Ah…after taking a bit of time out for school, Chapter 3 rises!

So, Celia is now pregnant, Jack has managed to convince her that he didn't write the love note…but what will Muffy take of this?

BEWARE; this is where the story gets tragic.

Well, onwards to reading! (Writing for me, though. XD)

Chapter 3: Rush and Red.

"You're…pregnant?" Muffy's face twitched, but Jack was too shocked and Celia was too busy looking nervous to notice.

"Yes…Jack…I'm sorry…" Celia began.

"No…No, it's a fantastic thing! Our own child Celia, I'm so happy!" Jack hugged her as Muffy watched a smile on her face, hell in her head.

"I DON'T BELIEVE IT! A pesky kid…that's ruin things for sure! I have to take drastic action…serious action…"

"B-But…what about the love note?" Muffy spoke.

"I'm sure Jack didn't write it…It'll take more then lies to crush our love." Celia smiled.

"We'll just see about that…" Muffy thought.

"I'm sure the two of you need to be alone, so I'll be off…Griffin will most likely need some help at the bar."

"Ok…thanks for your support, Muffy. We can always turn to you in our hour of need." Jack replied.

"Of course…goodbye!" Muffy smiled and shut the door.

Daryl, meanwhile, closed the laboratory door behind him.

"No one will come in here…and I'll only be at the beach examining sea water for my experiment on the lighting protocols in the sky…I'm sure there's a connection!" Daryl was his weird self, as he headed to the beach.

Meanwhile, a shadow crept into the laboratory, and fumbled with Daryl's desk, full of papers and chemicals.

"Let's see…potassium cyanide? Is that really strong enough…?" The bottle was turned over to examine the label.

"Perfect."

The shadow crept out and closed the door, but unbeknownst to the intruder, Flora was walking by and saw them, her face full of wonder.

"Hmmm…what's a person like them doing there?"

Flora thought. She had her suspicions…and she had to tell someone.

It was now six in the evening, Flora had prepared stew for Carter, who came in, his clothes dust and mud filled.

"Oh no…not stew…" He mouthed.

"Did you say something?"

"Ah…no…" Carter picked up a spoon and reluctantly ate a piece, he suddenly froze.

"Fish…"

"Sir…I'm a little worried…today I saw…someone sneak into Daryl's laboratory.

Carter waved a hand.

"I'm sure it was nothing…there aren't any who would do something like that…"

"Perhaps…but…"

"Flora, please. Let's just fill ourselves up and get some rest."

"Very well. If you won't listen…I know who will."

Carter sighed as Flora walked out of the tent.

"She's so nosey…one day; she'll be in big trouble."

There was a knock on the Inner Inn as Ruby came down, Tim and Rock had gone to the next town over to buy supplies…well, Tim at least. Rock would just toy with the girls. She was sure Nami was out at Turtle Pond.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" She spoke as the knocking continued.

She opened the door.

"Flora!"

"Ruby…can we talk?"

"Of course, of course. You're like a daughter to me. Just settle yourself in Tim's room and I'll fetch the tea. One sugar or two?"

"One." Flora replied.

Flora was on the bed when Ruby came in with a tray and two cups of tea. She sat down on a chair by the desk.

"Help yourself, Flora…now, is something wrong?"

"It's…" Flora looked too troubled to speak.

"Come now dear, it's best to let it out."

"Well…today, I saw someone sneak into Daryl's laboratory…I told Carter…but he said no one in the valley would be so sneaky."

"Ah, well, the valley is full of mystery…but did you see who it was?"

"I…did…it was…"

"…Muffy."

"Muffy, hm?" Ruby sipped some tea as Flora paused.

"…I…don't get why, but I have a bad feeling about her…"

"Well, Flora, do you remember how she acted when Jack broke up with her? I remember the poor dear was distraught for a whole two months! She even apparently faked a cold to skip the wedding of Jack and Celia!" Ruby drank from the cup again.

"I know…we discussed that so much…then, after those two months, she suddenly started acting cheery again…"

"Ah well, me and you sure were surprised, if you remember. I wouldn't be surprised if Muffy wasn't too cheery…"

"But…a sweet, innocent girl like Muffy sneak into Daryl's laboratory? This is madness! She wouldn't…and for what cause?"

"Madness? This is revenge, I'm sure of it! Revenge is a best dish served cold." Ruby suddenly spoke.

"Revenge…?" And Flora suddenly clicked.

"Against…Jack and Celia?"

"Right!" Ruby stood up.

"I think it is best we be sure of this…Griffin is out in town and I saw Muffy heading off only ten minutes ago."

"You're right…" Flora slammed her cup down and the two headed out into the darkness of the valley…

The door was unlocked as Ruby and Flora walked in.

"She can't be gone too long to leave it open…we'd best be quick."

Ruby and Flora walked into the next room and up the ladder. They found themselves in Muffy's room.

"Let's check carefully…" Ruby looked under the bed as Flora's eyes scanned the floor. Ruby opened Muffy's bedside cabinet and pulled out a bottle…

"Potassium Cyanide…? Flora, this is deadly poison! She must have stolen this from Daryl…she's planning to kill someone…"

"…Flora?"

Ruby turned around, Flora was frozen, a trickle of blood suddenly fell from her mouth. A tip of a blade was in her chest and it suddenly was pulled back, a sick, disgusting noise coming from it being pulled from Flora's body. Blood fell to the floor as Flora collapsed…

Ruby gave a gasp of shock…

Muffy was there, her face angry and deranged her hair messy and a blade with blood in her hands…

To be continued…

OH SNAP!!!! 00 The witch has shown her true colours…if any of you show sympathy for Muffy still, I will have to say you're mad.

Chapter 4 will be here…tomorrow, hopefully!