closet will take a little bit to clean out so you two can stay in the spare room until we do sound good,” Eda asks without really asking.

“I can take the storage closet I’m used to city living,” while 221 B Baker street was hardly a small flat; it was nothing like the house the Nocedas live in. Eda quickly shows us to the spare room looking as tired as I feel. Luz doesn’t seem better off. As the two of us prepare our sleeping bags and get ready to lie down. King appears in our doorway clearing his throat. 

“Your sleep cocoon seems fluffy,” Luz and I separate to make space for King between us as he curls up. Luz turns to sleep as I take a quick peek at my phone. Mrs. Hudsons asks me how I’m feeling, Mr. Lestrade asking how America is, and John inquiring on how I’m getting on with my prima and Tia. I leave them all on read. Angrily noticing Mycroft has not tried to make contact at all. I turn to go to sleep on my first night in the Boiling Isles.

Chapter Text

The moment I closed my eyes I knew it was a mistake. Sleep fell on me quickly. It's almost funny how real dreams can feel. It's my father about to jump then the dream distorts. Then John beside him, Lestrade, Mycroft, Molly, Mrs. Hudson, Luz, Tia Camila. Even the weird Owl Lady and King join. All lined up in a row. 

“We wouldn’t be up here if we hadn’t met you,” Eda and King spoke in unison. The two of them jumped. I was frozen in place… in silence.

“We took you in, when you had no one.” Tia Camila called after me heart broken

“How could you have done this,” Luz sobs, terrified as they make the jump. They fall with a sickening splat as I stay petrified. Mrs. Hudson looks me dead in the eye.

“You left me all alone. You left us all behind. Baker Street. Us.” I have never heard Mrs. Hudson sound so spiteful.

“I wish I never met the Holmes. I wish I never asked your Father to consult with us. Just so I would never have met you” Lestrade looked me dead in the eye with absolute certainty and calmness.

“You always thought you were so much better. I don't know why any of us ever accepted a freak like you,” Molly cried out. These were the three people who never judged us… never judged me no matter what. All I could do was watch petrified as the three of them lept together. Leaving three more bodies on the pavement below.

“I didn’t think I had a heart before you destroyed it,” Mycroft spoke in his posh voice as he always does as he stepped forward like it was a stroll down the street(not that Mycroft ever just went for a stroll). He plummets before hitting the ground splintering to pieces.

John finally looks at me, “we would all have been better off without you,” he falls. Finally I look brokenly up at my father.

“This is our note.” The worst part of these familiar words is that when he looks at me. My father is not disappointed even though I have disappointed everybody. Even though I’m the reason everyone else is dead. Even though I’m the reason he's about to be. He jumps. He falls in slow motion and as he slams to the ground I break from frozen state.

“No!” I cry out.

____________________________________________________________________________

I rocket awake. It's early. I can tell you that. The room is dark but cleaned up from how it was when Luz and I fell asleep. Speaking of Luz she's still fast asleep and there's a light on in the hallway. I quickly shake off my dream everyone is dead and it's YOUR fault. You know it… after all it's just a dream. A silly dream. I pull myself up into a standing position before exiting into the hall. I wander down the hall towards distant shuffling. 

“Eda,” Eda popped upright and muttered some curses under her breath. 

“What are you doing up kid,”

“Could ask the same of you,” I gestured to the closet she was half buried in.

“I'm cleaning up the closet for you,” Oh, this is a surprisingly kind gesture for a stranger. I grew up studying and interacting with some of the worst criminals Britain had to offer. And the so called law enforcement calling my father and I names with no consequences. The less said at my brief attempt at school and interaction with kids my age the better. Sometimes it's easy to forget some people will just give genuine kindness out without expecting anything in return.

“Your turn kid why are you… are you crying,” I felt hot shame curl in my stomach as burning tears pricked at my eyes.

“No,” my voice wavered involuntarily. “I’m so sorry,” I burst out as I slid down the nearest wall, red hot tears trickling down my face. Repeating how sorry I was. Eda sat down next to me awkwardly patting my back as I regained control of my bodily functions.

“What do you need kid,” Eda looked at me dead serious. 

“Can I help,” I pointed at the empty doorway leading to my closet. 

“Yea kid,” Eda nodded before giving out instructions. It was like a new life had been breathed into my lungs as we worked vigorously for another hour stuffing questionable bits and bobs into other areas.

“Alright kid, that's good for tonight get some more sleep.” Eda shoed me off to bed as she to stumbled up to her own room. I looked at my sleep area and dread suddenly fell on my shoulders. Like Atlas holding up the sky. Instead I dragged my feet up to the window and sat there desperately pushing away sleep. Memories as well. 

Memories of London, of Baker Street, and let's not even touch family. Instead locking them securely in a vault in the mind palace. Actually more of a Mind Museum. With certain items locked away and others on display. After tediously meditating to lock up the dream securely out of view right alongside your mother . After safely tucking away the ugly memories I turned my attention towards the sunrise. A brand new sunrise in a brand new world. How poetic. 

As the sunrise finishes. A terrifying force of nature rocks the Boiling Isles for the first(second) time. Luz Noceda awakens. 

“It wasn’t a dream,” she beams running to the window where I am before peering out, “good morning, terrifying fantasy world,” Luz greats. And surprisingly a creature exits and waves back. As Luz rushes off I sluggishly get changed to the same sweatshirt as yesterday and jeans. Popping two ratty old sneakers on as I left my room actively putting my hair in a messy bun in a desperate attempt to keep my hair out of my face. I’m too tired to put my hair in my usual pristine ponytail. 

“Mourning Hooty, what happened to you,” I gestured to the rapidly forming bruise on his face.

“Good Morning, Hoot, Hoot,” I watch as Hooty beams at me before slithering (rather horrifyingly) out the window. I stumbled through my bathroom routine then tumbled gracelessly down the stairs. 

“What's with the traffic cone Luz,” I frowned, passing by her. I nod a greeting towards Eda as she watches me carefully. Then starts to tell Luz and I her plans for us. 

“You make these,” interjecting as Luz and Eda had a brief discussion on an oiled versus an unoiled snake.

“Yes,” Eda said slowly as if talking to a child.

“How? Is potion making like chemistry? Is there a base set of compounds? Are there catalysts necessary to start a reaction in the potion? What about acids and bases? Are there different acidity levels in basic magical ingredients?” I cut my embarrassing ramble of questions off. 

“You,” Eda pointed at me, “are going to love the intricate art of potion making. But today you two are selling my wares.” 

“I won't let you down Miss Eda,” Luz saluted, dropping the bag of potions off the balcony.

“I’m sure,” Eda raised her eyebrows unimpressed. Giving her final words of wisdom she shoved the two of us out the door. As King, Luz, and I enter town I run a brief analysis. First through Eda’s warnings. Always measure twice cut once is a common saying amongst carpenters. Based on the calluses on Edas hand she has had some practice carving. The warning against a man in sandals… well who knows what that's all about. The Boiling Isles is beautiful. Grotesque, smelly, and filled with creatures that I couldn’t have dreamt if I wanted too. 

But I had spent many an afternoon with Molly helping her carry out autopsies. I always liked Molly even though she had a crush on my Father. She had often encouraged me to act like a girl my age as horrid a thought as that is.

Luz’s babbling on predestined greatness interrupted my thoughts. Reminding me of our purpose selling potions. It was exhausting and fairly unsuccessful. Turns out my poor people skills extend to demons. 

“Lets split up,” I suggest to Luz, “we can cover twice the ground,” 

“Bad idea Eda told me to look after you,” King pointed out 

“I’ll be fine stick with Luz,” I gesture as Luz, not hearing me, has already bounded off in a random direction. King panicking chased after Luz. Finally some quiet. Not that I don't love Luz’ babble. The constant noise is a comfort. But I'm not used to it. My father and I could go days without speaking. 

I wandered for a bit having more success selling Eda’s wares on my own… still there were only a few sales. 

“You're new!” a voice chirped behind me. I turn to see a dark skinned girl with gray eyes and silver hair. She looked relatively human if not for her pointed ears.

“Ugh, don’t talk to a commoner Skara,” a pink haired (THREE EYED!!) witch waved me away.

“I’m Skara this Boscha,” Skara was practically bouncing in front of me.

“Vivianna,” I spoke deliberately, “I’m new,”

“I know!” Skara beamed, not put out by her friend's disinterest. 

“Unless you're into Grudgby I don’t care,” Boscha yawned

“I’ve never heard of it so…” I trailed off desperately taking my chance to exit the conversation. 

“Excuse me,” Boscha froze mid-yawn.

“Oh no,” Skara whispered, looking at me with pity.

“That will be fixed,” Boscha spoke evenly and sternly, putting a hand on my shoulder (I hate physical contact) guiding me in a direction. For the first time in my life I’m intimidated by a kid my age. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three bruising, tiring, exhilarating hours later I drag my feet up to the owl house. Boscha’s voice ringing in my ears. 

“Practice dates… you better show up… there's certainly potential… let me know when you're starting school I’ve got some pull,” and that was just Boscha. Amelia a green haired and eyed witch had been incredibly encouraging and Cat a dark haired and dark skinned witch was also insistent I join the team. Skara cheered me on everytime I fell. 

I stopped at the door. Shaking off the shock… I was smiling. I am wanted. That doesn’t happen to me… ever. 

Another realization crashes down on me. I hadn’t thought about my Father in three hours. Not a single nagging thought. Usually his death feels like such an oppressive force hovering over me. The thought simultaneously makes me want to cry in guilt and smile. I don’t know why I want to smile. It is both frustrating and makes me want to cry more. The thought of crying reminds me of this mourning. 

“Vivianna!” Hooty's voice over shadowed my spiraling thoughts. “Are you back with us,” Hooty’s voice was surprisingly kind. 

“Sorry, I’m listening,” I look at the bird noodle in front of me. 

“Are you okay? Hoot, hoot,” Hooty tilted his head. 

“Yes I just…” I pause remembering the joy that I felt earlier with my compatriots. “I think I made some friends,”

“That's great! Hoot!” Hooty finally stopped twisting himself and spun rapidly back into place, “Oh yea Eda’s been really worried about you,” he then swung his door open. 

Eda who was pacing suddenly froze and looked up at me.

“Vivianna! There you are,” Eda looked at me glancing up and down at my battered appearance, “who do I need to kill,” Eda’s eyes narrowed at me.

“No one I was invited to play a sport,”

“Sport?”

“Grudgby,” at the name Eda beamed. She's probably a former player.

“I used to play,” Eda grinned. I knew it . 

“How did Luz and King do?” Eda groaned.

“Kid got scammed,” 

“Oh,” I looked down. “Is she ok,”

“Last I checked,” Eda shrugged a little and moved towards the kitchen. I frowned and headed up to Luz’ room. To an empty dark room. 

“Eda!” I called and waited a moment in the deserted room until she ran up the stairs, “Luz is gone,” I say calmly (I am absolutely calm right now lets ignore the hyperventilation) 

“Aw, nuts. Hooty, where did she go?” Hooty began to rhyme when Eda punched the wall with enough force to crack it, making Hooty cough up the location.

“The term forest is vague,” I frown, trying to come up with a better way to find her then running into a dangerous demon infested forest. 

“And that is why King and I are heading to the Wizard's castle to pick his scent,” Eda somened her staff as it crashed into several items before reaching us. 

“You mean the three of us are going,” of course I’m going I have to help Luz.

“Kid,” Eda sighs looking up towards the sky

“I’m coming,” I say firmer this time. It always works on Lestrade. The two of us narrowed our eyes at each other.

“Okay Kid lets go,”

“Were just running into a forest blind,” I asked

“No kid were starting at the scene of the crime,” Eda rolled her eyes and I blushed because I missed the obvious answer, “King lead us to the Wizards house,”

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“It wasn’t like this before,” King gestured to the area in front of me.

“I don’t like this,” Eda whispered as the door creaked open revealing a broken down creepy mansion, “I really don’t like this,” as we looked through the large amounts of scrolls saying the Chosen One on them. I tried to shake the dread pooling heavily in my stomach as we grabbed a scroll and the three of us boarded Owlbert rushing off to save Luz from whatever trouble she's gotten into. The first stop led to an abandoned town with broken down cat puppets.

“Eda,” I whispered as she stalked up to a cat dangling from the fountain. 

“Hey, wake up! What have you done with Luz,” Eda flicked and poked the cat when it sputtered to life. Giving a riddle before melting causing King to freak out a little.

“This is creepy,” I whisper, shivering at the eerie feeling this whole place is giving me as we continue forward.

“Listen kid we are walking into a trap so I need you to stay back,” Eda prompted

“No way,” I shake my head immediately

“Yes, you don’t know the Boiling Isles yet so if something goes wrong you have to go back and get Hooty,”

“Eda,”

“No, Kid its to dangerous,”

“That wasn’t a problem when we broke into a prison,” I retorted sharply. Eda looked forward silently. Unfortunately Eda is right. In this case I'm a liability. “Fine,” I mutter

“Good,” Eda nodded

“But you better start actually teaching us things when you get back because I'm not going to hang back next time.” I make eye contact to get my point across.

“Lets hope there is no next time,” Eda smirked

“Luz and I have been here two days and so far we have organized a prison riot and Luz got kidnapped by a Wizard.”.

“Fair point,” Eda looked ahead, “Ok kid it's your stop,” Owlbert suddenly hit the brakes as I hopped off on to the top of a tree.

“So I just wait here,”

“It's getting late do not leave this tree until sunrise if we're not back be then head that way,” Eda gestured to a vague direction, “and get Hooty show him where we are,” I nod along when Eda, King, and Owlbert take off towards Luz.

And then I wait. In a tree. With nothing but my thoughts. I open my phone because why not. Even though I have no service I can still read my unread messages even if I can’t respond. I never really intended on responding anyway. 

John (22) Unread Messages 

Lestrade (16) Unread Messages

Aunt Camila (3) Unread Messages

Mrs. Hudson (30) Unread Messages

Molly (6) Unread Messages

Uncle Mycroft (1)  Unread Message

On the other hand, dealing with this now seems exhausting. I opened up Uncle Mycroft's message first seeing as it was the most unexpected seeing as I blew up in his face when he first told me I was leaving London.

Uncle Mycroft: Stop being childish. John is now texting me and bothering my work so just 

respond to him

I scoffed and angrily shut my phone off. Of course his work. Not his niece. His work. That's what's important. I shake my head involuntarily remembering the last time I spoke with my Uncle.

**Flashback**

“Why am I here Uncle,” he picked me up right after Dads funeral.

“In exactly an hour a plane will pick you up and bring you to stay with Aunt in Connecticut.”. He said it so blandly as if he were telling me he was drinking tea. Which he was coincidentally. 

“Excuse me,”

“Don’t pretend to be dull, you heard me perfectly clear.”

“Why are you shipping me off to Connecticut,” I tried to ignore my Uncle's comment and keep a level head. Admittedly not my strong suit.

“My sources tell me London is unsafe for you due to the media's insistence that your father is a fraud,” once again Uncle Mycroft spoke casually.

“So I’ll stay with you or John. Johns a soldier he can protect me and you own the British Government,” I pointed out poking holes in Uncle's usual logic.

“Don’t be stupid Ximena, there is no reason to inflict you and your grief on others,” I flinched back as if I had been struck.

“Excuse me,” I whisper

“Listen,” Uncle Mycroft gently commanded, “you are not rational right now and as such you would just be in the way of those trying to process their own grief.” 

“So you’ll just shove me somewhere that I can’t cause trouble.” A prickle of angry tears peek behind my eyes.

“Ximena there is no cause to be so emotional right now…”

“Emotional. My Father just killed himself in front of me. I think I’m entitled to have a few emotions,” I snapped slamming my hands on his desk.

“That's enough,” Uncle snapped standing up, “your things have been packed and loaded on the plane you will be flown to the states and you will be staying with your Aunt,”

“Who are you to make that decision for me, you're not my Father,” I screamed while standing up.

“No, he's dead and as your Uncle you have become my responsibility…” I cut him off.

“Except you've already decided that I’m not and your sending me away,”

“Oh, don't be dramatic,” Uncle Mycroft straightened himself up, sat back down, and rolled his eyes. Angry tears are freely flowing from my eyes now.

“Control your emotions Ximena,” he spoke calmly and blankly.

“No! I'm so sick of having to control how I feel,” I spit out

“You would be wise to…”

“What would you know about wisdom!”

“A great deal more than you,” Uncle glared at me before continuing, “you are reckless, sentimental, and shortsighted sometimes I wonder how you are even a Holmes,”

“At least I’m not a coldhearted jerk hiding in a suit,” I returned his barb.

“You would be unwise to continue this,” Uncle Mycroft face was closed off

“Since you claim you are so much wiser then why is your life spent all alone. You hear me Uncle you're alone,” I jab a finger and I get a warm sense of satisfaction as Uncle Mycroft flinches subtly before covering his hurt.

“Anthea will drive you down to the plane,” his voice was as cold as his heart

“Uncle…”

“You are dismissed Ximena,” Uncle turned back to his work

“Sure you can check dealing with me off your checklist now,” I turn walking out of his office ignoring my desperate desire to throw myself into my Uncle's arms and sob out apologies. But I don’t want to inflict him with my presence any longer.

***Flashback**Over***

I blink away the tears of shame. Uncle Mycroft was right not to want me around afterall I’m a mess. I have no control over my emotions. I sobbed in front of a total stranger last night. I can’t stop hearing my Dads last words. My brain is broken. I can't deduce people like I used to. Or my cruel last words to my Uncle. He's right, I am childish. I didn’t even tell anyone I was moving to Gravesfield I just left them in a mess. I wipe my tears and push all these thoughts away. Now is not the time for this. Luckily I have time to get my bearings before Eda, King, Owlbert, and Luz arrive to pick me up. 

“Luz,” I look up, letting a small smile curl on my lips before flattening my face into its usual emotionlessness. 

“Vivianna,” She gave me a hug as I awkwardly patted her on the back. “I’m so sorry for worrying you,”

“I’m glad you are ok,” I release her, no less awkward than before climbing on the back of Edas staff. 

“Come on kids, I want to show you something before we head home,” Eda flew high above the sky before stopping and gesturing to us the view. It's beautiful. Breathtakingly beautiful. 

“The bones of the isles. Up close, the isles can be slimy…”

“And very stinky,” King interjected

“And gross, but if you look at it from a different perspective…” Eda gestured in front of us as a shooting star fell from the sky.

“It's beautiful,” Luz looked in wonder as I hummed in agreement.

“Yea,” King leaned against Luz.

“Eda, how did you know the wizard was lying,” Luz looked down almost ashamed

“Look, kid, everyone wants to believe they're "chosen". But if we all waited around for a prophecy to make us special, we'd die waiting. And that's why you need to choose yourself.”.

“Inspiring words,” I mutter impressed, “so when do we get are own staffs,” I ask trying to lighten the mood.

“Not yet,” Eda paused before adding, “but someday,” we turned the conversation ending to watch as more stars streaked across the night sky and sighed for the first time since Dad died feeling completely at peace.