sur·vive
continue to live or exist in spite of danger or hardship. even when it comes to summoning a coven of witches with an intent to kill you by stealing your youth. especially when your crush and your little sister are caught in the mix.
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THEIR NEXT REFUGE was a secluded alleyway. Jasper silently prayed for this ordeal to end. "Binx, come on!" Dani shouted urgently. Sweat trickled down Jasper's forehead, but she didn't have time to wipe it away. Dani gripped the book with a desperate tightness, and the cold air slapped their faces, carrying the unpleasant stench of crushed pumpkins. The smell nearly made Jasper gag, her lungs burning with each breath. She wondered if this was what smoking felt like—Jay would know. The trio ran three blocks before collapsing in an alley beside a restaurant. They panted heavily as the sky above them swirled with stars, merging into a single bright blur. Jasper's heart pounded fiercely in her chest. Max let out a frustrated growl and vented his anger on some metal garbage cans, kicking and hitting them with furious teenage intensity. The racket echoed through the alley. Jasper grabbed Max by his jacket collar and yanked him close, her voice a harsh whisper. "Do you want them to catch us?" Max glared back at her, still seething. "We're going to figure this—" "Look, I need you to take Dani back to your place and keep her safe!" Max interrupted, his voice a shout. "I'm not leaving you!" Dani protested, her voice trembling. "We can't leave you out here," The Weiss girl insisted. "I promised I'd protect you both, and that's exactly what I'm going to do." "I know...but I won't let you do it alone." "Uh-oh," Binx sang out, cutting through the argument. The restaurant door burst open, revealing a cook dressed as a pirate. Jasper quickly pulled Dani into a tight embrace, sensing she needed comfort. The trio peered over to see the cook carrying away a lobster before slamming the door shut. They exhaled in relief, allowing themselves a moment of respite. But before they could fully relax, the shadows of three familiar figures appeared in the dim light. "Stay down!" Binx hissed, leaping into Dani's arms. Mary sniffed the air, her sisters watching expectantly. "I smell..." Mary began. "Yes?" Winifred urged, her attention fixed on Mary. "Scrod," Mary finished, and Winifred's face fell. Meanwhile, Sarah scanned the surroundings—the brick walls, the trash, the pumpkins, and the rusty, broken-down oven behind which Jasper was hiding. A small brown eye met Sarah's blue gaze. "Sarah. Sarah!" Winifred called. Sarah, her face contorted in confusion, hurried away, narrowly avoiding detection. Jasper sighed, gripping a cold metal object to steady herself. She didn't realize it was the handle of the oven until it slammed shut with a loud clang. She gasped, catching her breath, and then a plan formed in her mind. She looked up at Max, then at the oven. "I have an idea."
