CHPT 9

Elphaba Thropp swooped down onto the balcony of her castle with ease. Chistery, her loyal winged monkey, was patiently awaiting her return. As she landed, the witch handed her broom to her furry friend and swiftly glided through the castle to her bed chambers, with Chistery following close behind. Elphaba retrieved a few rags and her medicated oils. At the bathroom sink, she rolled up her sleeves, exposing the burned flesh on her arms.

"You're hurt," Chistery said when he saw blisters on Elphaba's skin. The monkey was not at all surprised by the woman's injuries. She was always getting herself into trouble and had come home in much worse conditions.

"Yes," Elphaba replied. She poured a small amount of oil onto one of the rags. Luckily the burns were on the surface of her skin, not too deep. "I ran into Glinda and she made it rain."

"You saw Glinda?" asked the beast.

"Unfortunately," Elphaba said with disdain. She dabbed a bit of oil onto to her burns, hissing at the pain.

"How is she?"

Elphaba rolled her eyes at Chistery and lashed out at him with anger. "She isn't coming back," she snapped. "Get over it." Truth be told there was nothing in this world that would make her happier than to have Glinda in her arms. The hatred she showed toward the woman was a farce. Of course she was still in love with Glinda. No one could ever replace the most beautiful woman in OZ. Elphaba didn't hate Glinda. She hated herself for losing the best thing that ever happened to her. And that hatred poured out in sarcasm and misdeeds.

After a few minutes of awkward silence, Elphaba caved in and apologized to Chistery. "Look, I'm sorry," she said. "You know how that woman gets to me." Chistery nodded at the witch in recognition of her apology. After all these years with Elphaba, he was certainly used to her outbursts. The green woman finished caring for her wounds and put the oils and dirty rags away.

"Come with me." said Elphaba, as she walked past the monkey and out the bedroom door. Chistery followed behind to her library. This was Elphaba's favorite place. She spent many nights here reading and practicing magic.

"I have found a way to get out of OZ." Elphaba informed her companion.

"What?" Chistery stopped suddenly, staring at her in shock. "You're leaving OZ?" he asked.

"Yes, my friend," Elphaba replied. "I am finally getting out of this hell hole and making a new life for myself." The witch was beaming with joy. She couldn't wait to leave. Finally, she would free herself from Glinda and move on.

"But what about me?" the monkey asked. "Where will I go?" He had been by the witch's side for as long as he could remember. What will I do without Elphaba? He thought.

"I will miss you," said Elphaba. "but I must go alone. I'm sorry. I will leave you with Glinda; I know you how much you enjoy her company."

"Yes, Miss Glinda is a delight," Chistery said. "But Elphaba, you can't leave OZ. No one can."

"Dorothy did."

"She had your sister's magical shoes and Glinda's help." the monkey pointed out. "You have magic but we both know it's not enough to create a portal out of OZ."

"Indeed, you are correct," said the witch, searching the shelves for a particular book.

"So, how are you planning to leave then?"

"Our new visitor," she answered, with a mischievous grin. "She has light magic and a lot of it. I will use her power to open the door to another land."

"I see." Chistery said and his heart sank. He knew Elphaba well. Once she decided to do something, she was going to do it no matter the cost. He had no doubt that Elphaba Thropp would soon be leaving OZ. He would miss her greatly.

"Ah ha." Elphaba had found her prize. The magical Grimmerie. She admired the tattered old book for a moment. This spell book, along with the light magic of the blonde stranger, would be her ticket out of OZ once and for all.