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THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF ZELDA: CHAPTER 20-MOMENT OF TRUTH

CORDELIA LOOKS AT SARA IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT. LJ TAKES A BIG STEP IN HER RELATIONSHIP.

Everyone was gathered around Faustus and Cordelia’s motel room and no one seemed to noticed that there was also blood on the triplets’ door. Suddenly, there was movement within the crowd.

“Excuse me. Excuse me!” said a man who fought his way though the crowd. “Hello, sir,” He addressed Faustus. “I’m the manager of this motel and I’m so sorry about this. This blood on the door is a prank that the local kids do ever now and then. I’m also sorry about everyone’s rude awakening this morning. The very least I can do is give you and your class a discount.”

“Well, that very nice of you, sir, but I’m not exactly here with the class.”

The manager now seemed confused. “I’m sorry. I thought you were a teacher.”

“Well, I am.” Faustus answered. “In fact, half of these young people are my class, but I’m here on a private, family matter.”

Now, the manager now seemed very, very confused.

“Perhaps, we can sort all of this out in your office.” Faustus suggested. The manager nodded and walked away, in the direction of the office as Faustus turned to Cordelia and whispered to his daughter.

“It seems the storm has passed. There doesn’t seem to be a cloud in the sky. Go get dressed and we leave as soon as I get back.”

Cordelia nodded. “Right, Dad.” She turned on her heel and re-entered the motel room. Her clothes were waiting in the bathroom for her. They had been hanging out to dry all night. The good news was the clothes were dry enough to wear. The bad news was the patches of mud were still visible. Falling in that mud puddle didn’t hurt half as much as when the triplets threw her out…again. Cordelia sighed. After all those years of friendship, Cordelia had NEVER lied to the Warners sisters until last night. After an entire afternoon of going around Salem, the girls went into their motel room, the Warner sisters and Sara talked about all these new spells they brought today and how excited they were to try them out. Knowing how mortals and magic could be a dangerous mix, Cordelia felt she had to lie, and that’s when Cordelia declared she didn’t believe in witches or witchcraft. That was all it took for the girls, her 3 BFFS, to turn on her.

“What, I can’t even have a different opinion?” Cordelia asked before she was kicked out. The door was slammed so hard that Cordelia fell off the porch and into the mud. Cordelia sighed again as she slipped into her clothes and went into the other room to collect the few personal items they had bought into the room. Let’s see, there was her phone, her father’s phone, the car keys. She turned and saw Faustus in the open doorway, smiling at her.

“Ready to go?”

She nodded and Faustus closed the door as they left and got into the car. As Faustus pulled out of the motel’s driveway, Cordelia looked at the triplets’ room, hoping that at the very least, they were at the window to wave her off. They weren’t.

Faustus and Cordelia drove 40 minutes from Salem before stopping for breakfast. The original plan, that was cancelled due to last night’s storm, was for Faustus to drive all night until they reached Greendale. That’s why Faustus’s car was stocked with pillows, blankets, and even the novel that Cordelia was currently reading, taken from the top of her night table. However, Cordelia was way too tense to relax. She was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“Okay, Dad,” Cordelia said when she couldn’t take it anymore. “I know that Mom will no doubt have some words for me when we get home but I don’t think I can wait until we get home so come on Dad, let me have it. Scold me, yell at me, whatever you have, give it me.”

“Why should I scold you?” Faustus asked casually.

Cordelia shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. I was expecting something like ‘what were you thinking, young lady? How could you even get on that bus knowing that it was headed to Salem?’ Things like that.”

Faustus chuckled softly. “There is no need for that, Cordy. You were set up. Nothing that happened yesterday was your fault.”

“Really? Thanks for believing me, Dad. It means a lot.” Her tone was sincere. Then she lowered her voice. “I swear I’m going to kill Sara!”

“As much as I hate to defend the girl that been driving you crazy but for once, Sara didn’t do anything. Mrs. Robinson did everything.”

“What?! How do you know?”

“Well, I went to her motel room last night and, um, she was waiting for me there because, um”

“She likes you?” Cordelia offered, an amused look on her face. “It’s okay, Dad, I know. The whole class knows.”

“Great.” Faustus muttered. His grip tightened around the wheel, wishing it was Nina’s neck.

“Some kids are even taking bets on how long it will take for her to seduce you.”

“That will be never!” Faustus snapped. “I am completely devoted to your mother!”

“Dad, I know.” Cordelia soothed. “Just as I know that your signature on that stupid permission slip had to be a fake.”

“It was, and thank you, Cordy.” Faustus smiled at his daughter.

Then Cordelia remembered something. “Wait a minute, the message I got was sent from Erin’s phone. That’s why I fell for it.”

“Nina stole Erin’s phone. I found it in her room.”

“Nice move for a teacher.” Cordelia muttered.

Her father couldn’t agree more.

Once they had compared notes and cleared the air about what truly happened in Salem, it was a happy and peaceful ride home. However, because neither Faustus or Cordelia slept well the night before so by noon, Faustus’s energy was running low. Since he was the only 1 who could drive, Faustus performed a spell that would keep his eyes open no matter how tired he got. Early in the afternoon, Faustus pulled into a gas station, he turned and his heart melted. Cordelia was asleep in her slightly reclined seat. Faustus placed the blanket over her shoulder and kissed the top of her head before reaching for his wallet.

It was early evening when Faustus’s car drove up the Spellman’s driveway. The car wasn’t even in park yet as the family ran down the steps in a row. They barely had the time to get out of the car before Faustus and Cordelia were pulled into hug after hug and seemingly endless echoes of welcome home. The others cleared the way as Zelda came forward and picked up her daughter as if she was as light as a toddler and hugged her tightly.

“Oh, sweetheart, I was so worried.”

“It’s okay, Mom. I told you I’m fine.” Cordelia said as she hugged back.

Zelda put the child down and frowned. “Now, young lady, would you like to tell me what you were thinking about getting on a bus bound for Salem?”

Faustus went around the car and placed his hand on the small of his wife’s back. “Dearest,” He whispered into her ear. “None of what happened is Cordelia’s fault. I don’t want to explain it while the whole family is here but I tell you the whole story soon, I promise.”

The others must have felt the tension, for Hilda flung an arm around Cordelia, leading her up the stairs and into the house. The family gathered around the kitchen table and talked for hours. They talked about Salem, of course but Cordelia didn’t give them much details. It was already dark outside when the family said goodbye and went home for the night. Cordelia and her parents continued talking late into the night. So late, in fact that Zelda and Faustus fell asleep in Cordelia’s bed. 1 on each side of their daughter. However, when Zelda awoke in the middle of the night to find that Cordelia was no longer beside her. Zelda sat up and saw her daughter’s silhouette. Cordelia was seated on her window seat, her knees up under her chin and looking up at the moon.

Zelda got up and went to sit by her daughter. “Cordy, sweetheart? What’s wrong? You were yawning all night. Can’t you sleep?”

Cordelia sighed deeply. “Salem is a very weird town. They actually have a memorial devoted to the victims of the witch trials, but it’s how the town makes its money.”

Zelda took Cordelia’s hand into her own. “Is that what’s wrong? Did something spook you in Salem?”

Cordelia didn’t say anything but she moved so she was in her mother’s arms. “I’m just so glad I’m home.”

“I’m happy you’re home too, baby girl” Zelda whispered into her hair. “You and your father. Despite your phone call, I was so worried last night, it was unbearable.” Zelda actually had cried herself to sleep with worry but Cordelia didn’t need to know that. They sat in silence for awhile, but both mother and daughter looked up when Faustus gave a loud snore from the bed.

“Poor Dad, he has spent the better part of 2 days driving. I think we should let him sleep.” Cordelia whispered.

“I think you’re right.” Zelda put an arm around her daughter and guided her upstairs to her own bedroom where they spent the rest of the night.

“I can’t even remember the last Sunday where I didn’t go to mass.” Cordelia stated.

It was the following evening and Zelda and Jake were getting ready to leave for church. It was Zelda’s idea that Faustus and Cordelia stay home tonight. In truth, Zelda was worried about them both. Cordelia was awake before her mother this morning despite what happened last night. Cordelia didn’t mention Salem all day but Zelda caught her daughter checking her phone to see if her friends were trying to reach out to her, they didn’t. 1 look at Faustus and Zelda could tell that, despite his good night sleep, he was still quite tired. Therefore, it was Zelda’s idea that Faustus and Cordelia skip mass and stay home tonight to rest.

“Don’t worry, sis, you have the high priestess’s permission to stay home.” Jake reminded her.

Zelda kissed both Faustus and Cordelia goodbye and then she and Jake headed off to church. 1 of Zelda’s many, many duties as high priestess was to perform Sunday night’s weekly dark mass and of course, tonight was no different. Even so, with Faustus and Cordelia not even home barely a full day yet, Zelda would be lying if she said she wanted to be anywhere but home. Still, Zelda was a professional, so she preformed mass as normally as she could. Still, when Sabrina and Prudence offered to clean up and deal with some of the lingering congregation, Zelda jumped at the chance and teleported herself home. The house Zelda returned to was silent. So much so that, for a moment, she thought that they had gone out after all. Then she saw light coming from Cordelia’s room.

“Hello, darlings. I’m home.”

Faustus turned his head from the bed, a finger at his lips. “Shhh, dearest. I just got Cordelia to sleep.”

Zelda gave a gasp. “You did! How? I tried to get her to rest all afternoon and she didn’t even take a nap.”

Faustus smiled. “It’s all about timing, my dearest. For example, while Cordelia was undressing, I took the time to place herbs under her pillow. Foxglove, of course, to get her asleep, nightshade to keep her asleep and if she should dream, just a little bit of rose hips to make sure those dreams are pleasant ones.”

As Faustus was explaining, he was also tucking in Cordelia’s loose blanket under the left side of the mattress, giving Zelda the impression that Cordelia had just fallen asleep. Zelda helped by doing the right side. Then she smiled proudly at her husband.

“You know; this is probably why Hilda told me you were the best herbal student she ever had.”

“She did? I wonder why I never took herbalism at the academy. Well, Father always said herbalism was woman’s magic.”

Zelda shook her head. “Don’t even go there.”

“I wanted to kill her, Zelda.” It was 2 AM and Faustus and Zelda lay together in their darken bedroom together, naked and content. It was Faustus’s plan to tell Zelda all about Salem as soon as soon as they got to their room. Yet as soon as the door closed, Faustus could feel his wife’s lips on his and before he knew it, he swept Zelda up in his arms, bridal style and carried her to the bed. It was after their lovemaking, with Faustus’s arm around Zelda’s waist and her head on his chest when he told Zelda the whole ugly story about Salem.

“I could have killed her!” Faustus continued. “And you know that’s serious because I haven’t even thought of killing a mortal since the curse.”

Zelda turned over onto her stomach and propped herself up to looked at her husband. “Don’t let Mrs. Robinson destroy all your hard work. Besides, I’ll gladly kill her for you.” Then Zelda sighed very deeply.

“Sweetheart? What’s wrong?”

“Did I say there’s was anything wrong?”

“No, but Zelda, I know you. Anytime you sigh that deeply, there’s a problem.”

Zelda frowned. “Very well. As much as I hate how crazy Nina Robinson is making you, making all of us crazy, I’m afraid I can see some same traits between her and me.”

Faustus couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Bite your tongue, Zelda Spellman. You and that vile idiot have nothing, I repeat, nothing in common.”

Zelda raised an eyebrow. “Are we really going to sit here and pretend that this is the 1st time a daughter of yours was kidnapped?”

“Those are 2 completely different situations and we both know it!” Faustus instantly objected. “You took LJ because it was the right thing for her. When you realized that she wasn’t any safer at your house, you took her where she could be safe even when it broke your own heart. There’s also no doubt in my mind that if Jake had been born a girl, you would have taken the same risks for him. Even back then you would do anything for our twins. Nina doesn’t care about Cordelia. Even if Cordy hadn’t of sent that text and I hadn’t gone to Salem, Cordelia would had still come back with the other kids on Monday because Cordelia was never in a dangerous situation to begin with. LJ was. Nina just used Cordelia as bait to lure me to Salem, as soon as she got our child on that bus, she ceased to care about her. You would never do that, Zelda, because whether or not you realize it, you became a mother long before you gave birth to Cordelia. Your first instinct has always been to protect those you love and that’s primary instinct is what makes you an amazing mother, a wonderful wife and a great high priestess.”

For a full moment, Zelda studied Faustus in complete silence. When she did speak, it was only to whisper 3 little words, “I love you.”

Faustus stroked his wife’s cheek. It would have been so easy, too easy, to kiss her, make love to her again. Yet he knew there was another matter they should discuss. Faustus explained that as he drove home from Salem yesterday, he couldn’t help but think that it might be best for everyone if they pulled Cordelia out of school. Just for a little while, until the mortals’ current obsession with witches died down a bit. As the 7th grade teacher, it would be no problem at all to ensure that Cordelia got her work and stayed up to speed with the rest of the class. Zelda readily agreed, even suggesting that Cordelia might spend some time at the academy. After all the chaos she witnessed in the mortal world lately, it may just may do their daughter some good to see that it was pretty much business as usual in the witch community.

You have 0 new messages. That’s what it read on the phone’s small screen and then she checked her voicemail. It just said the same thing into her ear. In a fit of frustration, Cordelia groaned and tossed her phone onto the coffee table as she curled up on the sofa, her eyes blinking with tears. It was early on Tuesday morning, it had been 4 days since Cordelia and her father came home from Salem. In all that time, Cordelia had not heard anything from her friends, despite leaving messages for all of them and despite the class supposedly having gotten back last night. Cordelia could still remember the good old days; where she and the triplets could barely go 4 hours without texting each other, let alone 4 days. With renewed determination, Cordelia got up and reclaimed her phone in 1 hand. She stared at the phone in her palm hatefully.

“Come on, you. RING!”

“Is something wrong, lamb?”

Cordelia turned to see Hilda in the doorway.

“Aunt Hilda? What are you doing here, so early in the morning?”

“Your mom wanted me to help with the harder recipes for your sister’s important dinner tomorrow and I thought I would get an early start. And what about you? 1 day out of school and I find you screaming at your cell phone.”

Despite herself, Cordelia smiled. It was a little shocking when her parents told her yesterday that she should step back from school, for now. It was also a bit bittersweet. There was no doubt that the class would have all kinds of Salem stories for the few who couldn’t make it and Hecate knew Cordelia didn’t need to hear any of that. Yet, at the same time, no being at school was like giving Sara an open invitation to steal her friends away, if she had any friends left to steal.

“I’m fine,” Cordelia assured her aunt. “I just wish 1 of the triplets would call me already.”

“They still haven’t gotten in touch with you?”

Cordelia sighed and shook her head. “I haven’t seen them the morning Dad and I left Salem and I haven’t talked to them since the night before that, when they threw me out of the motel room.”

Hilda frowned. “They threw out? Again?”

Cordelia nodded sadly. “But I’m not completely innocent. I did lie to them.”

“About what?”

“I said that I didn’t believe in witches or witchcraft. It was only the 1st night in Salem and they were all talking about the new spells they wanted to try” Cordelia explained. “You know how magic can be dangerous to mortals.”

“You were trying to protect them.” Hilda nodded in understanding.

“Yeah, well, lot of good it did me,” Cordelia muttered, “We haven’t even spoken since that night and because of that I don’t even know if they came home safely last night with the rest of the class.”

“Don’t worry, they got home.”

Cordelia looked at her aunt. “You’ve seen them, Auntie H?”

Hilda nodded. “They were at the bookstore last night, they were safe and happy and- “Hilda cut herself off.

“And with Sara” Cordelia finished for her and sighed. “That’s it, then. I’ve been replaced.”

“Oh, come on! The Warners would never replace you. You’re their ride or die.”

Despite her foul mood, Cordelia smiled. She always found it amusing when her centuries old aunt used modern slang.

“Besides,” Hilda continued “The Warners have been cruel to you and haven’t been acting like themselves for quite some time. Honestly, I won’t be surprised if the triplets were being bewitched.

“Bewitched?! By who?” Cordelia was upset as she sat back on the sofa. If her friends were bewitched, why didn’t Cordelia figure it out herself? What kind of witch was she?

Sensing that her niece needed some time alone, Hilda got up and kissed her. “I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”

Cordelia curled up, her knees under her chin and her eyes closed. She was still thinking of the triplets and if they were bewitched, it would have to be someone new in their lives. But Cordelia could think of no one new but Sara. But Sara wasn’t a witch…or was she? Cordelia opened her eyes.

Meanwhile, across town, Faustus was getting ready for the schooldays, placing a copy of the day’s 1st lesson on every desk when he heard the clicking of heels on the floor. He looked up to see that Nina had arrived.

“Oh, no, no, no, no. YOU out of my classroom!” Faustus growled, furious, pointing at the doorway.

“What’s up with you? We share this classroom, remember?”

Faustus frowned. “No. We did share this classroom. Did, past tense. I’m done sharing anything with you!”

“I take it that you’re still angry with me due to what happened in Salem?”

“You think?” Faustus muttered.

“Even so,” Nina continued, “I don’t think it’s up to you to decide who teaches in what room.”

“Perhaps not,” Faustus said coldly, “You remember Theo Putnam, our vice principal? He’s been out all month because of his leg. He came back to work yesterday and this morning we had a long talk this morning about every thing and he agreed with me that you should move out. Just in case you want to bring your boyfriend, Principal Hopper, into this, don’t bother. He’s out sick with the flu.”

Nina was shocked. “How did you know that Hopper and I were lovers?”

“I was in the office last week, using the copy machine, when I saw you coming out of the principal’s office and not even 5 minutes later, Hopper came out, adjusting his belt. Suddenly, it all makes sense how you got you way in everything, the book, the play and the field trip.”

“Are you jealous?” She asked, a little too hopefully.

Faustus remained as calm as ever. “No. I was merely being observant while you were being indiscreet.”

“So that it? A little misunderstanding and you’re ready to throw me and the entire 8th grade out on our ear?”

“Who said anything about throwing out the 8 graders?” Faustus asked. “As if I told Theo, I would be more than happy to keep the 8th graders right here. I don’t mind if my workload is doubled, but you must go!”

Nina frowned. “You want to know what I think?”

“Not really, but you’re going to tell me anyway.” Faustus muttered.

“You do want me out of this classroom but only because you’re nervous you’re about to slip up and given in to attraction between us. You want me, Fausty, and we both know it but you’re hoping for an out of sight, out of situation.”

Faustus was shocked, just shocked. “Is there just no end to your nerve or your vanity, woman? I had said that I hated you since I was blue in the face and still you won’t face the fact the I despise you!”

“Let my track record speak for itself. I have never struck out with a man.”

“Yes, well you did strike out with me.” Having finished with passing papers, Faustus went to his desk, Nina right behind him.

“If you aren’t tempted by me and you think I kidnapped Cordelia- “

“You did kidnap her.” He cut in.

“Why didn’t you tell Theo about Salem? He would have canned my ass in a second.”

“Oh, I so desperately wanted to but I couldn’t because”

“You’re in love with me?” Nina suggested, batting her eyes.

Suddenly, Faustus had the urge to vomit. “Nooo, it’s because since I tore up that permission slip and returned Erin’s cell phone to its rightful owner, I had no evidence. Thankfully, I didn’t need it and Theo sided with me. Now, you have to go.”

“Why should I leave?”

“Because I can’t do this anymore!” Faustus snapped. “Your stupid, childish attempts to seduce me are growing more and more desperate. I consider it just pure dumb luck that someone hadn’t walked in and misread the situation…yet. I feel that the longer you stay in this class, the more likely something like that will happen and I will not risk losing anything because of you. I refuse to lose the love of my life, our daughter or my freedom.”

“Your freedom?”

Faustus nodded. “The more you stay here, the more I can see myself killing you and then I will be sent to jail.”

Faustus got up and in desperation, Nina grabbed his arm. “Faustus, I had to do what I did in Salem because…I’m in love with you.”

He took his arm back with 1 swift jerk. “In love with me?! You don’t even know the 1stthing about me!”

“Where am I to go?” Nina sounded lost.

“I don’t know. Go work in the office, go teach in another room, or another school, or another town, or another planet. Maybe you could get a job at an all boys school and start an orgy! I simply don’t care!”

“Fine!” Nina stomped across the room, made a half hearted attempt to clear everything off her desk and went across the room, stopping in the doorway. “Things aren’t over between us.”

“Yes, they are.” It was rude and a little childish, but Faustus couldn’t believe how good it felt to slam the door in Nina’s face.

“Mmm, this kitchen smells delightful, sister.” It was the next afternoon when Zelda walked into the room where Hilda had been working for hours.

Hilda looked up. “Thank you, sister. The fish is nearly done and then I have 1 or 2 things to do before I pop off.”

Zelda frowned. “I feel bad, Hildie. You’ve been working so hard on this dinner for me and I can’t even invite you to stay.”

“Don’t worry, Zelds. I understand completely. It just wouldn’t be fair to spring the whole Spellman clan on LJ’s beau at his 1st family dinner here. No, parents and siblings first, and if that goes well, then who’s knows?”

As Hilda went to check the stove, Zelda spotted a head of lettuce in a bowl and walked towards it. Zelda was the 1st to admit that she wasn’t the kitchen wiz her sister was, but this married mother of 4 could handle making a salad.

“It is exciting, isn’t it?” Hilda returned to the island to chop veggies. “I mean; I can’t even remember the last time LJ bought a boy home.”

“It was college, I believe.” Zelda guessed. “But I’ve never seen her this smitten before. She talks about this Peter all the time.”

The sisters worked in silence for awhile until they heard a loud thump above them.

“What was that?” Zelda was still looking at the ceiling.

“Cordelia?”

“No, I just left Cordy at my office at the academy, working on homework Faustus gave her.”

“Ambrose and Jake are in town, running errands, so- “

“We should be alone.” Zelda wiped her hands on a nearby towel. “Stay here, Hilda. I’ll check this out.”

There were no louder noises and as Zelda climbed to the 2ndlevel, she didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. She walked down the hall, seeing nothing out of place, perhaps Vinnie or Apollo were up to mischief. Zelda frowned as she turned to go into her own bedroom. For Zelda saw the top of a head on the floor next to Faustus’s side of the bed. Zelda went to over to the other side of the room and her mouth fell open. There, on the floor, with a book in her lap, was Nina Robinson!

“What are you doing in my house?!” demanded Zelda.

Nina looked up. “You’re a witch.” It was a statement, not a question.

Zelda said nothing, just folded her arms and shifted her weight.

“I don’t even believe in witches,” Nina said, more to herself, than to Zelda. “Or I didn’t 10 minutes ago.” She stood up. “Wait until I tell Faustus about this!” She said gleefully.

For her part, Zelda didn’t even try to stop her, she just sighed and stepped aside.

As Nina came stomping down the stairs, Hilda came out to see what was going on. “Hey!” However, Nina just ignored her as she walked out the door.

“She was a client who showed up an hour ago but since Ambrose and Jake were out, I sent her home.” Hilda explained with a confused look on her face.

“Never mind her, Hildie” Zelda was coming downstairs in a much calmer tone. “I know who that was and more importantly, I know where she’s going.”

Hilda gave her head a shake, she was completely lost here. “Okay, where?”

“To make a massive ass of herself.”

“You need to divorce your wife.

Faustus threw down his pencil and buried his face in his hands. He had just settled in with a soda and was actually looking forward to doing some paperwork done in HIS silent classroom, when Nina waltzed without even a knock. “And apparently you need to have your hearing and memory checked.” Faustus returned with a snap. “As it was only yesterday that I threw you out of this classroom and out of my life. I thought I had made myself quite clear. Or do I need to say word per word that I want nothing to do with you? You know, for a schoolteacher, you’re remarkably dense.”

Nina didn’t reply to any of that. She just came to his desk and dropped the heavy book that had been in her lap. “I saw a book exactly like this 1 in Salem. This is a spell book and it belongs to Zelda. I’m sorry to have to be the 1 to tell you this, Fausty, but your wife is a witch.”

He took hold of the book and looked up at her. “Where did you get this?”

“She stole it from straight out of our bedroom.” Zelda answered, stepping forward from the back of the room where she had watched Nina barge in. “Which means, along with kidnapping, we can now add breaking and entering to her criminal record.”

Nina’s mouth fell open. “Impossible! You weren’t even following me when I left! How did you get here first? Did-did you fly?”

“No.” Zelda replied calmly. “I teleported. It’s much easier and simpler than flying.”

“Then you admit it. You’re a witch. See, Faustus? She admitted it. That explains why you always reject me. You’re under some kind of crazy love spell.”

Zelda rolled her eyes. “Well, someone’s full of herself.”

Faustus smiled at his wife. “Oh, you have no idea.”

“How can you be smiling at her right now?!” Nina shrieked. “She just admit it! She’s a witch, she’s a creature!” Faustus bowed his head and his shoulders began to shake. “Aw, don’t cry. I’m sure she fooled everyone.”

However, when Faustus held his head back, it became apparently to both women that Faustus wasn’t crying at all, but laughing. “Look at you,” he said to Nina. “You’re repulsed! If I knew the truth would disgust you so much, I would have told you the truth long ago.”

Nina was now confused. “Truth? What truth?”

“I’m not like you.” Faustus stood up and pointed towards Zelda. “I’m like her. I’m, as you so rudely put it, a creature!”

“That-that-that’s cannot be!” Nina stammered. “There’s no such thing as a male witch.”

Faustus scoffed. “First of all, that was 1 quote in a children’s fictional youth novel. Secondly, do you believe everything you read?”

“If you do, let us educate you.” Zelda stepped up to stand beside her husband. “For any species on earth to survive, there must be a male and a female counterpoint. Witch kind is no different. Woman is to man is what witch is to warlock.”

“So, if you’re a witch and he’s a warlock,” Nina mused, “then Cordelia is”

“The absolute wrong child to take to Salem!” Faustus said firmly.

“Faustus?” Zelda called.

He put an arm around her shoulders. “Yes, my dearest?”

“It suddenly occurs to me that I can’t think of 1 single reason of why we should let this pathetic moral live.”

Nina crossed her arms. “I’ve done nothing to you.”

Zelda was aghast. “Nothing to me?! You kidnapped my youngest child, took her to Salem of all places, in order to seduce my husband, whom you’ve been lusting over for 2 months!”

“Well, when you put it that way- “Nina turned to run and had her hand on the doorknob when-

“Freeze!” Zelda ordered with her hand out in front of her. “Take your hand off that door and face me.”

Nina, of course, had no intention of obeying, but found she had no control as her hand left the door and her body turned toward Zelda. “What is happening?” She cried.

“You’re getting your 1st taste of real magic,” Zelda explained. “Not those Salem parlor tricks. Now, where was I? Oh yes. For all you put my family through, your death should be long, slow, painful, and bloody.” Nina winced as Zelda drew closer. “However, this is a public building and Faustus and I have dinner guests arrived within the hour, so this must do.” Zelda snapped her fingers and Nina was instantly in a trance.

“You’re in my power now and whatever I say will become your new reality. Nod if you understand me.”

Nina nodded silently.

Zelda smiled. “Good. Now, you are to forget everything about Greendale. Teaching here, lusting after Faustus, everything! As soon as you walk out of this room, you will go home and have an urge to book the very next flight back to New York.”

“Oh, dearest.” Faustus cut in. “Hecate knows no one wants that woman out of Greendale more than I do but the play is almost upon us and while I am listed as co-director as the bloody thing, well, the truth is I paid no attention and would be of very little help. What I’m trying to say is if she left now, we would have to cancel the play altogether and that would be unfair to the children after all their hard work.”

Zelda nodded understandingly. “How long will the play run?”

“Only 3 shows; once on Friday and twice on Saturday.”

“Very well.” Zelda turned back to Nina. “As soon as you walk out of this room, you will go home and have an urge to book the next flight back to New York for Monday morning. Better?” she checked with Faustus.

“Perfect.”

“Other than that urge to book the flight and how to direct the play, you’ll remember nothing of your life here in Greendale, nothing! Once you cross that threshold, the last 2 months of your memory will be wiped clean. If you should even hear the word Greendale again, your skin will crawl and your stomach will churn. You will never, ever set foot in this town again! Now, go!” Zelda opened the door and Nina crossed the threshold, forgetting everything.

“Well, how do you like him, Mom?”

Dinner went well. It felt a little odd having such a formal family dinner on a Wednesday, but since LJ and Peter were both doctors, they had both gotten used to planning their social lives around work, especially since they had to cancel once already. As she wished, all of LJ’s immediate family were there. Her parents, Faustus and Zelda, as well as all 3 of her siblings, Jake, Cordelia, and Prudence. The dishes that Hilda prepared were superb and the conversation was kept light and fun. A good time was had by all. They even managed to get through the entire dinner before Peter got the text that he was needed back at the hospital. Shortly after, Prudence left too. She had bed check at the academy. After the twins, who offered, had cleaned up, LJ took a cup of tea out to the porch, to her mother, where she asked that all important question.

“Thank you.” Zelda said as she reached for the cup. “I like your young man very much. He’s nice and he seemed to be crazy about you.”

“I’m glad you think so because Peter and I are moving in together.”

Zelda spat out her tea. “What?! LJ, have you lost your mind?”

LJ frowned. “You just said you liked Peter.”

“I do, but that doesn’t mean I want you to consider moving in him. You only just meet him 7 weeks ago.”

“I’m more than thinking about it, Mom. I’ve already sold my apartment and moved most of my stuff into his place.”

Zelda was shocked. “You told no one in the family about this.”

“I’m telling you now. I thought you be happy for me.”

“Darling, I’m happy that you met someone, but I think you’re moving too fast, even by mortal standards.”

LJ was getting annoyed. “How can you say that? Father always says he fell in love with you the 1stmoment he saw you.”

Zelda sighed. “Your father would never admit this, but he’s a die-hard romantic, but the truth is we knew each other a lot more than 7 weeks to even have our 1st kiss. We dated for years and it took us centuries to marry.”

“Well, I don’t have centuries, Peter’s mortal.” LJ pointed out. “I think the problem is that you barely know Peter.”

“It’s been 7 weeks; you barely know Peter.”

“I think this conversation is over.” LJ stood up and walked downstairs into the yard.

“Letitia Judith, come back here! I want to talk about this some more.”

“I know what I’m doing, Mother!”

Zelda took a deep breath. She knew that LJ only called her ‘mother’ when she was extremely upset. First Nina, now this. What else could go wrong?

Meanwhile, back inside the house, Faustus walked by his daughter’s open bedroom door. Cordelia sat on her bed, an open school binder before her and an open text in her hands. Yet, she wasn’t studying, she was simply staring off into space.

“Cordy? Did you need some help, honey?”

“Um, huh? What? Oh, no thanks, Dad. I can’t focus.” She closed the text book and tossed it aside.

“You barely said anything at dinner. Is there something on your mind?”

“As a matter of fact, there is. Aunt Hilda just said something yesterday, in passing, but I can’t stop thinking of it. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Well, I guess there’s no easy way to say this. Dad, I think Sara is a witch.”

Faustus frowned. “Cordelia, I know you’re only 12 and your mother and I don’t like you using the b word, but you know that in this family, ‘witch’ is not an insult.”

Cordelia rolled her eyes. “Dad! I’m serious!”

“You are, aren’t you?”

“Completely. Like I said, the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. I’m beginning to wonder why I didn’t see it earlier. The clues were all there. Just like pieces of a puzzle.”

“What clues?” Faustus asked.

“When I first met Sara, on that 1st day of school, Sara seemed upset, angry even, when she learned that the triplets were in the 7th grade, not 8th grade like her. The fire was that day, burning down the 8 grade classroom and then they moved in with us. Later, when the triplets bought her to the sleepover, she unleashed the fear demon. Ambrose himself said that it was a really hard spell and it was completely in Latin. Now, I know for a fact that none of the triplets speak Latin and I can barely keep my verbs straight. Oh, and I saw Sara actually drink that magic coco that make mortals forget the evening yet Sara brought up the fear demon again over a month later. Remember the blood on our door in Salem? I was told they only did that for witches, so I was confused on why there was blood on the triplets’ door, then I realized, Sara was in that room too. Not to mention that my friends have been acting weird ever since she showed up. Doesn’t that prove she’s a witch?”

Faustus sighed and put an arm around his daughter. “I’m sorry, Cordy, but I don’t agree. I’m not saying that the behaviour you just spoke of isn’t suspect, it certainly is. But didn’t Sara’s family project say she’s descended from a Salem judge? Even if she did lie about that, you yourself said that you were sure that putting on a play about Salem was Sara’s idea, not to mention the field trip. If Sara was a witch, why would she do that? Or identify as a Wiccan?”

“Oh Hecate, Dad, you’re right. I’m just shooting in the dark here. I just wanted to be able to explain the triplets’ behavior so badly when any fool from the outside looking in would say that I’m just the jealous ex-friend, and they wouldn’t be wrong.” With a frown on her face, Cordelia did a belly-flop onto her bed with her head down.

Faustus couldn’t stand seeing his daughter so unhappy. “Forget about what I just said. What does your gut tell you?”

Cordelia looked up. “It’s telling me that witch or mortal, Sara is nothing but trouble and that something bad is about to happen and soon.”

On Friday night, the Greendale Middle School’s Grade 7/8 production of the Crucible was very well received. It was after the play that Sara asked the Warners to take her to the tree where the Greendale 13 were hanged.

“I can’t believe the play went so well.” Erica grinned as she walked beside her sister and Sara walked in front of them.

“I can’t believe that after all the hard work, we only get to do the play 2 more times tomorrow.” Emily remarked.

“I know.” Giggled Erin.

In contract, Sara was humorless as she stopped before a massive oak. “Is this it?”

Emily nodded. “Yup, this is where the Greendale 13 were hung as witches.”

“You know; I’ve never liked the number 13. What do we make it 16?” Sara waved her hands and faster than lighting, the braches of the trees came down and wrapped around the triplets’ necks like nooses.

“What-what are you doing?!” Emily choked as she grasped for air.

“Seeking justice for my kind and let’s see if this can get a raise out of little miss perfect.” Sara took out her cell phone and took a picture.

LJ felt bad. It had been 2 days since she and Zelda had their big fight. Now that LJ had the time to step back and calm down, she now understood where her mother was coming from. LJ still didn’t think she was moving too fast. She was completely in love with Peter and couldn’t wait to start living with him. But she also knew that Zelda was just trying to look out for her. Yet, her making up with Mom was going to have to wait. Tonight, LJ had a surprise for her boyfriend. LJ was slated to work tonight therefore she wasn’t supposed to officially move in until tomorrow but LJ got a friend to cover her shift for her and therefore Peter had no idea that LJ was on her way with her last box of stuff. LJ used the key that Peter had already given her to let herself. LJ barely had time to swing the door closed with her foot when she heard a cry coming from the bedroom. Afraid that Peter had hurt himself, LJ rushed into the bedroom without knocking. Peter was fine and so was the girl who was on top of him and once more cried out with joy.

“You bastard!” Because it was still in her hands, LJ threw the cardboard box across the room. It hit the shoulder of Peter’s mistress, causing her to turn and allowed LJ a brief glance of her before LJ ran out of the apartment, her eyes soaked with tears.

The easiest way to keep her mind off Sara, the play and the fact that none of the Warners hadn’t talked to her in an entire week, Cordelia figured, was to keep busy. She had finished all the homework Faustus had given her, served as a perfect soundboard for Zelda when she wanted to debut a new sermon. She even helped Jake clean up the morgue. Cordelia was in the middle of a bubble bath when her phone, that was playing relaxing music, dinged. She sat up when she saw the triplets and the hanging tree. The picture had no text with it but Cordelia knew exactly who sent it.

“Sara!”

As fast as she could, Cordelia got out of the tub, toweled off and grabbed the nearest clothes. Cordelia was quick but not quiet. As she stomped down the stairs, Zelda came out of the sitting room.

“Cordy? What’s going on?”

“Sorry, Mom, can’t talk now. Sara finally made a move. Hi, LJ.” She greeted her sister who had just opened the front door and rushed by her.

“LJ?”

“Mom, you were right. I didn’t know Peter at all.” LJ took a few steps before she broke down in her mother’s arms.

The hanging tree was all the way across town so Cordelia teleported her way there. “DOWN!” She cried out in Latin as soon as she saw her hanging friends.

“UP!” Sara ordered.

“I know who you are now. I know you’re a witch like me.”

Sara crossed her arms. “Well, look who finally got a clue.”

“Why are you hanging my friends? You already stole them from me.”

Sara laughed cruelly. “You think I care about those 3 mortal morons. I don’t. I came here for you, cousin!”

If you reading this, Hecate bless you for waiting what feels like A MILLION years for this update. I love all of you so so much. Don’t forget to comment.

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