Crystal left Phoebe and Scott alone to catch up. She went for a ride with Ash I to the woods and spent some time thinking about what had happened these past few days.

“What's going on?”, Phoebe glared at her brother.

“I can't really tell you Phoebe. It's top secret.”, he sighed.

“Come on! I'm your sister! I deserve to know why you disappeared without a trace!”, she protested. He knew she was right, but he really couldn't tell her.

“You know I would tell you if I could. I tell you everything. This time... I can't. I just can't.”, he frowned.

“Fine!”, she said angrily. “But while you were off doing whatever the hell you were doing, I had to get mom and leave home. We've been looking for you for weeks and mom is in no condition for this!”

“You took mom?! Why would you do that?”

“I couldn't just leave her with dad! Her condition is getting worse and dad kept taking all the money I kept for medicine.”, Phoebe face fell.

“I should have been there.”, Scott gritted his teeth.

“Well, it's not your fault you weren't. Dad kicked you out and swore he'd kill you if he ever saw you again.”, she put a hand on his shoulder.

“I don't care!”, he snapped. He knew that wasn't true. Deep down, he did care. His father terrified him.

Phoebe gave him a look that pretty much proved that not only did Scott know that himself, but that she knew too. “Look, Scotty. I'm your sister okay? That means that I am allowed to say whatever rude thing I can think of and you'll be okay with it because you know I'm kidding. When you say all that stuff about yourself, though... Then I'm also allowed to bloody murder you.”, she glared at him.

“I know...”, he muttered. “Look. All I can tell you is that once this whole top secret mission is over, I'm getting you and mom and we're moving in a beautiful house as far away from dad as possible and live our lives there. We won't have to worry about anything.”, he reassured her.

“Scott, what have you gotten yourself into this time? What kind of tracking mission would give you so much mon- wait...”, her eyes widened with realisation. “Is Crystal your mission?”, she mouthed.

Scott looked taken aback, because he wasn't used to his little sister being so good at guessing things, but he slowly nodded. “Don't tell anyone. It will get us all in trouble.”

“You know I'm not going to say anything to anyone.”, she looked offended.

“Good. We can't have people knowing about this and especially not Crystal. Understood?”

Phoebe nodded and pretended to zip her mouth shut. “Not a word from me. I'm not that dumb.”, she rolled her eyes. “Just... She seems too nice. Who is after her? Why would anyone be after her?”

“This is part of why I didn't want to tell you. You aren't getting anything more from me today.”, he glared at her and got up.

“Fine. There's one more thing though.”, she bit her lip. “It's about mom.”

“What is it?”, Scott furrowed his eyebrows.

“She- she wants to see you. She's staying with some family friends and she doesn't think she's going to make it. She collapsed a few days ago. Her coughing fits are getting worse and worse. She really wants to see you.”, her voice cracked.

“How far is she?”

“A couple hours.”

“Okay. We'll wait until Crystal is back and then we're leaving. I promise.”

His sister only nodded, and then they sat in silence until Crystal returned and Scott went ahead to explain what was going on.

“Hey, princess?”, he asked her.

“What is it?”, she eyed him suspiciously.

“My mom- my mom is sick and she wants to see me. She's not far from here. Can we just go visit her? We'll be back on track tomorrow, just... Please?”, he bit his lip and looked at her pleadingly.

“Are you kidding me? Why are you even asking? Let's go. Pack your stuff.”, she told him.

“Thank you so much. I owe you.”, he ran to get his stuff.

“You don't owe me anything. I'm the one that owes you. If it wasn't for you I'd probably be locked up again.”, she sighed.

“Locked up?”, Phoebe chuckled awkwardly.

“Long story.”, Scott muttered as he packed the last of his things.

“No, it's okay. You trust your sister, don't you?”, Crystal asked him. He nodded. “Then I trust her too.”, she smiled.

“You've never been on the run before, have you?”, Phoebe laughed.

“Never had to.”, Crystal sighed and explained everything to her.

They had started walking away from where they had set camp. Crystal was pulling Ash (who was carrying all their things) along and Scott was walking next to his sister quietly.

Phoebe kept glaring at him.

It was late night when they arrived at the village Diana Harrow was staying in. When they knocked on the door of the house, Crystal backed away awkwardly.

“Where are you going?”, Scott asked her.

“Oh! I'll go stay at an inn for the night. You have some family time, I don't want to get in your way.”, she waved it off.

Phoebe raised an eyebrow at her brother, who grabbed Crystal's wrist and pulled her back to the group.

“You're not getting in the way, princess. Come on.”, he gave her a weak smile.

“You're smiling. That's a first.”, she chuckled.

“Don't make me regret it.”, he rolled his eyes.

Phoebe cleared her throat. Scott noticed he was still holding Crystal's wrist and pulled his hand away, awkwardly scratching the back of his head and Crystal tucked a tuft of hair behind her ear as the door opened.

A woman in her late twenties appeared. She had frizzy ginger hair and smiled a lot.

“Phoebe! Back so soon? Is that Scott?!”, she said excitedly and pulled them both into a hug. Crystal stood a little further awkwardly.

“Hey, Psyche! How have you been?”, Scott asked her.

“Pretty good actually! It's so good to see you again!”

“How's Moira?”, he asked her.

“Oh, you know her... She doesn't like people. She's locked up in the attic all day.”

“I'm not even surprised anymore.”, he rolled his eyes.

“Come on in!”, Psyche invited them.


Scott noticed that Crystal wasn't making a move, so he pulled her along.

“What about Ash?”, she asked.

“Leave him be. That horse doesn't go anywhere without you, trust me.”, he rolled his eyes as he closed the door behind them.


The room was dimly lit and small. A staircase that led upstairs was visible in the back and under it was a bed where a really ill-looking woman was lying. Scott rushed to her.

“Mom!”, he exclaimed as he kneeled beside her.

“Scotty?”, Diana chuckled.

“Mom, I'm so sorry I disappeared like that!”, he rushed. She took his hand in hers and smiled at him.

“It's okay, sweetheart. Don't worry. I understand you had your reasons.”, she reassured him and winked at Crystal, who was trying to hide in a corner away from everyone and blushed when she noticed.


Phoebe was trying really hard not to laugh. She approached her mother.

“They're not a couple, mom.”, she smiled.

“Oh well... They could be.”, Diana shrugged.

“Mom!”, Scott buried his face in his palms. Crystal chuckled.

“I suppose you'll have to get going soon...”, Diana bit her lip.

“In the morning. I promise I'll keep in touch.”, her son replied.

“You'd better!”, his mom gave him a playful glare.

“I'm going to leave you to rest. Goodnight, mom.”, he smiled at her.

“Where are you going to stay for the night?”, she furrowed her eyebrows.

“Well... There probably isn't enough space for all of us here, so Crystal, here, was thinking we could go stay at an inn?”, Scott shrugged.

“Hi...”, Crystal said awkwardly and gave Diana a small wave.

“Alright kids. Goodnight.”, Diana smiled.

“Goodnight!”, the all say simultaneously, apart from Phoebe.

“Wait, what about you?”, Crystal asked her.

“I'll stay and watch over mom. You go to the inn. Besides, it will be hard to find three rooms. There's a festival here in a couple days and people are swarming in.”, she shrugged.

“Are you sure?”, Scott asked his sister. She nodded. “Alright then... See you in the morning.”, he sighed. and left the house.


Ash was waiting outside, just like Scott had predicted. They set off for the closest inn and asked if there was a room with two single beds, or two rooms with whatever available, but there was only one with a double bed.

“Oh. So... What do we do?”, Crystal asked Scott.

“Let's just take the room, and we'll decide when we get there. It's getting late and Phoebe said that all inns should be full by now.”, he shrugged.


So they got the room and they went upstairs. The room was small and barely fit the bed and two bed tables. There was a tiny balcony that fit a couple people standing and looked over the main road of the village.

“I could sleep on the floor if you're uncomfortable.”, Scott suggested.

“What? No! If anyone's sleeping on the floor that's me. I'm the one that dragged you in this mess in the first place.”, Crystal refused.

“I let myself in this trouble. Trust me, if this gets too much, I'm bailing on you.”, he rolled his eyes.

“Wow, that was really nice of you!”, she said sarcastically.

Someone yelled from the room next door. “Can you two keep it down? We're trying to sleep! Just share the bed, dammit!”

“Sorry!”, Crystal bit her lip, her ears turning pink.

“I guess we're sharing the bed, then. Just stay on your side, I'll stay on mine and all will be well.”, Scott shrugged.

“Fine.”, she sighed. “Just... Go out on the corridor for a minute. I want to change.”


Scott did as she said and then she got out for him to change. They climbed on the bed and fell asleep almost immediately.

When Scott woke up because of his nightmares, Crystal wasn't in bed. He shot up anxiously and, as his eyes adjusted in the dark, he tried to look around.

“Princess?”, he whisper-shouted. No answer.

He got out of bed and into the corridor. Nothing. He went back in the room and noticed the balcony door open. “Princess? Are you there?”, he approached the balcony and got out.


She didn't seem to notice him. She was leaning against the rail on her elbow and was looking down at the road with a nostalgic face.

“Crystal, are you okay?”, he asked her.

Crystal's jumped in surprise, almost falling over. “Scott! You scared me!”, she panted clutching her heart.

“Sorry... I tend to sneak up on people. I don't do it on purpose. Besides, I've been calling your name for a few minutes now.”, he explained.

“You have? I guess I was lost in thought.”, she sighed.

“Obviously. What's wrong?”

“I- I don't want to talk about it.”, she bit her lip.

“Fair enough. Just... Next time leave a note. I was worried.”

“Really?”, she looked surprised. His ears turned red, but it was dark so Crystal didn't notice.

“Don't get used to it.”, Scott rolled his eyes.

“Sorry I gave you a scare.”, she gave him a small smile.

“It wasn't a scare... It was just a little bit of worry.”, he shrugged.

“Whatever. I- Let's just go back to sleep.”, she sighed.

“Is that a frown? Are you frowning? That's a first.”, he smirked.

“I deserved that.”, she chuckled.

“Come on. It's cold out here.”, he motioned towards the room with his head.


They went in and back to bed. Crystal fell asleep immediately, but Scott laid there awake for quite some time.

He couldn't quite put his finger on it but something was wrong.

The next morning, they both woke up with a start when someone started banging on their door. Loudly.

Scott opened his eyes and saw Crystal sleeping as if nothing was wrong. Then he saw how close they were. And then he noticed that he was hugging her. He tried to pull his arm away, but she was clinging to it as if her life depended on it.

There was another knock on the door, one even louder than the first. Crystal's eyes snapped open. She noticed how close she and as fitted were and how tightly she was hugging his arm.

Thry both shot apart and got out of the bed, redder than humanly possible.

“Scott! Wake up, dammit!”, Phoebe yelled from outside. There was a sense of urgency in her voice.

“What is it?”, Scott opened the door.

Phoebe was crying. “Mom.”, was all she managed to say shakily.


All three of them rushed out of the inn and to the house. It was still dark outside.

Phoebe opened the door of the house and ran inside with her brother. Diana Harrow looked far worse than she did earlier. She was pale, soaked in sweat, her eyes seemed unfocused and she kept coughing up blood.

Crystal gave the family some space.

“My babies... I'm- I'm so glad you're here...”, Diana whispered.

“Hey mom...”, Scott said quietly, kneeling beside her bed. Phoebe did the same.

“I'm so happy I got- so happy I got to see you one last time...”, their mother croaked.

“Mom, no! You- You'll make it.”, Phoebe sobbed.

“I love you both so much...”, Diana said proudly.

“We love you too, mom...”, Scott tried to smile.

Suddenly Diana's lost gaze focused on Crystal, who froze. “I need to talk- I need to talk to her.”, she furrowed her eyebrows and pointed at her from the bed. Scott and Phoebe gave Crystal, who had gone a little pale, confused looks.


Crystal slowly approached the others and kneeled beside Diana, who gave her kids a glance that told them they should leave them alone. The siblings nodded and went outside to wait.

“Crystal Meadows- or should I say Cornel?”, Diana smiled knowingly.

“H- how did you--”, Crystal stuttered in surprise.

“I know many things. I only have- I only have one thing to say.”, the woman stammered. The princess furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. “Take care of him.”, Diana told her sincerely.

“What?”

“Scott. Take care of my son. Phoebe can- Phoebe can take care of herself.”, she explained weakly.

“What do you mean?”, Crystal frowned.

“He... he won't mean to...”, Diana's eyes fluttered close.

Crustal panicked. “Scott! Phoebe!”, she screamed. The siblings barged back inside.

“Take care of Scott for me...”, Diana whispered one last time and her head fell limp on her shoulder. Her children didn't hear her.

“Mom? Mom!”, they both yelled and rushed to her. Crystal got up and backed away again.


She stood by, shocked and confused due to what Diana had told her, as Phoebe and Scott cried over their mom's body. Guilt overcame her.

I shouldn't have talked to her... I took away time from her children... They're going to hate me. I shouldn't have come. I should have stayed at the inn.

Eventually, Scott got up and made for the door.

“Scott, I--”, she tried to touch his shoulder, but he slapped her hand away lightly and rushed out, slamming the door behind him.

Her face fell as she stared sadly at the door.

“What did she tell you?”, Phoebe frowned.

Crystal shook her head. “I have no idea.”

“He'll get over it, you know. Scott. He's always been kind of a drama queen, but he's never been one to hold a grudge.”

“I don't know...”, Crystal bit her lip.

“Well, I do. Just... Be patient. He'll be talking to you again in no time.”, Phoebe sighed.

“Are you okay?”, the princess asked her.

It took a second too long for Phoebe to reply. “No.”, she said eventually. “But you know what? I'll get over it, in the end. Not fully, but I will.”, she shrugged. “You should go check on my brother. He's not going to have it as easy. He had a soft spot for mom.”

“What about you?”, Crystal asked her.

“I used to have a soft spot for dad. It- it didn't work out.”, Phoebe frowned.

“Oh... Scott told me what happened.”, Crystal confessed.

“Did he, now?”, Phoebe exclaimed in surprise.

“Yeah, a couple days ago. Why?”, Crystal frowned too.

“Well, he never talks about this. Not even with me. It was a rough time.”, Phoebe admitted bitterly. “Anyway, you should really go check on him.”


Crystal frowned even harder, but she nodded and reluctantly left for the inn. She didn't want to leave Phoebe alone, but she couldn't get what Diana had told her out of her head.

“Take care of him. Scott. Take care of my son.”

What did that even mean?

“He... He won't mean to...”

He won't mean to do what?

Crystal opened the door of their room at the inn and found Scott lying on the bed with his face buried in a pillow.

“Go away.”, his voice was muffled because of the pillow, but she knew exactly what he was saying.

“No.”, she said firmly. “I've had enough of this. I get that this is the worst thing that could happen to you right now, I really do and that's exactly why I'm not going anywhere. You're either talking with me, or with Phoebe. There's no getting out of it.”, she crossed her arms.

“Leave me alone, princess.”, he looked up from the pillow. He sounded so broken that Crystal had the urge to burst into tears. “Please. Just... Let me be for today. We can leave tomorrow.”

Crystal gave him a sad look and nodded. “Okay. I- I'll see if I can find another place to stay for the night.”, she bit her lip and turned around to go.

“That's not what I meant.”, he stopped her.

“Its okay. Just- Just try to rest. I'll see you tomorrow.”, she shrugged it off and left the room.

No one slept that night.