In the middle of a town's grandest cleanest park symbolising it’s wealth and safety, William and Archard were at the edge of the park located in the middle of this fine town where Jack would come occasionally with Angela when times weren’t tough. With his golden cane of purity set foot on the ground, his hands above it, Archard being the tense guy that he is, stood beside his master perplexed by the event that William had created just last night.

Continuing their walk, William brought his eyes to the sky, watching a flock of birds fly by. “Hmmm…”

Hearing his master, Archard heard the distress in his hum. “What’s bothering you, sir William?”

William moaned and shook his head. “Nothing, it's just that… Archard, would you care to—”

“Yes sir, what is it?”

William then scratched his head, feeling frustrated. “Ah, it’s just that, this whole ordeal I’ve seemed to have done, is rather, how should I put it… incoherent, care to refute my statement, my dear friend?”

Archard was confused on what his master was saying, rather it made him feel more concerned for William. “Uhh… Sir William, how would I do that if there isn’t…”

William pointed his cane to the sky and shouted, “Obsurdertie!”

“Ahh, what’s with the sudden shout?!” Archard said, spooked.

William dropped his arms and hunched forward, sighing. “Nothing, care to rebuttal that than?”

“Uh, likewise sir, if I knew exactly what you were talking about, you’re confusing me…”

William sighs again, and gazes at the orange tinted sky once more. “Enough of my silliness. Well… time to say why I’m being so weird and frustrated and that being I think I’ve taken things a bit too far, my dear friend.”

Archard too gazes, crossing his arms. “How so? I mean I’m absolutely amazed and horrified by what you’ve done… I can’t believe my eyes that a man like you has altered history, it’s terrific yet frightening!”

William stopped walking, but kept his eyes to the sky. “I appreciate the compliments… but it seems as if I’ve taken it too far. I got a little carried away and a slight butterfly effect has crept its way in, and since I can’t defy God, it seems this effect will happen no matter what. Luckily my trials will alter it in a way that won’t anger him, so when it does happen, it’ll help our boy out.”

Archard raised his eyebrows in amazement. “But Sir?! How do you know that a butterfly effect was placed?”

William shook his head. “When I clapped my hands and before the flash of white engulfed our reality, in the midst of darkness and time being altered in the single line that diverted to a second… a ball of violet crept in my altered history and struck it, and having felt it, it was God I presume because of how pure it felt.”

“A-amazing…”

“Not only that, just before I was erasing the normal line of time, that ball instead sucked it in and created the world we’re in now. So in a sense, it did what I was originally planning on doing but adding the effect that this history has now bestowed… and there’s no changing it.”

Archard was intrigued and was listening carefully, feeling awe struck. “But once the trails are over you’ll be able to alter everything back to normal, correct?”

William groans. “Yes, but I have a feeling it won’t be easy since God’s involved now… I hope it's him, I really do, my dear friend.”

Archard gripped his chin and moaned. “Wow… so, in a sense, Dr. Cato was right afterall?”

“Well that is correct if I didn’t get too carried away haha, anyways enough of that. The plan will still proceed as it should, tonight Jack will know of his trials to become a better human being and not the trash that he’s become!”

Archard lowers his arms and relaxes his body. “If I may ask sir, what’s this butterfly effect you’ve mentioned, and how does it involve Jack?”

William’s teeth ground, showing Archard their whiteness, he retracts his mouth in a way of showing pity towards Jack. “Well… he’ll find out, and so are we, though I’m not ready to see how it turns out. Rest assured though! When it does happen like I said, the trials would already start by then, so let us just enjoy this day shall we?!”

Archard grins. “Alright sir, how about we start by checking by getting in touch with the other Exorcists?”

“Splendid, I like your thinking, alrighty then, let us walk!” The two start walking forward, and William pulls his phone out as well as Archard to inform their partners of the situation created by the snap of his master's fingers.

***

Inside her room, dwelling in total darkness, a single candle ignited, Sarah’s just putting on some new clothes to start this new day of mystery. Having put on a plain black skirt, a white buttoned shirt slightly unbuttoned to the top with black belt straps over her shoulders, she finishes this look with some boots. She walks to her mirror that’s nailed to her closet, and flings her hair.

“Hmm, Yeah, I like this. A much simpler look than I usually do. I don’t mind always dressing this way.” Having complimenting herself and admiring her new outfit, Sarah twirls around as she continues looking at herself in her long mirror against her closet door.

“Skirts long enough to not give anyone a look nor glimpse of my large behind… So long as I don’t bend over or something cliche like a gust of wind shoots it up to reveal my underwear—” Sarah frowns. “Cause I hate cliches and being eye candy to people.”

Sarah hums, walks over to her dresser to put on some eyeliner like the goth that she is. As she finishes the final touches to her outfit, someone knocks on her bedroom door. Sarah sighs, walks to her door and opens it to find it’s just her gorgeous mother.

“Yes mom, what is it?”

Sarah’s mother looked rather pleased, her eyebrows raised, a grand smile on her face, she gave Sarah the vibes of her smuggish nature.

Sarah tilted and backed up. “Oh no… mom, what did you do?”

Sarah’s mother giggled and proceeded forward. “My dear daughter, you have a visitor, and a tall handsome one at that. Mind telling me who they might be and asking for your presence?”

Sarah relieved herself by giggling too, and walked past her mother before pausing again. “It’s just Jack, silly mom, the one I told you about.”

“Oh! That’s him? My goodness, what a hurt soul and I do say, his soul’s very tainted in black.”

“I know mom… anyways, can you answer our questions about what just happened?”

“Sure, oh and when I answered the door he thought I was you for second until he recognised our height difference and my che—”

“Okay mom, don’t have to go into further detail about your lustful body.” Sarah walked down the stairs and her mother followed suit giggling away.

As they were going down, Sarah’s mother wanted to continue their conversation. “Why yes I will answer your questions, but I’ll just give you small ones to not linger your minds with more confusion. You still have much to learn about, my beautiful seed of life!” Sarah’s mother finishes her sentence with another giggle, making her daughter let out an air of tiredness.

The two got downstairs and already having taken a seat on their couch, Jack’s sitting there, gazing off at nothing with a sulking face. Sarah frowns, she can sense Jack’s sorrow even from where she stood.

“Jack… you okay?” Sarah asked, as she walked in the living room.

Jack looked in the direction of the two who walked in and stood next to each other. Then, he was left amazed. “Holy… shit…”

“Wh...at?” Sarah replied in a worried tone.

“I wasn’t sure at first, but I was right, you two look so much alike, too much in fact.”

Sarah’s mother giggled in a sadistic way, Sarah scratched her dome but grinned.

Jack gripped his chin, still amazed by the sight he’s witnessing. “Yeah, it’s scary, but there are differences; that being your height, eye colours, and the way your mothers hair is styled, other than that… it’s spooky scary how much you look like your mother, Sarah.”

Sarah’s mother grabbed her daughters shoulders, then pulled her cheeks. “Why thank you Jack, isn’t she just adorable with her size!”

Sarah’s mother managed to bring out a soft chuckle out of Jack as Sarah said her mothers name in an embarrassment.

Sarah’s mother felt smuggish and wanted to see how far her daughter would react to the young man’s boldness. She let go of her daughter and she also gripped her chin, crossing her arms as well.

“So Jack, does this imply that my daughter's beauty matches mine too? Is this what you meant by? You bold young man!”

Sarah groaned. “Mom… now’s not the time for—”

“Yeah, you’re both absolutely gorgeous, especially the outfit Sarah has on, it’s fitting and matches her figure well.”

Sarah raised the edge of her lip, and her eyebrow, but briefly chuckled. “Huh?!”

“My, he’s up front isn’t he! I like him, my dear daughter, he’s not only strong looking, and tall, but something inside him is very admirable too!”

Sarah blows steam, sighing and walks over to Jack. She then sat next to him, and she coughs rudely. “Jack… do you know what you’ve just done?”

Jack’s confused now, and he scoots a bit away from Sarah because reading her body language, he felt something coming. “Uh, what-what did I do…?”

Not surprisingly she punched his shoulder, and he called it too. “Nevermind let's get some answers shall we.”

“Ah, for someone your size you can pack a punch!” She gave Jack another straight jab to his arm and the young man briefly groaned. “Damn, relax, Jesus, I thought you were cold, but I didn’t know you were this—nevermind.”

Sarah crossed her arms and lay back on the couch. “You… were about to insult me, weren’t you?”

Jack mildly shrugged. “Eh…”

Sarah’s mother enjoyed their chemistry, she couldn't help but giggle about watching them act their age. “You two are so adorable together. Well, enough stalling, I’ll tell you two what just happened or try to explain what’s truly going on.”

Taking a seat on her special single chair, seeming that of gothic times from its black wooden finish to its purple cushions, Sarah’s mother elegantly took her seat, crossing her long slender legs in the process. With her hand against her cheek, she stared at the two in silence with her platinum eyes, making Jack nervous. Never has Jack seen someone like her, those eyes of silver that no one has, extremely pale skin, hair darker than her daughters, yet with those differences as mentioned before by him, the similarities were far greater than those small details.

Her smile fades, and she gets serious, furrowing her brows. “Jack, what is it that you seek from this small meeting put together by my lovely daughter.”

The tone of her voice, it gave Jack the freight, but he’s not going to show it, he mans up and knits his brows. “Sarah suggested it, but I’m the one who wants clarification on what just occurred, though I have a huge hunch that this was the doing of that William guy I met.”

Sarah’s mothers eyes grew wide when Jack said that infamous name known to her community. “Wi-William? As in William H. Christ—the sixth?!”

“Yes, that’s the guy, he has a white tux-like suit, gold shit sprinkled on it, a cane of gold, really blonde hair, taller than me, and scary ass eyes.”

“So you’ve met him too…” she muttered. “Hm, okay, but how does a man like you encounter a being like him? Do you not know how much of a legend he is in this part of the world's shadows.”

“Wai-Wait… he’s that known?! But my question to you is how do you know him, exactly?”

Sarah cuts herself in, clapping her hands twice. “Hold hold up, Mom, you still have yet! To tell me about these Exorcists, especially the one who is bullying me.”

Sarah’s mother sighs. “I’ll give you more details about that one later my daughter, but for now let's stay focused on William, he’s a force to be reckoned with. And to answer your question Jack, I’ve only just met him a couple of days ago, and it was the most intimidating experience I’ve ever dealt with in my long life.”

Long life… What does she mean by that? She doesn’t look middle aged at all, actually, she still looks very young, most likely early twenties… I wonder if she does witchery to make herself stay young, strange. Jack thought.

Jack cleared his throat. “Wow… so you knew him before you met him, he’s that well recognized isn’t he? Besides all that, what did he do? What the hell happened to our world when it felt like an hour ago we were almost killed!”

Sarah’s mothers eyebrows twitched upon hearing that, bringing out a frown on her beautiful face. “Almost killed, what happened? I’m more focused on that matter if my daughter was involved in something that almost cost her her life.”

At first Jack got scared when her soothing seductive voice grew deeper, but quickly, the young man brought out his serious face and ignored her mood.

Instead Jack got up out of his seat and grew unexpectedly impatient. “Listen, Sarah’s here, she’s fine, so can you just—”

“Know your place Jack, you’re in my house, and I won’t allow you to pressure me nor try anything to intimidate me, that won’t work on someone like me.”

Jack regrets his actions and shuts up. Sarah rubs his back, and the young man sits back down.

Afterwards, Sarah smacked his back but gently. “That was rather rude of you, so just relax, I know your emotions are all over the place. For now, remain calm and don’t anger my mom because if you do… then I have no problem kicking you out myself.”

Hearing Sarah’s words of truth left an impact in Jack’s broken mind, he lets out a long breath and frowns. “I’m… sorry… This is all new to me, I’m used to—yeah, nevermind what I was about to say.”

Sarah’s mother relaxed her face, and stood up to go to Jack. “I know how you’re feeling, someone completely oblivious to these ordeals and abnormalities, it’s only normal to be this confused. Just simmer down, I don’t know your backstory so I’ll apologise for my behaviour as well.”

She pats his head, and Jack gazes up to stare into those eyes of silver. Being this close to her gorgeous face made it seem like he was staring directly at Sarah. It was still hindering his mind, but seeing her platinum eyes this close was breathtaking for the young man.

Jack swallowed, feeling nervous, but he let out a brief sigh to relax his scrambled emotions. “I’ve-I’ve been through… a lot…”

Sarah’s mother let go and stared at the young man to listen closely as he was beginning to let out his emotions.

“Way too much to be honest, and it sucks, all of it. Heh, but I’d rather not talk about that, I just want some sort of clarification on what just occurred instead.”

Sarah’s mother gently smiles and walks back to her chair. “Well aren't you manly for your age. Okay, the answer you want is that William has not only rewind time, but altered history in a way that whatever has happened, did ensue but in a different course of action.”

Sarah and Jack gasped hearing this fact, the two couldn't believe what they were hearing. How could someone do such a thing that’s beyond human or even possibly realities comprehension. To the two, it’s complete fantasy and utter madness, something only done in comics, movies, or if possible, a God.

Sarah jumped up, bringing her fists to her chest. “Mom, how is that even remotely possible?! That’s only something you would see in an anime, comics, or a cartoon! This… This doesn’t make any sense!”

Jack jumped up as well. “What does this mean, how much has history changed? And how do you know exactly?!”

Sarah’s mother softly blinks. “I don’t know exactly how much has changed, but what I do know is that the only people that weren’t affected by it were our family Sarah, other Exorcists, and strangely, you, Jack.”

Jack stayed dumbfounded and collapsed back on the couch. “So what you’re saying is… that all of this is permanent?”

Sarah’s mother blinks again, and tilts. “For now, yes, but knowing him from what others have told me and a certain someone, William has something up his sleeve, and nobody knows about it.”

Sarah sat back down, and saw how blanched Jack’s face was. “Jack… you gonna be okay? Remember, if you have an issue, I’m here to help now as we said back in the forest.”

Jack slowly shook his head and grabbed it. “Sarah… I-I think I’m just gonna go home, I can’t handle any of this right now.”

“But don’t you want to find out more? This is your chance, my mom knows a lot Jack, trust me.”

Jack lets out a sigh. “I mean yeah… but, I still can’t wrap my head around any of this, it’s so fucking maniacally ridicoulous… I-I don’t know what to believe in—anymore.”

Sarah understood Jack’s confusion, and didn’t say another word. As the two young adults sat there, her mother oddly enough had her attention on something else; currently glaring at their door. Sarah suddenly felt something and her Witch senses were giving her signs that something or someone is here. Looking around, Sarah’s glancing eyes caught onto her mother, who’s mysteriously staring at the door and she saw her mother’s annoyed expression.

“Mom… is everything alright?” Sarah asked in a worried tone.

Sarah’s mother forces a smile, which looks maniacal from her scrunching annoyed face. “My sweet blossom of life, why don’t you and Jack go out for a quick walk. Continue your cute conversation and get this man to overcome his depression, okay?”

Sarah could sense her mothers true emotions which made her grow more worried. “But mom, we still have more questions to—”

“Please my beloved daughter, go and take a walk with your friend.”

Jack stood up, and heard her serious tone, not wanting to fuel her hidden fire. “She’s right, I think it’s best we talk alone Sarah, I have something to tell you… personally. And some fresh air wouldn’t hurt.”

Sarah stood up as well, crossing her arms in annoyance. “Fine, we’ll be back in a little while, mom… And hopefully, you can tell me more about what’s going on.”

Sarah’s mother nods, and watches the two take their slow leave of her lovely little home. “Be careful you two, don’t do anything else reckless or get the attention of that scary man!”

Jack opens the door and is the first to leave while Sarah stares at her mother before following behind. Both of them seemed to be speaking to each other telepathically in silence just by staring into each other. Sarah felt anger, annoyance coming from her, which made her want to ask. Her mother nods, telling her daughter that there’s a reason for her to leave, and knows more about this sensation she’s also feeling. Sarah understands and replies with a nod as well, walking out the door, and closing it behind her. Even though the door had closed, a huge strange lingering shadow followed the doors movements.

Sarah’s mother scowls her face, and lets out an aggravated sigh. “What are you doing in my house, you wretched fool?”

Coming out of the huge shadow, a man the same height as Sarah’s father, wearing steampunk like clothes, spiky hair with red dye finishing the tips of its black nature, having black fingernails, and very ghostly blue eyes made himself present.

He brushed his hair and made himself comfortable in the living room, taking a seat on the edge of one of the couches. “Woah woah woah… what’s with the att—?”

Sarah’s mother growled in silence and he brought his hands up and stood up, patting the air to calm her down.

“You know what, that’s a proper way of talking to someone that did break into your privacy and such, but here me out! I’m no creep alright, I just so happened to be here out of coincidence, and I overheard your conversation, so, I welcomed myself, ain’t that funny?!”

The man’s voice kept changing tone, it sounded raspy, low, then snorty, which made Sarah’s mother very annoyed by how he talks.

“The audacity of you… just popping into my home, and invading my domain, have you no shame?”

“Jesus christ, you’re still the cold hearted bitch that I’ve always known! But I don’t like calling you that, that’s your husband that likes calling… on second thought, I’m just gonna shut up now…” the stranger said, finishing by tapping one of his fingers in the air.

Even as he talks, he can’t help but not stay still, always waving, moving his arms and hands around all around him as he speaks.

Sarah’s mother blew air out her mouth and lay her head on her left hand that leaned on the couch rest. “Get to the point, what are you doing in my house? You stupid idiot.”

He clutched his chest and hunched forward, gasping loudly. “Gaahh! And I’m met with an insult by the lovely harbinger of Envy! God damn, you’re so cold, yet so evil! Marry me!”

“I don’t have time for childish games, you belittering idiotic fool.”

He shot back up, cringing to her insults that hurt his feelings. “Youch… and I’m rejected just like that, anyways how’s the husband? Is he doing any good, how’s the poor guy, huh?”

Sarah’s mother couldn’t help but express a smug-like grin fitting for a Witch like her. “Oh, he’s doing fan-tastic! Our relationship is wondrous, I truly do love him, you know?”

The weirdly dressed gentlemen cringes, and backs off. “I don’t know about that… like I said he’s always calling you a bitch and such.”

She lays her right hand on her face, tapping one of her fingers on the side of it with amusement, crosses her legs and raises her brow. “Oh does he now? I wonder why, hehe… I do no harm to my loving husband.”

“Ehhh, what I don’t understand is why you guys got married if you two weren’t meant for—Ahh shit, that’s right, that happened, and man… I’ve never been to such a depressing wedding in my life too! Holy fuck you’re so goddamn evil, gaaah! I love it!”

Sarah’s mother sighs and rolls her eyes, letting her hand off her face. “God you’re so annoying, could you please answer the question you nuisance. What does the most powerful Witch in today's world have to do with me?! And make himself present on this day of confusion.”

The gentleman clutches his heart, and combs his hair with his fingers. “Eyy, you’re gonna make me fall in love with you again with those compliments with that arousing voice of yours. But me?! The most powerful Witch?! No no no… that’s you love, not me!”

Sarah’s mom crosses her arms. “Hmph, I may be more powerful in terms of our mana control and dwelling power… but there’s a reason why you hold the title, Maleficus.”

“Hey hey! The hell’s your problem using my real name like that?! Relax will you, or do I have to resort to the same method, huh?! Witch of Envy aka… Abyzou!”

Sarah’s mother rolls her eyes. “Wow… how resortful of you, having to say my name belonging that of our proper titles.”

“Hey lady, you started it! Remember I go by John, okay?”

“And I go by Samantha, what’s the point of this again?”

“Uhh…. well shit, you got me there haha!” His laughter was snorty, and brought more annoyance to Samantha.

“Alright, enough, just tell me why you’re here, my god!”

“Well, just like Jacky boi there and your wonderful daughter whom I have my blessings for—”

“Wait, why did you imply that word, blessing? What are you planning, Maleficus?”

John groans, moans, waves his arms around in discomfort. “Will you stop calling me that! Goodness lady, and don’t worry about it, for now, haha.”

Samantha shoos her hand in his direction, blowing boredom out her mouth. “Whatever, get on with your statement.”

“Alright alright, here goes. Ahahem, the reason why I’m here is just like those two said, and that being the scary son of a bitch that is William…”

“Hmm, what about him? Wait a second, that means you weren’t affected by his doing… Does this mean others too weren’t affected by this change in history?”

“Nope, others were affected too, but you know me, I got my own ways to protect myself against that scary mofo!” John expressed a manical smile, and smacked his hand against his face, bugging his eyes out in terror. “Just when I thought I couldn’t have been more afraid of that guy… Man! And he does something like that, erasing two people from existence too, the guys a fucking… God!”

Something just caught Samantha's interest, another fact that supports her hypotheses, which made her get out of her seat. “Wait a second, repeat what you just said, the last statement?”

John turned to her, keeping his manic smile. “You mean him being a God!”

She shook her head and waved her hands. “No no, before that.”

He gripped his chin, and windmills. “Uhh… me being a scared pussy against him?”

Samantha sighs, draggin her hand across her face. “No, you stupid idiot, before you said God, my goodness can you be more annoying?”

John shot his index finger and acted cartoony. “Oh! You mean him erasing two people from existence?! Yeah, that happened too.”

Samantha felt terrified hearing that, which made the Witch's knees tremble in fear. “He can erase people from existence to…? What a terrifying man…” she muttered.

Samantha regained her composure and showed her serious side again. John wasn’t a fool, he was aware of the fear that spoke beneath her breath, it rather made him smile. Seeing her, feeling her express this single emotion made him realise she isn’t the cold monster people claim her to be, but she’s still human in a sense. John felt so amused by it it made him smile genuinely and enough for him to sit down and not act cartoonish.

Samantha walked over to her window and looked outside. “How do you know that happened? Are you aware of more than the rest of us? And who are these two people that he wiped from existence.”

John lay his arms back. No no no, I only know because—shit never mind you got me. Okay here me out, I may or may not have been watching those two/stalking them… and before you say anything else, I know that’s creepy and strange for doing—wow… never mind, I don’t have any right to say anything else, because the more I talk the more I look like a creepy asshole.”

Samantha grins. “Right you are, when you did come into my home without asking, I could call you a pervert, rapist, or combine both to call the police and have you falsely accused.”

John quickly turned his head around to her and made his mouth as wide as possible. “Eeek… that would be bad, though you’ve already done that to a certain someone already, ruthless lady!”

Samantha smiles, and turns to him as well. “It wasn’t intentional, I only did it to drive them away and get what I wanted, and I did!”

“Yeah I know, I was there to witness that tragedy, poor guy, if I were him I would stab you in your sleep! But… I wouldn’t because you’re so fucking gorgous! Marry me!”

Samantha frowns again. “No, you annoying prude.”

“Gahh, and just like that my heart was crushed twice in the span of a few minutes, brutality!”

“Mmm, so about those two people—”

“Yeah about that, I only saw but I don’t know who they were, hehe!”

“Ugh, whatever then…”

Samantha couldn’t help but trickle a chuckle from John being the over dramatic guy that he is. Having her arms crossed again and seeming as though the conversation was about to continue, the door slowly opens, making the two turn their attention to it. They both got quiet, watching it slowly open, and when it did, there he was, the man who she brings misery to, Sarah’s father. Already, at first glance he had a grimace, tiredness showing from how he threw his bags to the side, sighing in a depression, as he untied his neck tie, he saw the two in his living room.

Quickly, he scowls his face, noticing the weirdly dressed man that is John. “What are you doing here… John. Though, it’s been awhile, friend.”

John put his arms out forward, welcoming Sarah’s father back into his home. “And there he is, the man himself, or what I would like to say… the luckiest unluckiest man in modern history! Oh and see Samantha, he called me by my real name, take notes lady.”

Samantha brings out the most sinister yet beautiful smile in the world. “Welcome home, h-o-n-e-y, how was work?”

“Shut your fucking mouth you two faced bitch…” Sarah’s father responded, bringing out the most vulgar frown he’s ever expressed so far.

John laughed, finding their interaction entertaining. “Ooo, I told you, now I think I’m gonna—”

Sarah’s father jolted his head to John, mildly grinning. “John… how’ve you been…?”

John didn’t like his grin, it looked forced, sad and upsetting to see. “Uh, good man, good. And yo—never mind, sorry I even attempted to bring a reply to that, haha.”

Sarah’s father actually grins, genuinely. “That’s good to hear, anyways, what are you doing here?”

“Ah, I was just curious about history being altered that’s all, and happened to be around the neighbourhood, stop by, and say what’s up.”

Sarah's father briefly gripped his chin. “Hm, so that’s what happened.”

Samantha tried walking up to her husband but he quickly put his hand forward, which made her giggle. “Oh honey, don’t you want a hug from your lovely wife?”

“You fucking sick bitch, you don’t come any closer or else I’ll truly turn this continent into dust.”

John made a blast interpretation with his hands. “Yeah, he’ll do it too! I saw you almost blasting your neighbourhood into simmertherins by powering up an attack!”

He sighs, and walks up to John. “You saw? Yet you didn’t even try to help me out… asshole.”

“Dude…!” John replied, pointing his finger at Samantha. “...That’s the freaking Witch of Envy! There’s no way in hell I’m going to fight her, she’ll fucking destroy me brother!”

Sarah’s father frowns, clenching his fists. “That’s a lie, knowing you…”

Samantha smiles and steps in front of her husband. “Even my dearing husband knows the length of your magnitude Malefic—”

Sarah’s father stepped back and growled. “Enough, stop talking, and leave us be… sick bitch of greed…”

John cringes, and slowly steps away from the scene. “Ooo, this is getting pretty awkward pretty fast, I think I’ll just take my leave now.”

Sarah’s father groans before replying. “Okay, but one thing… why do you call this maniacal woman Witch of Envy?”

John pumps his fist. “Because it has a nice ring to it!”

Sarah’s father chuckles beneath his breath. “Fair… enough.”

John waves to him and afterwards, gives him a thumbs up for encouragement. “Bye dude, take care!” And just like that, John had completely vanished from their conversation, leaving a sad man alone.

He lets out a deep sigh and wallows back in his shame. “And just like that, he’s gone… now I’m alone again, with you, heartless bitch…”

Samantha had suddenly appeared in front of her husband, forcing him to look down so he wouldn’t stare into her deceiving gorgeous eyes of platinum. “Honey, that talk we’re supposed to have, lets have that conversation now please. It’s for the fate and sake of our daughter.”

Just hearing her soothing arousing voice made him ground his teeth in anger, but he never heard her say the word please before, surprising him secretly. “Why… Why should I? Even if it’s for the daughter whom I have no connections with… why should I talk to the likes of—”

“Because if you don’t then my daughter will meet her demise to a certain man in a cloak of gold.”

Hearing her use their daughter as a resort to their conversation she’s so keen to speak to him about made him feel more hate towards her. But when she mentioned the cloaked man again, he knew exactly who she’s talking about, and brought inner conflicts.

He balled his fist and mildly shook his head. “Damn… Damn you… Fi-Fine… you win, I’ll hear you out, without resorting to violence, no matter how badly I want to kill you…”

She grins, and blinks seductively. “Then, shall I make us both coffee, to make this time of bonding more memorable. You haven’t had my coffee in eighteen years, so why don’t I do so, sweety.”

***

Walking down an empty sidewalk close to the edge of town, Sarah and Jack were currently walking side by side in silence. With his hands tucked in his pockets, Sarah looking away, Jack brought the two to a stop, to continue their conversation from before.

“Well, let's finish our talk, Sarah.” Jack said.

“What do you wanna continue talking about?” Sarah replied, looking up to him.

Feeling conflicted and having changed his mind, Jack proceeded forward but quickly stopped to look back at Sarah, standing in front of her view.

“Jack?” Sarah said.

Jack lets out a long sigh, one filled with regret and tiredness. “Sarah… I’m sorry, I just changed my mind, I think I’m just gonna go home now.”

“Huh, wh-what do you mean? Didn’t you want to keep talking? Jack, I understand that you’re lost, but we’ve gotta—”

“Look, I know that we both want answers, and as much as I want them all, but… right now, I just wanna go home and try to comprehend everything. That way I won’t go crazier than I already am…”

Sarah crossed her arms and shook her head. “I understand, but instead of trying to do it alone, we can talk about it and seek all this in unity. That we everythings figured out Jack.”

“I… I’d rather do it alone, sorry.”

Sarah grew sassy, walking up to Jack and getting into his face. “Listen here mister, we agreed on something and I’m someone who keeps their promise. So don’t bask in the confusion alone, let's talk.”

Jack groaned and looked away, and started to walk away instead of replying. Sarah grew frustrated and grabbed his wrist to prevent him from going anywhere.

“Sarah, could you let go?” Jack said in an annoyed tone, “And dang, for someone your size you get one hell of a grip.”

Sarah slightly grins. “Don’t underestimate me Jack, I am a Witch, remember?”

“Heh, yeah but could you let go, seriously, I don’t want to…” She tugged on his wrist and in doing so made him twitch an eye.

Sarah wiped the grin on her face and got serious. “I’m not letting you go that easily Jack, we still have much to discuss, so don’t think you can run away from it. It’s better to resort to the conclusion rather than to have it linger.”

Jack used more strength to pull away, she uses both hands to tug him this time. Jack used more strength to pull away from her grip, but she placed more pressure on her feet so he wouldn't get away. This was annoying Jack and it started to aggro the young man.

Jack furrowed his brows and clenched his fist. “Sarah… please let go, I’m being—”

Sarah also furrowed her brows and pulled. “No, not until we have a proper discussion, until then fear my tiny grasp.”

“Look Sarah, I’m really serious, if you don’t—”

“What was that, can’t hear you over your—whining!”

“Sarah, stop… I—”

“Not until you’re ready to—”

Jack suddenly grabbed Sarah’s wrists. “Enough!” He said in sudden anger as he pushed her hands away in an aggressive manner.

Sarah gasps, and yelps as Jack quickly grabs her wrists again. “Jack…!”

“Didn’t I tell you to stop! I’m not fucking playing these—”

“You’re hurting me Jack…”

Hearing her pained voice, Jack regretted his actions, and let's go. Sarah grabbed her wrist, clutching it towards her chest, Jack saw his huge hand red mark around it, making his eyes grow wide in regret. She had her eyes closed, massaged her wrists while Jack watched her face express pain.

He kept staring in disbelief, and Sarah opened her eyes again, looking into Jack’s dead eyes. “I’m sorry… I-I didn’t mean to… anger you, Jack…”

The young man gasps and backs away, gritting his teeth while staying silent. Why are you apologising…? You shouldn’t say sorry to a pathetic worthless—

“Scumbag like me! I’m such a worthless piece of shit!” Jack abruptly shouted, clutched his head, and was ready to have another meltdown.

Sarah caught on, and stepped forward to get close to Jack until he let go and put his hand forward to stop her.

Sarah massaged each wrist. “Jack, I’m so—”

“Sarah, stop apologising for something you didn’t do, please. I’m the one at fault here… me! Everything’s my fault, every—thing…” Jack relaxes his arms to his sides, and looks away, grinding his teeth.

Sarah took another step forward. “No, stop blaming yourself so much Jack. You’ve endured too much to blame everything to—”

“Sarah… I hurt you, over my irrational anger. I-I suggest you don’t come any closer, otherwise I’ll just…”

Ignoring his advice, Sarah took one more step forward. “I’m here to help you Jack, please don’t try any more ways of hurting yourself. Like we discussed back in the forest, you don’t have to combat these emotions alone.”

The young man appreciated Sarah’s kindness but didn’t feel deserving of it. In response he grew more annoyed at himself, smacking his chest with intensity.

“Sarah! I’m sick…” Jack said, then pointing his index finger against his head. “I’m mentally fucking sick, not only am I a danger to myself, but to others around me… I-I just can’t right now, I know what we discussed, but right now, let me go home because I really don’t want to hurt you or anyone else.”

Sarah’s eyes quivered, feeling remorse for Jack. “Jack, don’t do this to yourself, I’m not going to let you suffer—”

Jack looks to his side, then to the sky, and shakes his head. “I should’ve never regrouped with you guys…”

“H-Huh…?” Sarah felt hurt hearing him say that, making her eyes tremble more. “Ja-Jack… what are you trying to imply…?”

Jack clenched his fists, and took a step back with a depressed look on his face. “I’m saying, I regret ever coming back into your guys' lives… I-I-I—shouldn't have ever come across Anna and… the rest of you.”

Sarah felt anger, but hid it to not make the young man feel more guilty than he already did. She clenched a fist and bit the edge of her lip. “But Jack… why would you say that?”

Jack deeply sighed. “Because… If I never did come back, then none of this would’ve never happened to you guys, all of this! And now look, I’ve not only gotten you guys caught up in my mess, but have now put your lives in potential mortal danger.”

Sarah’s lip quivered. “You-You don’t mean that… Do you?”

Jack nods. “I do, I’m sorry, this is all my fault, and now I’ve gotten everyone I cared about involved in my fucking mess. I’ll see you later Sarah, bye.”

Jack begins to walk away, but Sarah refuses to let him do so. She quickly grabbed his arm, stopping him. “No… don’t just wallow in your sorrow, I—”

“Sarah… please, let go…” Jack said in a cold tone.

She didn't want to, but did so in respect of his saying. “Okay… asshole.” she muttered.

Jack walks away without looking back, leaving Sarah alone to frown and stand there in sadness. Watching Jack walk away alone made Sarah realise how lonely the guy was, and the path he seemed to walk through life was that of failure. Sarah shakes her head and turns around too, walking off to the direction of her home. The two walked off opposite of each other, Jack actually stopped momentarily, to look back, watching Sarah walk alone, and seem to reflect his own path onto hers.

Seeing her walk and appearing to be upset made him see himself. Is she just as alone as I am? It couldn't be, she had the other two to be by her side all these years, yet… It seemed as if she didn’t want me to leave because of how much she fought for me to stay. It can’t be that she's just as alone as I am dealing with these same brudens, can it?

Jack moans and returns to walk back home, and Sarah too looks back one last time, watching Jack walk in his own path of shame. “Idiot…” she mumbled, returning to walk back on the path to her home.

***

Back in Sarah’s home, both of her parents were sitting in the living room, coffee set on the table in the middle, steaming, filling the air with the smell of maturity. Samatha’s the first to take a cup, then poured herself a teaspoon of glistening honey into it and sipped her coffe of pure black. She could feel her blackened soul be cleansed to pure darkness. The father sat there, watching the coffee stir itself, pouring two cubes of sugar, and a drizzle of creamer all on its own, reminding him that she still remembers what he likes to put in his coffee. Watching all the items levitate, set themselves back down, only brought annoyance to him, thinking she’s purposely displaying a show and dragging time.

His arms crossed on his knees, hunched forward, wearing his typical business suit fitting for the man who works long hours, pays for the bills, and provides for a family who only glimpses at him from time to time, made him question why he should endure this life further. He loathed this life, this woman casually sipping her coffee, not giving a single care for the world, to now fully acknowledge him to converse something of importance. Just thinking this made the man trickle out his anger through his nostrils whilst his eyes blinked.

Finally, he’s ready to speak to the woman he so hates without wanting to snap in his brewing rage. “What do you want to really talk about before I got into a blind rage, almost turning this neighbourhood into ash?”

Taking one last sip, the mug hovering off her small hands, back onto the table, she spoke in a serious tone fitting for her title. “Before we speak of this important ordeal, may I call you by your real name from now on? It has been awhile.”

Hearing her say that, her saying she wanted to call him by his real name made him angry again. “Why? So you could insult, and torment me further?”

She shook her head, slowly. “No, I just thought maybe I should, you know, to keep you from going berserk again.”

His eyes still squinted, staring at her in angered silence, this one time, he allowed her. “So be it… but I still feel an urge of hypocrisy in your statement.”

For once she actually smiled, genuinely, even making his eyes squint for a moment. “You have every right to feel that way, Ahriman.”

They way she said his name, but the one given to him of his title, made his heart sink in sorrow, reminding him of his dark past. “I knew it… you played me, you bi—”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to say your name of Witchery, what I meant to say is your normal name, Sebastian.”

“Why you… whatever, let's just get to your point.”

“Okay, the discussion I wanted to bring to you is…” Her face turned serious and she hunched forward. “I want you to train our daughter on how to use her abilities and her new found acceptance of what she has become.”

“Wh...at…?” Sebastian gasps in shock, hearing this, which made him jolt up from his seat. “You’re fucking with me, aren’t you?”

Samantha’s face said it all, showing him that she’s not joking, for once. “No, I’m dead serious, you may question yourself why I won’t teach her myself, but that should not come to any surprise to you. You should know the answer to—”

“You’re absolutely fucking with me! You want me… me… to show your—”

“Our daughter on how to control and use her abilities. Sebastian, show her the world she’s afraid of, please…”

He dug his fingers into his silk hair, digging them into his scalp in disbelief. “You’re serious… you’re actually serious, I don’t believe it… why though, why would you allow me when you yourself told me to never—”

“I’ve-I’ve changed… my mind, I know what our contract says, and I know what I meant when I forced you into it… but I’m not the right person to show her, you are.”

He still couldn’t wrap his mind around this, it’s totally bringing a mixed pool of emotions into the poor broken man. “How could I do that? I've barely spoken to her… let alone looked into her eyes… I-I can’t, I refuse…”

She didn’t like hearing that, it made her sigh in anger. “You will not refuse, show our daughter or else she’ll meet a fate worse than yours to that man.”

He hung his head, and drags his fingers down to his face, letting out a long breath. “How could I do that when she has those damn eyes of yours… she’s a complete mirror of you, you awful wicked bitch!”

Samantha got up from her seat as well, placing her hands on her wide hips. “So you’re judging her by her appearance to that of mine? My eyes are no longer what they used to be, you see it yourself!”

Sebastian grit his teeth and his eyes bulged in anger. “Not in your normal state, but your form of Sin… has them still, I bet my life on it!”

Samantha narrowed her eyes and stuck her hip out. “Cruel, aren't you? I’ll have you know she’s not like me nor have my personality whatsoever, she takes after you, Sebastian.”

That last statement made him grind his teeth and he really wanted to explode in anger. “Lair… you goddamn liar, curse you…! Trying to use me again, cruel maniacal woman!” He looked away, and took a step away. “I’m going to walk out of this conversation now, and don’t ever talk to me ever again like our contract states…”

Samantha frowned and reached her hand out to him. “Sebastian, please!” As he takes a step to the right to leave the living room, their front door opens, and their daughter Sarah has just got home.

Stepping in, and closing the door behind her, Sarah saw the two, looking at her with serious, yet sad faces. “I’m back—home…” Sarah said with her own saddened expression/tone.

Her mother thought of something, and it’s her last resort to convince her trapped husband to do her bidding. “Sarah, your father wanted to ask you something.”

“Huh…?” Sarah said as she gasped in surprise.

Her father, on the other hand, looked more trivaled, and began to sweat. “You… you, damn… bi-bi… damn it…” he muttered.

Sarah, nervously eyeing her father, started approaching him, carefully. “Wh...at… do you… want to-to… ask me, fath… I mean… Arhi—”

Sebastian clenched his fists and swallowed, nervously. “Sa… daugh… I-I, uh, don’t, don’t, call me that… please…”

The response she got from her father wasn’t what she intended, instead it made her feel just as worse. “I’m sorry… I’ll leave, I seem to—”

“No!” Her father said abruptly. “Don’t… ju-ju… just-just, I-I… I can’t… I’m sorry…” Sarah’s father walked off out of the living room, going upstairs to his bedroom in shame.

Sarah’s eyes were sad, sadder then they were before she came in. “Everyone hates me today… don’t they?”

Her mother sighs, and walks to her daughter to comfort her with a hug. “My dear daughter, no one hates you besides one man. Trust your loving mothers words, I sense that the small exchange of words between you and your father brought more harm to you emotionally didn’t it?”

Sarah’s eyes watered, and she wrapped her arms around her mother, embracing her comfort. “Mom… what do I do… how can I be more helpful to others without breaking our rules…?”

Sarah’s mother softly brushes her hand on her daughter's head, shushing her. “Don’t be so harsh on yourself, talk to him tomorrow, but as for us, I’ll show you more of what you are, just for a little, okay?”

Sarah didn’t reply to her mothers pampering words, she whimpered her sorrow quietly, grieving over the fact of who she is, and how she can be of more help to others in need, that being Jack.

***

Arriving back to his home as well, Jack went inside, spotting Eric on the couch conversing on the phone. Without saying a word, nor looking in his direction, Jack closes the door and makes his way to the origin of this new reality, his room. Walking to his room to lay in a depression, Eric stopped Jack, telling him to stay put, he wanted to have a word with him.

Getting up, hanging up his phone, Eric went to Jack, placing a big hand on Jack’s weighted shoulder. “Yo, you aight? You’ve been gone for like two hours my guy. Why the long face, and why did you run off like that earlier?”

Jack lets out a sigh, a very deep one at that. “Eric, I don’t want to talk right now… I just wanna have some sleep, my mind is not in the right place.”

Eric lets his hand off his shoulder, stepping away and crossing his giant muscular arms. “Well, I know that’s right, but you ain’t gonna check on your baby sis? She got worried about where you went, you know?”

Jack’s eyes widened, a shocked breath came out. “An-Angela…?” Jack said in a scared tone.

Eric saw Jack’s frightened demeanour, and questioned himself why he got spooked mentioning his sister. At the moment, Eric doesn't have time to ask more questions, he tells Jack he’s gotta go to a meeting for a new deal in the process. As Jack stood there in silence, Eric called for Angela’s presence, snapping Jack out of his lost state.

“Wait wait, Eric isn’t she… disabled?”

“Hahh? What the fuck are you talking about man, she ain’t no cripple my guy… You really are tripping aren’t you?”

Jack’s face turns white, and he starts to step backwards for some odd reason. “What the fuck’s going on… how much has changed, I can’t fucking take this any—!”

As Jack was about to have another meltdown, the sound of someone coming down the steps stopped him from doing so. Waiting for her arrival, Jack’s heart raced, his face turning whiter than ever, and sweat profusely falling off his face, Jack felt as if he was having a heart attack. Eric saw Jack’s head slightly moving, giving him the interpretation that something was wrong. He pats Jack’s back, Jack waits, and finally, Angela reveals herself to the two.

Eric quickly smiled once she was present. “Baby girl, good late morning, how’d you sleep?” He then pointed at Jack who stood, baffled. “And see, I told you this dumbo is fine… He’s just being a weird ass mofo.”

Jack’s eyes were wide, his jaw dropped, he couldn't believe his dead eyes. “An...gela…”

Standing there with an adorably dark outfit fitting for an emo or grunge person, Angela’s blue eyes were shining like they were back before the events of her temporary death. With a worried look on her adorable face, having grown in size and height, her hair black as the night, reaching past her hips, Angela rushed to her brother, hugging him.

“Brother, where have you been!” she said as she clinged onto him.

Jack’s so shocked at this ordeal, not only at how his sister’s changed back to the way she was, but one thing that caught his eyes the most was her hair. It reminded him of a certain girl in a white dress; turning his face to a completely shocked state.

“Mallory…” Jack mumbled.

Angela tilted her head. “Huh, what did you say brother?”

Jack ground his teeth, and slowly, he wrapped his arms around his dear sister who’s no longer paralysed. “Angela… I’m… I’m…”

“Yo… Jack, what’s—you know what, princess I’ll let you handle this, I gotta go, see ya!” Eric pats her head, and rushes out the home out the door.

Angela paid no attention to her uncle because of how her brother’s trembling so much in their embrace. “Brother, what’s wrong?”

Jack lets off, and gets to a knee to stare into her beautiful eyes of blue life. “Nothing… I’m just glad, glad you’re… you’re…” She suddenly kissed his cheek, surprising him.

Angela blushes, and bumps heads with her brother. “Brother… I’m okay, you don’t have to worry anymore, I’m still here. To stay by your side.”

Jack couldn't endure his emotions any longer, and a single tear came out, shocking Angela.

“Brother, why’re you so sad? There’s no need to be, I’m here to take care of you, always.”

Jack wipes his eye, and holds his sister again. “I’m sorry, just… let me endure this moment for a little longer.

She wrapped her tiny arms around his neck, and nodded. “Okay, I’ll do the same… brother.”

As he held his sister, emotions running rampant inside of him, Jack noticed more of a change to her appearance, which was her long hair. “Angela… your hair’s… lovely, but, what-what happened to your… purple highlights?”

Angela giggles. “What are you talking about? I've never had highlights, but that gives me an idea. Would you allow me to get them?”

Jack looks to the side, spotting a photo of the two alongside Eric and Randolph placed on a small lamp table. So much has changed, without my knowing, just what will I do…?

Letting off his dear sister, standing at his feet, Jack looked at his sister, and wanted to get something off his chest, a burden hindering him since she awoke from the hospital, though that answer was vague and made him black out. This time, there’s nothing to interfere with it, and noticing Mallory’s absence, this was the perfect time to ask her the question about the girl in white and her connection with his sister.

Clenching his fists, the scars on his face, his longer hair, deserving to be called a menace to society, Jack stared deeply into his sisters gleaming eyes of blue out of seriousness. “Angela… what’s your connection, to the girl in your dreams, more notably, Ma—”

Suddenly, Jack’s chest ruptures in pain, and he gags horribly, dropping to both knees and coughing horribly too. On his knees, eyes watering, clutching his throat, Angela got worried.

She grabs her dear brother. “Brother?! Goodness, are you okay?!”

What the—fuck…! it feels like something’s trying to rip my heart out, and I can’t… I can’t!

Jack vomits black, and it splashes everywhere. Angela fell back, feeling revolted yet afraid for her brother's well being. “Brother, I’m calling an ambulance, hold on!”

Getting up as Jack kept vomiting, soonly about to run for her phone to call for help, Jack yelled at his sister to stay put. She does, but in a scare, retracting her arms to herself. Watching her brother puke black one more time before he got up, wiping some of the tar off his face, Jack’s arms dangled as he coughed the last bits of black.

Seeing him stand there, recovering from this sudden disgusting state, Angela couldn’t help but shiver in fear. “Bro-Brother… Why did you stop me?”

Jack lifted his head up, staring at his sister with bloodshot eyes, and stained black on his lips and shirt. “I’m-I’m not… going to let her to… to, prevent me from asking you this!” Jack clenched his fists again, “What’s your connection with Mallory!”

Angela at first blinked rapidly, being confused at his question, “Wh-What are you talking about? Mall who? Girl in my dreams? Brother, are you sure you don’t need a doctor?”

“Wha…?” Jack couldn’t believe his ears, again he got the same answer as before, though this time nothing made him pass out. “Doctor… Doctor! Has Dr. Cato tried attacking us?!”

Angela feared for her brother's mental health, she walked up to her shakened brother, grabbing his black stained hand, and said a statement that left him paralysed. “Brother… who’s… Dr. Cato?”

Jack’s eyes expand in insanity, and he’s ready to explode at any moment. “No, no no no no no no no! Wha-what about… Mathew? And-And… Caro...lyn…”

Angela didn’t like seeing her brother in this state, which made her turn cold faced. “Brother, I don’t know who any of those people are, except for Carolyn.”

Upon hearing Carolyn’s name, it made Jack’s dropped jaw quiver. “Wh...at?!” he said in the most frightened tone he’s ever put out.

In a serious tone, Angela spoke, and she too clenched her fists. “Don’t you remember, she moved last year, and we both said goodbye to her… And, I still have her number, if you still miss her… then, call her.”