Always by your side

Chapter 2 - Matter of perspective

"Look slowly behind you, do you see this green-haired witch passing by, I think that's Lilith's student." As much as I want to follow her, I promised Eda not to get captured so I won't take such a risk but as I'm contemplating, I notice how shocked Willow is.

"No, it can't be... it all makes sense" I hear her quietly talking to herself.

"Willow, what's on your mind?" I asked her.

Shel looks at me slightly terrified "If that really is Lilith's protegee, then I think I know who she is, although I would prefer to forget about her existence." Willow is visibly unsettled by her thoughts, even Gus notices it and tries to slightly calm her down. I look at Willow with a slightly confused face and she starts to explain.

"This witch that just passed by us is Amity Blight and believe me or not she is a real blight" Now Willow looks angry/sad rather than scared but she continues "Let's say I knew her back in the day, I would even go as far as to say that she was my friend until she wasn't, but I would prefer not to explore this part of my past. Long story short she is mean, emotionally numb, and annoyingly skilled in witchcraft, especially in abomination magic."

"It's okay Willow, you already helped me a lot" I try to comfort her "The overall idea I get from this is that having her as a foe is a problem." I can only see Willow nodding and I must admit I don't like this development. Now that the mood is kinda killed, I decide it is time to get back to the Owl House and tell Eda what I have learned. I say goodbye to my friends again telling them how much I appreciate their help and start heading back. I'm still concerned with how many negative emotions this quick look at Amity filled Willow with, but at least I know what I'm up against.

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As I was walking through Bonesborough's streets I tried to extend my way back to the manor as much as possible since I knew what awaited me there. Unfortunately, I couldn't just skip the part about coming back home and immediately proceed to another coven mission in search of redemption for my shortcomings. As I reached the gate of the Blight Manor, I tried to convince myself that it would be just like basic training, when they taught us how to hide our emotions and true intent. Regardless of how much I wanted to believe in that, I was subconsciously aware that when my parents come into the equation, I'm helpless.

I knock on the door, and I'm greeted by our abomination butler, just as I cross the entrance, I already hear my mother's judgmental voice.

"You are late dear, care to explain yourself?" Even though I'm used to that kind of talk considering that I get them usually twice a week, every time I'm just as afraid of what will happen to me and what sort of punishment will be inflicted on me. I enter the main room of the manor saying:

"I am sorry Mom, I got lost in my thoughts after my mission and took a longer way home." I immediately noticed that my dad wasn't there, which was for sure a good thing, my mom is more or less consistently annoyed with me all the time, however, he is certainly a different story. Most of the time I would say that to some extent I even enjoy the time spent with Dad but upon failing and risking "the Blight's good name and reputation" he throws a tantrum and things usually get heated quickly.

"Maybe that wasn't so reckless of you after all" I hear my mom scoffing at me "especially considering the outcome of your mission" Now I was sure things would spiral downhill. "Why are you looking at me like that Amity? Did you think I wouldn't know what happened?" As much as I would have wanted, I couldn't put the blame on Lilith and her faulty tactics, my mom wouldn't believe me anyway.

"Well, I am sorry Mom, I was not expecting such level of resistance from the Owl Lady, I should have prepared more."

"First of all, my child, until you prove yourself worthy again keep this "Mom" stuff out of here, you know the consequences of failure" I already feel like I will burst into tears in a second, but I manage to put myself together and instead reply with quiet