INTO THE FIRE ● TWST

CHAPTER TWO: WHAT THE FLIP

THE SEARCH IN THE LIBRARY WAS SHAPING UP TO BE A HOPELESS ENDEAVOUR and you were definitely not enjoying yourself.

"Tell me the name again. Where are you from?" Crowley asked, sounding as if he'd asked the question a million times already. You were tired of repeating yourself only to hear him say your world didn't exist. But you couldn't bring yourself to be resentful or irritated with him. At least he's trying. So, with a sigh, you told him once more, watching as he flipped through atlases and history books, finding nothing.

"Are you sure you're not forgetting anything? I'm familiar with all my students' hometowns, yet this one remains unknown to me. Do you have any identification? A phone or a wallet?" Crowley asked.

It hit you then: you didn't have your phone. You always felt more secure with that rectangular device in your hand, and its absence was unsettling and strange.

Well, to be fair, everything about this situation was strange. You were in an unfamiliar world where magic was real, and the realization that you were completely alone was starting to sink in. You had nowhere to go, no one to call, and no idea how you'd ended up here. To make matters worse, not only was your phone missing, but your country, even your planet, simply didn't exist. A cold wetness touched your cheeks.

Oh.

Tears had escaped your eyes during this thought process, and more began to fall, cascading down your cheeks.

"My dear—are you quite alright? Why are you crying?" Crowley asked, visibly surprised by your sudden outburst.

"I—I'm sorry," you sobbed, letting the flood of emotions that had been building inside you finally burst free. Later, when you were lying in bed, you'd think about how embarrassing it was to cry in front of someone you'd known for less than a day. But right now, you didn't care.

Crowley seemed flustered, clearly unsure how to handle a crying teenager. He awkwardly patted your shoulder. Realizing your entire fate depended on this man, you understood that he held the power to decide whether you stayed or were sent away like Grim. Unlike Grim, you couldn't fend for yourself. You had to convince him to let you stay, or you'd have no chance of getting home.

You pulled yourself together and wiped your tears hurriedly, feeling the embarrassment creep in for what you would do next.

"Please, sir... don't make me leave. I have nowhere to go. I'll do whatever it takes. Just please don't kick me out." You pleaded, fully aware of how desperate and pathetic you must look. If you were in Crowley's position, you'd probably laugh at this scene, then kick you out. Then laugh some more.

Thankfully, Crowley was nothing like you. His expression softened into pity, and although it was mortifying to beg, you really needed this. When Crowley announced that he couldn't, in good faith, let a magicless girl from another world wander alone, you couldn't believe your ears.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" you exclaimed, almost collapsing with relief. You genuinely couldn't believe it. Who in their right mind would let a random girl stay at their school?

"Well, what other choice did I have? Truly, I am magnanimous. My generosity knows no bounds!" Crowley declared with a flourish.

Oh right.

That was who. Of all the people you could have ended up with, it had to be a textbook narcissist. At least you weren't being kicked out.

"Uhm, Mister Crowley... where would I be staying?" you asked, exhaustion starting to overwhelm you.

Crowley looked surprised, as if the thought had never occurred to him. He definitely hadn't thought about it.

"Accommodation? Hmm... I suppose you could stay... there..."