Her magic was only beginning. A spark at first. Nothing but a wisp of smoke faltering between the tips of her fingers--there, then gone. She knew she had to leave. Staying would be a death wish. Not to her, but to everyone around her. She couldn't control the power that was encased inside her, held deep in her bones. But she could at least make sure no one got hurt because of her. She knew all too well what she would leave behind. Her home. Her sister who depended on her so heavily, her mother with scars already too deep. She feared they'd never recover. At least they'd be alive, she thought. With wounds so deep it tore them down, but beating hearts nonetheless. She'd make it, alone, in the woods. Her power would grow, and maybe it would consume her--maybe that's what she deserved, but no matter what happened, what was to come, it was better if she was gone.

Calum walked through the winter storm, braving the elements, desperate to return home to his sister. But he needed something first--something dark and deadly, yet filled with the properties of healing. Something to save the frail girl back home who relied solely on him. Newly orphaned, Calum and his sister depended on each other. The winter was long and demanding, and through the izy haze and fear of freezing, Calum grew the strength to fight for her. What was at first a quick-paced jog turned to a slow trudge through the thick snow. His feet sank and his socks became wet. He feared he would contract frostbite before he even reached the woman responsible for brewing the dark potion. This is all my fault. Calum could have given his sister to the authorities, to the people who would help. Sure, she'd be scared and alone at first, surrounded by people she didn't know, but she'd be safe in the end. He just couldn't give her up. Too much pride, his mother used to say. It would be the death of him and his sister, but regardless, he couldn't let her go. Maybe he'd die under a pool of unforgiving ice after taking one wrong step, but he would gladly take the risk if it gave his sister a chance to life. I do this for her. When I get the potion to her, this will all be worth it. He knew his sister's condition would only worsen. Trapped in a cave covered in icicles, the biting cold wouldn't help. He only hoped he would make it in time.