The Eternity Effect
Chapter 14 – Crumbling House
Elphaba
I hate leaving Glinda. I can count on one hand the number of times I've had to do so in all my lives. It's only made easier knowing I cannot just stand to my feet and run back. Pfannee promises me they will return soon. I want to believe her.
I have to trust her.
As she walked back into the garden I doubted her. Pfannee was always horrid at sorcery. She was even worse at being a decent human being. How could I possibly trust someone like her to help me?
I sigh as I wheel myself back up into the manor. Glinda believes in Pfannee and that alone is what I must trust. I've long since given up the hope that Lurline will pull us from this hell. She obviously is up there enjoying our suffering. I truly think she lives for this sort of drama. I can just imagine her at some party, regaling guests of our struggles.
Perhaps Nessa was right in believing in the Unnamed God.
He couldn't possibly be worse than Lurline. That's if he actually exists.
Lurline probably invented him as a joke.
"Your Eminence?" I hear a timid voice ask from my somewhere off to my left. I turn my attention toward the servant. He's taller than the average munchkin, I notice. Yet I don't need to see his face to know the body language in front of me. Without a doubt it's Boq. His head is downcast, eyes resolute on not meeting my own. Why is he working here?
"Yes, Boq?" I ask.
His head snaps up, alarm spreading across his features. When his eyes do meet mine they are devoid of the life I remember them always having back at Shiz. What has Nessa done to him?
"You said my…" He begins to say but then shakes his head quickly before looking once more down at the floor. "I was told to inform you that Morrible has arrived."
I frown wondering what he wished to tell me. And he is still staring determinedly at the floor. I realize I haven't dismissed him. "Thank you." I tell him sincerely. Again his shoulders twitch, head wanting to rise once more. Instead he gives a curt nod and hurries from the den.
Curiosity fills me. Fills me so completely I feel my useless feet twitch, wanting to follow him. What happened to the helpful boy I met at Shiz? He may have been a tad depressed for a while, still lamenting Glinda's death, but he was always welcoming…
This new Boq is colder than the stone lining these garish walls. What has Nessa done to cause him such misery?
What has happened in my absence?
My thoughts fog over with scenarios, answers just hovering out of reach. Yet they all cease as another servant arrives to lead me away. She escorts me down another hall towards the foyer where Morrible must be waiting. I recall it's customary at Colwen Grounds for the Eminence to always greet arriving honored guests. For Morrible to be considered in that company is testament to the power she must wield across Oz.
It's unsettling to dwell upon.
Frex is already there, waiting for me, arms crossed as he stands in defiance against Morrible. She seems to not care he's even breathing the same air. I feel my own throat tighten at the sight of him. When I finally arrive Morrible allows a smile to grace her horrid mouth.
"Your Eminence," she says bowing dramatically. "The counsel will be arriving by morning. I arrived here sooner to prepare. And being such I am sure you will be providing me with a bed for the night. It is, after all, only hospitable of you to do so."
Frex opens his mouth in what I assume is to reply in the contrary. I hold up a hand and he pauses before a single syllable can leave his tongue.
"Of course." I say tightly. "Someone will show you to your room."
A guard steps up to escort Morrible. As the horrid woman passes my side I see her flashing me the tik tok device that was concealed beneath her coat. I keep as still as possible not letting the sight of that device bother me. But it does bother me. My once calm demeanor is threatened by thoughts of Glinda arriving only for Morrible to find her before I can even intervene. That one small tool could end everything!
I only pray Glinda doesn't return. I can't lose her… not like this…
"Nessa, my love, are you all right?" Frex asks me gently, kneeling to my side.
My throat closes entirely at his proximity.
I cannot deal with this anymore!
Just as his hand is about to reach for mine I turn my chair away and take off as quickly as I can down the hall. I just want to get away from here! The first doors I come to I push open and roll forward only to have the wheel catch on the threshold and nearly send me toppling to the ground. I regain control quickly, forcing my way inside and closing the door shut soundlessly once I am.
It's just my luck that I find myself in Frex's study. I'm about to turn and leave when I hear his footsteps in the hall. I hold my breath as he pauses in front of the door. He waits only a moment before moving along.
I can literally feel the veins in my arm releasing pressure, my working limbs relaxing as his footsteps recede.
Yet I am still in one of his private quarters.
I'd never been privy to visit this room in the manor. Only once was I ever shown inside… and that was only to be shown out a moment later when a servant made the dire mistake of escorting me inside to be reprimanded.
As if Frex would even bother to spare a minute of his time acknowledging something I had done. Good or bad.
Inspecting the room I find it full of Unionist paraphernalia. His lone bookcase is practically breaking under the weight of all the bibles, scripts and idols he's collected over the years. I roll over toward it and pluck one of the volumes off the shelf.
If I am going to be renouncing my lack of faith to in turn pray to a God I might as well make it the one that infuriates Lurline the most. One sentence into the book and I'd rather remain faithless then spend the time attempting to make Lurline exasperated. She could probably care less anyway.
I put the book back on the shelf. Another book a few shelves above catches me eye. It's neither Unionist, pagainst or any other religious book. It looks like a journal of sorts actually. I scoot closer and reach for the thin leather bound book. My fingers just barely scrape the bottom of the spine.
Just a little higher…
Pale fingers brush along the end, hooking beneath the torn spine. A single name is inked onto the corner of the spine, faded yet clear as day. Melena.
This belonged to my mother.
Just as I am about to pull it carefully from the shelf I lose my balance entirely. The wheels of the chair slide quickly out from beneath me, a few books and several heavy statues from the shelf fall along with me. I hit the ground at an angle, head colliding with the solid wood floor after my shoulder. Pain radiates from both spots before racing along the rest of my torso, never quite moving beyond my waist.
I groan and sit up, cursing. The wheelchair has moved to the opposite side of the small study room. I'll have to crawl over toward it. I shouldn't have to even be in this position! I was simply reaching for a book!
Arg! I take another spill to the floor as my hands fail to find purchase on the wood, instead slipping along a few sheets of paper that had fall from the bookcase.
I am stranded on the floor in Frex's study.
This is absurd!
I roll to my side, pulling my legs with me as I move away from the mess the bookcase has become. The journal lies open to my side but I could care less about that book now. I need to be back in the chair. I am helpless on the floor.
I make it halfway to the chair when the door to the study opens. Frex stands inside the frame, shocked and distressed to find his daughter sprawled across the floor.
"Nessa!" He gasps rushing to my side and slipping his arms beneath my body. I don't want him touching me! I don't want him anywhere near me! The moment his hands land on my body I want to scream. The pain of falling is nothing compared to the pain I feel shooting through my nerves as he carries me back to the chair. My eyes slam shut to keep the tears threatening to fall at bay. I will not cry. I will not show emotion!
He believes I am Nessa.
He believes I am Nessa.
Pretend to be Nessa.
But the pain is too much. The memories of him are too much. I cannot sit by and allow him to handle me with such care. The care he never deigned to show me in my youth. To show me at any point in my life! I cannot take this any longer! I let out a strangled cry and shriek at him, "Don't touch me!"
He trips over himself and we both tumble to the floor. I don't care. So long as I am not next to him! He shrinks back almost as if scalded by my words. Good! Let him see what it truly feels like!
My shoulder burns from the fall. I'll take this pain any day over the one I just had to endure.
"Nessa! I'm so sorry! Are you all right?" He asks softly, eyes so full of that fatherly concern and devotion that simply makes me want to peel my own skin off.
"No!" I growl, arms shaking from the pent up aggression I feel mounting inside me. Everything comes out at once. "I am far from all right, Father. You could never stand five seconds in my presence, why is Nessa so different? Aren't we both flawed? Haven't we both suffered for your selfish piousness! How could a parent possibly ever shun his own flesh and blood! How could you deign to stop loving one and yet laud the other! HOW?"
As Nessa's chest rises and falls rapidly to regain the breath forced from her lungs at my outburst, Frex does nothing but look on, dumbfounded. He simply sighs and tries to help me back into the chair once more
"No!" I shout at him again before his hands can ever make contact. I pull myself away from him. He sits back on his heels, once again staring at Nessa with those pitiful eyes. "Just go away." I mutter.
My eyes are misting once again with water. I turn my face away from him. From the corner of my eye I catch him opening his mouth to say something.
"Leave me!" I scream at him, voice hoarse. He finally picks himself from the floor and moves to the door. I keep my back turned until I hear the soft click of the door closing shut.
And then I let myself cry in his study. In the home I promised myself to never show an ounce of emotion in. To never let the walls see what they do to me.
I cry for Nessa. For the life taken so easily from her. For the care she took to simply remember me. I cry for the love she so rarely ever let me see. For the love Frex never gave to me in turn. For the devotion he's showered upon me since my arrival. For the devotion he only ever showed to one of his daughters.
I was never supposed to come back to this awful place.
"My, my, Miss Elphaba." Morrible chuckles as she enters the study and closes the door behind her. I feel that rage burning inside me once more. I don't care that she's seeing me in such a state. As I glare up at her she merely tuts down at me. "When you cause a scene, you truly cause a scene."
"Get out." I hiss.
"I am not Frex. You hold no higher power over me in this manner." She states, moving around my body to inspect a few items on the shelf. Her eyes turn to mine once more, amusement dancing across her horridly twisted features. "I heard your little quarrel. Quite the spat. I'm sure you've confused the man beyond belief."
"I don't think you heard me the first time." I say as I try and sit up as straight as I can from my position still on the floor. "Get. Out."
"You know, I never really told you how I got Nessarose to come visit me in Gillikin." She says, offhandedly, while shifting through some of the books. "Colwen Grounds is quite the fortress when it needs to be. Fortunately for me magic can find its way through any walls. Placing the bait was all too easy."
"Fuck. Off." I tell her, the edge in my voice growing with ever flick of her finger against a spine.
She ignores me and continues. "Do you know why it was easy, Miss Elphaba?"
This time I ignore her. At my lack of response she turns around and raises her eyebrows down at me. "Well, I'll tell you." She grins maliciously. "You see when you left Oz you also left her behind. Your death destroyed her. Do you know how fast a broken spirit can be manipulated by magic?"
I turn my eyes away, willing myself not to hear anymore.
"All it took was one glimmer of hope that you'd left something for her and she came running to my door."
"Shut up." I mutter, my eyes falling close to stop more traitorous tears from spilling forth. I know I left Nessa behind. I know I never sent her word, never let her know I was all right. I can't help thinking about the last time I saw her, still at Shiz. That seems so long ago now.
The last note I left for her was telling her I'd gone to see the Wizard.
That'd I'd bring her some new socks.
That'd I'd be back before the weekend…
"I killed her so you could be in the position you are in now." Morrible whispers.
"Stop this!" I shout, pulling myself away from Morrible and over toward my chair. My chair is my escape. I am worthless without the chair!
"How does this nightmare suit you, Miss Elphaba?" Morrible taunts.
I grab a book from the floor and throw it as hard as I can at her head. She easily ducks, laughing as I fall back to the floor. And faster then even I can believe her feet can carry her, Morrible stands by my side. Her spine cracks as she bends to the floor and grabs my face forcibly between her claw-like hands. She picks me up, hands winding around my throat as she hoists me to her level. I grasp her hands, desperate to pry them from Nessa's neck. To allow air back into her thirsty lungs.
"Stand for me." Morrible demands, eyes boring straight into my own. I choke, sputtering on the sliver of air she allows to pass through my throat. "Stand up for yourself. Stand up and stop me."
I feel my consciousness slipping, Morrible growing fuzzier. And then all at once she releases me and I crash back to the floor. The last thing I recall before succumbing to the wonderful darkness is her haunting laugh, echoing off the walls.
I wake up to a light knocking sound. My eyes quickly adjust to the darkened room I find myself in. A fire crackles in the corner. I sit up in the bed I've been placed in.
I'm in Nessa's room.
And my throat burns something fierce.
I recall the encounter with Morrible in the study as I rub the pain away. Everything I'm enduring is merely a game to her. What did she call it? Her retribution.
My only solace is that Glinda is being spared the torment.
Another three light knocks are sounded against the door.
"Come in." I say, not surprised by the strain I hear in Nessa's voice. I sit up further in the bed, eyes focused on the door as a Munchkin servant enters, bowing before addressing me.
"You have guests in the foyer, Your Eminence." She tells me. As usual her eyes are focused to the ground.
At her words my heart skips a beat. Oz, please don't let Glinda be with them.
"Could you escort them here please?" I ask, hoping my voice does not betray my thoughts.
The woman nods, bowing again before disappearing from the room.
I am left alone with my thoughts and nothing but the sound of the dying fire to keep me company. Everything Morrible said to me in the study rushes back into my mind. I feel regret. Regret for never telling Nessa a word of what was happening. For forgetting her so easily.
Pain, not just physical. Pain for all the times I pushed her away when she was trying to do nothing more than engage me in conversation.
And what has Morrible done with her now? How does it connect to her cane? It can't possibly hold any power. Morrible has no magic within her to speak of!
I am just frustrating myself more with these questions. I need out of this manor.
I want to be me again.
The same three rasps are placed against the door. I call for them to enter.
Pfannee pokes her head in first, smiling when she sees me. I motion for her to move inside. And someone else follows her. A girl, college aged, maybe younger. She bows shyly, a tumble of red hair obscuring her face. Pfannee pulls her over to the bed, nearly causing her to lose her balance.
Is this the Ozma?
"Elphaba Rora, Rora Elphaba." Pfannee says by way of quick introduction. Rora waves to me, eyes like the servants focused anywhere but at me. She must be of Munchkin decent. I don't fault her. "She's the Ozma and we're here to help you. I figure it's better to get this done with fast. We just nearly ran into Morrible in the hall!"
At those words I snap my attention to Pfannee. "Glinda isn't with you, is she?"
Pfannee shakes her head, motioning for Rora to do something while she turns to me and says. "No, she's back at Rora's house with Fiyero. Don't worry, she's fine. Worried about you, but fine."
I sigh with relief and let my body fall back onto the pillow bordering the headboard. My eyes float back over to Rora as she shuffles through her shoulder bag in search of something. Her focus is set, expression determined. I can't believe they found her so quickly. No… I can't believe she actually exists. I was sure the compass was just another lie of Lurline's. Everything else she's said has been, so why shouldn't her story of Ozma be the same?
I squint as I watch the girl. Perhaps she really isn't the Ozma…
But then she pulls the Grimmerie out from her shoulder bag and my thoughts cease to doubt.
"How did you get that?" I wonder aloud.
"Oh, it just sort of appeared one day…" Rora explains, blushing. "Sorry I mean, Your Eminence, It just sort of-"
"We've already been through this, Rora," Pfannee sighs interrupting the girl. "She's not really Nessarose. You don't have to get all proper."
Rora looks at me, sheepish. "Sorry Miss. My Mom was really traditional."
"So the Grimmerie just appeared?" I quirk an eyebrow.
"Yes. The same day Miss Galinda sent Morrible to Southstairs and killed the Witch." Rora explains.
I wince at the mention of the Witch. Obviously no one has told her exactly who I am yet. Oz, is she in for a surprise when, and if, this works.
I try to catch Pfannee's eyes but she seems more interested in her own spell books then me.
"Ok, these are useless." She finally relents, closing the one she was reading. She looks to Rora. "Any luck?"
"I think I found one." Rora replies.
"Could I have a look?" I ask and Rora slides the book to me and as I look down all I see are the swirls Glinda was always telling me about.
"Yeah," Rora says as she takes the book once more. "Miss Galinda mentioned I was one of the only other people she knew who could read it."
Glinda mentioned me. Surely this girl must then know…?
"Ok, lay back Elphaba," Pfannee instructs me, helping my body into a lying position.
"We need to make it look like Nessa died in her sleep." I say. Pfannee nods, untucking the sheets from below me so she can move them over my body instead.
"Ready?" Rora asks, hands poised over the Grimmerie. For once her eyes lock with mine, they are surprisingly calm for someone about to perform a spell for the first time.
Is this her first time?
Before I can even ask Pfannee gives her the go to start chanting. Rora's voice wraps around the spell and I feel the magic rolling in a smooth wave over my body. Almost as if a blanket is being pulled across Nessa.
Her heart stops pumping beneath her breast as the magic settles. Shortly after I feel her mind shutting down. I feel my own soul being lifted from the bed. I open my eyes as I regain control of my legs and sit up next to Nessa's body.
The color has completely drained from her face… she looks peaceful.
And then I hear a scream.
Rora slaps a hand over her mouth as she stumbles back from the bed. Pfannee is at her side in an instant, trying to calm the girl.
"But it's the Witch!" Rora keeps saying.
I can't say that I wasn't expecting her reaction. I let Pfannee continue to speak with her as I turn my attention back to Nessa. Someone is sure to have heard Rora's shout. The Munchkin guard will be at the door soon. Morrible following with.
Frex leading the way no doubt.
I reach forward to brush some hair from Nessa's forehead but frown as my hand passes right through her. I whisper a goodbye as I stand from the bed. I'll see her at home soon.
When I turn Pfannee finally has the girl calm. Or at least calm enough to listen.
"Thank you." I tell Rora, a genuine smile moving across my lips.
"Eep!" Rora squeals quietly after I've addressed her. I cock an eyebrow at that unexpected response.
"Look Rora, Morrible lied about the Witch remember?" Pfannee explains to her quickly. I hear footsteps in the far hall. "She's no more evil than any of us. In fact she's a far better person than I could ever hope to be."
Rora still seems weary of me but nods anyway, accepting what Pfannee says.
"Ok time to get out of here then." Pfannee whispers digging into her pocket to pull out a piece of chalk. She gets to work making a circle on the floor.
I realize now is my chance to speak with the girl. With the Ozma. I take a step toward Rora, posture open as I say, "Truly, thank you. You must be quite the sorceress to have such control over the magic in the Grimmerie."
She once again looks uncomfortable. "It's nothing really." She says giving me a small smile. "Apparently I should have paid more attention in genetics class though. I would have probably figured out I was adopted sooner and saved everybody the drama earlier."
I give her a small smile in return. I'm sure Glinda was front and center for whatever occurred.
As Pfannee finishes the second circle Rora grows excited. "You have to teach me this spell one day, Professor Symes."
Professor Symes? Pfannee is a professor?
Pfannee gives s short laugh, ushering Rora into a circle. She waves over at Nessa to join as well. I have completely forgotten that she can't see me. "I make it a rule to never teach you guys my spell. I'm too afraid you'll all end up in pieces all over Oz."
"I won't though." Rora says, motioning me over to stand in the circle beside her while she shares one with Pfannee. She gives Pfannee a thumbs up. "She's in."
"Great. Oh! Grab the Grimmerie!" Pfannee says, pointing to the book still lying on the bed.
Rora rushes over to get it just as the footsteps reach the door.
"Nessa!" It's Frex. He knocks hard against the wood.
"Get us out of here, now!" I say.
Rora repeats my plea and Pfannee doesn't need to be told twice. She starts her chant quickly. Rora gripes tight to Pfannee's arm, eyes slamming shut as the magic begins to surround us.
The last thing I see before falling through the floor is Frex rushing into the room.
And all I hear is the echo of his anguished cries.