Episode 4 (Witches Abroad)

With my resolve strengthened to make sure that Tempest would not be alone, I set about making our biggest source of income a better earner - the garden. It was hard work, but eventually things started to grow.

I was extremely displeased to see Dina Caliente wandering around the back of our property, however, while I was out one morning searching for more plants. She quickly walked off when she caught sight of me (my hair makes me quite hard to miss, after all) and I decided to keep an eye out for her.

And it was lucky I did. Two women were wandering up and down the next day, and when I sent a message and a photo of each to J, asking who they were, he told me that they were Nina and Katrina, respectively Dina's sister and mother. He didn't message back after that, and I didn't message him again.

It was clear enough to me that these two were watching my house. Was this what Dina meant by things being difficult if I didn't keep out of her way?

I tried to ignore the situation, and focused on my garden. Eventually, I saved up enough money to buy us a proper oven. We nearly have a good kitchen now, but I'll need to save and save if I want it separate from the living area. Even so, it's a small step in the right direction.

 Tempest has been happy, recently, and I'd like to think that she's forgotten her nightmares, as she seems to be sleeping soundly of late. However, I can't help but worry that she might miss her father, and I don't like that he seems to have distanced himself from her as well as me. I am angry that he has done so, of course. How can he let this argument between us affect Tempest? You cannot put yourself first, when you are a parent, but he's clearly doing that.

How can he see her as optional? She is the sweetest child in the entire world.

 Soon after, a shady character began acting the same as the Caliente women - walking up and down, looking at the house, and sometimes standing outside for a while. I didn't like the look of him, and asked a passing PlantSim about him.

He is Katrina's lover. His name is Don Lothario.

This is taking a turn for a worse.

Katrina walked by while I was tending the garden, with a smirk on her face, but I gritted my teeth, and continued watering. I wouldn't let her see that they had got to me. I had a better plan in mind.

That evening, I made sure that Tempest was fed early, and settled her down a little earlier than usual, to make sure she would be fast asleep by the time my plan was underway. I knew that Nina had begun to walk past later than before, so all I had to do was wait.

Sure enough, almost on the hour, a flash car drew up and Nina stepped out, walking towards my house.

 In my dressing gown, I stepped outside, and walked right up to her, knowing I had to make this quick on the off chance that Tempest woke up.

"Nice night for a stroll, I'd say." I smiled at her. "I often see you walking past here."

"I'm just--"

"Waiting for your friend to pick you up?" I motioned to the car. "I wonder if your mother, sister, and step-father need a lift, too. They all walk by here as well. A lot, I've noticed. But maybe, if you give them a lift in your friend's car, they won't need to."

She opened her mouth to say something, and I held up my hand.

"I must be heading back. I'm sure you must, too. I mean, as you're surely aware, I have a little girl to take care of."

 I walked back, not allowing myself to shake until the door was closed. That...Oh, that scheming witch Dina would not be happy, but I was no doormat. I was the Aries of the Zodiac Legacy, and I was no fluffy little thing. I was a Ram. My family were linked with the stars. And a mere little rich girl wouldn't rule my actions, or my little girl's future.