Chapter 14- The Witch is dead
The group of friend froze in horror of the woman that stood before them. Eyes black as coal glaring down at them. Molly felt claustrophobic as the room appeared to diminish in size.
"Going so soon?" she asked with a sly grin. "I wouldn't hear of it. Why, my little party is just beginning." Her cackle reverberated much to her delight as her guards march into position, surrounding the travelers. Toby hissed harshly towards them, his fur sticking upright. Molly held onto him tightly, preventing him from attacking.
"Yes, yes. Don't hurt them right away. We'll make them think about it a little first." As the wicked witch continued to laugh, the scarecrow noticed a doorway far across the other side of the room. Stealthily, he slid under a nearby table, and he crawled slowly toward the exit. Little did he know that the witch was well aware of his actions. She grasped her broom in hand and slid in his direction. He stopped, breathing heavily. He felt the oddest combination of apprehension and exhilaration.
"Tsk. tsk. Leaving already?" The witch gleamed with unsettling smile. Hanging from the wall, behind Scarecrow, was a torch supported by a metal frame, its flame vibrant and steadfast. The hag's grin stretched further across her face. She lifted her broom ever so slightly, allowing the bristles to catch fire. Scarecrow quivered in fear, aware of immanent destruction.
Molly saw the smoldering flame in the distance. Anger churned inside her. I have to do something. Boldly, she heaved through the swarm around her. Oddly enough, the guards did not resist. The tin man and lion followed closely behind her.
"What's the matter? Don't you want to be my old flame?"she said as she taunted Scarecrow with the blazing broom.
Tin Man tried to intervene but was pinned down by a guardsman. He resisted but did not prevail. The Cowardly Lion, attempting to lunge at the witch, halted from Molly's touch. "Don't be brave this time. I have an idea,"she whispered to him cautiously.
Meanwhile, the witch crept closer and closer toward the frightened scarecrow. "A little fire wouldn't hurt anyone!" Scarecrow's arm set ablaze. Panicking, he tried to fan the flame. Molly had to think quickly. Across from her, next to Scarecrow, was a bucket that appeared to be filled to the brim with water. She knew what she had to do. Heart rate accelerating, she sprinted to the bucket and extinguished the flame. However, Molly was unaware that the water had soaked the wicked witch to the bone.
The witch shrieked in pain, a terrible cry that pierced the ears of all who heard it. "You cursed brat! Look what you've done!" Her black cape began to seep into the floor. "I'm melting! Melting! Oh, the pain!" And with one last whimper, the wicked witch of the west was no more.
Everyone gazed at Molly with a dumbfounded expression. I killed her, she thought. I actually killed her. Scarecrow grabbed Molly into a tight hug, thanking her for her bravery. A guard approached Molly, not before the tin man stepped in front of her.
He put his arm around her securely, intimidating the guardsmen. "Don't you dare touch her,"he said. Molly stared at him in amazement. He was protecting her. A slight rosy blush colored her cheeks.
"I mean no harm," the guard responded. "I only wish to thank the one who has vanquished the wicked witch. What is your name?"
"Molly."
"Hail, Molly! The wicked witch is dead!" The guardsmen chanted, kneeling before Molly.
In the midst of the excitement, Molly remembered the task that brought her to this wretched place. "The witch's broom. May we have it?"
"Yes, of course! And take it with you!"
Overjoyed, Molly and her friends could now make their descent back to the Emerald City to see the Wizard of Oz once more.
A/N: Hi, everyone! I finally had a spare moment to update the story. Hoped you enjoyed this chapter. Big thank you to those who are liking and following this story. I truly appreciate your support. I'm also pleased to announced I have reached 100 followers on Tumblr. If any of my readers want to follow a mainly Sherlolly/Sherlock blog, follow me at broadwaylover17.
Now, time for the reveal of the wizard himself! See you in the next chapter! :)