Aspen looked at Eden

"I trusted you" she said loudly and with anger.

"And your trust was not miss-placed. Im sorry did you not want to see your family again?" Eden replied with anger in her heart.

Aspen has always had a hard time with trust. Not trusting the people she loved was like a diease that ate at her from the inside out and left her lonely and riddled with what-if's and Butts. Leaving nothing but anger in the path's of her mind. She didnt want to be like this but it was something she couldnt help. She tried to trust but anytime she got too comfortable with someone she reminded herself of all the times that trust would be exchanged for heart break. Looking for any reason why she could justify her sickness along with how they could eventually betray her.

"You couldve warned me about the cult?" aspen fired back.

"You should be grateful, do you think banned spells fall out the sky aspen. Get real." Eden said inches from her face. Eden took a deep breath and stepped back.

"I'm sorry I know that must have been scary and im overreacting. But i hope you can calm down. I would never put you in any harm. Ill go get some us coffee and explain everything. I promise. I love you." Eden added then gathered her stuff and walked out the front door. As soon as her feet hit the payment of the side-walk her eyes filled with tears. Eden quickly stop her tears and went on. Up stairs aspen sat in shock.

This seemed insane to her. "Eden needs to explain why she felt comfortable leaving me with a cult as well" aspen thought. aspen layed on the floor watching the ceiling fan.

forty minutes went by and Eden finally arrives. they sat across from eachother at eden's kitchen table.

Eden starred at the table while aspen gave her dirty looks. "I left you with them because I had to." aspen went to response But then Eden looked her right in the eyes and said "Let me finish. The Cult... is faction one. And if they choose you, Well your above the law. Like me. How do you think I am to get the grapes and not get caught? I cant tell them no to anything or it all crumbles. I mean shit Aspen they'll murder me! They're like the fucking mob but worse." Eden said with fear in her face, causing it to grow pale. "You expect me to believe this Eden" was all aspen could get out of her mouth. "Oh well its the truth and you should. Because they are gonna come for you. You need to be ready. I'm serious." Eden spoke with a tone that would make anyone shut up and be ashamed of themsevles. "Why did you drag me in to this?" Aspen asked while raising both eyebrows as high as she could get them. "Well, If you comply, You can do any banned spells and thats including the one that helps you bring your family back to life. Also you can pretty much get anything you want. Play the system to your advantage." Eden spoke with encourgement. They sat there drinking coffee and staring at eachother and Aspens anger turns into appreciation.

Eden broke the silence "It comes with a price."

"Fuck!" aspen thought to herself. "What is it?" Aspen asked with the calmest voice she used all morning. "I dont know.. Your relationship with them, are gonna be different then mine. We cant do this together and thats why I wasnt in the woods with you. Dont worry Aspen it cant be too bad for what you get right?"

"Thanks Eden for clearing things up. I have to go to my house to pick up some clothes."

Aspen was nervous getting on her broom, not only for what her future held but seeing John. She felt bad for how she had left things. Although on another hand she did didnt. Mostly because she felt like he took her emotions and thoughts and picked them apart like it was for research. How could she not feel that way, she spent alot of days and nights telling him everything. She just felt like the only reason he cared in the first place was because he was inlove. When she got there she paced her porch before walking in. As she did her cat ran up on her very excited she spent a few minutes loving on him. "Awh, its only been a few days" she said while scratching the cat behind the ears. She was able to to leave her cat alone because she had installed an automatic feeder and water bowl. He also had a cat door at the back window.

"John?" she yelled. She didnt get an answer so she walked up her stairs to knock on his door.

"John!" she called out again.

*knock knock* she stood at his bedroom door but still got nothing in return. Aspen opened the door to see half of his stuff gone.

a note on the bed read:

Aspen, if you find this ive gone to the human world.

stay safe.

-John.

"Shit, well i cant say i blame him, I probably would have left too. What a mess" these words rang in aspens mind. She was in a way happy because with everything going on she didnt even think about what she was going to say to him.

--------------------------

It was monday. Aspen sat in Law and Ethics trying to keep her eyes open. She couldnt sleep the night before, She was too worried bout the cult taking over her life. It was too good of a deal not to take in her option. When the bell rang she picked up her sore and tired body. "Ms. Hibiscus why dont you stay back real quick." Mr. Crumble said while looking from above his glasses while grading papers. "How can I help?" aspen asked him clutching books to her side. "Well I have the most amazing news for you. Every year faction one picks one student to come to the court room and watch a trail. They picked you, Im sure Joseph Will be very Jealous." Mr. Crumble said with a wink. His smile was warm. He was proud of aspen for her work in class and she was doing extremely well.

Still she couldnt help but think "Man Fuck Joseph".