With Thomas gone, everyone returned to the living room, their chosen rooms now a semblance of individualized spaces. Tierney, now accompanied by the anticipation of her high school friend Ka Sandra Khaos, informed the group about the impending arrival.
"She knows because she's a witch," Tierney explained, generating intrigue among the group. The revelation hung in the air, blending seamlessly with the sense of uncertainty that pervaded their surroundings.
Just as Tierney mentioned Ka Sandra's arrival, a mysterious light emerged, causing the air to swirl and the wind to dance. The atmosphere crackled with an otherworldly energy as the light dissipated, revealing a girl with raven-black hair and almost cat-like dark eyes. She appeared with an air of confidence and familiarity, an embodiment of magic seamlessly woven into her being.
"Tierney, it's been so long! How are you?" Ka Sandra greeted warmly, approaching her friend with a familiarity that transcended the years. "You look good."
Returning the compliment, Tierney replied, "Thank you, Ka Sandra. I'm good too," the camaraderie of their shared past rekindling in the present.
Interrupting the reunion with a subtle cough, Katherine reminded them of the presence of the others. Tierney proceeded to introduce her friends, and Katherine to Ka Sandra, a sense of curiosity mixed with caution in their gazes.
"It's nice to meet you all, and Katherine, it's good to see you again. I was there when your mother gave birth to you," Ka Sandra revealed with a cat-like smile, a connection to their past that added layers to the present.
Acknowledging the introduction, everyone greeted Ka Sandra, with Katherine offering a reserved response, her guarded demeanor revealing the complexities of her emotions.
"Do you know my uncle Thomas too?" Katherine inquired with a curious yet blank expression, seeking insight into their shared history.
"Yes, I do," Ka Sandra replied, her tone shifting to a less pleasant note. "And I don't like him that much," an unexpected revelation that lingered in the air.
Maintaining her blank expression, Katherine simply responded, "Okay," her emotions shielded behind a veneer of calmness.
"I think your uncle is a piece of shit, and he is stupid. Every time he comes around me, I want to turn him into an ugly, slimy frog, step on him, and be done with him," Ka Sandra expressed her disdain with a mix of anger and calmness, a revelation that added a touch of dark humor to the gathering.
Now with Ka Sandra present, Tierney had a specific request for her magical friend—to cast a spell that would illuminate the house, dispelling the shadows that clung to the forgotten corners.
"That's easy," Ka Sandra said, snapping her fingers, instantly illuminating the entire house. The sudden transformation elicited exclamations of awe from the group, their eyes adjusting to the newfound brightness.
Addressing Kristen's concern about water, Ka Sandra assured her that it was an easy fix. After another snap, the water turned clear, leaving Kristen satisfied, the enchantments weaving practical solutions into their everyday needs.
But Tierney had one more request—she wanted Ka Sandra to make the house and the rooms cozy for the kids to live in, a plea for comfort in the midst of uncertainty.
"Can you make it cozy in here so that we can live in this house?" Tierney asked, making her final request. The desire for a sense of home resonated in her words, a plea for stability amidst the chaos.
"And since you said please, I promise not to turn Thomas's room into a jungle," Ka Sandra added with a mischievous smile, injecting a playful note into the solemnity of their circumstances. With a final snap, the house transformed, furnished with cozy furniture, painted walls, and a stocked kitchen, the magic of Ka Sandra infusing warmth into the forgotten dwelling.
"Thank you, Ka Sandra. This is a big help," Tierney expressed her gratitude, giving Ka Sandra a heartfelt hug, a silent acknowledgment of the solace her friend had provided.
With the enchanting improvements complete, Ka Sandra departed, leaving the group in their transformed sanctuary. The air carried a renewed sense of hope, the cozy ambiance a stark contrast to the uncertainties that awaited them outside the confines of their newfound haven.