Bad Holiday in Witch Town

by Mark Hockley

anyone who tells you differently. They will be your enemy. They will plot against you and all of your sisters in the Black Coven. And there are many that should not be trusted, whatever colour they may claim to be."

  Ellie became thoughtful as she took all of this in, but decided not to pass comment. She understood that there were divisions between the Covens and she also recognised that just because she had found herself manoeuvred into joining the Blacks that didn't mean she had to accept everything she was told by them. Least of all by Margaret.

  As she had learned well enough during her relatively short life, there was always two sides to every story.

  She wondered if everyone in Witch Town revered the legendary Rebecca quite as much as Margaret did. Whatever the case, she made up her mind to find out.

  Beth was presented with a set of new clothes that did nothing to cheer up her miserable mood. She knew she was going to look like something out of some kind of freak show when she put the outfit on. It wasn't even a cute maid's getup, it was drab with a capital D, all in brown and incredibly cumbersome. She knew under the circumstances it should be the least of her worries, but for some reason it just pushed her mood further down into depression.

  And she really hated cleaning. Her room was always a total mess. She was most definitely not maid material.

  One of the White Coven witches looked in on her. The room she had been put into made the one she had occupied before seem like a palace. It was just a box room with hardly any space to move. A bed, a wash basin, side table and a cupboard was all there was. There wasn't even a window. "Please hurry and change," the woman in a white belt told her, "you have duties to attend to."

  Beth just looked at her, her expression a combination of disgust and apprehension. "What kind of duties?" she managed.

  "The Sons will show you," said the witch brusquely.

  Returning her attention to her new attire, Beth realised with a terrible sinking feeling that her life had taken a very unpleasant turn for the worse. Although she had overheard some of the others in the White Coven talking about Ellie choosing the Blacks and the boys being given another chance, she found it difficult to feel positive. Of course she was relieved for Zack and Luke, but what was going on with Ellie? She had this sensation of loss that was nagging at her, as if she was grieving. It felt as if her friend was slowly moving away from her, becoming someone different and alien. For a few moments she had fight tears as the emotions threatened to overwhelm her.

  Very reluctantly she began to undress and prepared to put on the uniform of servitude. It all seemed so unreal, so ridiculous and yet here she was about to embark on a new chapter of her life, one that she had never wanted or expected. And one that she knew would test her to her limits and quite possibly beyond.

  Zack was finding it very difficult to drag his eyes away from the young witch who had been charged with keeping watch over both he and Luke, now that they were considered a serious threat to the community. In fact there were two women who had been given this role, the other who called herself Allana of the Blue Coven, a pretty young woman with long blonde hair of perhaps twenty five or so. But Zack only had eyes for her companion. Her name was Leonie and she was one of the Greens. He tried to remind himself that these people were witches and he was here against his will. But try as he might he found himself drawn to this dark haired, green eyed girl who he guessed was perhaps a year or so older than himself. She was small in height, but had a quality about her that commanded attention. Zack had had a couple of girlfriends, but nothing serious and it wasn't as if he considered himself to be the typically romantic daydreaming type, but this girl had his pulse racing just by looking at her. He caught her eyes more than a few times and had to quickly glance away, his face flushed with embarrassment. Luke gave him a couple of questioning stares, but Zack could hardly say anything as both young women were always within earshot.

  In truth, they were courteous enough, but were not willing to make small talk. Zack's first attempt to have a conversation with Leonie had only been met with a polite non-committal response. To complicate matters more they had been taken to the fields on the edge of the town to join a group of men harvesting a variety of crops and they were expected to work hard and speak only when it was necessary.

  Zack attempted to put his thoughts in order, despite his mind straying to the dark haired girl on a regular basis. What a time to become smitten he chided himself. And with a witch! He shook his head absently as he picked strawberries and put them into a wicker basket. He needed to give himself a good talking to. Or on second thoughts, he would just tell Luke later and let his friend explain to him why he was being a total idiot.

  Everything that had taken place in the Council chamber had left him confused and very uneasy. He didn't understand what was going on with his sister. The fact that she was one of them was too crazy to think about. But it was true nonetheless. He had hardly given Beth any thought at all and he felt really bad about that. But he knew Luke had been really worried about their friend and now he wondered what she was having to do to survive this ordeal.

  However much Zack might find some pretty girl captivating, he still knew that they could not just allow themselves be lulled into accepting this life of imprisonment and forced labour. He was not going to let these people control him forever. But for now at least, he would play along. He gave another quick glance at Leonie who watched him from perhaps fifteen feet away. Their eyes met and Zack wondered if the look she gave him was merely one of warning that he should get on with his work, or one that told him to be careful not to think of her in any way other than his overseer. Whichever it was, he knew that he was treading on dangerous ground.

  "And this is your home," Margaret said opening the door of a very impressive wood and stone house on the outskirts of the town. It was a large, imposing structure with high windows and a slate roof. "This residence has been handed down through the centuries to only the most esteemed of our Coven. It is a great privilege for you to live here. I trust you will value this gift."

  Ellie looked around the interior, taking in a grand staircase leading to the second story where another set of carpeted stairs led to the top level of the house. Off to one side was a substantial library and on the other was a drawing room with opulent furnishings. Along a hallway beside the staircase were more doors and what looked to be an extensive kitchen area at the rear of the building. "Thank you," she said carefully, "but do I really need a place like this just for me?"

  The woman gave her a contemptuous glare. "Property in Witch Town is not to be sneered at. It is a sign of status and you would do well to remember that you represent the Black Coven now. It is most important to demonstrate to the other Covens our position of seniority."

  A little puzzled by this, Ellie couldn't help herself. "Seniority? I thought all of the Covens were equal."

  Now Margaret's expression was openly hostile. "Listen girl and listen well," she snapped, "I have told you already that all witches were originally Blacks. And they will be again, mark me. There are many things you do not know. Perhaps in time, you will gain our confidence and prove yourself worthy of your place with us. But until such a time, guard your words. And be loyal to your house. Traitors will suffer terrible consequences. Never forget that." She held the girl's gaze for several long moments letting the words sink in. "Never forget." Ellie knew well enough not to reply. The woman's intensity unnerved her. "Now please explore your home," Margaret went on with an attempt at affability, "And then you can introduce yourself to your servants."

  "Excuse me?" the girl piped up.

  "A cook, two houseboys, a gardener."

  "Boys!?" Ellie was struggling to keep up.

  "Yes, of course. The Sons take on all domestic duties. I have already selected suitable candidates." Ellie's face said it all, her bewilderment obvious. But the older woman continued as if it was quite commonplace. "You will find your clothing in the main bedroom. You have been promoted to Level Three which is without precede
nt for a new Mother. It is a great honour."

  "And that's why you wanted me to join you?"

  Margaret eyed her with a fierce, unyielding glare. "We have plans for you, yes. You will serve your House well I'm certain of it." With this, the old woman turned to leave, but hesitated for a moment. "And don't forget, my dear. The Dance will be held tomorrow where you will choose your spouse. There is much to look forward to." And with that she was gone, moving swiftly away through the doorway and out into the street.

  Behind her, Ellie was left with her mouth hanging open with a look of unmitigated horror. It took her quite some time to even move away from where she stood just staring at the open door where Margaret had exited. "You really have got to be joking," she said to the empty room.

  "Ma'am?"

  Ellie spun around to see a small red haired boy of perhaps ten gazing at her from the hallway. He had obviously come from the kitchen. She collected herself and tried her best to smile. "Hello."

  This only seemed to confuse the boy. "What time do you want dinner, Ma'am?"

  The girl was doing her best to get her head around what was happening to her, but this little kid asking her about dinner just seemed too weird and she was completely at a loss.