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Nic lets out a soft "wow", looking surprised but impressed.

"That's really awesome," she says as she nods. "I didn't realize it meant that much to you. I've never really known anything about politics, to be honest—but that's really great that you want to make a difference. If you ever need any supporters, like—if you're campaigning for something, or handing out fliers, or anything like that—then I'll definitely help if I can. I don't know a lot about politics, but I'm pretty good with talking to people, so I'd be happy to help if you ever needed it."

You sit for a little while longer together, talking and laughing, before Nic says she had better get going. Before she gets into her van, she gives you a wave, and tells you that if you ever want to come out for a drive with her, you only have to ask.

With that, she climbs into the driver's seat and she sets off—and you head back towards Silvertree's main street, which once you reach it you see is now almost empty of other people. The day seems to have gone by so quickly somehow; but at the same time, it feels like a long while since you were sitting at your kitchen table this morning.

You keep walking until you reach the end of the street, and on your right the Town Hall comes into view a little further along the intersecting road. But even though you start to head in that direction, the Town Hall isn't the destination you had in mind. Instead, you carry on for a couple of minutes before making another turn—at which point you find yourself directly facing the old general store where the tree had mysteriously appeared.

For a moment, the thought flashes through your mind that you still don't know who the other Witch is—but by this point, you're not sure if you ever will. Although you still can't help wondering who it could be, you don't dwell on the question for too long as you turn left and keep going.

It isn't long before you reach a large house just a little outside the center of town. You've been here a couple of times now: but the first time was for Eliot Ambrose's birthday party. Now, though, a black floral wreath has been hung on the door, and through an open window you can hear voices speaking in somber tones.

Pausing just before the porch, you put a hand into your pocket and pull out a note that arrived in your mailbox the day before. The message is quite short, but you read it over again now just to make sure you've remembered it right.

"Dear Huknock,

"We haven't met before, but when I heard from Mitch Logan (the owner of the crafts store—I don't think there's anybody in town he doesn't know) that you had moved into your grandmother's old house, I thought I ought to get in touch. My name is Dolores Silver, and I used to be a friend of your grandmother's when she lived in Silvertree. I hope you don't mind my writing to you this way, but I wasn't sure how else to contact you. Please feel free to throw this letter straight into the trash if you would prefer; I won't be offended.

"If you are still reading this, then I wonder if I might ask you something. I'm not sure whether or not you know already, but there is going to be a small memorial gathering for Eliot Ambrose at his house tomorrow evening. It is free for anyone to attend if they would like, and I thought this might be a good opportunity to speak to you about something—if you aren't busy elsewhere, of course, and only if that wouldn't be objectionable to you. I will be at the house for most of the night (I've included the address below), so if you would be happy to speak, that's where you can find me. I should be easy enough to recognize; I tend to wear colorful shawls.

"Best regards,

"Dolores."

You were definitely a little surprised to receive the note—not least because your grandma has never spoken to you about any friends she had in Silvertree. In fact, she mostly always gave the impression that she hardly spoke to anyone at all. But of course, you know as well that your grandma doesn't talk much about herself at all, so it's not as if it's out of the question that she could have had a friend in Silvertree at one point. But as much of a surprise as it was, you couldn't help but wonder what it was that Dolores might want to talk to you about. She didn't give any sort of indication what it was in the letter itself; but that fact alone seems to suggest it might be something she doesn't want anybody else to know about.

Looking up again at the house, you think how strange it is that you were here for a birthday party only a couple of weeks ago. But of course, a lot has happened since then; and it's become very clear how much can change in just a short time. Now, folding up the piece of paper again, you take a deep breath—and step through the door.

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