Chapter 32

1 month later...

Cain slammed closed the the old book as Glitch and Raw entered the library, the two newcomers exchanging a wary glance before approaching the tense Tin Man.

"Raw said you needed to see us..." Glitch stated, positioning himself on a nearby window seat. The Viewer sunk heavily into chair on the other side of the room.

"Did he now..." muttered Cain, turning around and tossing the book onto the table.

Glitch leaned forward, face screwing up in confusion.

"This is all about a children's book?"

"That book has the story of Roquat and the Wicked Witch," he replied, pointing an accusatory finger at the innocent appearing tome, "How many other tales in there are true? Half? All?"

The lettering on the cover shone in the light of the suns from the window.

The Tales of Glinda the Good

Glitch paled slightly grabbing the anthology and thumbing through it while Cain started to pace the room.

"Two Ancients in the last two years. It's been centuries since any of them 'graced' us with their presence and now two in two years," he growled.

"Actually two in 20 years..." corrected Glitch, "but I see your point. And you think this is because of DG?"

"Not because of her. I think she is the response to it... the Princess drawn to Darkness, just like the song said."

Glitch's eyes lost focus briefly, "A once dead princess resurrected, now with the power of three mages contained within her... "

"One of which is Ozma the Great," Cain supplied, removing his hat and running his hands through his hair in an agitated gesture, "Sounds like something out of the Old Tales, doesn't it?"

"You think she's the next Glinda?"

Cain crumpled his hat before meeting Glitch's eyes.

"A Lone Witch of Good against the forces of Darkness...Do I need to remind you how it all ended for her?" he asked rhetorically, a hard edge to his voice. "Tell me I'm wrong, Glitch."

"I-I can't. I don't know if what you say is true but I'll admit... its concerning."

They lapsed into silence and Cain replaced his hat after moving to stare out the window.

"Cain...no" spoke up Raw.

"Why not?" The Tin Man snapped over his shoulder, "She's done enough for the OZ."

"DG does not belong on Other-side. She will wither there."

"She'll die here."

"Cain not know that."

"I know she deserves some peace. She'll never get that here. How many more, Raw? How many more times is she going to have to stand on the ledge for us?"

"Cain afraid."

"You're goddamn right I am!" He shouted, pounding his fist in the table before leaning heavily against it. His shoulders sagged with the weight of his emotions. "One day I'm going to hold her broken body in my arms and I'll be too late, the damage will be too much. It might be the next annual or in twenty...I don't know. But it'll happen and I can't bear that. Not again."

Glitch rose from his seat to stand in front of Cain, his stance firm.

"Yes you can and you will. We all will, if that's what she needs us to do. But... I know you know this."

Cain sucked in a deep breath before straightening his back again.

"You're right, Zipperhead... I do. And if I'm really, really lucky, I'll get to die first this time."

"That's the spirit," said Glitch, a grim look of resolution marring his usually jovial features as he clapped him on the arm, "Are you going to tell her?"

"Yes. Once I'm sure."

Glitch nodded his agreement.

"Hey, why all the serious faces?" a gentle voice sounded from the doorway. DG stepped into the room, her eyes sliding from one man to the next as she rocked back and forth on her heels.

"Just worrying about you, DG. So, you know, the usual," announced Glitch, his expression masterfully switching to one of complete ease, giving Cain time to compose himself, "How is the prep going?"

"Fine..." she said, drawing out the word before deciding to let it go, "We're just about to break for lunch and I was wondering where you all had gotten off to..."

Glitch nodded, "So all packed then?"

"Yea, I'm so ready to get back to Finaqua. I've had it with snow for awhile."

"What do you say Raw? Wanna grab a bite?" asked Glitch, turning to his friend still slumped in his chair.

The Viewer stood and shuffled past DG, Glitch not far behind him.

"Everything ok?"DG asked, turning back and stepping towards Cain.

"For now, yea," he replied.

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not just yet."

"But you will?"

Cain nodded.

"Good. Are you coming to eat?"

"I'll be up in a minute."

She smiled, her vibrant blue eyes crinkling, and rose up on her toes to plant a kiss to his jaw before heading back out the room. Cain watched the space she left until he could no longer hear her footsteps.

Glitch was right.

He would be what she needed until this claimed one or both of them. And if by some miracle, they managed to come out the other side alive and whole, he'd be there for that too. In the meantime, he'd make their time worth it.

He grabbed the book from where Glitch had tossed it, tucking it under his arm, and reached up to adjust the brim of his hat. After all, like the Mystic Man had once told him...

Hearts will never be practical until they are made unbreakable.

The End