They all sat around the dining table, Isaac beside his mother while Adrian and Camilla sat opposite. Crina sat at the head, standing and glancing at everyone with a smile.

“I can’t begin to express how happy I am to have my old friend over after so long!” She turned to her daughter, who seemed to be staring down at her lap and tapping her hands. “Camilla, I’d like you to meet Lucena. Remember the woman I spoke so highly about?” The girl's eyes widened like a lighthouse lantern.

“You mean, she--this Lucena is--”

The witch smiled. “It’s good to meet you, Camilla. I remember you when you were but a young child. My. . .how you’ve grown.” She stared at the girl for a long while, as if she saw something within her nobody else did. Camilla chafed, slinking down in her chair and looking everywhere but the witch's eyes.

“Well, now that the two of you are happily acquainted, I think it’s about time we tuck in!” Crina left, and when she returned, she had a tray in hand. She set the bowls lining the tray down around us all, the smell of the hot food making Isaac’s mouth water. “Don’t worry, Lucy,” the woman said, “I hooked you and Isaac here up with some ‘normal’ grub.”

He peered into his bowl and was delighted to see a delicious helping of porridge, fresh off the stove and piping hot. His mother had a fine assortment of salads, which she was content with. Crina set a bowl for herself and her family, taking a seat and tucking in. All throughout the meal, he glanced up to see that little girl glowering at him dangerously. He ignored her and kept eating, his mother and Crina exchanging table-top banter.

Isaac finished first, and after being excused, went to wash his bowl. He stepped out into the cool night, the fresh air making the absence if that scent he smelled obvious now. He stepped over to the pump, and ran some cold water over the bowl and his hands, tossing some water in his face while he was at it.

“So your mums a bloody witch, huh?” He tried to turn around, but a rough hand forced his head down to the grass.

“That makes a ton of sense, now doesn’t it. Now I know the real reason why you’re here.”

“I’ve no idea what you're talking about!” He cried, struggling under her force.

“Don’t spout lies! She’s here to take me away to one of them Witch Houses in the swamps! Well I ain’t going, I tell you! Not there, I ain’t.”

“W-what? I wasn’t lying! My mum's not taking you anywhere!”

“A crock of bollocks, that is!” She said, pushing him down harder. “I knew something was up once she looked at me. My concealment barrier must’ve been weak, or maybe it faded when you ruined my concentration!”

“You sound like a drunkard! Let go of me and quit being so paranoid!” She sucked her teeth, and with one last shove, she released him. “Now then, let’s just talk about this.”

“Oh, we’re going to talk alright. Starting with you telling me what manner of spells you're planning to cast on me.”

Isaac squeezed the bridge of his nose. “I’m not casting spells - my mum doesn’t even allow me to use them.” He looked hard at the girl, his back straightening and chin rising. “And now this is where you tell me how you’re able to use magic - necromancy, I mean.”

“What makes you think I have to answer to you?” She spat.

Isaac shrugged. “Nothing. But what makes you think I won’t just let your mum, my mum, and your father know about your little practices? They’ll throw one monster of a fit I’m sure.”

She looked right about ready to tear the lads head off his shoulders. “You crafty little wretch. And Adrian isn’t my father. . .”

The boys ears perked up. “Oh? Who is he then? An uncle?”

She spat to the side and scowled. “That fools got no blood ties to me. My mother's proxy, he is. And that’s all he is.”

“A proxy? That’s like a servant, isn’t it?”

She nodded. “No more, no less. Having a child with a proxy usually yields horrible outcomes in the future. . .” She didn’t give any examples, but Isaac could already think up a few. Having your father be subservient to your mother like a dog didn’t sound like a healthy family structure.

“Alright, so who’s your father then?”

Camilla clenched her teeth and balled her fist. “That’s none of your business. I don’t care if you tattle, I’m never telling you that.” Isaac could see the eyes of the girl begin to go red and watery, and he immediately felt sour.

“It’s fine. I won’t tell them. But why are you using spells anyway? It’s dangerous and one wrong pronunciation can--”

“Lead to the casters complete and utter obliteration.” She finished for him. “Yeah, I know the Rule of Three. I’d be daft to attempt spell use without abiding by it.” She crossed her arms and looked down her nose at the boy, “When you barged in earlier, you broke my concentration. Luckily, the entire house wasn’t blown to the heavens. No thanks to you.”

“Sorry about that.” He said timidly, “So, you're a witch then?”

“Obviously. Now I’m done talking. All I wanted to know was if your mum was trying to take me away. Now that I know she ain’t, I ain’t got no reason to be out here.” She turned on her heels and began towards the house.

“W-wait!” Isaac called out.

“What is it, Northy?”

“Before, you said there was a way to stop the change. What is it?”

“Oh, that. Right, there is a way to stop it.” She turned around to the boy, her eyes locking on his with intensity. “The only way to stop the change is to die.”

END OF ACT I