Bird of Feathers: Part (2)

Umbran Year 988

Rumors spread like wildfire—the folks were saying a witch had cursed them. But the truth was far simpler, and crueler.

The so-called "witch" was just a girl. A girl with rare violet hair, born with genes that made her stand out among the sickly, cityless wanderers—"the folks"—who drifted from place to place, carrying diseases they couldn't understand. Because of her strange appearance, they blamed her for every misfortune.

"I said don't follow me! I'm leaving the folks!" Wandy yelled back at the boy chasing her after the bitter fallout.

The folks had argued long and hard about whether to exile her… or kill her to break the so-called curse.

"Where are you going?" the boy called out.

"I don't know, and I don't care! Why do you care?! You people made me a witch—a monster!" she screamed.

The boy looked back once, briefly, at the group fading behind them. "I'm not one of them," he replied.

"I don't care. Just don't follow me!" Wandy snapped and threw her slipper at him.

"I can't go back. It's too late," he said quietly. "I've already come too far."

Wandy sighed and slowed her pace. "What's your name?"

The boy caught up to her and stood beside her. "I'm Joseph."

"Don't get too close. We're not friends."

But eventually after facing the hardships together, they became exactly that.

Joseph had only joined the folks a few months before Wandy. He was eighteen. Wandy, just fifteen. To Joseph, Wandy glowed—odd, fierce, beautiful in a way that made him want to stay near her.

But bad luck followed the folks— whom Wandy joined, like a curse. People started dying. The diseases got worse. Even Joseph's parents didn't make it.

Even after the kids left, they never recovered. And once again, they remembered Wandy. The witch.

Now they hunted her. Hunted them.

---

"Ahem," came a stranger's voice behind them.

Both Wandy and Joseph spun around, ready to run.

"Don't be alarmed," the man said, hands raised in peace. "I'm Von. I'm not one of the folks."

"What do you want?" Joseph stepped protectively in front of Wandy.

"Do you believe in fate?" Von asked, eyes on Wandy. "Because if you do, you're both part of something much bigger than this."

Joseph narrowed his eyes. Wandy looked unsure.

"You don't look like one of them," Wandy said. "Aren't you afraid of a witch?"

Von smirked. "If you're a witch, then I'm a wizard."

And just like that—he appeared behind them.

"I know you're running," he continued. "And I know they're closing in fast. You have two choices: face them alone, or come with me."

Joseph clenched his jaw. He didn't trust Von. But Wandy—Wandy wanted to believe in something new.

And she chose to go. Joseph accepted with whatever Wandy chosed

"Then it's decided," Von said softly. "Forgive me for this."

Before either could react, he knocked Wandy out cold.

"No! Wandy!" Joseph roared, trying to strike Von, but he couldn't move. His body froze—paralyzed.

"I said I'm sorry," Von murmured. "This is for your own good."

Joseph watched in horror as Von turned to face the oncoming angry folks.

"You're too late," Von shouted. "The witch is already dead."

The folks confused. Murmurs spread.

"Is it true?""Are we safe now?""Is the curse broken?"

An elder stepped forward. "I will see for myself."

Von stepped aside. "Check all you want. She's long gone."

The elder examined Wandy closely, then nodded. "She's gone. We're finally safe."

One by one, the folks turned and left.

When they were far enough away, Von sighed and released Joseph from his hold.

Joseph fell to his knees beside Wandy. She wasn't breathing. No heartbeat. Nothing.

Tears poured from him, the kind you can't stop. The kind that come from losing everything—again.

"Hey!" Von called. "She's not dead."

Joseph looked up, confused and desperate.

"I just stopped time. Like I did with you," Von explained.

He snapped his fingers.

Wandy gasped, eyes flying open.

"Why are you crying?" she asked, confused. "What happened?"

Joseph said nothing—he just hugged her tightly, like he'd never let her go again. Then, through tears, he told her everything.

When he finished, Von offered a hand. "Come with me. There are people you need to meet. One is around your age… and the other, the one who sent me."

And that was how they met Ray and Elias.

From that day on, Wandy and Joseph became part of G.R.O.W.Ray was like a father figure to them all. Elias. Wandy. Joseph.He didn't just save them… but also guided them.

---

"So… Wandy and Joseph," Stella said with a sly grin. "They've got a thing too, huh?"

Elias smirked. "Yeah. But they'll never admit it. Everyone knows though."

She stretched, standing up from her chair.

"Rest now, okay? That's enough stories for today. I'll come get you for dinner. Wash up."

She walked away, the door clicking softly behind her.

Stella was alone again.

The silence settled.And with it… the ache.She missed her mom.

Tears welled in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks as she whispered,"I miss you, Mom."