The Bad Man

As sleep finally claimed her, River held her daughter tight while a promise bloomed in her heart - she would protect Rain, no matter the cost.

The weight of her responsibilities pressed down on her, but this wasn't the time to cower. She was a witch now, and she would find the strength within herself to be the protector Rain needed. Also, to be the protector her people needed.

Echo had failed them. Echo had failed their parents.

The next morning…

… Sunlight streamed through the window, its golden stripes lining across the floor. Rain was already awake, seated on the windowsill, her chin resting on her hands as she gazed out at the street below while glaring at a certain figure ahead.

River, however, stirred much later. The exhaustion of the previous night was not done taking its toll on her. She groaned as she stretched while all the memories of the night before flooded back to her.

Annemarie’s words; “You are a powerful witch.” Continued to echo in her head.

Wrong though. She