Half an hour later, Chad noticed footprints appearing in the grass, side by side. As the footprints got closer, familiar voices became noticeable.

“So, what are you going to do about Haze?”

“I’m going to tell him the truth-- he’ll probably be disgusted when he finds out about the potion.”

“Good idea, Ella.”

Chad looked over. Ella? Ella and Terrence must have been returning. He shouted out to the girls. “Hey guys, I think Terrence and Ella are here!”

Phila and Sahara ran out immediately, followed by Garnet and Oma. Amethyst ran out last, holding a frothing potion. “Ella, get over here so we can see you!” The footsteps came over to Amethyst, and the potion suddenly floated. A moment later, Ella appeared, followed reluctantly by Terrence.

Sahara ran over and hugged them. Terrence wriggled out of her embrace immediately, but Ella remained, glad to see her sister.

Amethyst nodded. “Good, you’re back. How was the potion? Did you feel any itching or abnormal hunger? Do you have a rash behind your left ear?”

Ella’s eyes grew wide. “Uhh, no…”

Amethyst stepped forward. “Terrence, check if she has a rash behind her left ear.” He shook his head. “No? Good. I need to do a little bit of fiddling with the antidote, but otherwise…” She trailed off.

“Otherwise what?” asked Ella panicked.

“We’ll be using this potion and antidote on our next adventure! I’m sure that’ll be soon, considering how many times we didn’t die…”

“Another adventure?” yelled Sahara. “Are you kidding me?”

Amethyst grinned. “Why not?”

“Why not? You’re asking why not?” screamed Sahara as she stomped up to Amethyst. “I killed the headmistress, I don’t know who else I’ll have to kill next.”

Garnet came over. “She’s kidding. Ella, Terrence, we’re glad you’re back.”

Terrence nodded. “Likewise. I hate to be the one to say this, though, but…”

Garnet interrupted him. “We were so worried! Chad told us what happened, up to the part where he left…”

Chad walked over. “Yeah, they know about Phila.”

Ella started crying again. “She’s dead. Sahara, our sister is dead.”

Amethyst raised her eyebrows. “You sure about that?”

Ella looked up. “What?”

Phila walked over. “Miss me?”

Ella walked up to her. “What? How? Wha--” She wiped a tear away.

“Ah, call off the funeral and the parties Ella, I know I’m popular, but I’m not dead yet,” said Phila. “No, don’t explain right now, Amethyst.”

Terrence just stood there, shocked.

“Have faith, Terrence,” said Phila. “The Phila is with you.”

Ella hugged Phila. “In all seriousness, I missed you.” She stepped back. “Don’t die again.”

“Aw, really? In the full 28 seconds I was dead, I didn’t miss you at all. This means a lot to me,” said Phila.

Terrence elbowed Phila. “Shut up. We didn’t know you were alive.”

Chad smiled. “So, what’s death like?”

“That’s for me to know, and you to eventually find out,” said Phila. “But it’s not like the rest of you can come back and tell each other.”

The group’s discussion continued as they went back into the wagon. The sun set by the time Garnet went outside to guard. For the first time that day, everything was peaceful.