ept hidden from the world. The hallway light buzzed faintly overhead, casting a sterile glow that always li

laundry room, an unset

paused at t

stine, still encased in plastic wrap. But in her mind, the

Was this some cruel trick? She reached o

else saw it," a voice ch

ded towel resting against her hip. Her soft brown eyes, perp

Seraphine asked, tensi

Got it from storage. No one pays attention down here but

d, tracing an invisible line on the counter with

om?" Juna te

the counter and let out a

ore than a maid, she was Seraphine's confidante, the sister she never had, a

e the flickering lights, the strange thing in the garden. It only happens when it w

h a lot, Sera. Sometimes, your mind plays tricks. Maybe it's anger. Grief

the weight of doubt pressing down on

I just think... perhaps your magic isn't out t

o grasp the meaning behind Juna's

, "Drink your tea before it gets cold. Go

as she accepted the towel, retreating

hed the kitchen, her te

. Her uncle and aunt were absent, leaving behind only a briefcase opened

Juna was correct? What if all of this, her magic was just a figment of

t about her hair, once a vibrant red, now fading to hues of an unnatura

tration, she felt her sanit

oice echoed impatiently from

ned sigh, she g

ich boy, one with a too-tight tie and a God complex. Though they atten

y the driver glancing nervously at the rearview mirror. Seraphi

ve, too pretentious another forgettable place defined by rule

te but tolerable due to its solitude. No one bot

f rubbing alcohol, pencil shavings, and whatever in

day's experiment. "Basic reactive pairings. Follow instructions. No

as she took her seat, alrea

used himself in cologne, practically lived at the gym, and once approached h

y toying with th

she muttered u

inned, puffing out his che

o steps," she warn

e shortcut!" he shot

n the table, Ferrous Sulfate and

as, don

ate. He poured, and

came to a sc

ckering beneath it hung motionless, as if caught in a moment of disbelief. Luca

however, was s

e table, her heart racing li

rged underwater. Panic surged within her as she spun around

ir like a ghostly specter. He

were g

t, menac

sed with an elec

appening" she murmured, disb

ed crack pulled her ga

as frac

ged forward, fear overriding e

air twiste

g inside he

B

rged back

e through the room l

. Shards of glass erupted in all directions. Smoke billowed, fill

afety. Chemicals pooled and spilled, a wild

ne remained eerily still at th

heat. No smoke

ead, sh

Ali

parks. The green glow flicker

es were o

eck watched i

warden burst through the do

ilence that followed,

as still

e was no hi