Due to never leaving the tower, Jessica has a lot of free time. She does the chores around the place and most of the cooking. But when she isn't doing domestic jobs, she spends most of her time either reading or painting.

Her bedroom walls and ceiling are coated with swirls and patterns of gold and reds. The wall above her bed consists of a mural of a tropical beach and ocean that calls to her in her dreams, along with a burning red sun that dances across the teal and blue water. She's working on a starry night sky theme along her bed canopy when her Aunt arrives back at dusk.

She cleans up the acrylic paints and heads to the kitchen to dish up their evening meal and puts their plates on the dark oak table. Agatha starts eating in silence, and after a few bites Jessica says "how was the village?"

"Fine." She doesn't lift her eyes off her meal.

"Did you gather all the herbs you need?" For a moment the only sound in the room is the tense scraping of cutlery against the plates.

"Yes." Agatha takes two loud gulps of her deep crimson coloured wine.

"What's the village like?" An innocent question, full of wonder and hope to see the world beyond the stone that encases her.

Abruptly, Agatha rises from her chair, fluid and graceful she floats towards Jessica on the other side of the table, her silky black her drifting behind her. She looms over Jessica who's still seated, slowly turning her head to peer up at her but continues to gaze down at the floor. Suddenly long sharp nails bite into her jaw as icy fingers clench against her chin. Flinching she meets her Aunts terrifying eyes, black endless pits that promise nightmares.

"Why do you want to know, child?" She sneers.

A challenge, not a question. Jessica knows not to ask too many questions, and she most definitely knows not to ask to leave the tower. But some small part of her still rebels at her sheltered life. The part that longs to smell salty air and feel warm sea water against her skin not just in her dreams. The part that longs to live, and to experience life.

"I mean no disrespect Aunt, but I am a curious child. I am aware it's too dangerous to go out on my own and you would be in danger if you have to also protect me. But I still wish to hear about the places beyond this tower, to understand the people who dwell in the forest below." Her gem like eyes were wide in surprise and pride for herself. She may not be saying what she really believes, but a small milestone to stand her ground either way.

For a few moments, Jessica thought she might die.

Agatha's gaze turned violent, her thin pink lips curling down and her thick lashes lowered to turn her eyes to slits. A cold chuckle left her throat and she released her hold against Jessicas face.

She slinked back into her seat and smiled at Jessica across the table. She lifted her hands to rest her chin against her connected knuckles, leaning her elbows against the wood as she leaned forward.

"Who clothes you? Brings you the food in your stomach? Pays for the paints you smear across the furniture you were given? Who searches for rare books across all the corners of the world while you sit in peace and luxury?" Her voice was light and quizzical. Nothing like her normal cool, detached tone. You know where you stand with her normal voice. You know you're in dangerous waters when she speaks like this.

Shaking and looking down into her lap Jessica squeaks "you do, Aunt. I'm sorry".

"Why are you sorry?"

"I shouldn't act ungrateful. You've given me a wonderful and safe life and I was wrong to challenge your decision to shield me from the outside world."

She digests her apology. Jessicas cheeks burn as she continues to watch her with a dangerous gaze. She clicks her tongue and sighs. "Very well. I have a new potion for you to try, I felt weak after the hard days' work and this conversation has unsettled me further. I want you downstairs in the clinic in an hour." Agatha gets up and starts walking towards the arched doorway towards the spiral stairs.

"Yes Aunt." Jessica whispers so quietly her Aunts echoing footsteps against the stone seem to swallow her voice.

The people of Annale are made of magic, everyone has at least a drop of magic coursing within and it's seen as another form of life force akin to blood. The more powerful you are, the stronger you are. However, if you're born with a low amount of magic, or have an ailment that drains your life force it leaves the person sickly.

Jessica has a mediocre amount of wood magic, and can control plants to an extent. Her magic hums of life and all things green and alive. Due to the nature of her magic her Aunt believes she can create a new type of healing using potions and concoctions to transfer some of Jessicas life magic to keep her sickly Aunt healthy. Jessica is happy to assist in such important research, especially if it can help her Aunt who has given her whole life to protecting Jessica from the outside world.

However, sometimes – like tonight – Jessica has to suffer through dreadful side effects. After visiting the clinic and consuming the new bitter and herbal potion, Agatha mutters a strange and ancient chant and nausea rolling through the pits of her stomach as she drifts into unconsciousness.

Wearing a pale pink nightgown and a silken white robe, Jessica sits on the silver sand as waves gently roll over her feet as it meets the beach. The wet sand crunches in her hands and fire flies buzz around her, mimicking the night sky above her head. The full moon illuminates the black waves and, in the light, she can just make out a large ship sailing in the distance. The silhouette floating against the deep midnight blue waves crashing in the moonlight, and Jessica wondered what kind of lives the crew on the ship lead.