They’ll Lead You Home

“What can you see?”

“Nothing, just a dark tunnel.”

Leif pulled his head away from the wall and stood up. He brushed the dust off his clothes with both hands.

“The four hideaways look the same.”

“Then why are Miss Suri’s butterflies pointing to this wall?”

“It does seem off,” Alysia added.

Leif took a closer look at those butterflies. They kept the same lavender scent, the same purple-pinkish hues, and their wings seemed to be made of purple fire.

“They are definitely hers.”

“So what are we waiting for? Miss Suri said that the fire and butterflies will help us.”

“I know, but…”

Leif started walking around the room.

“We are losing time. Those children could be in danger right now.”

He scratched the back of his head.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s just I…”

She looked away from both of them.

“Everything will be fine. The butterflies will guide us, and we have Zoe’s protection.”

“Remember that Miss Hufgens’ protection won’t last forever.”
Leif let out a sigh. “Fine, let’s go.”

He looked downcast.

Charlotte’s mouth opened, but she didn’t say a word. She reminded herself of their priorities.

They had to crouch down to get through the invisible wall. It was all dark until the butterflies went through it as well and lit up the place with shades of purple and pink. Charlotte walked ahead, following their fire.

“What’s this place?”

“Looks like a dungeon.”

The butterflies stopped at an intersection of two roads. They fluttered as if they were searching for something with their antennae. For a second, the butterflies' behavior reminded Charlotte of something, but before she could think about it, they veered left.

They walked through that dark maze, following the guidance of the butterflies, which chose the paths for them.

“Leif, is everything alright?” Charlotte finally asked.

He took time to answer. “I’m just a little nervous.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll rescue the children and come out unscathed.”

“I wish I had your optimism.”

Charlotte glanced back at him as she kept walking. It was hard to make out his expression in the dark.

“Sometimes it’s just to hide my fears.”

“So you’re scared?”

“Of course I am.”

Leif began walking with his head down.

“I’ve been trying to maintain composure, but each time it gets more difficult.”

Charlotte remained silent. Alysia stayed out of the conversation.

“The children remind me of my brothers and sisters.” His voice cracked. “I couldn't bear it if anyone hurt them like this, and I…”

Again Charlotte let him talk.

“I’m just a trickster. My Magica is meant to lie and deceive others.”

Finally, the tears began to flow.

“I can’t do anything to protect my family…”

Charlotte stopped, turned around, and hugged him. His tears began to flow like a waterfall.

“Your lies won’t work.”

“What?”

Charlotte hesitated with her words.

“You’re lying… You’re not a trickster, not a deceiver… You’re a good person.”

Charlotte also shed a few tears.

“And a good person will try any trick to protect his family, right?”

Without saying a word, Alysia turned away to hide her face.

“Yes, Captain.”

They continued on their way, now in silence, although Leif was still sobbing a little. After a while, they saw a light at the back of the cave. It was as bright as a candle.

They huddled together and approached slowly. No sound came from that place. The bright light was very blinding, especially for them, who had been in the dark.

“Let’s go in.”

“Wait! What if there are traps?”

“We’ll figure it out.”

“Captain!”

He grabbed her by the arm.

“I’m afraid… I’m not ready to see… What if they are…” His voice cracked again.

Charlotte understood what he was trying to say, and a chill ran down her spine. That image hadn't crossed her mind until that moment.

Her hands started shaking, but she clenched her fist.

“We don’t have any other choice.”

She started walking towards the light.

Alysia followed her.

Leif hesitated. His legs wouldn't move. But after a moment's pause, he followed them.

Silence once again reigned.

They stepped carefully.

Each step brought them closer to that room.

Charlotte’s heart was racing.

Finally, they crossed the light.

It took them a while to get used to the light, but they were finally able to look around. The room was almost the same as the one at the beginning.

Stuck to those walls were drawings made by young children. Charlotte noticed that each drawing featured one of the children as a hero.

“You two, come here, quickly!”

Alysia was in a room next door.

Charlotte and Leif also came in.

In that room, there were five children staring at them with wide, confused eyes.

Charlotte couldn't hold back a few tears of joy.

“Hello, we’re here for you!” she said excitedly.

The little ones burst into tears.

“Way to go.”

Alysia couldn't help but smile and tease her a little.

“No, everything is fine. Look at my funny face!”

Charlotte began to make faces, trying to calm the children down.

Leif took a few steps forward until he was standing in front of them. He knelt so he would be at their eye level.

“Want to see a Magica trick?”

He took a copper coin out of his pocket and began to play with it. He deftly made it appear and disappear.

The children stopped crying and were captivated by his tricks.

Charlotte simply smiled.

She let him play with them a little longer and started scanning the place. Surprisingly, it looked like a decent place. There were beds and plates with fresh scraps on them. A mixture of relief and unease filled her mind.

“We were lucky, but we have to leave now,” Alysia ordered. “This place creeps me out.”
“You’re right.”

Leif took two children by the hand. He left one with Alysia.

“I’m not good with kids!”

He ignored her.

Finally, he handed one to Charlotte.

“Let's get out of here fast before something happens.”

Just as Charlotte was about to leave, the little girl stopped her and tugged at her sleeve.

“What’s wrong?”

“Help, help.”

The little girl was jumping up and down and pointing at the ground frantically.

“Is something there?”

The little girl nodded.

Charlotte slowly approached.

She noticed that part of the floor was hollow. She crouched down to take a closer look and spotted a trapdoor, perfectly camouflaged against the floor.

With great effort, she managed to open it. The place was completely different. It was as if it were part of the dungeon. It was lit by green crystals.

Without hesitation, she went in.

There were long desks all around, and many scattered sheets of paper that she couldn't read because of the lack of light. There were many utensils that she didn't recognize.


In the center was a large blackboard with a strange symbol on it.

“Augh…” said a soft, weak voice.

She walked around the room until she came upon a cage. A girl slightly younger than her was lying there unconscious. She was wearing bandages and a worn gray dress.

Charlotte felt a tightness in her chest.

“What are you doing? We have to leave!”

“There’s someone in here.”

“What? Suri said there were only five children.”

Feeling utterly helpless, Charlotte broke the lock with her left hand.

The girl opened her eyes, but she was so weak that she closed them again.

“Please…help…”

Charlotte carried her on her back.

“I’m sorry…I won’t let anyone harm you ever again.”

Just as she was about to leave, Alysia came in carrying two of the children. Leif followed with the remaining three. He closed the hatch.

They looked directly into their eyes.

“Get ready.”

Charlotte didn’t understand, but they dragged her into a corner of that mysterious room.

“Mirage Magica. Disappear.”

Suddenly, footsteps could be heard upstairs. They were heavy and made the wood creak. Heavy breathing began to be heard. It was labored, almost as if it were choking.

Charlotte understood who was above them.