Chapter 8

Foxglove stared at the papers. Again. It didn’t even mention Rose’s friends. What fun is this if I can’t kill them, too? She thought. Or maybe she could anyway! Ooo, perhaps capture them and wait for them to be horrified, then kill them.
Fern walked in.
“Heya Fern!” He gave no response.
“So ya know how Magma is making us murder Fern’s daughter before him? To make him suffer before he dies?” He nodded, but still didn’t speak. “Well, what if we kill his daughter’s friends too? I know he cares about them a lot-“ “No!“ He hissed. “…Ok.”
For now.
She wasn’t going to  not kill all of who he loved, after what he had done.

A women with dark red hair walked by the corpses. The ground stained red with blood. A dying fire.
Another Izlish was close behind her. “Seems they did well.”
“Hmm, Indeed.”
She took a dagger off from the ground, and inhaled slowly. She smiled.
“Maybe using them for our plan wasn’t such a bad idea after all.”

Chapter 9

It was a sunny day in Psithusm, and Mango went to the driveway to collect the mail. The first thing she noticed was a small envelope, written by… Rose?? She realized it was sent before she… was gone. A party? How so? Whatever it was, it was for today.
This didn’t make any sense.
First off, why would she send this and not say it to them when they met a few days ago, or even text them?
And why would she have a party, no one they knew had an upcoming birthday, and there weren’t any holidays, either.
She grabbed the envelope and called Cherry. “I got that too!” She answered. “It says at… the park? But it’s closed at that time, right?” “…Yeah.”
“Should we go before it closes, and see if anything is going on?” Mango asked. “I guess. Maybe this was written wrong or something…” “That… would sort of make sense. But how could anyone, especially Rose, incorrect a time of when a place they go to all the time be closed, be so vague about it, and not mention it at all except for the letter? And… came only a few days after she…” “Was gone.” Cherry finished.
There was a long silence.
“Guess I’ll see you at 8:00.”

Mango walked to the park, and saw Cherry waiting for her. “See? Nothing. We should go, maybe ask Oak-“ Cherry started, but someone else came up behind them.
“Oh, well what a shame you can’t.” Mango and Cherry turned to see an unfamiliar person. She looked like a cross between a Psithumic and a… Noirceun?!? “Oh, I should probably introduce myself, I’m Foxglove.” Mango tried to run, but her feet were covering in a type of plant nectar, making it impossible to move. Foxglove grinned, she lifted her wrist and what was a ‘bracelet’ emitted a strange colored gas, and the hybrid plugged her nose. Mango tried not to breathe it in, but eventually,

Darkness.

Chapter 10

Mango opened her eyes, and saw what was… a prison?
What happened? Who was that person? She turned, and saw her ankles were chained to the floor. Cherry was there too. “I knew we shouldn’t have went there.” She whispered. The same women that used the mist to knock them out, Foxglove, walked by. “Magma will be pleased.” Magma?!?! The queen of Izles?!? “Why did you capture us?” She sneered. “That’s non of your business.”
The hybrid walked away into a different room. “We have to get out of here.” Mango turned to Cherry. Should we try using our powers to maybe create a vine that can help get out?” Mango focused her Psithusmic magic into creating a giant, strong vine, but it wouldn’t work. What’s happening? Surely her magic wasn’t malfunctioning, was it? “Cherry?”
“My… magic won’t work.” Cherry stuttered. “Maybe this prison is magic proof.” Mango noted. So they were stuck. And their magic was disabled, sure as sunshine. Why were so many crazy things happening lately?
Cherry sighed. “I didn’t think I’d need to use this.” “Use what- oh.” Cherry had a hair-clip that was actually a piece of a dagger that could cut through almost anything. She took it out of her hair, and started severing the chains.
“These are strong,” She muttered.
Cherry was eventually able to cut through the chains. Mango got up, and starred at the bars keeping them inside the cell. Cherry handed the dagger to Mango. She tried to cut through them, but the only thing that chipped was silver paint. It was… diamond? “No!”
Foxglove walked in. “Nice try. Did you really think we wouldn’t be careful about those? She reached through the bars and grabbed the dagger from Cherry, who tried her best to keep it in her hand, but Foxglove’s grip on it was too firm.
“Anything else and we’ll have you dead immediately.” She smirked, and walked away laughing. “You fools really think you have a chance? Idiots!” The door slammed.
The window was locked closed, and if they did break the window’s glass, the diamond crossbars would keep them from going out. “How do they have this much diamond?” Mango wondered.
Cherry shrugged, glancing down at the floor. “You don’t think-“ “That this women killed Rose.” Mango finished. “But why? And why capture us?”

“Maybe we might find out.” “Maybe… but could we escape?”

Chapter 11

Cherry looked every direction, trying to find some sort of way her and Mango could escape this. If only she could have turned her dagger back into a hair-clip before Foxglove snatched it from her. What the heck did she want with them, anyway?

…No. She was not going to cry like a child, especially not with Mango right by her.
Mango turned, an unsure expression on her face.
She looked just as worried as Cherry did.
“Guess we aren’t getting out of here.” “You don’t know that for sure.” Mango set her hand on Cherry’s shoulder. “I know you’re just trying to make me feel better about this, you don’t actually believe that it’s gonna turn out alright, do you?”

No. No I don’t.
Cherry was right. Even when she didn’t believe that things were gonna turn out ok, she’d always assure Cherry and Rose that it would. But she just couldn’t handle the truth. She was just scared but didn’t want to seem like a child. No wonder Fern said she wasn’t mature. It was completely true.
Rose would probably know what to do here.
But… of course she was gone.

“Mango!”
“GAHH-“ Mango almost fell all the way over, but of course her wrists were chained to the floor.
“I’m sorry I- I guess I don’t… really think that. I just don’t want you to worry-“
“I get it, I get it.” She paused. “Just please, stop. I’m trying to say this the nicest way possible.”
“…I understand.”
More quiet.
The birds faint chirping from the outside was the only sound heard.

Cherry kept twirling her fingers through her curly, soft pink hair.
She was starving, but didn’t say anything.
Her head ached.
Why were they even here?
What did happen the day before?
Why can’t I remember?
She thought nervously. Either she really was stupid, or could her memory had been erased?
But… how could it have been?
She thought only a bit ago she remembered.
“Mango… what happened?”
“Don’t be stupid, it just…”
She paused. “Just what?” “I, I don’t know-“

“Idiots.” A voice said. A women, dark purple hair that faded to green, dark eyes, she looked familiar, but neither Cherry nor Mango knew who exactly she was.
“That’s strange.” She muttered to herself.
“The memory dissipator is already working.”
“MEMORY DISSIPATOR?!?” Cherry yelled. “WHAT DID YOU DO TO US?!?”
“Shh, quiet down. And it’s none of your business, you’ll be dead before it even matters.” “Dead!?!” Mango felt herself trembling. “WHAT DID WE EVER DO TO YOU!?!”
“Quiet down.” Foxglove grabbed what looked like a strange colored smoke bomb, and threw it at Cherry, who accidentally breathed some of it in. She tried yelling again, but was unable to raise her voice.
“That’s better.” Foxglove said with a smile. “Why are you going to kill us?”
Cherry asked as loudly as she could.
“Oh, sorry, but I don’t need to explain myself to some 18 year olds. Now tell me, are you friends of Rose?”
“How did you-“ Mango started.
“No, we don’t even know her.” Cherry hissed.
“Oh, don’t lie to me, young one, I’ll only kill you sooner.”
She sneered.
“And for the love of the gods, please just SHUT. UP.”
“Only if you explain why we’re here.
And who are you, anyway.”
“Ugh, I hate having to explain things again.
I’m Foxglove, you’re Cherry and Mango, you’re best friends with Rose, for some reason, and live in Vinebridge, the small village in souther Psithusm. I know who you are.”

Neither Cherry nor Mango knew what to say.
Or even knew what was happening.

     Chapter 12

7 years ago

“Found you!”

“Argh! Why are you so good at this?”             

Mango complained. “Well why are you so easy to find?” Rose laughed.

Oak walked in. “Please children, a little quieter.”
“Sorry Oak!” “Sorry dad!” The kids said at the same time. “It’s fine, I’m going to get some things done, I’ll be in my room if you need anything.”
“Alright!” Rose turned to Mango with a smile. “So, what are we gonna do now?” “I dunno, I just really wish Cherry was here…”
“Yeah… but she’s gonna be back from the city tomorrow so we can see her at school then!”
“Yup-“ “Come on! Let’s go outside!”
Rose started running towards the front door. “I wanna show you some cool rocks I found and stuff and-“ “Hey! Wait up!” Mango ran after her friend, laughing.

If only.

If only he could stop being followed by them.

She smiled. “Hello, Oak.” “Leave.”
“Erm, nope. Magma is still incredibly angry with you.”
“Then
THEN IF SHE’S SO ANGRY AND HATES ME SO MUCH THEN WHY DOESN'T SHE JUST KILL ME ALREADY!?!?”
“You see, things are complicated.” Foxglove smiled. “But for now, I just need to keep an eye on you.” “Leave. The children could see you.”
“Eh, no. These teleportation amulets have their limitations, you know. Ugh. Why must the stupid gods always have pointless limits for magic?” “Don’t dare speak of the gods like that.”

He summoned his sword into his hand.
“Oh, so we’re playing this game again?
pfft, you never learn do you?”

He slashed the sword through her neck.
“Remember? As long as I have this amulet, weapons go right through me.
Oak grabbed the amulet off her neck.
He slashed the sword, Foxglove dodging it. He didn’t completely miss, though.

Her arm was nearly sliced in two.
She stared at the pouring blood in disbelief, then stared up at him. “So… we’re going this far, are we?” She stared into his eyes for a moment.
“GIVE ME MY AMULET!!!” She screamed in fury, and thrusted towards him.
Oak threw her to the ground. Her sword materialized into her hand. “Give it to me. Now.” He quickly put on the amulet. Foxglove grinned. Then started laughing.
“Oh ho ho, you really think it would work for you? Only it’s owner can harness it’s magic! Just hand it to me, and I may spare you.”
“Never.”
“You know, this is really a shame.”
She held up her wrist, and strange coloured gas came out from what looked like a bracelet. Foxglove held her nose and smiled.

Oak started to feel lightheaded. He tried to not breathe any of the smoke in, but it was too late.

Foxglove grabbed the amulet and put it around her neck. She needed to have her arm tended to before it was infected.
She disappeared from the room, and started walking.

“Dad?” Rose called. “DAD!” Nothing. She opened the door. “Da- WHAT!?!”
Mango ran in after her, then stared at Oak’s unconscious body.
“What happened?” Rose just stared. “We should call-“ Oak started coughing. “DAD! Oh my gosh what happened?” “Calm down, little one, I’m alright.” “But- wha-“ “I’m fine. Everything’s ok.” Mango stood behind them, breathing heavily. “Here, how about I make some lunch, you kids must be hungry.” “Ok…”
Rose was still trembling. Why wouldn’t her dad tell her why he was on the floor unconscious?
“Hey Rosey, could you go get some bread?”

“……OH uh ok Dad!”

    Chapter 13

“I thought  she said they were gonna kill us.” Cherry complained. “We’ve been stuck in here doing nothing for a day now!”
“WELL I’M WAITING FOR MY ASSOCIATE SO I CAN ACTUALLY KILL YOU, BE PATIENT!” Foxglove yelled from another room.
“You should just let us go already, you don’t want to know who’s going to find you and release us, and murder you.”
Foxglove paused.
“There’s nobody coming, you really thought you could fool me? Idiot.”
“Darn it.” Cherry muttered.
“…Can both of you just stop.” Mango sighed.

Foxglove walked in, and used the same smoke bomb to lower Cherry’s voice again,
but she kept screaming as loud as she was able to.
“For the love of the gods, you don’t want me to tear out your vocal cords before I actually kill you.”
“Who is this “associate” anyway?”
Mango asked.
“Well, I suppose I could tell you now, but the look on your faces when you actually see him will be hilarious.”
She grinned.
Do I know “him”? Mango wondered.
“Oh, what am I doing, speaking with the prisoners? One more word, it will be the last one you say.”
Cherry grumbled. “I hate her.” She whispered under her breathe.

Mango had to agree.

“WILL THIS IDIOT COME ALREADY!?!?” They heard Foxglove yell to herself. “HE IS ALWAYS LATE FOR THIS KIND OF STUFF, YAWN, I FUCKING HATE HIM SO FUCKING MUCH.”
She screamed even louder, as if she was being stabbed.
“…Who the freak is “he”” Cherry grumbled.
“I have no idea.”
“And why does she wanna kill us?” She said a bit louder.
“Bro.
Stop asking me things, I know as much as you do.”

“I’m still fucking staving.” “I KNOW.”
“SHUT UP, BOTH OF YOU!!” Foxglove screamed, and walked in.

Mango shut up. Cherry didn’t. “Do ya have any food here?”
“Not for you, that’s for sure.”
Foxglove responded.
“WHY CAN’T YOU JUST TELL US WHAT’S GOING ON?”
“Well, I suppose I could, since you’re about to die, but, I don’t exactly feel like it.”
She yawned.
“OH YOU LITTLE-“
Mango covered Cherry’s mouth.
“Could we please know?”
“Sorry kid, but please isn’t always the magic word. In fact, nothing is.”
“WHY. ARE. YOU. KILLING. US.”
“Shut up Cherry!” Mango and Foxglove said at the same time.
“Is there anything, anything we can do?”
“Die. That would be nice.”
“Well then just kill us already!”
Cherry complained.
“Whatever. He doesn’t trust me to kill you by myself, and even she agrees, so just shut up,
I’m leaving.”
“WHO THE FREAK IS “SHE”?”
“How many times have I told you to shut up?”
Foxglove hissed as she walked out of the prison room.
Mango sighed. They clearly weren’t getting out of here.
Maybe Rose could’ve found a way out, but then again, she wasn’t with them anymore.
Mango fought the urge to cry.
She stared at the bars. They couldn’t break them, and anyway Cherry didn’t have the dagger, which couldn’t even cut through them.

But the magic seal… wait. Did it also cover the outside of the bars?
She reached her hand out, and tried to use her magic to create a small vine. It shot out of the ground. It worked! “Cherry!” Her friend looked up, then saw the vine. “Idiots. Pure fucking idiots.” She sneered. “Wait… how are we gonna use this to get out though…? Oh wait, we can’t.” She sighed. “Good idea, though, if we weren’t damn Psithumics.”
“But didn’t you see a key? On the chain on Foxglove’s belt? Maybe we just need to get it!”
“Maybe, but we’re probably stuck here.”
“Let’s at least try.”
“…alright. HEY FOXGLOVE WHY DON’T YOU JUST FUCKING KILL US NOW? IS IT BECAUSE YOU’RE TOO WEAK TO EVEN SCRATCH US?”
Foxglove walked in.
“YOU LITTLE- HEY!” Mango used the vine to grab Foxglove and throw her to the ground.
“WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU IDIOTS ARE DOING!?”
She struggled, but the vine was too strong and large. “If we are the idiots, why are you the one pinned to the ground?”
Cherry laughed.
The vine was able to get the chain by tearing Foxgloves belt. Then Mango used her magic to make the vine hold the key,
while Foxglove was still held on the floor with the other part of the plant,
and unlock the prison.

They were free.

“HAHA!”
Foxglove struggled to stand.
“You… idiots.”
“We ain’t idiots, we’re just smarter than you.”
Foxglove reached into her pocket.
Mango turned to Rose.

“RUN.”

Chapter 14

“GET BACK HERE!!!” Foxglove screamed.
She tried running after them,
but her leg was bleeding so hard and her entire body was in pain, that stupid giant vine was so strong and large she may had even broken a few bones.
She limped behind them, but they already we’re opening the door when she even got near them.
“Goodbye!” Cherry grinned.
“NOOOO!! You- I- DON’T YOU REALIZED WHAT YOU’VE DONE?!”
“Be smarter than you?” Cherry said while she was walking out.
“Oh dear, we couldn’t do that?” She laughed as she closed the door.”

“HAHA! We’re free!! That idiot actually thought she’d kill us? Wow. She is an idiot.”
Cherry started running, Mango followed.
“Hey, wait up!” She yelled,
gasping for air.
The Forest was beautiful that day, the sun shining through the leaves,
the birdsong, the blooming flowers, everything was just so… peaceful.

“Wait- Cherry do you even have any idea where you’re going?”

“What? Of course I do— oh no.”
“ARGH! If you’re going to start running off, please, oh please, just know where you’re going.” “Well, we sorta had to get away from that creepy place the ever creepier lady, Foxglove, right? That was her name wasn’t it?”
“Cherry!”
“Oh, right- well we had to get away from her fast!”
Mango let out a heavy sigh.
“Well, I see a lot of tracks over there,” she pointed to what looked like a path, with footprints showing. “Let’s follow this, I think I can see the city from here.”
“Alright, let’s go!” And can we please fly this time, I know you love looking at plants and stuff but we kinda should hurry!”
“I’ll fly,” She said, and spread out the green wings on her back, then took off.

    Chapter 15

It was noon, and the two decided to rest for a bit from flying all day.
“It’s been two days, hasn’t it?”
Mango guessed. “Think so.” Her friend responded.
“…Jackle’s gonna kill me.”
“I wish you luck, and if you die, let this be an early farewell.” Cherry joked.
“We should tell someone about this.”
“Why? No one will believe us.”
“Well when you get kidnapped by someone and just manage to escape,
maybe telling someone would be a good idea.”

“Eh.”

“Well I don’t really want to keep this a secret, I mean-”
Cherry sighed. “Fine, go ahead.”
“Well, then let’s keep flying!” “Ughhh, why can’t we just walk?”
“Uhm- alright!”
They started to walk through the Forest, and the sun was only halfway above the horizon,
and it was getting a bit darker each minute.
Cherry stared down as the grass,
while Mango was humming softly.
They were getting closer to Vinebridge.
She knew it.
“I’m tired,” She mumbled.
“Same…”

It was almost completely dark,
but they were already walking through the streets.
“…Bye.” Cherry said as she opened the door, to her house, and walked inside.
Mango stared until the door was shut.
She walked to the house she lived in, and rang the doorbell.
She heard speech from inside, but couldn’t hear what was being said.
Sol opened the door.
“What do you want- Oh, Mango.”
“Hi!”
“Where were you?”
“With Cherry, remember?”
He glared at her.
“You said you’d be gone an hour at the most not two whole days.“
“I’m sorry, We just sorta decided I’d stay longer.”
“Then why didn’t you tell one of us?”
“I guess I was distracted, sorry!”
She responded, trying to not sound nervous.
“Anyways I’m starving, imma get something to eat.” She walked past him,
and he closed the door.
“Sol, are you just gonna stand there?”

“I was just about to leave.” He grumbled.

“Oh, Mango!” Luna looked up from the book she was reading. You’re back!”
She lowered her voice.
“Did you and Cherry find out what-“ “I’ll… explain it to you later.”

    Chapter 16

After they ate a quick dinner, Mango and Luna walked into their room.
“So why we’re you gone for so long?”
Luna asked.
“Well we got there, and there was nothing, but then this-“
Mango suddenly paused.
“Well a-“
She felt a strange sort of pain in her throat.
“…Yes?”
She couldn’t speak.
“I… don’t know what’s happening…”
How come she able to say that but not…

The realization struck her.

Foxglove, or someone who was part of that plan, must’ve used some sort of magic in case someone escaped, to keep them from being able to tell anyone who didn’t already know what happened.

“Mango… could you tell me what happened?”
“I can’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“As in I physically can’t!”
“What?”
“It must have been a spell-“
“Could you write it down, maybe.
 Mango grabbed a notebook and a pen.
She started to write, or, only tried to.
Her hand froze.
“I’m so sorry, I wish I could tell you-“
“Was it something bad?”

“Yes,
it’s probably not the best thing to happen to someone. And I’m sorry I can’t-“
“Why are you saying sorry?
It’s not your fault.”
“I know…”
She forced a smile.
“It’s not that important,
and Cherry is fine, too.”
“Erm, ok-“
Mango yawned.
“I’m just gonna go to sleep, g’night!”
“Mango-“
Mango turned out the lights and took off her glasses, ignoring Luna.
“Mango, are you ok?”
“Huh?”
She turned.
“Oh, I’m just tired, I guess.”
Mango got in bed,
while Luna grabbed a book and turned on her lamp to read.
She could hear the crickets chirping outside,
and it was midnight.

Luna eventually went to sleep as well.

“Where are they?”
The Psithumic hissed.
Foxglove turned.
“Please, let me live.
It was all the girls’ fault.

    Chapter 17

Fern glared at her.
The tall Izlish women opened the door to the cottage in the woods.
“Where are they?”
“Who?” “You know who.”
“Oh- oh uh yes I erm-“ Foxglove stuttered.
“WHERE ARE THEY!?!?!?!!”
“It was their fault I swear, they used their stupid magic-“
“YOU DIDN'T EVEN FULLY ACTIVATE THE MAGIC SHIELD?!!? If you’re going to waste time killing people I never directed you to kill, at least have them dead! And now they are going to tell everyone and IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT!!!!”
“Well, Your Majesty, I used the spell so they can’t tell anyone-“
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Your Majesty, I deeply apologize, I-“

“No. I don’t want to hear your idiotic excuse. You’re being killed.”

“Your Majesty, please! I’m an expert on poisonous plants and chemicals, I could help more, just please!”

“You think you’ve been helping? All you’ve been doing is wasting our time and materials!”
Magma’s sword appeared in her hand.

“I’ve heard enough.”

Foxglove stepped back, trembling.

“No! Please! I’ll do anything!”
The sword slashed across Foxgloves face, and then her stomach, quick as a flash.
Foxglove screamed,
so loud that Fern’s ears started hurting terribly.
The blood was pouring from her eyes and stomach, and she fell to her knees, while still screaming.

“Come on,” Magma said, “the blood loss will kill her quickly.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Fern replied, and they left Foxglove on the floor, who was struggling to breathe.

Fern closed the door behind him.

“I will kill them,” Foxglove hissed, the blood still pouring.

“You will not see me as a failure.”

Chapter 18

Mango and Luna were walking through the markets. “So, what did Jackle say we needed to get again?” Mango asked her friend.

“Just normal groceries, nothing else in particular.”
“Alright!”
They walked through the streets, people chattering, and the sun high up in the sky.
“Mango!” A familiar voice shouted.

She turned to see her younger cousin, Anise.
“Oh! Hi Anise!” She said to him.
Anise’s older brother Calyx, walked up to Anise and grabbed him by his shirt.
“I told you to not run off without me!”
He hissed.

“Sorry Mango.”
“Oh, it’s fine!”
“Yeah, she’s fine with me saying hi to her, Calyx!”
Anise stuck his tongue out at his brother.

“Anise!”
Mango and Calyx scolded at the same time.
“Oops!”
Luna stood there, saying nothing.
She looked at bit annoyed by Anise.

Mango’s cousins also had their parents die,
from Izles.
They lived at an orphanage for a long time, but as soon as Calyx was old enough they left, since the people there mistreated them.

Mango always had this feeling that she wanted every Izlish person to die, which she also thought was ridiculous, but since what happened with so much people, especially in Psithusm, she still had this burning hate for all of them.

Except for Salina of course, who was sometimes rude and angry at people easily, but you couldn’t really blame her since she was abused by everyone who was her “parent.”

This,

this was why the world is an awful place,

so much people say.

Mango just wanted to see the good in everything, but, they were right.

There was no excuse for what Izles has been doing.

They’re just purely evil.

And nothing was going to change that.

And things will probably just get worse.

Chapter 19

”Mango?”
Luna stared at her.
“Oh! Uh, sorry!”

How long had she been zoned out?

“Come on, we still need to order bread, and also some vegetables before we end up getting back home late and getting yelled at.”

They walked until the got to where they usually ordered bread.

“Two loaves please,
thank you.”

Mango grabbed the bread and placed some coins on the counter.

Her and Luna started the way back home.

The country of Psithusm was mainly just fields and trees , and tons of flowers dotted the ground.

Mango enjoyed living more out in the country, since it was just so peaceful and she knew almost all the people in the area.

Though she also loved making new friends and meeting people, she and her friends will go out into the city where most of the people from the other countries live. Especially in Ekashire, the city where everyone there is from the other kingdoms. Mango loved it there.

Her and Luna each held a few groceries as they walked towards their house.
“How have things been with Stratus?”
Luna asked with a smirk.
Mango turned her head away from her friend.
“Oh? What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean.”
Luna said, and grabbed Mango by her jaw and turned her head to look at theirs.
“Ok, fine.
But stop acting weird about it.”
“Sure…” She smiled again.
“Well, what do you want me to say? How much I think he’s super cool and-“

“Tell him.”

“…Ok.”
Luna stared for a long moment.
“Oh gods you’re actually going to?”

“Well, I guess.”

She was probably blushing very hard.
“If it means I can get it over with, after all, Salina told you-“

“Yes, that’s so, so go tell him.

Tell him how lovely his light hair shines in the sunlight and how his lavender eyes are the most gorgeous color you have ever seen and how you think that he’s funny and his voice is cool and-“

“OK I GET IT!”

“Alright.” Luna laughed.

They both walked until they were right at the house, with the fruit trees and beautiful grass.  

Luna opened the wooden door to their house and walked inside.

Mango walked in after them.

Chapter 20

Mango and Luna walked inside, and put all the groceries they ordered into the pantry.

Mango put some fruits into the fridge, then turned to her friend.

“Do it.”
Luna grinned, and got up to Mango’s face.
Mango sighed.

“Alright.”

Before she could talk to her anymore, Luna walked out as soon as she was done and went into their room.

Guess I should tell Stratus…
Mango thought.

She walked through the hallway, then went to the door of his room.

I can’t believe I’m actually doing this.

She knocked on the door.

“GET THE FU-“

“Stratus? It’s Mango.”

“Oh.”

He opened the door.

“Yeh?”
She felt her face turning red.

“Well…”

“What?”

Mango sighed.

“Well you’re a really cool person and…
I like you.”

He stared at her for a moment.

“OH.”

She stared downward.

“DAMN THIS IS AKWARD. But uh well ya see you’re cool and all and a good friend but…
I’m gay.”

Not a surprise.
It was obvious he didn’t love her. Why’d she even tell him?

“Oh. That’s alright…”

“I like you… but just not in that way.”

“Ok, it’s not that big of a deal to me anyway I just think your pretty cool and that’s all and I guess it would be nice to date you if you were straight but it’s fine.”

He stared for a moment.

“Ok!”

Mango was trying her hardest to walk back to her and Luna’s room calmly and not start running and screaming.

She walked up to the door and opened it.

Luna closed her laptop and stared at her with a grin.
“So?? What’d he say???”

“He’s gay.”

“I’m actually not surprised.”

“You thought he was?”

“Well yeah, when you look at Stratus you don’t exactly think of a straight person, he literally wears nail polish.”

“If you really thought that, could you at least tell me!?”

“Whoops.”

Chapter 21

“Damn it’s already 5:57,” Luna said as she checked the time on her phone.

“So who’s making dinner tonight?” Mango asked.

“Uhhhh… Bunny is.”

“You sure?”

“Yes I’m sure.”

Luna laid back on her chair and started scrolling through her phone.

Mango walked over to a mirror and grabbed a hairbrush. Her light green hair was completely a mess, did she literally go in public with it like this?

“This is so embarrassing.”

Luna turned. “Hm? Oh, yeah not to be rude but your hair looks kinda horrible right now.”

Mango turned with a blank expression.

“Thanks.”

Luna seemed already unbothered by the fact that Mango and Cherry were gone for 2 days and she couldn’t even know why. Mango couldn’t even tell her about getting kidnapped by Foxglove. She couldn’t tell anyone. Cherry was the only other person who knew.

I can’t believe this dumbass spell.
She thought.

She needed to do something to get her mind off of this.
Though there wasn’t exactly that much to do, she was off of work that day and talking to Cherry about it would probably make her feel more anxious about the whole thing, and Luna probably wasn’t too interested in doing something else.

She kept running the brush through her hair,
but then after a while she was just holding it in her hair, staring into the mirror.

Why were they kidnapped?

Who even is Foxglove?

She missed Rose too much.

She couldn’t tell anyone about what happened.

They could all be in danger.

Mango felt tears in her eyes.

Luna turned to her.
“Are you ok?”

“I…”

She couldn’t keep herself from crying.

Luna walked up to her, and hugged her tightly.

“It’s what happened to you and Cherry, isn’t it?”

“I… we got…”

The spell made her unable to say it.
They just silently stood there, still hugging.

“…Can Cherry tell anyone about it?”
“No, I called… I called her earlier and she wasn’t able to say anything about it to anyone except me.” She said through tears.

“Oh.”

“So you were just gone for 2 days and apparently something bad happened, but some sort of spell is making you not be able to tell anyone what happened?”

“Yeah…”

“I’m so sorry.”

“But… But it’s not your fault. Why are you saying sorry?”

No response.

“Here, I’ll go get you some tissues.”

Mango kept sobbing uncontrollably.

Luna walked to her bedside table and grabbed the tissue box that was sitting on top it, and Mango grabbed one, she was only barely able to calm down, she was still unable to stop crying.

“And I’m sorry that Stratus doesn’t love you,I’m sure you’ll find someone, after all, I never thought I’d be loved but now I have Salina.
I’m sure things will get better for you.”

Luna hugged her again.

Mango took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.

She hugged Luna back. 

     Chapter 22

Mango woke up the next morning.

She didn’t get up for a while, she just stared at the ceiling.

Luna walked up to the bed and looked down at her.

“You gonna get up?”

She sat up.

“…Yeah.”

“Alright, I’m going to the bookstore so I’ll see you in the afternoon, or maybe the evening I don’t know I have a lot of new books to stock.”

“Ok, bye.”

She finally gathered the energy to actually get up and get dressed, and rushed out of the house after eating a quick breakfast.

Stratus seemed to be staring at her the whole time before she walked out.

Mango could barely keep herself together.

After everything that’s happened and all the uncertainty has made everything feel so hard.

The entire day at work was awful, and of course Rose wasn’t there to talk to. She never will be.

Rose was dead.

Mango and Cherry’s best friend, since 2nd grade, was dead.

No one knew the motive for the murder, which made the whole thing so unsettling.

No one has seen her dad in a very long time, either.

Mango tried to keep herself filling orders for the bakery and not completely getting lost in her thoughts.

Suddenly something came to her.

Was Oak hiding something?

He seems to act odd about what happened to Rose, and Cherry said he’d stop responding to her questions after awhile and would just stare into space or mutter something that Cherry wasn’t able to understand.

Did he know a possible reason he wasn’t telling them?

But then,

his daughter was dead so he could have just been traumatized by the whole thing.

Either way, thinking about it was enough to make Mango want to cry.

Chapter 23

Mango barely talked to anyone that day. She was usually quite social,

but ever since all that’s happened she’d been barely able to hold a conversation without zoning out or starting to worry about something.

She was sitting on her bed reading a book, which she didn’t exactly find that great, but there wasn’t much else she could read.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door.

Mango went to answer it, and saw Cherry, who was breathing heavily.

“What happened?”

“They-they-”

Cherry nearly fell over on her face.

“THEY FOUND ROSE’S BODY.”

She gasped.

“Really!? Where?!”

“In the in the forest somewhere, they didn’t see any scratches or anything like that so so we don’t know what happened.

Mango saw that Cherry’s eyes were a bit red. Probably from crying.

“Who’s they?”

“Oak said that some guy he knows was walking in the forest nearby and saw her on the on the ground. The…”

She paused.

“The funeral will happen soon.”

“Oh.”

“I guess right now they’re doing the “giving her soul to the forest” thing.”

Before a dead Psithumic in the country is buried, their body is left out in a field for 3 days, as a ritual to give their soul to the goddess of plants that they worship.

“Where’s Oak?” Mango asked.

“At his house.”

“Ok, I was thinking about talking to him about it.”

“Alrighty.” Cherry responded, in an almost cheerful voice.

Mango never understood how Cherry could stay so calm and happy when things like that happen, as if the world just didn’t even affect her.

But she could still see the worry in her friend’s eyes.

“When’s the funeral?”

Cherry was twirling her finger through her hair in a nervous manner.

“A week I think.”

“Ok…”

Her friend looked downward. A tear went down on her face. She began crying softly, barely loud enough for Mango to hear her sobs, and Cherry hugged her tightly, starting to sob harder.

Mango hugged her back.

“It’ll be okay, I promise.”

“How? Rose is fucking dead.”

“Well… we know she went to the Empyrean.
And… we still have each other.”

Cherry hugged tighter, and
Mango ran her fingers through her pink curly hair.

No one let go.

They just stood there embracing each other, Cherry eventually calming down.

Chapter 24

Cherry walked to the couch and sat down.

“I guess I’ll go talk to Oak later today.”
Mango said.

She looked up, a tired expression on her face.

“Ight, I might go too I guess.”

“Okay!”

She sat down next to her.

Cherry rested her head on Mango’s shoulder, and closed her eyes.

Mango looked at her.
Why did she love this so much?

Oh shit.

Was she in love??

She was probably going to get friend-zoned again.

She knew.

They sat there on the couch, Cherry resting her head on Mango’s shoulder.

Suddenly the front door slammed open.

Stratus was standing there, breathing heavily, Salina was right next to him and shouting at him, and Sol was behind them, coughing nonstop.

All three were soaked.

“Damn what happened?” Cherry asked, looking up.

Stratus walked inside, nearly tripping over but was barely able to keep himself from falling.

“WELL UHHHHHHHHHHHH-”

“He nearly killed us all.”

Salina hissed, glaring at him.

“I was just trying to have fun. I thought you liked fun!”

“Not when you drag us into something as dangerous as that. 

You’re lucky I saved your ass back there, and you forgot the fucking car key in the car and then we had to stand in the rain for like 20 minutes!”

Mango and Cherry stared at each other in confusion.
They had no idea what the hell those two were talking about.

“I don’t think I wanna know.”

Cherry muttered.

Sol eventually stopped coughing.

“Yeah Salina’s right you bozo.”

Stratus gasped.

“Oh ma gods Sol agrees with someone real????”

“Shut the fuck up.”

“No.”

“You’re a diggity dangity gay shit.”

“...I know.”

“OH MA GODS HE ADMITS IT!!!!!!!!” Stratus shouted, pointing at Sol.

“You’re literally in love with a man, you can’t be talking.”

“GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.”  

Stratus started wheezing.

“Damn so now we have two gay asthma men in this house…”
Salina muttered.

Stratus turned to her.

“What? I don’t have asthma.”

“Ya do now.”

“WHAT.”

“The ultimate test to see if he has asthma…spray perfume in his face. See what happens.”Cherry said, grinning.

Sol walked into another room and came out with a perfume bottle in his hand.

He sprayed it in Stratus’s face.
Stratus had a disgusted expression, but didn’t start coughing, but Sol on the other hand, did.
A lot.
“See?” Stratus said.
“No coughing. Or at least I didn’t cough.”
Sol walked into xis room and slammed the door.

Salina stared at them for a moment, then started walking to her room. 

“I’m gonna go shower.”

“Ok, bye.”
Mango responded.

Cherry got her phone out of her pocket, and looked at the screen.

“Oh gods it’s already 7:54, I should go.”

“Oh, uh, alright!” Mango answered.

She hugged Cherry again.

“Bye!”

“Bye,” Cherry said, then stood up and opened the front door, then walked out.

Chapter 25

I should talk to Oak tomorrow.
Mango thought, considering how later it was.

Stratus sat on the couch next to Mango.
“You and Cherry looked really gay.”

“WHA- what do you mean??”

Stratus just started laughing.

“It’s not funny!

And get off the couch, you’re soaked!”

“OH SHI-”

Stratus stood up quickly.
“I’m gonna goooo….”

He ran to his room.

Luna walked out of the kitchen.

“What was all that?”
“Stratus dragged Sol and Salina on one of his ‘adventures’... again.”

“Ohh, where’s Salina?”

“She’s showering right now.”

“Alright, dinner is almost ready.”

“Ok!”

“Sooo, what was it this time?”

“I don’t know, all I know is that they were standing in the rain for like 20 minutes because Stratus left the keys in the car.”

“Oh gods.”

“And apparently someone almost died. I’m hoping that was exaggeration.”

 Luna didn’t respond, but just stood there, leaning on the couch with a slightly shocked expression.

“I swear there’s something wrong with that man.”

Rem sighed.
Mango nodded her head in agreement.

“But hey don’t be rude about it.”

“I’m… not.

Why do you even have a crush on him?”

“I don’t anymore.”

“Hm.”

“But…”

“...Yes?”

“I think I- I think I miiiight like Cherry.”

Luna’s eyes widened.

“I- really? You’ve been friends with her since 4th grade and you just realized you like her?”

“Uhhhhh yes?”

“I’m pretty sure she just sees you as a friend.”

“I know…” 

     Chapter 26

It was the next morning, and Mango was outside watering the plants in the garden.

It was getting really cold, which wasn’t surprising considering it was the middle of December, though in Psithusm it usually didn’t get too cold, and it rarely snowed.

But at least it meant the best holiday of the year was close.

The Orphic festival.

As the name implies, a celebration of thankfulness for the Orphic stones, a gift from the gods, which keep the world together and bring magic to the Oneirataxians.

It was Mango’s favorite holiday.

Stratus walked outside, slamming the door behind him.

“HEYYYY EVERYBODY IT’S YOUR FAVORITE BOY-
Oh it’s just you out here. Hi.”

He grinned.

“Hey!” Mango looked up from watering the flowerbed.

She set the watering can down.

Stratus was just wearing his normal clothing, a long sleeve but thin shirt with smaller loose sleeves on top.

“How are you not freezing? You should get a jacket!”
Mango said.

“Eh, I’m fine. It got pretty cold in Nefelibata so I’m used to it!”

“Are you sure?”

“Yup.”

“Okay, but if you get cold you need to get one.”

“I knowwwww.”

“Okay…”

Mango even felt cold herself despite having her yellow jacket on.

She held the pink gemstone on her necklace.
It was her mom’s, given to her by Fern during the day of the Orphic festival when Mango was six years old.
She very rarely took it off.

Stratus walked back inside the house after staring at an insect for a moment,
and Mango grabbed the watering can and watered the rest of the plants, or at least the ones she thought she didn’t already water, then walked inside as well.

The first thing Mango did when she went inside was walk into her room, grab her phone and call Cherry.

She answered almost immediately.  

“…Hey.”

“Hi, when did you say the funeral was?”

“Six days, I already told you and you put it on your, calendar, remember?”

Mango thought for a moment.

“Oh, I remember now.”

“Are you gonna talk to Oak?”

“Oh! I was just about to!” Mango lied.
She had completely forgotten. She didn’t know how, considering how worried she was about it.

“Okayyy, good. I’d come too but I have some other things to do, sorry.”

“Oh, that’s quite alright! And to be honest I feel like it would be more comfortable for just one of us to, it way an awfully sad thing that happened…”

“Yeah I understand.

Mango heard yelling from where Cherry was.

“I’M GOING TO!” Cherry shouted, probably at her parents since she still lived with them.

“I have to goooo, bye!”

“Goodbye!” Mango said, and Cherry hung up.

Mango texted Oak to see if she could visit. 

“Would it be okay if I could visit for a awhile? I just wanted to talk about what happened, and I’m very sorry about Rose.”

She stared at the message she was going to send.
What that the right thing to say?
She wondered if she should even visit him.
She sighed and clicked send.
For some reason she felt like it was the wrong thing to say, but didn’t know why.

A few moments past of Mango nervously staring at her screen, uncontrollably biting her nails.

He just left her on read.

She kept waiting hoping for a response.

None.

Five more minutes of waiting.

Nothing.

She wanted to text him again, but didn’t want to be annoying.

She lied down on her bed, clutching her phone, staring up at the ceiling, waiting.

He probably wasn’t going to respond.

Chapter 31

Mango woke up to Cherry staring at her.

Their wings were tied up, and they were in the same cell as last time Foxglove captured them.

Again.

“Oh my gods you’re finally awake.”

Cherry said.

“Did you see Foxglove since you woke up?” Mango asked her.

“Nope.”

Mango tried using her magic, it didn’t work.

“Well, well, you two are both awake.”

They turned to see Foxglove standing in front of the cell they were in, smiling.

“WHAT DO YOU WANT NOW??” Cherry screamed.

“WHY DID YOU KILL OUR FRIEND???”

“You don’t get to know.”

“I THINK WE DESERVE TO KNOW WHY OUR BEST FRIEND IS DEAD.”

“Shut up, and since you know I’m the one responsible for the death, I can’t just let you go on and tell people I did, so you’re here, and you’re staying in here. Or, I could kill you now! I think the second option is better,” She grinned.

“NO!” Cherry screamed louder, and grabbed her hair clip, turning it into a dagger, then threw it at Foxglove.
Foxglove dodged, or tried to, but wasn’t able to.

It nearly sliced her arm off.

She screamed, then looked at her arm, which was bleeding heavily, a look of both horror and anger on her face.

“HOW DARE YOU!”

She walked over to where the dagger was and picked it up off the floor. It was covered in blood.
Foxglove put the dagger in her pocket, then walked up to Cherry.

She reached her arm in between the bars of the cell and slapped her.
“OW!” Cherry shrieked, touching her face where Foxglove slapped it.
Foxglove walked into another room, wincing with pain.
Cherry looked angry, but also proud of itself for injuring Foxglove.

“Are you ok?” Mango asked in concern.
“Yup. I can’t believe that bitch kidnapped us again I swear to the gods- AND THAT FUCKING DUMBASS SPELL ON US WILL JUST LET THEM DO WHATEVER THE FUCK THEY WANT BECAUSE WE CAN’T TELL ANYONE ABOUT THIS!” Cherry responded.

“Yeah…”
Mango hugged Cherry.

“What if… what if she really does kill us now?”

“That won’t happen.” Cherry said, anger in her eyes.
“I won’t let them do anything… not to you.”

Mango felt herself blushing. She hugged Cherry tighter.

Foxglove walked back in. “Now where was I-“

“I believe was going to kick your ass.” Cherry said.

“Oh, then what a shame you’re locked in there.” Foxglove responded.

“I don’t have time for this.” She said, then she grabbed a small circular bottle out of one of the many pockets on her belts.

It has a greenish-yellow liquid substance inside, and it was hard to tell due to the light in the room, but Mango thought she could see that it was glowing a bit.

Foxglove opened up the bottle, and drunk the bright colored liquid.

“Eww what the fuck is that it looks like glowing piss why’d you drink it?
Cherry asked with a disgusted expression on it’s face.

Foxglove didn’t respond, but after a few seconds she started… changing color?

It took Mango a few seconds to realize what was happening.

Foxglove’s eyes turned more of a green color, no longer pure black like how only Noirceun have, and the dark purple on her wings also disappeared. After a few seconds she looked like a full Psithumic, her Noirceun features were no longer visible.

“WHAT THE SHIT SHAT SHART?” Cherry screamed.

“What kind of magic is that?” Mango thought out loud.

“Shut up.”

Foxglove said. She grabbed a key from one of her pockets and unlocked the door to the outside, then walked through.

“Where are you going?” Cherry and Mango asked at the same time.

But Foxglove already closed the door behind her.

Chapter 32

Oak was sitting at his couch.
He still had done basically nothing since Rose’s death.

Suddenly he heard a knock at his door.

He walked up to answer it.

“Hello?”

A woman was standing there, she was very short, with dark green hair and eyes, and Oak had never seen her before.

“Who are you?”

“Foxglove, this is Oak Smith, correct?”

“Yes, what are you here for?”

“Your daughter, Rose, I… I know who was behind her tragic death.”

Oak stared in disbelief.

How did she know?

Was it the Izlish?

So many questions swirled through his head.

“Who? Who would do such a thing?”

“Mango Forestkeeper and Cherry Morozov.”

“What? Those… that cannot be true.
I’ve known those girls since they were in elementary, they are very kind souls and I could never imagine either of them killing someone, especially not Rose! They’ve been best friends for years!”

Foxglove didn’t look convinced.

“I found them in the woods, exactly where Rose was killed, they looked scared and guilty, and had to take a while to make up lies when I asked them questions.
You know those girls always had a strong interest for plants, especially the poisonous ones, and those woods were full of deadly plants!
And also, they always seemed annoyed by Rose,
and ignored her so very often, and those girls are just cold-hearted in nature, just not when you’re around.”

“How do you know anything about them? I’ve never seen you in my life! And I’m sure they don’t know you either!”

“Trust me, I’ve seen them several times and I know how they act, you’re probably just not observant enough to notice.”

“Where have you seen them?”

“I’m just outside around town a lot, that’s all.”

“Okay… what did you say your name was again?”

“Foxglove. Foxglove Irvine.”

“Where are Cherry and Mango right now, then?”

“Locked up.”

“Excuse me?”

“I saw them holding a poisonous plant when I found them standing by your poor daughter’s body, trust me, I have my proof that they are in fact guilty of the murder so I have to right to lock them up.”

“That’… are you aware that’s not how the law works?”

“They did the crime, not me.”

“That is considered kidnapping, I believe.”

“It’s not like I injured them or anything, I just locked them in my house.”

“I’m calling the police.”

“NO. That’s it. Your balls will explode on October 13 at 8:59 pm this year.”

“What… why did you just say that?”

“I foretold it. It’s going to happen and there is nothing you can do about it, sir.”

“I doubt that my balls will explode this year, ma’am.”

“It’s Friday the 13th, sir. Anything can happen.”

“Get away from my house ma’am.”

“Why should I?”

“Because I told you to. It’s my property. And I am still going to call the police, let those girls out of your house right this instant.”

“No.”

He grabbed his phone out of his pocket and dialed the police.

Foxglove starting trying to run away from the house.

“HEY! GET BACK HERE!”

He tried running after her, but she threw a large rock at his face.

He feel back and was knocked out.

Luckily for Foxglove no one was around to see it, due it being a small neighborhood.

She eventually got back to her house.

“Where the hell were you?” Cherry and Mango asked at the same time.

“None of your business.”

“Damn bro.” Cherry grumbled.

Chapter 33

“Where were you?” Cherry asked again in annoyance.

“NOWHERE YOU GET TO KNOW.”

“Lemme guess, you went to go kill someone, how goofy silly of you.”

“What the fuck is goofy silly?”

“Never mind.”

“Why did you kill Rose?”

Mango asked as politely as she could, considering what she was thinking about doing to Foxglove in that moment, if she wasn’t locked up and unable to use any magic.

“I swear you have asked this too many times. I’M NOT TELLING YOU.”

“I-”

Before anything else could be said the doorknob started shaking.

Someone was trying to get in.

But who?

Foxglove walked up to the door.

“FUCK OFF.”

The doorknob stopped shaking.

“Now as I was saying-”

They heard a crashing noise.

The door had been knocked down, Salina was standing there, a face of pure anger.

“YOU.” He snarled.

“You’re the one who kidnapped them.”

“So? What are you gonna do about it?”

Foxglove had a blank look as Salina pulled a knife out of her pocket, and held it towards her.

Stratus peeked from standing behind Salina and smiled. “She doesn’t miss.”

“Huh.”

“She she’s holding a knife in front of you…” Mango said.

“Shhhh don’t tell her!” Cherry whispered.

“Oh no I’m so scared.” Foxglove made a fake expression of fear.

“What are you, as old as them?” She pointed at Cherry and Mango.

“Hey I almost chopped your arm off bozo.” Cherry said.

Salina threw the knife.

Foxglove tried dodging, but it sliced across right where if it was any closer to her throat she’d have been killed instantly.

Foxglove screamed in pain.

“You… you…”

She collapsed where she stood.

“See?” Stratus said, and started laughing.

He turned to Mango and Cherry.

“You two good?”

“What exactly is your definition of “good”?”

Mango asked, breathless.

Foxglove was on the floor, bleeding and unconscious.

Salina grabbed the key from the pocket on one of Foxglove’s belts, and unlocked the cell that Cherry and Mango were locked in.

“How did you-“ Mango started.

“We saw that woman make you pass out with some weird poison shit so we followed her here, sorry it took so long.” Salina said.

Finally, someone knows. Mango thought.

Or at least, knew Foxglove tried kidnapping them, she wasn’t sure if she could say anything about something else about the situation.

“Why’d she kidnap you, anyway?” Salina asked, concerned.

“Well not entirely sure why she-“ Mango couldn’t finish the sentence.

“Go on?”

“I… can’t.”

“The fuck do you mean?”

“We can’t talk about this because that bitch did some weird ass spell so that we can’t tell anyone about this!” Cherry pointed at Foxglove’s body.

“…Well did you do something that made her want to kidnap you?”

“NO!” Cherry and Mango said at the same time.

Chapter 34

“M’kay,” Salina said.

“Not saying that I think you’d do something like that, just checking.”

“What was that spell? The one she did to make you unable to explain any of this?” She pointed at Foxglove. “Didn’t think that anyone could do things like that.”

“We don’t know,” Mango responded. “I’m confused too. Possibly Noirceun magic? Cuz I think that they still have some pretty nasty magic tricks that we don’t know about.”

Stratus stared at Foxglove’s body. “Is she like dead or-”

“Sadly not.” Cherry said with a disappointed look on it’s face.

Salina walked up and stabbed Foxglove through her chest.

“NOW. Now she’s dead.” He smiled with satisfaction as she lifted the knife, dripping with blood.

Mango looked down at the body. She was stabbed through the chest, obviously dead.

“Ewwwww.” Stratus and Cherry said at the same time.

Wait- Mango looked closer. Did she just breathe?? Mango watched for a moment. What she saw terrified her.

Foxglove was breathing, and looked like she was just simply asleep.

The dark, bloody hole in her chest seemed to be healing at a horrifying rate.

Mango screamed.

“What is it???” Cherry asked, startled.

“SHE’S- SHE’S BREATHING. AND HEALING.”

“What? Ain’t no-” Salina stared at Foxglove’s body, a look of shock formed on her face.

“NO FUCKING WAY.”

“Flabbergasted.” Cherry agreed.

Foxglove opened her eyes.

“It worked.” She gasped.

“WHAT THE FUCK???????” Salina jumped back. Stratus screamed. Mango was too horrified to move. Cherry looked at everyone in confusion.

“RUN.” Salina shouted at everyone as Foxglove started to get up.

They darted out of the house.

Foxglove was alive, but injured nonetheless.

Stratus slammed the door right when she was going out of it, and it whacked her in the face.

“OWW!!!”

She fell back.

But at least my spell worked. She thought, and smiled.

Her chest was still in horrible pain, but she was alive.

She couldn’t die from injuries anymore.

The four ran through the forest.

“Is she coming?” Salina asked.

“I slammed the door on her.” Stratus responded.

“IS THAT MOTHERFUCKER JUST LEGIT UNKILLABLE?” Cherry shouted in dismay.

“Guess so,” Mango answered, breathless.

“We should fly,” Salina pointed out. “I don’t think she’ll be able to fly after that.”

“Good point.” Cherry said, and they all started flying.

“...Do any of y’all know where home is?” Stratus asked.

Salina grabbed her phone out of her pocket and opened google maps.

“Over here,” He said as she pointed in the direct of part of their town.

They eventually got there, Foxglove nowhere in sight.

“FINALLY.” Stratus said loudly as he and the others stood in front of their house.

Salina opened the door.

Luna got up from the couch and hugged her.

“Where were you my love??”

“I’ll… explain that.”