Xanthe spent the entire day reading the High Priestess's journal while nestling in an alley where a small group of homeless people huddled around the only source of warmth: a crackling fire in a metal barrel.
The temperature was dropping at high speed and it felt like the sky was bound to snow anytime soon. She had a thing for winter, but this wasn't the ideal way to spend it.
Blowing on her hands, Xanthe began to rub her palms together.
She never thought there'd come a time when she'd have to sleep outside in the cold night, away from the comfort of her home, and among nasty-smelling people who kept staring at her like they were going to jump her at any second.
Not to mention the fact that she hadn't eaten anything in days. She was worn out to the extent she couldn't stand on her feet for long, let alone attempt even the easiest spell she knew.
But what was even more agonizing was what she'd found out in the High Priestess's journal. She couldn't believe that the entire twenty-one years of existence were built on a web of lies.
Now her life was in danger.
The Central Coven who were known for their relentlessness were after her and they wouldn't stop until she was found. Her only option was to blend in with the people of this city until she found a way out of her predicament.
"Hey, look what we have here?" A sudden masculine voice distracted her from her troubling thoughts.
She strained her weary eyes to gaze at the young man advancing towards her. He looked rough. Dangerous. A total hoodlum! Reeking of alcohol and smoke.
And he wasn't alone. There were about four other boys with similar appearances and attitudes, tagging right behind him.
She'd learn from experience to maintain a good amount of distance from people like them. Anything could happen in a moment and place like this and her vitality to perform spells was currently at its weakest.
Xanthe stood up way too quickly from the ground and felt dizzy to the extent of staggering. But before she collapsed, the first guy, the one who seemed like the ringleader, caught her swiftly in his arms.
"Hey, hey, princess, be careful there!" he spoke in a risqué tone that made her want to throw up. He was so close that she noticed he had the prettiest ocean eyes she'd ever seen and she might've deemed him cute if he wasn't such a prick. "You seem stressed. Why don't you let me take you somewhere comfortable, hmm?"
Xanthe's nose wrinkled. "Get away from me, you brute!" She shoved him away and braced herself against the wall to ease her dizziness before taking off in the opposite direction.
"Come on now, Princess," The ringleader laughed while pursuing her. "We're not bad guys. Trust me, you might just enjoy our company if you give us a chance."
Xanthe didn't even look back for a second. She just ran as fast as her weak body could permit her.
The alley was relatively dark and nearly isolated. Her only hope was to reach the main road where she could at least call for help. But before she could escape the dark alley, a group of similar-looking boys blocked her path out of nowhere.
Xanthe's pulse raced violently when she realized she was cornered with both groups closing in from both sides.
Her eyes wavered unsteadily. She couldn't help but think this was premeditated. She recalled seeing some of these boys stalking her days ago.
And to think they chose today of all days to harass her when attempting any spell would drain her to the point of death.
"There's no way to run to, Princess," the ringleader spoke while the others cackled wickedly. "Just come with us, we won't bite. We're gonna have a good time, promise."
Just then, a voice boomed from somewhere in the shadows. "Hey, dickheads! Why don't you come have a good time with me instead?!"
All heads turned in the direction. And standing there was a tall mysterious lady. Her hair was jet black with a pop of silver, styled in messy waves and a V bang pointing to the bridge of her nose.
As if on cue, a sudden wind caught the flap of her leather trench coat, blowing it back dramatically. Smugly, the corner of her chocolate-tinted lips rose as she swung around a baseball bat in one hand.
Xanthe squinted her eyes, angling her head from side to side to get a better look at the lady. She was in an all black outfit, making her blend so perfectly with the darkness, but there was something strangely familiar about her.
In a fluid motion, the lady positioned the bat on her shoulder and began to narrow the distance between them. When she got close enough, her eyes swept from one thug to another before letting out a profound sigh.
"I planned on using this," she said, waving the bat in the air. "But you lot seem more like. . . um. . ." she tapped her lips as if looking for the perfect word to describe them. "Ah, yes! BIG BABIES! So I'm just gonna discipline you big babies without causing too much harm, yeah?"
Tossing the bat aside, she dusted her hands and placed them on her hips. "Now, who's up first?"
The alley fell silent at first. Then, suddenly, the thugs burst into raucous laughter.
Xanthe couldn't help but feel concern for herself and her strange savior. She looked nowhere near matched these ruffians in terms of physical strength. Not to mention the fact that she was outnumbered.
She must either have nerves of steel. . . Or just plain suicidal.
The rest of the gang began to shush down as the ringleader drew closer to the woman in an arrogant gait.
"I've got to admit you're really pretty, but you have a big mouth for a lady." He drilled a finger in her forehead, so roughly that it had her head wobbling backward. "Y'know, there are better ways of using that big mouth of yours than talking trash." His hand suddenly grabbed her jaw, pulling her face even closer to his. "I can show you. . . right here, right now."
She scoffed derisively, her gaze never leaving him. "Looks like you drew the short straw," she hissed barely above a whisper. "How sad."
Before anyone could catch their breath, her fist met his jaw, stomach, and sides. Her punches moved like a blur. Quick and hard to see. Within seconds, she seized his arm and flipped him over her shoulder like a seasoned judoka.
The alley went silent again. The gang members stood frozen as they watched their leader groan and squirm on the ground.
He tried rising from the ground, but the lady's feet came upon his chest, forcing him back down.
Twisting his neck to the side, he yelled at his gang members in a strained voice. "Don't just stand there like fools! Get her!"
The gang took one look at the woman and knew they were no match for her. And unlike their leader, they had functioning brains sitting in their skulls. In a flash, they scattered in different directions like cockroaches.
The ringleader's eyes widened. How could they abandon him at the mercy of this vile woman?
His body began to tremble as his eyes turned to the lady looming over him. When she pulled her face closer to him, he flinched, slowly lifting his hands to protect his face
"How did you end up being the ringleader?" She asked in a mocking laugh. "I mean, you're not even half as smart as they are."
Moving her feet from his chest, she allowed him to rise only to make him kneel before her.
"Now that disciplinary action is complete," she said, clasping her hands behind her all the while pacing in front of him. "Do you realize what you've done wrong?"
"Yes, Ma'am!"
"And what is that?"
"I tried to harass a woman!"
"Is that acceptable?"
"No, Ma'am!"
"Will you engage in such behavior again?"
"No, Ma'am!"
"I can't hear you!"
"NO, MA'AM!" He shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Good!" She nodded approvingly before driving a finger into his forehead. "Let this serve as a warning to you. Now scram before I change my mind!"
Without hesitation, he leaped away from the alley as fast as he could.
Xanthe felt it was an opportune moment to make herself scarce. She wondered why she hadn't left all this while.
Well, maybe because it wasn't every day she saw a lady THAT SLENDER impose such fear on a group of thugs purely through physical strength without any form of magic.
She was one remarkable woman.
In that moment, their eyes met and Xanthe flashed her a smile— half-impressed, half-awkward. "I truly appreciate your help," she said with a polite nod, "but I'd love to take my leave now."
And just as she turned to leave, the lady's voice called after her. "Not so fast, Barbie. . . I know WHAT you are."