Tame Your Fears

Though Many Miles/Of Tricks and Trials

"It's exactly how I pictured it." The teen grinned as Agatha rubbed the top of the head of the little boy that had dashed past them onto the Road.

"Yes," She said quietly, "Suits you."

The little one stared up at her with abject adoration that Jen had to fight the urge to yank the kid away from her and yell at him that Agatha Harkness was not to be trusted. She focused on their walk instead and sighed, taking in the Road itself. It was eternally dark, the moon shone brightly against the never ending forest, the pathway was scattered with yellow leaves, mud surrounding them from everywhere else.

"You didn't think it was real, did ya?" Lilia asked, awe and fear coloring her voice.

"And you did?" Alice muttered back in reply, looking as sullen as ever.

The little boy was bouncing off the walls by now, running this way and that, looking at everything he could without straying too far from the group. His little rabbit friend made no noise of protest with how insane this child was acting and Jen was about to snap at him to stay closer when all of a sudden Agatha snapped her fingers and he ran back to her like a puppy on a leash.

"You know what this is?" The little old gardening lady said abruptly, drawing the attention of everyone towards her. "This is a kidnapping," She said loudly, clutching her purse tightly, "And I think it's high time we involve the authorities."

"Are we gonna ignore the fact something chased us down here?" Jen asked.

"Chased Agatha." Alice pointed out.

"Okay, no cell service." The old woman sighed, shoving her phone back in that bottomless void of a bag she called a purse.

"Well, whatever chased Agatha down here, it's our problem now." Lilia grumbled.

"Is that because covens share blessings and burdens alike?" The teen asked, walking backwards to face them.

"Someone really needs to call these kids' parents." Jen snapped, annoyed and a little creeped out. The little one looked back at Agatha then her and then Agatha again. Agatha said nothing and looked back down at the kid, who shrugged.

"I'm 100% positive they're asleep." The teen said, "Unless...Is this perpetual night? Like, as a vibe?"

"Okay, I am a member of the Westview Historical Society," The old woman started off, "All I would've expected down here are the remnants of our failed transit system."

"Helpful interjection, random woman with no magical qualities." Jen snapped, glaring at Agatha's back.

"Hey! She had a name! It's Mrs. Hart." Agatha shot back in that horrible whiny voice of her.

"Sharon." The little boy and the old woman corrected at the same time.

"Well, whoever she is, she had no business on the Road." Jen replied, feeling annoyed and tired and mentally exhausted. Who knew lawsuits took up so much mental energy? Agatha, probably.

"That's what I'm saying!" Mrs. Hart complained as the teen tacked on, "Anyone can be a witch with training."

"Which puts the rest of us in more danger and we don't even know what we're up against." Jen groaned, why could no one else see this was a ploy? Another one of Agatha's tricks.

"'Tame your fears.'" Lilia said suddenly, "That's what we're up against." She looked wide-eyed at Jen, "Our worst nightmares.

"But in what form?" Jen asked.

"Trials." Alice replied, "At least, that's what the song says." She looked at Agatha, "What are they like?"

Agatha sighed, running her hand up and down the little boy's shoulder, "The Road will test us and our knowledge of the craft. One trial for each skill."