by Marcus Brown
“Yes, it’s in the kitchen.”
“Good. Sandra can remain here until we are ready for her.”
“She knows tonight is the night.” Samantha rubbed her hands together. “At last. All of the hard work will pay off, thanks to you.”
“You’re my sister. I’d have crawled through the fires of hell to save you.”
“I love you, Juliet.”
“And I you,” she replied, smiling. “Now, come on, let’s go inside until we’re ready to begin.”
Darkness reigned over Promised Land Lane.
Samantha and Juliet strode down the garden stairs.
Juliet carried Mabel and then sat her down on the floor, while Samantha carried their precious Grimoire.
“Stay away from the fire, Mabel.”
“Yes, Mistress,” her faithful friend replied.
“It’s time,” Samantha declared.
Juliet looked to the well.
The twelve missing children climbed out–their eyeless sockets red and angry looking. The dolls scurried across the garden and stood by their respective hosts. “Come, my little friends. It is nearly time.” In perfect sync, the children bent down and picked the dolls up, cradling them in their arms.
“Are they ready?” Samantha asked.
“Yes.” She put up her hands as the fire soared skyward. “It’s time to send them into the flames.”
“Will they feel any pain?” Samantha appeared concerned.
“I believe they will, but they’ll be reborn stronger than before, and any pain will soon be forgotten.”
Samantha turned and called the children to her.
One by one, she took the doll from each child before casting their tiny bodies into the fire. She flinched as their screams echoed from the flames, sailing into the wind before dissolving into nothingness. The children followed the dolls, their bodies flailing silently.
Juliet walked towards Mabel as she looked up. “I’m scared, Mistress.”
“I don’t want to do it, but I must send you into the flames, so you can return to me stronger than before.”
Mabel lifted her tiny arms as Juliet bent down and scooped her up, setting a tender kiss onto her face. She walked toward the fire and hesitated. “I love you, Mabel,” she choked, unable to cast her into the fire.
“Juliet, you must hurry,” Samantha urged.
“No,” she sobbed. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do it.”
“Then I will,” Samantha snarled, pulling Mabel from her sister’s arms and throwing her unmercifully into the fire.
Juliet covered her ears as Mabel’s high-pitched screams emanated from inside the flames. “Mabel,” she cried out, rushing closer to the fire. Another of the children followed behind Mabel.
Samantha pulled Juliet back. “Pull yourself together. Anybody would think you loved that thing.” She glowered at her sister, surprised by the emotional burst. Then, she softened toward her. “Fear not, she will come back to you, fully restored.”
Juliet wiped her tears away but continued to stare into the flames. “Come back to me,” she whispered.
“We did what we had to do,” Samantha reminded her. “Our rewards will be great.”
“I hope you’re right,” Juliet added, sounding unsure for the first time.”
“I must confess. I never expected your maternal side to be so strong.”
“Then why did you send your son to me all those years ago?” Juliet snapped back.
“To keep him safe.”
“And you didn’t think I would grow to love him like he was my own child? That I would take the boy in and not learn to care for him? You’re not that naïve, Samantha. You knew I would protect him like he was my own.”
“I’m sorry, Juliet. My words were not meant to hurt you. Of course, I knew you’d grow to love him, just like you do Mabel. Your capacity to love is stronger than mine it seems.”
“A trait inherited from our dear sweet mother.”
Samantha flinched at the mention of their mother. “Silence.”
“One I never wanted, but one I have to suffer nonetheless.”
“Don’t talk of her, Juliet. I’ve warned you before.”
“She loved us, Samantha, but he took her away from us and made us what we are today.”
“You’re wrong, Juliet. This was always our destiny.”
“Destiny or not, the people we love have always been taken from us,” Juliet said, bitterly. “But no more.”
“Come now, enough of this talk.” Samantha seemed worried about where the conversation was heading. “We have much work to do.”
The remainder of the dolls were cast into the flames, followed by the children.
“She’s next,” Juliet said, pointing to Sandra, still lying on the table. “But first we must eat. It will take a lot of our strength to perform the resurrection spell.” She held out her hand for Samantha as both walked back toward the house.
Chapter Forty-Three
Hilary and Jason watched as Samantha and Juliet walked past the windows in the front room.
Thankfully, the security guard wasn’t in attendance.
They crawled under the window, before rushing down the side of the house. “They can’t catch us,” Hilary whispered to Jason.
“Shush, and keep going,” Jason replied. “We don’t know how long they’ll be in there for.”
They reached the end of the passageway and were surprised to see a huge fire burning in the back garden.
Jason grabbed hold of Hilary and pulled her. “Run, now, towards the bushes,” he ordered.
“Okay, but don’t pull me or I’ll fa…” She stopped mid-sentence. Her eyes were drawn to the table on the grass close to the fire. “What the hell?” The sight of Sandra tied to the table stopped them both in their tracks.
“We can’t, we’ll be seen.”
Hilary approached the table. She clasped her hand across her mouth. “What have they done to you?”
Jason was stunned by what he was seeing but knew they couldn’t stay there in case the sisters returned. “Hilary, I’m sorry, but we have to hide.” He dragged her towards the bushes and pulled her into his arms once they were safely out of sight.
“I’ll kill them with my bare hands,” Hilary sobbed. “She didn’t do anything to deserve this.”
“Quiet, or they’ll hear us. We must bide our time until David arrives.”
Samantha and Juliet glided down the garden steps, picking up the scent of their enemies in the breeze.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” Juliet sing-songed. “We know you’re there.”
Hilary and Jason were frozen to the spot, hidden behind the bushes. It wasn’t possible.
“We can smell your fear,” Samantha called out. “It’ll be a lot easier if we don’t have to come and fetch you.”
Jason moved first and appeared from behind the bushes. “I’ll kill you both.”
Juliet laughed hysterically. “You’re very brave, boy, but foolish. Now, quickly, Mrs Baines, come out. I know you’re there too.”
Hilary walked from out of her hiding place. “What have you done to my friend?”
“She’s right here,” Juliet said. “You can see for yourself.”
“You’ll pay for what you’ve done,” Hilary screamed.
“It was nothing she didn’t deserve,” Samantha answered. “And soon, she will serve our Master, alongside us.”
“Sandra will never help either of you,” Hilary argued.
“She’ll think differently once she knows you’re both here. Sandra watched what we did to your good friend, Andrew…” Samantha paused, allowing the words to take effect. “What we’ll do with the two of you will be much worse if she doesn’t bend to our will.”
“What did you do to Andrew?” Hilary asked, knowing she had been right all along.
“We started with his toes and worked our way up…” Juliet added, trying to stifle a giggle. “Some parts of him tasted better than others, wouldn’t you
say so, Samantha?”
“You’re evil,” Hilary cried, before bending over and heaving the contents of her stomach onto the grass.
“Thank you,” Juliet replied. “Now, little boy.” She pointed at Jason. “Has the cat got your tongue?”
“I’m not a little boy,” he replied.
“Mmmm,” Juliet said, licking her lips. “Maybe I could find some other use for you… besides dinner.”
“Fuck you,” Jason roared.
“Such brave words.” Juliet raised her hand. “Come to me,” she hollered as Jason was pulled across the garden by an unseen force. She opened her hand and grabbed him by his throat, squeezing the life out of him as Hilary rushed forward brandishing a knife. She threw Jason to the ground as if he were weightless. He collapsed to the floor as Hilary charged.
Samantha stepped in front of her.
Hilary anticipated the move and side stepped her, heading towards Juliet as she was yanked backward.
Samantha had grabbed the back of her hair, pulling a chunk from the root.
“Let me go, you bitch,” Hilary howled.
“If you insist,” Samantha replied as she shoved her forward and flat onto her face.
“You didn’t really believe you could defeat us, did you?” Juliet asked, as she crouched down and grabbed Hilary’s face, her nails digging into her flesh.
“If only you knew what was coming,” Hilary replied.
With her interest piqued, Samantha asked, “And what does that mean?” She kicked Hilary in the ribs and laughed as she heard a crack, before walking away.
“Do what you like to me, but I’ll never tell you.”
“Is that so, Mrs Baines?” Juliet asked. “What if I send our little friend to bring your delicious husband back here? Will you tell your secrets then, or watch as we roast him on the fire?”
“Hilary, for fucks sake, tell them what they want to know – they’re too strong for us.”
“Tim’s safe,” she bluffed. “You don’t know where he is.”
“Is that so? At this second, he’s sitting in his cosey armchair wondering where you are.”
“You’re lying.”
“Do you really want me to prove you wrong? I could send our friend to bring him here,” Juliet said. “I’d have great pleasure in ripping him limb from limb, right in front of you. Is that what you want, Mrs Baines?”
“No,” Hilary squeaked.
“Sorry, I didn’t quite hear what you said,” Juliet teased.
“I said, no,” Hilary yelled.
“I thought we’d see eye to eye eventually,” Juliet said triumphantly. “Now, tell me what you meant earlier and don’t lie to us. Witches always know when they’re being lied to.”
Hilary looked at Jason. He nodded his head, giving permission for her to tell.
“David Price is here,” she said, softly.
Samantha walked back to Hilary and knelt on the grass in front of her. “She isn’t lying, Juliet.”
“No. I’m not lying and when he gets here, you’re both finished.”
Samantha slapped Hilary across the face and grabbed hold of her hair, pulling her across the grass toward Sandra’s broken body. She lifted Hilary onto her feet and smiled as she screamed, clutching her broken ribs.
“Look at your friend.” Samantha pushed Hilary’s head in the direction of the table. “Do you really think that poor excuse for a man is any match for me, let alone the two of us?”
“Yes, I do,” she said, pulling away from Samantha.
“Then you’re as foolish as he was.” She pushed Hilary down onto the floor and kicked her in the bottom of her back. “Stay down, or you’ll regret it.”
Juliet took a step forward. “Samantha. Enough of these childish games. We have work to do.”
“They’re here.” Hilary pointed to the sky and watched as pearl coloured orbs fell from the heavens.
Chapter Forty-Four
As the orbs continued to fall, every corner of the dark garden illuminated brilliantly, yet serenely.
The cats watched from the walls, as from within the orbs, figures slowly stepped forward and came into view.
Samantha and Juliet stared open mouthed as faces from their respective pasts slowly appeared.
One by one they appeared and surrounded the sisters until hundreds of faces stared back at them. Sadness and condemnation filled their eyes.
Samantha looked around, furious to see David Price walk amongst them. “You,” she hissed, accusingly. “I hoped I’d never see you again.” David merely smiled at her.
Jeanette and Ashley Lee, Sarah Brown, Nathan Miller, Frank and Amanda Breen, Rachel Lang, Dianne Gallagher, Don Juan Julián Santana and Father O’Brien stood in amongst the hundreds.
“There’s nothing any of you can do to stop us,” Samantha spat. “You’re too late.”
Juliet cackled as the flames from the fire roared skyward. Samantha walked towards Sandra’s body and stabbed at it, laughing hysterically as it was further desecrated.
David rushed forward, but a blinding light stopped him in his tracks. A figure stepped out of the light.
“Mother, you must stop.” Samantha froze, the sound of his voice made her heart flutter. She turned around as Luke walked toward her. “I beg of you.” Her beautiful, perfect child stood before her. She smiled warmly at him, but happiness was short lived as she realised he wasn’t alone as from out of the light, Maisie and Mark also appeared.
“No, it can’t be,” Samantha shrieked. “You’re not up there, with them. It’s not possible.” She shook her head, “I can bring you back and we can be together again.”
“It’s too late, Mother. I’ve served my penance and belong to the light now.”
Juliet charged forward and smacked him across the face. “So, you turn on the woman who sacrificed everything to keep you safe. Spineless brat.”
Luke smiled and looked lovingly at her. “I’ve missed you, Aunt Juliet.”
“Don’t speak to me, revolting child,” Juliet screamed.
“He would forgive both of you,” Luke said, staring at his mother and aunt. “In time.”
“I ask nothing from your God.” Juliet was incandescent with rage.
Maisie observed their exchange and let go of her father’s hand. She approached Samantha. “Mother, I forgive you.”
Samantha screamed and ran at her daughter. She grabbed Maisie and violently shook her but cried out, quickly releasing her from her grasp. The palms of her hands were badly burned. “You burnt me, you bitch,” she hissed.
“You can’t hurt me, or any of us,” Maisie said, quietly. “You’re powerless against us.”
“She’s right, Samantha,” Mark stepped forth.
“I should have known you wouldn’t be far behind,” Juliet interrupted. “I wish I’d fed you to the wolves a hundred years ago.”
“I wish I could say I’m pleased to see you, Juliet. I often wondered what had happened to you.” He looked at her with compassion. “I’m impressed you were able to hide yourself from me.”
“I’m more powerful than even you realised, powerful enough to pull my sister from the fires of hell and powerful enough to stop all of you.”
“You needn’t have bothered. You’ll be in hell soon enough, together,” Mark said, with finality.
Juliet laughed. “Your God has assembled this–this pathetic gathering to stop…” She hesitated. “…two of the most powerful witches this world has ever seen.”
“Pride comes before the fall, Juliet.”
“Your Army of Angels won’t stop me.”
“Such arrogance.” Mark shook his head.
“I brought my sister back from the dead, and together we’ll finish what she started, before your interference ruined everything.”
“It’s too late for that, Juliet. You’ve failed and once we put you where you both belong, the spirits you’ve bound to this place will be free once more.”
“Never.” Samantha interrupted. “We’ll never
let them go.”
Juliet looked at Sandra’s body and sneered. “Once we’ve burnt her body, she too will belong to us.”
“No,” Hilary shouted. “Let her go, I’ll take her place.”
“Adam will deal with you, once and for all.” Juliet whispered to her sister, and both smiled cunningly. Seconds later, the familiar moaning sound could be heard echoing around the garden.
Hilary and Jason stared at one another. They knew what was coming. Adam was climbing up the well and would come straight for them.
Maisie moved away from her father and brother as Adam appeared. She stood protectively in front of Hilary and Jason. He lifted his head, sniffing the air. They jumped back, shocked by his hideous features.
Ashley Lee rushed from within the crowd, waving his arms, cutting off his twin brother. “Adam. I know you can hear me.” Ashley grabbed hold of his brother’s hand, his touch causing him pain. Adam pulled away. “It’s me, Ash. This isn’t you, stop this.” He reached out and seized his brother’s hand again, but Adam pulled back once more. “It’s time for us to be together again.”
Adam turned to face his brother. He appeared to recognize the voice.
“Kill them,” Samantha screamed. “I command you.”
“Adam.” Jeanette came forward and walked toward her children. Jason stared wide eyed. “You need to listen to me. We’ve come to take you with us, to a place nobody can hurt you again.”
Jason charged forward. “Listen to them, mate.”
Adam turned to face Jason and let out an unearthly cry. Nobody present needed words to know what he was trying to say. He wanted to be with his family once more. Their love for him was more powerful than any spell the sisters could conjure. He looked back at Samantha and Juliet and walked towards the roaring fire.
“STOP!” Juliet and Samantha screamed in unison, but he didn’t respond and walked directly into the fire.
He squealed in pain as the flames engulfed and eventually devoured him, his skin melting like candle wax. Jeanette and Ashley looked on in tears, unable to do anything further to help him.
Jason screamed and covered his ears. “Adam.” He stood and watched as his brother’s body was consumed within the inferno.
