I gathered my few belongings and carefully folded the second white dress mother had made me for when I was bigger. I slid the second outfit in as well; this one she’d had made for me. It was my enchantress outfit. I’d never had a reason to put it on in the forest.

There were no celebrations or demonstrations. The Center for Enchantresses stopped holding ceremonies for the girls who’d proven themselves when the grips of the curse had begun to take so many.

Around my neck, I clasped the necklace my father had given me when I turned seven. At the time he’d said it was for good luck but the forest turned very unlucky soon after that. I slid a second pair of shoes in the bag along with my wooden comb.

The dagger, I tucked into its protective pouch and then into the bag. As I looked around my sparse little room, I admitted that there nothing else worth taking.

I walked into the main room of the small cottage that had been home to me and Sparrow for seven years, closed the shutters, and pulled the door shut behind me. There was nothing left for me there. In truth, there never had been. Sparrow searched my eyes, expectantly. She was waiting for something new and exciting too.

“It’s time, Sparrow.” I let my hand rest on her head for a moment and swear she smiled at me.

Rose had finally accepted the fact that I would not stay here; not if there was a way to get out. It had taken me several weeks to convince her that I had to leave. I had kept my promise as long as I could but the forest was dying. Rose couldn’t deny it as her fairy friends began to bury one another as well. I couldn’t bear the idea of Rose leaving me too, or Sparrow. Rose had promised to always be with me, so Sparrow and I would meet her where the world became new.

Today I would finally go out of the woods.

Sparrow’s feet were lighter than they’d been in years. She had a bounce in her step I hadn’t seen since we were both much younger. I could understand, as I nearly ran to the place we’d seen the world transform.

I was almost out of breath by the time I got there and saw Rose’s red hair blowing along the path. She looked at me with a look that said everything I was feeling – fear, joy, apprehension, excitement.

“Are you ready, Amarilla?” She was half hoping I would say no.

“I’m ready, Rose. Let’s go.”

Rose lit upon my shoulder. Sparrow and I began walking towards where the world changed and I knew that as I moved along the path I would walk right into it. It was the beauty of magic and as long as I could keep my fear at bay, I would make it through. I’d tried it six times before and had partially gotten through until I’d panicked and was thrust back into my familiar world.

The forest I’d known my entire life would not keep me today. Today was different. After two weeks, I was finally ready.

I walked through with my eyes wide open. A gasp escaped my lips as I entered the woods on the other side. Rose was still on my shoulder and Sparrow was by my side. My bag had come through too. Within two feet of me, I had everything I needed.

__________

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