Knowing the correct buttons to push on a person was a specialty of Maleficent's that she had perfected through the ages. Everyone had their little weaknesses, the pieces to their soul that could be twisted to her desires, or those few individuals that they held dearer to them than their own safety. It was always fun to hold twist and poke and see what her soon to be willing subject could offer her.
The pain in this place was almost overwhelming. Even the bits of happiness that flowed through the small town were not enough to completely drown out the underlying current of loneliness. So many were not supposed to be here and theirs souls mostly cried out for home or loved ones or other little secrets buried deep or not so deep in their psyches. It was delicious. She could get used to this place.
"Hello, Magician." She spoke from behind him, already sensing the weapon in his hand and ready to disappear and reappear as necessary. Fools and their guns.