[ Of course following the little boy turns out to be a bad thing. Really, she should have learned by now, but it was a kid. She couldn't not follow him, not when he might need her help. Which is why she hurries through the forest, ducking beneath branches and climbing over protruding roots. It's why she goes into that house that looks like something out of a nightmare, because whatever's inside can't be worse than what she's faced before.

She didn't think the universe would see that as a challenge. But that's cool. These spirits aren't so scary— Okay, no, that one is a bit, actually. ]

Shit.

[ Julia stares at the Baubledook, a trickle of actual fear going down her spine as she takes in those long fingers and that pale face that smiles so terrifyingly... But then she remembers who she is, all she has been, and she straightens her back, hands at her sides sparking with bits of magic at her fingertips. Because fuck this. ]

I am thankful for the people who stood by me while I got my shit together. Especially the ones who aren't around anymore. Though I guess in this place that's most of them.

There, you happy now?