Come Back Witch

Nobody moved as if time had frozen. Cloves continued to draw his bow at David, but he didn't even seem to shudder at him.

''I will slice his throat before your arrow will ever reach me.'' David's voice was flat, steady the way it always got when he had already made up his mind.

"Try to move your hand and I will blast your head off, old man.'' Cloves answered sharply, but his voice still didn't carry the same determination as David's.

Even he seemed to have realized something is wrong with the situation.

''Hold it, everyone." Finley's voice echoed through the street, they most likely had heard the commotion and quickly hurried over here.

Ami stood behind him, searching for something in her pockets as far as Vinces could see.

Vinces could see Cloves face shift from anger and determination to confusion as realization seemed to hit him.

As he lowered his bow, Miss Roseberg still held her throwing daggers ready, but Cloves simply moved his hand in front of her, signaling a stop.

"If we were mimics..." Vinces coughed, blood running down his chin. "Perl would've already been dead." His voice was extremely weak, not much more than a whisper, and still everyone seemed to have heard his words.

As everyone had already lowered his weapon, David still continued to hold his dagger directly at Perl's throat.

''It's fine, David; they are on our side.'' Finley said, staying just next to him, grabbing the hand of David and slowly moving the dagger away.

Perl instantly fell to the ground breathing heavily, as Vinces could hear both his teachers approaching fast, his whole body hurt so bad and he could still taste blood in his mouth.

But the wound didn't seem to be lethal; if Perl had used any kind of weapon, his fate would've ended long ago.

''Vinces, are you fine? Do you need anything?'' The worried voice of Miss Roseberg was a complete change from her former hostile being.

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But his consciousness was already fading, opening his eyes once more, he stood once again inside a completely dark room. But this time, to his surprise, in his own body.

Standing in front of him was the formless being of the world. He could feel the same light going from its eerie presence as before.

''What brings you here this time?'' It asked the voice filled with mockery.

But Vinces didn't care about his question and instead hurried over trying to grab the being but passed just right through it. ''WHAT WAS THAT? WHO KILLED THEM ALL?''

He felt like he was about to explode with anger, because all those monsters were the fault of this being standing in front of him.

But it just answered with a laugh. ''Do you really think a monster was at fault for this destruction? No, it was a human just like you.'' As it laughed, it continued to echo through the infinite darkness.

The eerie light in front of him suddenly started to change forms, turning from light to the body of his dead brother towards the corpse of Lers.

Vinces wanted to question it. What does he mean a human did all this? But before he could, a voice called out behind him.

''What is this place?'' Turning around, he saw Lysandra standing just behind him. ''And who are you?'' She seemed to ask at the body of Lers.

For the first time, the World looked unsettled.

Without answering, it flicked a finger toward Lysandra.

The darkness shattered like cracked glass.

The whole realm seemed to split apart as he fell right through the ground.

Opening his eyes in a scream, he found himself inside an unfamiliar house, lying on a bed. His classmates and companions stood around the bed, every face carrying the same look of worry.

Every face looked relieved, even the usual grumpy David. Embarrassed about his loud awakening, Vinces wished he could disappear beneath the blankets.

''Are you..'' Cloves tried to speak but was interrupted by Perl. "I am so sorry Vin, I thought you were one of them." His voice was filled with genuine sorrow, but Vinces couldn't blame him, after all he had looked like he was the perpetrator.

''It's fine and I will be fine too.'' Vinces answered, exchanging glances with Dr. Cloves, who seemed to be relieved by his answer.

After a long, awkward silence, people slowly started to leave the room, probably wanting to give him time alone to rest. Only David seemed to remain in the room, probably not having somebody to stay with.

''Is it fine if I stay for a bit? I'm not really on good terms with your professor..." David spoke, not even looking at Vinces.

Letting out a sigh, Vinces just shrugged; he wasn't bothered by David's presence. But he would've preferred to stay alone to be able to speak to Lysandra.

But that also didn't seem to be working because ever since what happened at the two skulls she hadn't spoken to him again, only remaining idle on top of the windowsill, staring outside.

The following silence felt relaxing; his body was still in so much pain from everything that happened today, but finally being able to rest felt just as amazing as the pain hurt him.

''Have you found their bodies...?'' Vinces asked even though he knew the answer. But to his surprise, David only shook his head.

''I haven't searched everywhere yet, but it seemed as if roughly only half of the villagers were here when it happened. Also, the entire community of the local church seems to be missing completely...'' His voice was calm, but Vinces could feel the slight hope still lingering inside of him.

Out of caution, he grabbed inside his pockets, still feeling the wallet inside; next to it was the small pendant from his brother.

After what felt like an eternity, David spoke. ''I will be heading towards my house now; you should get some sleep, I think tomorrow will be a long talk.''

Vinces hadn't even noticed how late it had already become, with the sun setting already in the distance. Giving David a goodbye nod, he was left alone in his new room.

Lysandra finally moved down from the window, stepping beside his bed.

''You will regret having lied...''

Vinces knew she was right.

But now it was too late.