text: I wrote this story for u/throwthisoneintrash, and for anyone else who wants to read it now that I'm posting it here. The story exchange was great fun btw. Highly recommend joining the Discord server. Constraints: 1) Story must contain a diamond. **2) Magic is used.** 3) A character goes on an adventure. 4) There is a plot twist in the story. **5) Use the word “rescue”.** **6) The ending is wholesome.** **The Witch’s Daughter** Two steps away from Mrs Alder’s front door, Carla whispered, “If she turns you into a newt, I won't rescue you.” I scoffed. “Mrs Alder can't do anything to me. I've got my evil-eye charm and lucky rabbit’s foot.” “Your *brother's* lucky rabbit’s foot.” “Shh!” Everyone knew Emily’s mother was a witch. She lived right at the edge of the woods and brewed potions. That was enough proof for us. If Emily had been anyone else’s little sister or childhood friend, she might have just been quiet and neat and shy. But she was the witch’s daughter and so she was a freak, stuck-up and stubborn. But Emily remained herself. No matter what jabs and taunts came her way, she always smiled kindly and kept silent. Had I been closer to some of the other children, I might have joined them in teasing her. But my best friend Carla was sure that Emily knew magic and she wanted to see it for herself. Eventually, one day after school, Emily gave in. Flowers sprouted beneath her hand in all kinds of wonderful colors. I gasped in amazement, already reaching out to pluck them. But Emily stopped me. "Just let them grow," she said. "That's all they want." It didn’t matter to me. I wanted a flower crown. But Carla shook her head and I understood. Keeping Emily happy was more important, if it meant she would show us more magic later. I took a deep breath. "Okay. But we're friends now, right? You'll play with us?" Emily looked thoughtful, then smiled. "Yes, I'll show you more magic." Carla and I cheered. From then on, we played together every day after school. Emily didn't have her own dolls, but she could make little clay figures from the soil and set them walking back and forth. After a while, she even created little weather spots: a sunny day in the middle of a rainstorm, a patch of snow. Then one day Carla decided she wanted to play a ball game. Emily conjured one easily enough. “What should we play?” I asked. Carla grinned. “Monkey, of course!” We decided that Emily would be the monkey for the first round. She would stand in the middle and try to catch the ball as Carla and I tossed it back and forth. Maybe Carla had known how Emily was never very good at sports. Unfortunately, Emily also had magic on her side. “Okay!” Emily grinned, clutching the ball. “Now you can be the Monkey.” Carla trudged into position, scowling. I knew I had to get the ball back to her soon or she would sulk for days afterwards. I threw it as hard as I could. Unfortunately, I threw it too hard. The ball sailed over their heads and crashed into the window of Mrs Hendricks’ house. Mrs Hendricks came stomping out. “Who did this!?” Before I could say anything, Carla pointed at Emily. “It was her!” she yelled. “She broke the window with her magic powers!” Mrs Hendricks scowled at Emily. “Young lady, what do you have to say for yourself?” Emily stared, eyes wide, and I thought she would use her magic. But she only bowed her head meekly. “I’m really sorry,” she whispered. Mrs Hendricks grabbed her arm. “We’re going to find your mother and you’re going to tell her just what you’ve done.” “But-” I said just as Carla pulled me away. “What are you doing?!” I hissed at her. “Just let her take the blame,” Carla said. “Unless you really want Mrs Hendricks to complain to your mom.” I might have preferred to deal with an angry Mrs Hendricks and an angry Mom instead of a witch. Maybe Emily felt the same way. But I didn’t want to be grounded either. So I let Carla talk me into keeping quiet. The next day, it snowed like I’d never seen before. School was canceled. Carla decided it was the perfect time to build a snowman. “We should get Emily too,” I said. Maybe she could make it come to life. “No,” my mom said. “Emily’s grounded. She broke Mrs Hendricks’ window yesterday.” “Um...” I hesitated, then decided to press on. “It was me, actually.” I explained what happened. Mom frowned. I looked out regretfully at the snow. “Am I grounded now?” “Just go own up to them first, Lucy,” she said. “I’ll decide on your punishment when you get back.” I put on my coat and scarf without prompting for once. I had to hide my evil-eye charm and rabbit’s foot somewhere, after all. Now, armed with my talismans, I knocked on the door. Emily’s mother opened it. She really didn’t look like a witch, I thought. More like an aunt who liked baking. “Can Emily come out to play?” I asked. “Oh no, dears,” she said. “I’m keeping her inside after what she did yesterday.” “That was me, Mrs Alder,” I said. “I was the one who threw the ball.” She blinked. “Well, why didn’t you say so? Emily! Your friends are here to see you.” Emily bounded to the door. “Does this mean I can go to Lucy’s house today?” “Fine,” Mrs Alder said. “Just be home in time for dinner.” We raced back to my house. Just as we were putting the finishing touches on our snowman, my mom stepped out. “I’ve decided on your punishment, Lucy,” she said. “You’re grounded.” I sighed and headed inside. “Not you two,” my mom said from behind me. “You can stay outside if you want.” “We’ll keep her company,” Carla said. “Playing with dolls sounds more fun anyway,” Emily said. “You brought your own dolls?” my mom asked. A noise made me look down. Several ice figurines hurried along beside me. “Yeah,” Emily said. “I guess I did.