“Mom.” Hope threw herself into Hayley’s arms hard enough to knock her backwards a few steps.

“Baby!” Hayley squeezed her back. “What happened?” She pulled back to inspect Hope, like she could find the answers sitting on her school uniform. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s a really long story involving a witch,” Hope said, fighting back tears. She didn’t know how to explain that she was given a choice between her and her dad and that she couldn’t choose. “Mom …”

Hope didn’t have to think of the words, because MG’s booming voice interrupted like a rumble of thunder from the clouds. “Hope!”

Hayley looked towards the sky as his voice continued.

“Hope, come on!”

“I don’t want to go back.” The tears were falling freely down Hope’s cheeks now as she shook her head back and forth. “I want to stay here, with you. I’m so tired.” Her shoulders shook. “I just want to be here with you.”

“Listen to me.” Hayley smoothed Hope’s hair back and locked eyes with her daughter. “I want you with me too, more than anything. But you’re not done yet.” She stared at her daughter for a moment. “You have so many great things to do. Your father and I watch over you everyday. And we’re so proud of you.” She smiled a little, even though she really felt more like crying. “You can’t stop yet.”

“Hope, please.” MG’s pleading was getting softer. “Hope!”

“You have to go back now,” Hayley insisted. “It’s not your time yet.”

Hope began shaking her head again. “But I’m going to miss you.” MG shook her shoulders, but she couldn’t feel him. “I don’t want to go.”

“Hope, listen to me!” MG leaned closer to her face. 

“I’m not going!” Hope said again. She was fighting hard. “No, I want to stay!”

Beneath her hands, the Necromancer began to cackle. It was like he was finding joy in her sobbing. MG stood a step back.

He had to find Dr. Saltzman.