The witch and the map maker

Chapter 3

And...this is your room" Dahlia pointed out, taking Lyra's palm before placing it flat on the door. It shone at first, a vibrant yellow gold colour before Dahlia pushed it open.

Lyra stood at the door frame. It looked just like her room back home. She looked down and blinked her tears away, taking a deep breath before stepping inside to sit on the bed.

"How?" Lyra inquired

"There's nothing a little magic can't do," she smiled and turned around to leave. "I'll let you settle in, and tomorrow I'll let you meet your colleagues," she left, the door closing behind her softly.

Lyra threw herself to the back staring blankly at the ceiling, before the tears started to gush from her eyes. She had felt hopeless and drained. Her whole life was ruined in one night, and now she'll most probably never be able to go home again. All she could do at this point was sob her heart out.

Once her tears could no longer drain from her eyes, she thought back to what happened just hours before, and the strange deal she was offered.

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"So when do I go home, my...mom" her voice cracked before she continued, "And my life is back there"

"Oh sweetie, you can't go back home" the witch and Ezekiel gave her looks of sympathy.

"What do you mean, I can't go home?" it came out louder than Lyra intended.

After sharing a very noticeable glance Dahlia finally replied, "From what you told me and what I've seen, your brother is on a complete rampage. If you go back he'll surely kill you"

"Then what am I supposed to do?" At this point, Lyra might have just woken up, but she was frustrated and exhausted. She just needed to get home.

"I do have a proposition for you," Dahlia smiled.

"And what's that?"

"Work for me. I'll provide you with anything and everything, and your brother can't get you here."

She clearly had no other option now, so without thinking it through, she agreed.

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She had no idea why she said yes. It was all too soon, and she was still frightened by what her brother did. She tried not to dwell on the memories of her mother's corpse. She swore she could almost smell the blood.

And so she slept, her body immediately shutting down once she hit the pillow.

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It was dark, cold and filled with static noise. The long hallway stood desolate. Lyra walked through, her heart beating, hammering in her ears. Her breathing had slowed to the point she felt like she was choking on air. Her nose had burned with the smell of blood, her blurry vision did nothing in the dim light as she walked the harrowing hall, going through an entrance.

The light blinded her blinking slowly to adjust her vision. The moment she opened her eyes was her instant regret.

Her mother stood there, still blank eyes just watching her, as blood poured out of her open wounds, groaning out words.

"...Ly...ra..." she groaned out. Lyra only caught one word next, "Videte"

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Lyra woke up abruptly, her body soaked with sweat. Adrenaline had rushed to her brain and now her body sat up numb, her mind racing. Only one word had echoed her mind, "Videte," she said out loud.