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I retreat to my room. The small window in my room taunts me. I find my body slowly moving towards it. Before I know it I'm climbing out the window and into the night. I need to see Julian now. The air is cool and the grass is moist from the dew. I take off running towards the woods, leading to the Next family's house. Their house is twice the size of mine, plus has two extra stories. I've only been here once, but I remember exactly where his room is. My hands take me up the tree leading to his window. I tap on it. His light flickers on and he appears at the window looking surprised. His eyes widen when he sees me. The window opens and he helps me inside confused.

"What are you doing here? It's past curfew." His voice is a soft whisper that makes my body relax.

"I can't take it anymore! She's driving me nuts." He comes close and wraps his arms around me. His embrace makes me sigh with relief.

"What did she say now?" He asks pulling away. He's wearing pajama pants that hit are a size too big and the same shirt he was wearing earlier in the day.

"I'd rather not talk about it. But I can't go back." I say stubborn.

"You have to go back. You need her spell to live. I can't lose my best friend." He pleads.

"You won't. Nobody knows what my powers can do. Maybe they can do more than yours." I say, sounding hopeful.

"Em." He says, giving in. He hugs me again.

"I need to know if you can hide me here at night, I'll be in town during the day. I'm not letting my amber hold me back anymore. Please let me stay here." I beg.

"Julian. It's time for dinner." His mother calls. Julian looks at his door and then back at me.

"Fine. You already ate right?"

"No. I'm not hungry." I deny.

"Are you sure? I can tell them I want to be alone. They'll let me eat in my room. I can take extra for you." I shake my head.

"I'll be fine. You're already letting me stay. I don't want anymore trouble."

"Ok. Don't go anywhere. Ok?" I nod and watch as he slips into the hallway. I take this time to take in my surroundings. His walls are painted green, based on his amber. There is a small chest for his clothes and a lamp on a stand next to his bed. His bed is big enough to fit three people and his dog. I met his dog after he escaped from their backyard and followed Julian's scent once. He was a puppy when we met. When he came out from the bushes his tail was wagging shaking his small body. I noticed that his feet were too big for his body and his ears even more so. There is a scratching noise from the lower part of the door, followed by muffled whines and soft barks. The door opens and Astara steps into the room. Her blonde hair is dry now and pulled into a braid that rests on her shoulder.

"What's in there, Everett?" She asks curiously. She smiles down at the brown and white dog that has doubled in size since I seen him last. He trots right up to me and plops his butt on the ground, his tail thumping on the carpet.

"What are you doing here?" She accuses, finally noticing me.

"What are you doing here?" I ask back with the same tone.

"I was seeing what Julian's mutt wanted. Now your turn."

"I came here to escape my mother." I say matter-of-factly.

"I'll be right back." She threatens. She disappears into the erie dark hallway, but moments later returns with confused Julian.

"What?" He asks innocently.

"Why do you have her in your bedroom?" She asks with an I-told-you-so tone.

"It's not the dirty way your mind is thinking. Her mother crossed a line."

"Julian, if she decides to use her powers she could kill all of us."

"She can't just decide to use her powers. She doesn't know how." Julian says defensively. I scratch Everett behind his ears, before deciding to speak up.

"Astara, please don't tell anyone. I can't go back. She's ruining my life." My voice pleads for something I won't receive.

"That's not my problem. You need to go back to your house before you kill us all." Her tone reminds me of our story, They called us Jinxes, freaks, and monsters. They tortured us, burned us, and beat us relentlessly. Astara looks at Julian.

"I'm not kicking her out. I'd rather have her kill us all, then not know where she is." He defends me.

"Julian. This crush of yours was cute when you two were little, but you need to grow up. Think about others before you have to choose one or the other." Julian's face turns red in embarrassment.

"Astara-" He attempts before she walks away. He steps into his room and closes the door quietly. Everett trots over to him asking to be pet. His bed creaks as he throws himself on top of it tiredly.