Trix was walking down the path to potions class, her broom over her shoulder and her small pumpkin purse dangling off of it. It was a gorgeous fall day with soft light and crispy leaves strewn about. The air whistled past her ears and blew her hair in a way that made her feel powerful and magical, which, of course, she was. She was the top witch in her school and one of the top in the country, or so her scores showed. She would have a promising career in any magical field she chose.
Once the potions building was in sight, Trix heard some whimpering. She looked about and spied some movement in the nearby cemetery. Today was an optional study hall class anyways, so Trix figured she could be late if she felt like it, so she diverted her path to go through the cemetery.
After walking past the rickety gates, she could still hear the whimpering so she followed it. It led her to a mausoleum she had never noticed before. It was rather dramatic now that Trix took it in. It looked to be made of dark marble with veins of gold throughout. Instead of the typical angels, there were what looked to be horned gargoyles on each corner.
Most importantly though, the door was unlocked and ajar.
Trix poked her head inside and nearly gasped. What she beheld was a little demon child--who looked just like the gargoyles--with a saw. It wasn't going into the tombs though, oh no, it was holding the saw to its lovely horns. Before she could think she cried out, "Stop!"
The demon child started and dropped the saw, but quickly picked it up again. "Who are you?"
"My name is Trix and please don't hurt your beautiful horns."
"You--you really think they're beautiful?" they asked.
"Of course!"
"Most humans wouldn't think so," the demon child said suspiciously.
"Well, I'm a witch, or rather, a witch-in-training."
The demon child smiled, "Ah that makes more sense. But what are you doing here?"
"I heard you crying."
"Oh, I was trying to be quiet. I didn't want anyone to hear." The demon child looked sadly down at their feet.
"But why would you want to hurt yourself?" Trix asked, deepy concerned.
"It's not exactly that," said the demon child, "You see, my family is meant to guard this mausoleum. The task is passed down through generations and now it's my time."
"But you're so young!"
"Well my parents died so now it's my turn," the demon child said sadly.
"I'm so sorry, but why does that make you want to cut off your horns?"
"It's the only way to abdicate."
Trix blinked, she really wanted to get to the bottom of this. "But why would you want to abdicate?"
"Because it's so lonely here! I've been here a week and you're the first person or creature I've seen besides the ravens and they won't talk to me."
"That does sound lonely," Trix admitted.
"Hey, maybe you could do a spell to make my horns fall off, it would hurt less than a saw," said the demon child, brightening.
"I am not going to maim a child!" replied Trix, shocked.
"Demon child," the demon child corrected.
"Even so, you're a child. Surely there's another way."
"I don't see one," said the demon child glumly.
"How about I make sure someone comes to visit you every day?" Trix offered.
"Can you really do that?" they asked with bright black eyes.
"My dear sweet demon child, of course. I go to a school of witches, plenty will be happy to spend some time with you and learn of Hell."
"Okay then," sniffled the demon child. They then handed Trix the saw and smiled. "I guess I'll see you or one of your friends tomorrow then."
"That you will, my new friend, that you will."
(Prompt by Kimisha Cassidy)
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