Another glance in all directions confirms I am alone. No one appears to be close enough to see me. I step off the street into the wooded area and stand behind a thick tree. I close my eyes, inhale a steady breath, and gather my energy. I breathe the word as I exhale. “Unseen.”

Invisible, I walk along the edge of the dusty path up to the house.

Sparrow laughs and claps her hands, jumping up and down, as my hair reaches down to the floor. “Can you make it like mine?”

“Of course.” I close my eyes and breathe in. This time I picture the dark curls that tumble around Sparrow’s face before exhaling and directing the magic.

She laughs again and reaches one hand up to tug on a lock of her own hair. She turns to her mother and points back at me. “Look, Mommy!”

I keep my voice low enough not to draw attention to our spot in the alley. “One should not try to change fates.”

“But one may hope to change another’s.”

“Whose fate do you seek to change?”

The brightness in her eyes fades as she bites her lip. “Um… I’m sorry. I can’t provide information on other visitors. If you’re looking for local resident information, perhaps the census records can help you.”

I shake my head. Leaving the sketch on the desk, I lean toward the woman. “I need something a bit more recent and specific.” I tilt my head to the side, letting my currently long, silky auburn hair tumble over one shoulder. “Are you sure there isn’t anything you can do?” I plead.