Chapter 1
AN: Hi everyone, here is the first chapter of Ethel's revenge's sequel. Hope you'll enjoy it.
«Hello…Is anyone here?» asked Mildred, no answer. «Anyone!» still no answer. The castle was completely empty. Fear overtook Mildred, and she started to run over the deserted school calling over and over «Imogen! Lavinia! Constance! Amelia! Frank! Girls! Somebody please answer me». Where did everyone go? Did something happened to them? Mildred didn't know and it scared her. She looked everywhere, in vain. She was about to give up, when she realized there was one place she hadn't searched. The North Tower. Memories of what happened to her five years ago came back to her mind, and send shivers down her spine. She had to do it. When she arrived at the feet of the tower, she heard something coming from the highest room. It sounded like…like the cries of a baby. Listening only to her heart, Mildred opened the oak door and ran all the way up the immense staircase. She finally reached the top of the tower. The cries were coming from the same room Agatha had trapped her in. A wave of dizziness hit Mildred. «Courage Mili! You can do this!», she took a deep breath and pushed open the door. The room was empty, except for a small cradle in the center surrounded by two people, two adults a man and a woman. Mildred recognized them instantly «Mom! Dad!» she exclaimed as she walked towards them. But something weird happened, as Mildred got closer, her parents became more and more transparent.
«Were are sorry dear» started her mother without turning around
«Sorry about what Mom?» asked Mildred worried
«We should have told you.» continued her father,
«Tell me what?!» asked the young woman, but as she reached the cradle, they vanished «MOM! DAD! WHERE ARE YOU?!» screamed Mildred as the baby started to cry louder then before. Before she could do anything to comfort it, it disappeared as well. As it vanished in the air, a strike of lightning tear the sky apart, followed by the thunder.
«What the hell is going on?» exclaimed Mildred as she walked to the window. Black clouds were surrounding the whole school. She heard someone scream «No, not my baby!» she looked everywhere, she was surrounded by darkness. «Who are you?» yelled Mildred as rain poured onto her. Suddenly, a laugh as cold as ice came to her ears, and before Mildred could do anything the clouds morphed into a giant hand and tried to grab her. The young witch tried desperately to escape, she tripped and fell into darkness.
«NOOOOOOO»
«Mildred wake up!»
«Please open your eyes dear!»
«MILDRED HUBBLE WAKE UP!»
Mildred sat up abruptly in her bed, panting and crying. She heard people fussing around her.«Hand…baby…someone crying…need help» she stuttered between sobs
«Shhh Mildred your safe»
«Calm down»
«Breath dear»
But Mildred did care «Don't understand…need help…now…baby» she yelled, she desperately wanted to make them understand someone needed help. Then she heard a different voice «It's no use. Mildred I'm going to give you something to calm down» as the woman spoke, Mildred felt a hand on the back of her head and something cold on her lips «Open your mouth Mildred», she did as she was told. An ice-cold liquid was poured in her mouth.
«How long will it take to take effect?» asked one of the voices
«See for your self» answered another one as Mildred felt herself drift back into a dreamless sleep.
When Mildred woke up next morning, she was surprised to find Constance and Amelia sound asleep in her room, one on a chair and the other half sitting, half laying on her bed. Confused, Mildred slowly sat on her bed, which woke up Amelia.
«Hello Mildred, how are you feeling dear?» asked the old witch as she sat painfully next to her charge. She had whispered her question, but it was enough to wake up Constance.
«Mildred» exclaimed the potions mistress joining the other on the bed «you don't look so good»
«What is going on?» asked Mildred disorientated. Amelia and Constance looked at each other in disbelief, which added to Mildred's confusion.
«You don't remember?» inquired the headmistress
«Remember what?»
«Mildred had a horrible nightmare. You were yelling, crying and when we managed to wake you up, you didn't know where you were, or who we were. The only way to calm you down was to give you a sedative potion» explained Constance, concern on her face
Mildred was shocked. Amelia saw the young woman's face becoming paler then it was already, she went close to Mildred and took one of her hands in hers. She was deeply concern by the events of last night and she was not the only one. It was not the first time Mildred woke them up in the middle of the night because of her nightmares.
«Mildred, do you remember what your nightmare was about?» asked Constance
«Emm…it's a little vague…» Mildred closed her eyes and concentrated «I remember…a crying baby…My parents were there…they told me they were sorry and something about telling me about something…then they vanished…there was a huge storm…I heard a woman calling for help…I think someone was trying to take her baby away from her…then…clouds came after me and I fell…That's all I can remember» Mildred opened her eyes and raised her head towards her mentors who looked a little worried. «What? There is nothing to be concerned about, it's just a nightmare»
«It wasn't just a nightmare Mildred» started Constance gravely
«What do you mean?» asked Mildred confused
«Dear, you were burning up. You gave us quite a fright last night. Whatever happened it was more then a dream» added Amelia
«I don't understand»
Constance took a deep breath and explained «Mildred, you are the most powerful witch I ever came across, and your power to bring inanimate things to life is unheard of. Amelia and I have been thinking, and we think your gift might be at cause here»
Mildred frowned «Why?»
«We don't really know yet, but we will do some research. Until we find out what's happening, you will take dreamless potions before going to bed. We don't want you to wake all the girls when the school will start?» Constance's last statement made Mildred smile
«Now why don't you get dressed and join us for breakfast in the staff room?» proposed Amelia joyfully
«I will. See you in a minute» said Mildred as her colleagues left the room.
Just as the door closed, Mildred' smile disappeared. She had a strange feeling in her solar plexus, like something horrible was going to happen. Stop, Mildred Hubble, it's probably the last effects of the nightmare, it will go away after you ate something. After the little pep talk with herself, Mildred got up and dressed herself with a sky blue blazer and a skirt of the same color. She braided her long hair french style, and after a quick look in the mirror, left her room and headed toward the staff room.