{{I’m just about there. Almost done. This holds me accountable. Next? Revisions. Oy gevalt.}}

The map fell with a clap from the front door and then all went quiet, except for the crackling of the fire. Annie tuned to look and in the flames saw the outline of someone familiar.

“Is that?” Coriander gasped.

“Yes.” Carlos agreed. “Let’s go.”

A red flame shot from the fireplace and curled around the three of them. “What do we have here?” It was a gravelly voice, unmistakable and sinister.

Carlos threw the door open.

Annie looked at the dark waves rushing at the rocks far below them, and turned back to see the shape of Mrs. Schlocken, made entirely of fire, begin to grow larger in the fireplace. “What now?” She screamed, just barely audible above the sound of the furious wind blowing outside.

“Hold on,” Carlos shoved the map and its cover in his jeans pocket and grabbed the girls’ hands. They stepped onto the small rectangle of land separating them from the sea below. A clanking sound exploded just behind them. Annie didn’t dare look.

Carlos yanked them forward and they fell off the end of the world.