Subj: Petofi's Maze chapter 20
Date: 3/13/99 11:29:37 AM Central Standard Time
From: miranda

Chapter 20

"Magda?" Barnabas was totally bewildered by this odd turn of events. "How is this possible?"

"It is a long story," Magda said through Julia's mouth. "After I died I met a man. His name was Mr. Best. What a strange name, ehh? Well, he gave me another chance to make things right. I was able to talk to my ancestors, the great gypsies of old. They told me the secrets I needed to kill Petofi. I went after him. I was not very strong at first, but I began to gain strength over time. Petofi was afraid of me. Can you believe that? Magda scaring Petofi! Ahh, but he outsmarted me. Before I was strong enough he imprisoned me in that jar. I think I would have broken out myself soon, but what good fortune that you found me now!"

"Magda," Barnabas said, "can you truly defeat Petofi? Three nights from now he will take over Quentin's body and then Quentin will die."

"So much time has passed?" Magda questioned. "I thought there were many years left before that happened. Well, then I am just in time! I will save Quentin and make everything right again. Then I can go to my rest."

"What shall we do?" Angelique asked. Barnabas noticed that Angelique seemed to include herself in this plan.

"My time grows short in this body," Magda said. "I need you to prepare this potion for me…"

Magda explained to Angelique exactly what she needed to be prepared. They agreed that Magda should enter Julia's body again three nights from now at midnight. Everyone would be at the Old House, including Petofi.

Magda then left Julia's body. She slumped over, almost falling to the floor, but Barnabas caught her and supported her until she came around. "What happened?"

"We have so much to tell you Julia," Barnabas said, "so much to tell everyone."

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In the house by the sea, Nicholas paced back and forth. What was taking Tom so long? He should have come back bearing the drained body of Julia Hoffman long ago.

Nicholas began to feel a warm breeze. He looked around the room. It was still quite chilly outside, so even if there were a window open the air would be cool. The warm wind turned hot and Nicholas realized what was happening. A fiery tunnel appeared in the floor. It was small at first, but quickly grew larger. The room filled with the heat of the fires of hell. The hot air whirled around Nicholas.

"Master, what is wrong? I am doing your bidding!" Nicholas yelled over the wind.

"YOU HAVE FAILED ME," a dark foreboding voice answered.

Nicholas started to be pulled in towards the swirling hole.

"Master! Please hear me speak…" Nicholas did not understand what had gone wrong, but was sure it was something Tom's fault. Nicholas fought fruitlessly against the force sucking him into the fiery hole. "Master!" With one final pull Nicholas was sucked into the tunnel and promptly transported down to hell. The hole closed up in an instant and once again the house by the sea stood empty.