It's been forever, and I apologize! Life has done a 180 on me, but I'm back and writing more! Please bear with me!

It was from time and time again when Johanna, or Hilda's Mum, had gotten used to her daughter's adventures and exploration. The adult life had paid a toll, and it would seem that she wouldn't have time to take part in some of Hilda's adventures, but at least she was willing to help or part participate in those wonderous journeys whenever she was able to. Being a single parent hadn't been as bad as most may think, and she enjoyed taking care of Hilda by herself. The girl was already twelve, and she trusted the child to make good decisions.

As she made another mark on her large board with her sketch pencil, Mum began to reminisce on the companions the Hilda has made in the nick of time. The woodman, Alfur, David, and Frida. Hilda even managed to befriend a Raven that happened to be a big thunder bird. She smiled fondly at the thought of her child making new friends, just as she had hoped. She was grateful that her daughter had liked the city after all, and even warmed up to the decision of moving.

It had taken a few more minutes before her phone began to ring. As Mum placed the ruler down, she reached for the cellular device and held it to her ear, eyes scrunched in confusion when she realized it was from her side job. Why would they be calling her? Today was her day off…

"Hello?" She answered. Her Boss's voice can be heard from the other end, and she hoped it wasn't what she thought it was. Did she do something wrong? Why were they calling her late in the afternoon?

"Johanna, hello. This is Barbara. Are you able to come in tonight? I know you're already at 38 hours, but we can really use your help. We've had two callouts and you're the only one available. Are you able to come in?" She asks the Mother. The woman paused. 'Does this mean I get time in a half?' She asks herself. At least she didn't have anything going on tonight. Hilda should be just fine in the house. She had Twig and Alfur to look after her. That didn't stop her from worrying, though.

"Oh? In that case, I'll go ahead and head out. I'll be there as soon as I can." The woman says. There was a relieved sigh on the other line.

"Thank you so much! This really means a lot!"

"Of course. Goodbye now." With a click of the button, Mum goes and slips on her winter jacket. It was cold in Trolberg, and she wanted to be prepared for another snowstorm, just in case. The woman took a minute to look at the hat stand before sighing softly. 'I'm not losing another one in the wind.' She confirms before walking up the steps, towards her daughter's room. She extended her hand to open the bedroom door to see her daughter at her desk. If she squinted hard enough, she can even see little Alfur standing beside the paper.

"Hilda, I'm going to work today. It's getting a little late, and I'd like for you to stay inside for the time being, alright?" The mother stated with a small smile. Hilda looked up at the woman and nodded her head.

"Alright, Mum. We'll be here. Have fun at work." The girl bid. Mum leaned down and kissed her daughter on the cheek before standing up straight, looking back Hilda's new companions.

"Thank you. You all have fun as well." With that, the brunette left and closed the door behind her.

"Bye, Mum!" Alfur shouts happily before taking his gaze and directing it towards the huge sheet of paper in front of himself and Hilda. He placed his black-stick-for-an-arm on his hip, eye raised as he pondered.

"Hilda, do you think it'll work? Even if the whole thing wasn't entirely your fault…" The tiny elf trailed off as he frowned. The blue-haired child, however, kept her signature grin as she wrote her apology letter.

"It'll be okay, Alfur. This is the least I can do for embarrassing her like that." Hilda alleged. It had been about a day since her suspension. One of Hilda's teachers had lost one of her favorite plants, and since Hilda was known for giving a helping hand whenever she can, she went to the Trolberg library to find a spell on luring it back. As it turned out, the spell was placed on the teacher. Hilda will not forget how the grown adult had slammed her palms on the glass window and slurped up the rich soil that rested on the windowsill outside of the classroom. It made her feel a bit uneasy.

Twig, who was at the feet of her chair, had looked up when he heard knocking on the window. The human and elf followed suit, which caused Hilda's grin to grow when she saw her other friend at the window.

"Hey, It's Raven!" She gleamed delightfully as she stood up from the seat she was in and dashed towards the window. The thunderbird shivered as he flopped inside once Hilda opened the window and closed it back down.

"Th-Thanks, Hilda. I thought I was going to t-turn into a popsicle back there. The s-season is getting too cold right now." He stammers, rubbing his wings together in the process. The black bird went to grab a scarf that hung on Hilda's chair, wrapping it around his neck. The child gave him a warm smile. "It's fine. The more the merrier, I suppose." She turned around and walked back to her woodened chair and sat back down. The child picked up her pencil and signed the apology letter before folding it and putting it in an envelope. Raven looked her way.

"Oh, is that the letter to the teacher you were talking about? The one that ate dirt?" He asked. Alfur coughed in his none hand when he recalled the memory. It shouldn't be funny, especially when Hilda was trying to do some good, but the surprised expression the teacher gave, as well as the students, it was too much to handle. The girl only sighed.

"Yes, it is. At least she got her plant back once I passed the spell to the correct host…" When the envelope was sealed, the girl with the blue hair stood up again to put it on her dresser to give it to her teacher tomorrow. Before she had a chance to turn around, she heard a gasp from one of her companions.

"H-Hilda! I think you've sat on a tomato!" The elf cried out, his stick-like arms flailing about. Raven looked over, eyes raised when he observed Hilda's seat.

"Eh, I don't see any tomato remains…" The bird mumbled in a worried tone. Hilda's eyes narrowed.

"I would never do such a thing to a tomato." She specified. Twig stood up and sniffed as he walked towards his friend, worry across his features. Alfur grimaced as he thought about the worst possible outcome.

"Is it…Is it blood?" He questioned, his face becoming much more anxious than before. Hilda's expression changed when all color drained from her face, eyes wide with fear.

"Oh no…"