Chastening of the Witch, Part 2
Date: 3/27/98
From: AngeliqueBouchard

Judah lounged under the shade of a small tree talking with Miranda Collins in the gardens surrounding Collinwood.

"How is that you know me?" Miranda inquired. "Are you acquainted with my parents?"

"I am very familiar with your mother, Angelique," Judah replied.

"How so?" Miranda demanded. She was not about to let this ugly, repugnant man make a pretense of knowing her family, when she knew that could not be true.

"I met your mother a long time ago. You remind me of her a great deal," Judah leered at Miranda eyeing her from head to toe, "not only in body, but your very soul."

"Well, Mr. Zachary, I frankly do not believe my mother would be acquainted with the likes of you. I don't know what you're doing here but this is Collins property, so you had better remove yourself from it before I have you removed."

"Please call me Judah. Your mother always did. I'd be glad to explain my purpose here. I'm here to make you aware of your birthright. You see your mother has become quite comfortable in her life here at Collinwood. I'm afraid she neglected her duty of revealing to you what power you have at your disposal." Judah smiled as he began to rub a blue ribbon that bedecked Miranda's dress between his fingers.

Miranda yanked her dress away and took a step backwards. Still, his words make her curious, "What power?"

"So much like her mother," Judah whispered. "It is a power I once bestowed on your mother and was cultivated through many generations of the Bouchard family. It is much easier to demonstrate than to explain." He passed his hand over a nearby flower, turning it to a crystal clear ice sculpture.

Miranda inhaled sharply.

"Yes, this simple act is impressive to innocent eyes," Judah said. "But this is just a scratch on the surface of what you are capable of doing." Judah reached into his pocket and pulled out a wooden figure. "Here, see for yourself that my words are true. Take this figure and pick someone on which to 'experiment'. Then find something personal belonging to your subject and attach it to the figure and tell the figure what you would have that person do: see things that aren't there, fall asleep, commit murder..."

Miranda knew she shouldn't be listening to this man. What would her parents think? But her parents were far away, touring all the beautiful sites this country had to offer. And here with her was this repulsive man who Miranda, under normal circumstances, wouldn't give the time of day. But he seemed to have a certain power emanating from him. Miranda was drawn to that.

She reached down and took hold of the figure. Judah grabbed her hand with his free one. "I'll see you soon, Miranda," he hissed.

"Miranda!" Barnabas called, searching the gardens for his sister.

Judah let go of Miranda's hand and she turned and called, "Over here, Barnabas!"

When she turned back Judah was gone. Miranda gazed down that the wooden doll in her hand. "Curious," she whispered to herself before placing the figure deep into her pocket.

TO BE CONTINUED