It had been two days since their parent's sentencing. The Tarby household was heart-breakingly quiet. Their once happy home filled with mischievous laughter was now cold and empty. Each of the Tarby four had found their own way to cope. Whether their coping strategies were working was debatable, but at the end of the day they were just kids doing their best in an impossible situation. 

Meadow spent her days hulled up in her room with the door shut tight and the covers pulled over her head. She would curl up into a ball with her knees pulled to her chest as silent tears streamed down her face. The guilt consumed her and dominated her every thought. Markos, Misty and Millie did their best to convince her it wasn't her fault, but she never believed a word they said. If only...she would think. If only there were a real cure. If only Raina Septon lived. If only I had never gotten sick. If only I had never been born. Everything would be better. 

Millie took to taking long, meaningless walks through the woods. She'd slip out of the house without a sound and disappear for hours, sometimes not returning until well after dark. She would wander around aimlessly hoping the woods would swallow her up and never spit her back out. But she wasn't so lucky. No matter how hard she tried to get hopelessly lost, she'd always find her way home.

It tore Markos to pieces watching his sisters disintegrate into nothing. He knew his family was falling apart and he was desperate to pull it back together. He also knew that with everything they had been through, it would be no easy feat. He couldn't do it alone. He needed his confidant, his partner in crime. He needed Misty. 

But ever since the sentencing she had been acting differently towards him. Before Raina Septon's death, they would spend hours practicing their magic and strategizing ways to make their coven strong. They trusted and relied on each other. Now, everything was different. She didn't want to even look at him, let alone speak to him. When she did look at him, it was nothing but angry glares. Every time he walked into a room, she walked out. He had no hope for affection or admiration from her. These days the best he could hope for was indifference. 

Her change in demeanor towards him filled him with an insatiable anxiety that couldn't be quelled. He'd toss and turn every night unable to get even an hour's sleep. His appetite was gone and his heart raced at every encounter with her. What if...? he thought to himself when he saw her. No, no it can't be. He had to get to the bottom of it.

"Hey," he said as he knocked gently on her door as to not disturb her. 

Misty groaned and slammed the book she was reading shut with nothing short of pure annoyance.

"What?" She said sharply.

"Can I come in?" He asked quietly.

Misty contemplated his request for a few seconds before ultimately deciding to let him in. As much as she tried to ignore it, she knew there was no avoiding it. Might as well get it over with.

"Sure."

Markos opened the door slowly and poked his head in before tip toeing in. 

"Close the door," Misty ordered and Markos did as she asked.

"Missie," Markos started.

Missie. Hearing him call her by that name had always made Misty's heart jump with joy. It was more than just a term of endearment. It was an I care about you, you're my sister, my whole world and I love you. There was never a time when it didn't make her smile. At least until right then in that moment when everything they had shattered to pieces. From that moment on, the use of the nickname felt like a mockery of all that they once were. And it filled her with rage.

"What's wrong?" He pleaded. "Why are you being like this?"

"Please," Misty scoffed as she rolled her eyes. "Don't act like you don't know."

"I don't-" Markos started, but Misty quickly cut him off.

"Stop questioning it," Misty said, weaponizing his own words against him. "Just enjoy it. Really Markos? When have you ever not asked questions? Meadow has a mysterious, miraculous recovery from an incurable disease and you, Mr. Curiosity, Mr. Question Everything, don't even blink an eye?"

For once in his life, Markos was speechless. He just stood there, wide eyed with fear knowing that the dam had burst open and there was nothing he could do to stop them from drowning.

"Well," Misty said. "Since you don't want to ask questions, I will. Why weren't you surprised, Markos? Huh? And why were mom and dad so quick to admit their guilt? Why didn't they even try to fight it? Why would they be so desperate for everyone to believe it was them?"

"Missie I-"

"Just admit it, Markos!" She snapped. "You did this. You used experimental magic. You killed Raina Septon. You. Not them. You. You threw that grenade and they jumped right on it to save you."

Markos swallowed hard as tears filled his eyes. It was all over. There was nothing left for him but to face what he'd done.

"I didn't mean to kill her," Markos pleaded. "I swear I didn't mean to. Please Misty, you have to believe me. I thought she'd live. I really did. I would have never done it if I'd known this would happen."

"But it did happen didn't it?" Misty shot back. "You knew the risks. You knew it was dangerous and stupid and selfish and you did it anyway."

"What was I supposed to do?" Markos said, suddenly becoming defensive. "Let her die?"

"No," Misty said sharply. "You were supposed to let The Assembly handle it. They were looking for a cure. They were going to help her!"

"They weren't going to do anything!" Markos shouted back. "You heard them! They don't give a shit about us! They don't care about anyone but themselves and their goddamn spell books! You know why they really don't want anyone to use experimental magic? Because they don't want anyone challenging their power. They just want to control us. And if Meadow dies? Oh well. She's just a necessary sacrifice to keep everyone in line."

"Seriously! You kill someone and they're the bad guys?!"

"If they had just -"

"No," Misty said, shutting him down. "There's no excuse for what you did."

"I couldn't stand seeing her like that, Misty. I just - " Markos's words caught in his throat as he choked up tears. "It was torture."

"You think you were the only one who was suffering? You think you're the only one who cares about her? We were all in pain. It was hard for all of us, Markos."

"You don't understand," Markos said shaking his head. "She doesn't look at you like she looks at me. Like I can stop the world from spinning. Every time she looked me in the eyes, she was begging me for her life. I had to do something. I could never live with myself if I knew she died disappointed that I couldn't save her."

"It doesn't matter," Misty said shaking her head. "You destroyed us."

"Misty I'm sor -" 

"Don't!" Misty shouted, her anger returning. How dare he try to say he's sorry as if that would ever be enough. "Don't say it. It's too late."

"Misty please," he begged with a broken heart. "Please just listen."

"I think I've heard enough," Misty said as she turned on her heel to leave.

"Wait," Markos said urgently. 

To his surprise, she stopped. She didn't turn to face him, but she did stop. He knew what he was about to ask was a last ditch effort to salvage even the tiniest bit of what he once had, but he had to try. 

"Please don't tell Millie and Meadow." 

Misty's heart stopped at his request. She had been so caught up in the moment, she hadn't thought about what to tell her sisters. She fought with herself as she contemplated what to do. The heart break from his betrayal was almost unbearable and the thought of her sisters experiencing that same pain made her sick to her stomach. But didn't they deserve the truth? Didn't they deserve to know they were innocent?

 On the other hand, knowing of their parents innocence meant knowing of Markos's guilt. Her mind immediately jumped to poor Meadow. He was her hero. She looked up to him, depended on him and adored him. If Meadow knew what she knew, her image of him would be completely shattered. She would never be able to look at him the same way. She may never want to see him again. She may hate him forever.

Meadow had been through so much. Their parents were already gone and there was no bringing them back. Did she really want her to lose her beloved brother too? 

"Fine," Misty said through gritted teeth. "But know that this is the last favor I ever do for you. I swear as long as I live, I will never forgive you for this." 

Markos's heart sank into his stomach. There was no mistaking her words. She meant what she said. Everything they had was gone. He had saved one sister just to lose another.