Chapter Text
It was an ordinary night for Salem, Riding her broom across the fields that surrounded her. She didn't usually ride this far into the landscape around her, but she decided it would probably be safe. It was also much farther out, and later than she usually went boom riding, but she wanted to take the "scenic" route tonight. As scenic as a dark, plain field can get. So not a lot.
As the smooth breeze caressed her face, she closed her eyes.
Suddenly, she smelled smoke, and heard a loud boom. She looked down to see the end of her broom, Illuminated and crackling with fire. She tried to move down to get to the ground safely, to inspect what was happening, but before she could, she heard another loud boom, and her eyelids closed. The last thing she felt was her body falling to the ground, and a voice in the distance.
"Ah. Finally awake I see." Said an unfamiliar voice.
Salem looked around at her surroundings. She seemed to be in some sort of laboratory, although it seemed quite homey, having only a few warm lights barely attached to the ceiling, with candles illuminating the rest of the building. She could see some other rooms in the distance. "This must be a house as well" She thought.
She looked down to see her arms and legs strapped to a table, in handcuffs. Right next to her, a few tools that looked quite intimidating. They were corroded with rust, and looked dull.
She looked forward to see a woman, around the same age as her. She had messy, curly, brown hair, pulled into pigtails. She had on a brown apple cap, and ragged clothes in neutrals. She had many vials and sharp objects in her tool bag, which was strapped across her waist. Her skin was a medium-brown shade.
"Where am I?" Salem questioned cautiously.
"You're in my lab." The scientist replied. "And you're a witch. Aren't you?"
Salem looked at her black, pointed hat she had on her head, on top of her bird's-nest of hair. Her extremely pale white skin was of contrast to the black dress she had.
She continued on. "Painfully obvious innit? Y'know if witches don't want to get caught, they really shouldn't be dressing as...boldly as they do."
"Oh you're one to talk." Salem smirked. "I wouldn't dare say anything if I was in your shoes. Or should I rather say... boots?" She kept rattling on. If Salem had one weakness, it would be not knowing when to stop.
"I mean, what did you even do to those poor excuses for boots on your feet anyway? Shovel burning manure in the rain or something? You look like one to do something like that. You certainly don't come from riches, do you? I could tell."
The scientist's face flushed. "Look here missy!" She said whiningly. "You're MY prisoner. NOT the other way around." As tough as she was trying to sound, there was a hint of unknowingness in her voice. It was honestly kind of...cute?
Salem chuckled. "Look, maybe we got off on a bad foot. Or, on a bad...boot. Juniper's lips tightened. She continued. So, my name's Salem. What's yours?
The scientist looked at her suspiciously. "Juniper." She finally whispered back. "Juniper Ramirez Hernandez."
Salem smiled. "I'd shake your hand but..."
"No!" Juniper angrily replied. "I'm not going to let you out!"
"No, I get it." Salem replied. "I'll be out soon enough"
"Yeah, sure." Juniper said while rolling her eyes.
She continues. "Well, it's late. I'll figure out what to do with you tomorrow."
She walks a few steps away, before something she can't quite sense makes her say, "Goodnight Salem."
Salem says nothing.
And with that, Juniper walks into the room to the left of where she is now, and closes the door.
"I'll see you soon Juniper."