Mara opened her eyes to find herself in an unfamiliar room. It took her a moment to realize where she was, but when she did, she groaned and sat up. A hand moved to rub her forehead precariously. She found her headache gone for the most part. But she failed to feel relief.
Instead, Mara found herself facing a new vexation.
"It's late." Mara voiced as she looked into the doorway. She could see the kitchen dimly lit by gas lamps. Outside, the window looked to be dark. Mara guessed it to be some hour or two past sundown.
I didn't mean to sleep this long, Mara frowned. As she moved to stand, another thought rolled in. I didn't mean to leave Sy alone this long. She must be frightened.
Mara felt a flash of anger come up. Why had no one woken her? Was she just forgotten? Or was this on purpose? Mara recalled the uniformed witch from before. Why hadn't he-
As Mara walked into the kitchen, she noted the silence. It was quiet. Not only there but throughout the store. Mara moved to peer down the hall. There was no other light save the low gas lamps. She seemed to be the only one left in the place.
The store's closed- Mara recognized.
Mara breathed a sigh, feeling weariness fall into her arms and legs. It had been a long day for her. And she didn't want to waste any more of it. Either by being mad- or being sidelined by unwanted blasts from the past.
"Hurry it up," Mara whispered at herself. She walked into the kitchen and could now see her things on the table. The gobble bag sat slumped on top with her broom leaning against the chair. Mara moved toward them and pulled on the straps before taking up the broom in her hand.
Mara headed to the backdoor. The knob clicked open to lead out to the backstreets. Mara stepped out without hesitation. Instantly, her nose filled again with vile city air. She cringed.
"Love the city," Mara walked toward what was a break between buildings.
Of all the times to run into Madame Madeline, Mara thought. She felt bitter about the day's events. From arguing with idiots to a headache and then 'her.'
Today could have gone much, much better. Mara decided.
"Sy, at least will." Mara moved back to pat the gobble bag. It made an excellent thud of heavy tools bouncing together. She smiled at that and continued walking.
"Aha!" Mara found what she was looking for. She had come to a clearing.
Looks like the remains of a fallen house. Mara realized seeing the fallen brick and wood scattered. It wasn't surprising. Many homes in this part of town were in similar states.
Just a place that Terra forgot about. Mara thought quietly. Nothing new.
Mara slowed her long strides to step over the debris. When free from obstacles, Mara straddled the broom between her legs. She shifted her feet to ready themself for the push-off and griped the head of her broom for balance.
Let's go home. Mara thought and felt eased by it. As she shifted, something in the corner of her eye flashed with movement. Was there someone else? Mara stopped to look over.
Someone was. They were standing in the shadow of the buildings. Their face was hidden away, but Mara could see they were tall. And as the wind picked up to blow their hair, it was long and silver-
Mara's eye went wide at the sight of that color. Her skin prickled up into goosebumps. Somewhere inside, Mara felt an eerily terrible sense of familiarity.
Just like -
"What do you want?" Mara shouted. Mara turned fully to look at the stranger. She wanted to see his face.
"…" Mara looked on to see no one. The person was gone.
Could they have never been there, to begin with? Just a trick of her eyes? Mara hoped. She just saw shadows. Mara closed her mouth and turned to face back.
"It's late," Mara told herself it was nothing.
I just mistook a shadow. It wasn't anyone. I'm just tired.
Mara swallowed and gripped the broom handle again. She looked up to the night sky to see it littered with tiny stars. The broom lifted without trouble. Mara directed the broom back home.