Chapter 10 - Thackery Binx, The Cat, The Myth, The Legend
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What did Craig say was the safest place? Ugh … what was it …. Hallowed ground, right? Oh yes, the graveyard! I haven't been here in ages … not even to visit Emily …. I hope from beyond she isn't mad at me … I hope she understands ...
He tried to follow the scent he remembered to find it. A few moments later they paused outside large metal gates.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Come on this is a graveyard!" Max protested.
"It's hallowed ground." Binx explained. "Witches can't set foot here."
"He talks." Max said, pointing to him.
"Ugh." Binx groaned before hopping through the gap in the fence. He still doesn't get it, does he?
"Follow me!" He commanded.
Allison pushed open the gate and went in, followed by Dani and then Max.
"Over here! I want to show you something .. " Binx said, going down the steps. It's just like when Craig showed me around all those years ago …. "Give you an idea of exactly what we're dealing with."
Don't you dare speak of our queens that way! Accept us and become us! You can still show your loyalty by nearly killing these three and bringing their half dead bodies to our queens! Then they can take their power and continue living, enough to drain all of Salem of the youth's well …. Youth ….
Binx tried to ignore the thoughts and the burning in his back as he approached a grave. He hopped onto the tombstone and looked at them.
"William Butcherson? Lost soul?" Max read in confusion.
How did Craig put this? "Billy Butcherson was Winifred's lover. But she found him sporting with her sister Sarah. So she poisoned him and sewed his mouth shut with a dull needle, so he couldn't tell her secrets, even in death. Winifred always was the jealous type."
"You're Thackery Binx." Allison said.
Finally! Someone thinking rationally instead of just being surprised I can talk! I didn't think I'd find anyone else as willing to take me at face value than Brandy and Craig …. I hope that Dani girl understands as well …..
"Yes …" He breathed out.
"So the legends are true." She continued
And there's the doubt …. Why do I even bother? I mean … Of course they are! Why do people always seemed surprised about this!? They all know what happened to me, right!?
He hopped off the tombstone. "Well, come along! I want to show you something else."
The three followed Binx. He sat on top of another grave and sighed. The pain overwhelmed inside him.
She was a sacrifice for our queens! She needed to die! Stop feeling grief and accept this!
Quiet! Do none of you have shame?! Do none of you understand loss!?
Of course we do, but she is unimportant to us. Her life was important to the witches and thus she had to die.
I suggest you shut your collective mouths now!
"What's wrong?" Max asked.
Binx sighed. "Because of me, my little sister's life was stolen …. For years I waited for my life to end, so I could be reunited with my family."
Such a fool! Be glad you can serve our queens for entirety!
I said quiet!
"But …. Winifred's curse of immortality kept me alive." Binx explained. "Then one day I figured out what to do with my eternal life. Now, I'd failed Emily, but I wouldn't fail again. When Winifred and her sisters returned, I'd be there to stop them."
No! That is no longer your purpose! Join us!
Binx decided to ignore them this time rather than to shush them.
"So for three centuries I've guarded their house on All Hallow's night, when I knew that some airhead virgin might light that candle." He nearly snapped.
"Nice going airhead." Dani said to Max.
"Hey look, I'm sorry okay!" Max shot back as he stood up. "We're talking about three ancient hags versus the 20th century. How bad can it be?"
"Bad." Binx said, flatly.
Especially with us on their side. We won't leave, we won't give in, we'll be there to serve our queen even if our vessel isn't willing.
Allison started to open the book on her lap.
The book's power will guide us. Let us take form!
Binx turned towards her. "Stay out of there!"
Allison slammed the cover shut. "Why?"
"It holds Winifred's most dangerous spells!" And the possible key to my mental demise … "She must not get it." Binx explained.
Max walked over again and grabbed the book. "Lets torch this sucker!"
He dropped it on the ground and pulled out the lighter. He leaned down, but when he tried to light the book, the flame pushed away.
"It's projected by magic." Binx explained.
As Max put the lighter away there were echoes of cackles up above.
Max, Dani, and Allison gasped as they scrambled to their feet at the sight of The Sanderson Sisters flying above the graveyard on their brooms.
"It's just a bunch of hocus pocus!" Winifred teased.
Our queens!
They ducked down behind a rock, but Binx stood his ground.
"Sarah! Mary!" Winifred sent her sisters out for the attack.
"Max!" Dani yelped.
"Brave little virgin who lit the candle." Sarah said, flying as close to them as she could. "I'll be thy friend …."
"Hey, take a hike!" Allison yelled as she began swinging an old branch at her.
"Oh, ouch!" Sarah yelled. She pulled her broomstick back into the air to escape the hitting.
Allison joined the other two behind the rock.
Our queens are here! Our queens are here! Our queens of sin have arrived again Thackery Binx, just give in ….
Never …
"Boooooooooook!" Winifred called in a sing songy voice, causing it to levitate. "Come to mummy!"
Binx meowed as he leaped onto the book. "'Fraid not!"
What are you doing!? Let it go! Give her the book! Give her the book! You can't fight us forever you know!
But I sure as hell can try.
"Thackery Binx, thou mangy feline!" Winifred sneered.
Oh no, not for long our queen! Soon he will be nothing but subservient to you and your sisters
Binx dug his claws deeper into the book's skinbound cover, determined to spite the villains inside his head as much as he could.
Allison, Dani, and Max knelt down beside Binx and the book.
"Still alive?" She added.
"And waiting for you!" Binx said as he scratched his claws in the air.
Yes, yes! To serve you that is, our queen!
"Oh! Thou hast waited in vain! … and thou will fail to save thy friends! Just as thou failed to save thy sister!" Winifred said.
Binx glanced over at the trio trembling in terror. No … not again ….
Binx let out a growling meow in anger.
"Ahhh!" Winifred swept down towards them.
"Grab the book!" Binx commanded.
No! Let her get it!
Max grabbed the book and ran with the others. Winifred screamed angrily as she flew after them. Mary came in from the other side, cornering them between two of the sisters. They moved out of the way as Mary swooped past.
Binx hopped onto one of the rocks,
Why are you just watching you fleabag, help them!
Help those who ended my sister's life? You vile villains still don't get it, do you? I've trained hard for several years to keep you stable, and I'm not giving that up at the ….… light of a candle …..
You'll pay for this Thackery Binx!
"They can't touch us here, right?" Max asked, managing to distract Binx from them.
"Well … they can't …" Binx said.
"I don't like the way you said that …" Dani said anxiously.
But we can ….
No, not you, you idiots!
But who else could possibly ….
"Unfaithful lover long since dead." Winifred began to chant. "Deep asleep in thy wormy bed. Wiggle thy toes, open thine eyes, twist thy fingers toward the sky."
The villains within Binx watched intently. Oh yes! A king for our queens! Another one to serve!
"Life is sweet, be not shy." Winifred continued. "On thy feet, so sayeth I!"
The ground beneath the kid's feet began to tremble. They screamed as they tried to escape. Up from the ground rose a coffin, caked in dirt.
"Max, Max!" Dani yelled.
Oh no, the youngest one is scared. I need to be there for her …. Like I should have been for Emily … Binx hopped onto Max's shoulder to get a better range for possible attacks.
Out of the coffin bursted a decaying hand with torn sleeve cuffs. The zombie groaned as he flailed, attempting to sit up. He shook his head, trying to get the dirt and coffin debris out of his hair.
Everyone screamed as he turned to face them. Well, almost everyone ….
Our king has risen again!
As they ran off, Billy looked down to examine himself, all covered in dirt and dust. What happened? I look terrible! He looked over to his grave and grunted. She killed me!? And for what? Because she thought I was sporting with Sarah? No! I was simply being a gentleman. She asked me to help adjust her dress, and I did! But Winnie never listens … she never did. So why should I listen to whatever she wants me to do?
"Hi! Hello, Billy!" Sarah greeted excitedly.
Billy looked up at them. Although, Sarah was always much more kind than Winifred.
"Catch those Children!" Winifred commanded.
Oh so she does want something. Well I'm not going to ….
"Get up! Get up! Get out of that ditch!" She commanded.
I suppose I could humor her, then maybe she'll leave me alone … Billy let out an annoyed groan as he started to leave his tomb.
"Faster!" Winnifred said.
"Follow me!" Binx commanded Max, Dani, and Allison. "I know where we can go!"
"You know," Max panted. "Usually I wouldn't follow a talking cat, but this isn't the weirdest thing that's happened tonight."
"Max, this isn't time for jokes!" Allison scolded.
They ran after Binx, pausing at a small opening in what looked like a pile of rocks, leaves scattered near the entrance.
"In here!" Binx said as he ran in.
Dani and Allison followed, but Max hesitated, hearing footsteps drawing near. Billy was inches behind him.
Look child, I have no intention of harming you. I'd like my ex to leave me alone as much as you no doubt do. So maybe if you just let me scratch you up a little bit or something?
Max grabbed a branch hanging low from a tree and pulled it back like a slingshot.
"Hm? Uh oh!" No please don't young one! I mean you no harm!
"Yah!" Max let go of the branch, hitting Billy straight in the face and knocking his head onto the ground. "Yes!"
However to Max's surprise Billy let out muffled screams from his detached head as his body fumbled around looking for it.
Max threw the book into the hole and went in after it. He screamed as he fell down the short drop to the bottom.
The inside was a like a tomb, covered in cobwebs,branches and moss. It also had a really bad stench. Dani was whimpering in fear.
"Are you okay?" Allison asked her gently.
Dani saw her brother had made it in and relaxed a bit. "Mmm hmm ..."
"What is this place, Binx?" Max asked.
"It's the old Salem crypt." Binx explained.
"Here take the book." Allison said, handing it to Max and then hugging Dani close.
"It connects to the sewer and up to the street." He continued.
Dani coughed.
"Ugh, charming." Allison said.
Max took out his lighter and looked around. From the ceiling a skeleton was suspended by webs. "Uh, don't look up Dani …"
"Don't worry, I won't ..." Dani breathed out in fear.
That skeleton … How long has it even been there? It seems like it's been here for decades ….
Perhaps we could add three more to join him? That way he won't be oh so lonely.
How about you just shut it!
Rude.
Binx hopped onto one of the ledges, sitting next to a skull. "Relax, I've hunted mice down here for years."
"Mice? Oh God …" Dani groaned in disgust. "Oh, yuck."
Binx leaped down from the ledge. "Well, I am a cat now. I actually have pretty good predator instincts now."
"But still …" Dani shuddered. "I couldn't imagine having to live off of mice."
"It isn't too bad." Binx said. "You get used to the taste after a few decades."
"Wait if you're immortal, do you even have to eat?" Max asked.
"Well, I don't have to, but I still get hunger pangs if I don't eat. So I tend to." Binx explained.
"Do you feel other pain?" Allison asked.
You have no idea the mental pain I am currently in … ... "Yes. Actually a few months ago I hurt my leg pretty badly, I think I even fractured it. But that's not important right now ..."
He kept leading the three of them. "Come on, we're getting closer."
When they drew near, Max saw the exit and put away his lighter. "Up the ladder!"
Binx hopped onto Max's shoulders. "Come on!"
"Careful!" Dani called up to them.
Max lifted the manhole cover, allowing Binx to jump out onto the street. The headlights of a bus flashed brightly in front of them.
"Binx, look out!" He shouted.
Without any time to move, Binx just stared at the bus until he was hit.