I watched the magician lead the girl from the audience to the saw box. I knew it wasn't real magic. Real magic was far more complicated. I should know, I'm a witch. The kings men were hunting me. The girl pushed her legs out of the holes in the box. The crowd was screaming. I watched the end of the performance and made my way through the disbanding crowd to the stage. As soon as everyone was gone, I pulled open the trap door in the stage and slipped through. My boots hit the ground with a thud. I saw the two girls immediately. They were talking just inside the door. The younger girl was laughing.

"Ahem," I cleared my throat. They both whirled around in surprise. "That's not real magic, silly peasants."

"What?" Said the magician

"That's not real magic, what you were doing up there." They both looked at each other and burst out laughing. I sighed and raised my hand. The sparkle of magic filled the air.

"This, is real magic." I said as they both flew to the ceiling. I lowered them back down slowly. "Rose Smith, former apprentice to the dread witch Susie-Anne, I thought you might have real magic talent." I sighed again. I wondered why the council of witches had made me come out of hiding to hunt down a girl who clearly had little to no magic inside her.

"Wait. Please don't kill me yet. Let me explain. I have little magic. Susie-Anne couldn't teach me anything so she kicked me out. I swear I don't know any dark spells." Rose cried desperately.

"Why would a wicked witch be named Susie-Anne. Why not... Something more evil sounding?" This was the small girl.

"Later. I have to take you and your associate into custody. Council orders." I bound them with magic and led them to the trap door. I didn't notice the assistant girl somehow slipped out of my bindings. I began the spell to take us up. That's when the girl hit me on the head with a wrench. An explosion of colors than blackness.