"Like it never happened," Bernie winked.

Relieved, Fitz exhaled deeply through his nose. He was tired. Tired of fighting back. But when he turned his head, he shuddered. He saw the owl. It was a seedy little creature, hiding and creeping at him from under Alma Mater's robe. He raised his head to see the rest of the sculpture. But, with her secret betrayed, she suddenly shed her grace, revealing herself not as something free of world's encumbrance, but as something inflicting it—a devious housemother reigning over her own enchantment.

"Hey, Fitz," he felt Bernie brush his arm. "What are you looking at anyway?"

"I don't remember."

***