Chastening of the Witch, Part 5
Date: 3/30/98
From: AngeliqueBouchard

Miranda Collins stood on the verandah overlooking the great estate of Collinwood. She closed her eyes as she replayed this morning's unusual events. She wasn't sure to whether to attribute the success she experienced to the doll or to some dark force deep inside of her, but there was one thing of which she was certain, she liked the way it felt to have power over someone. She had to learn more.

Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sensation of hot breath by her ear. Miranda snapped open her eyes and turned to face Judah Zachary. She pushed him away and took several steps backwards.

"Ahh Miranda," he said, "you cannot tell me you are oblivious to how enticing you are."

Miranda glowered at Judah. No one had ever dared to speak to Miranda like this before.

"You find me repulsive," Judah stated matter of factly. "My body has suffered the effects of magic. I once asked that I would never die," he reflected as he looked past Miranda into the distance. "I did not take into account that my body would become as it did. But that will be remedied soon enough."

Miranda did not completely understand of what Judah was speaking, but she was thankful he didn't show her what deformities lay under his clothing. She changed the subject, "My brother wants to meet you. I'm afraid he saw what I did with the doll and was not at all pleased."

Judah curved his lips to form a smile. "I would be happy to meet your brother. Tell him I will be at the Blue Whale at 8:00 tonight." He walked towards Miranda. Although she felt the urge to retreat backwards a few steps, Miranda stood her ground.

Judah breathed in the sweet scent of Miranda's perfume. "Would you like to learn more of what power can be yours?"

"As long as it is a price I am willing to pay for your services," Miranda snapped.

Judah let out a loud laugh. "What fire! The only price I demand is your loyalty. I assure you that anything more will be your decision." He placed an old, yellowed book in Miranda's hands that appeared to emerge out of the thin air. "Read this and practice. I will see you soon." Judah turned and left Miranda staring down at the decaying book.

As Judah smugly walked through the forest on the Collins estate he was distracted from extolling himself by the sound of a man's loud voice. He peered through the greenery and recognized it to be Daniel Collins.

Daniel was admonishing his wife, Harriet. "I forbid you to ever look at another man in that way again!" He marched off briskly in the direction of Collinwood.

"Daniel!" Harriet called after him. "I swear I have no interest in another man!" Harriet looked down at the ground feeling dejected. She sat down on an old tree stump, not caring how it would soil or tear her beautiful dress. She buried her face in her hands causing her curly red hair to fall like a curtain in front of her.

"I believe I have found the next Collins on which to exact my revenge," Judah said to himself as a sadistic smile spread on his face.

TO BE CONTINUED