Chapter 15: Witches of Salem, Part VII
Colette regarded Mimi with an annoyed expression.
"Must you make it sound like a curse?"
"But, you're, you're a."
"Yes, we've already established the fact what I am. I am a witch. Pure and simple."
Pure and simple?
Mimi, horrified, looked up at the woman standing in front of her. She was wearing a long wine colored gown with long jagged sleeves that flapped like wings when she moved. All she needed now was the pointy hat, broom and black cat.
Colette snapped her fingers and walked towards Mimi, watching her cower in fear.
"My, my, my. Don't look so frightened!"
She rubbed her hands up and down her arms.
"It's much too cold out here. Let's go inside and I'll fix you a cup of witch's brew."
Colette finished the sentence with a shrewd glance towards Mimi.
Mimi somehow now felt herself able to move, but Colette's last words!
"WHAT?"
She got up and started to back away, petrified.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! You should have seen your face just now. It was a joke! Come, I'll fix you a cup of coffee."
With that, Colette led a shaky Mimi inside.
****
Mimi was now inside the guesthouse warily drinking a cup of coffee.
"So you're staying in the guest house? But weren't you and Robert."
Mimi broke off, not sure what she was doing with this strange woman.
Colette noticed Mimi sitting across from her, barely drinking the coffee she had given her.
"You can drink it, you know. I'm not trying to poison you. Now back to you're question. Yes, Robert and I were together for a while. Then we broke up and much to Isabel's chagrin Robert let me stay in the guesthouse when I had nowhere else to go. I plan to leave soon though. It is not right for me to stay here. Besides, Victor and I plan to get married."
"Oh, well.Wait a minute! You called me Mimi earlier! How did you know my name?"
Mimi stared at Colette incredulously.
"I'm a witch. I know everything."
Colette laughed at Mimi's expression.
"Oh, you are such fun! But enough silliness. We have much we need to talk about. I know who you are and I know you are not from this realm. You are from another time and somehow, you have come to this time. Actually, I think I may have an idea how."
Colette was now completely serious.
"Who on Earth are you? Are you even from Earth?"
"Oh please.My name is Colette, remember? And yes I am from Earth. I know about you because of my aunt. She is the one who asked me to help you and she is the one I was calling to when you saw me outside, chanting."
"Your aunt.Is she.a.a."
Mimi stumbled on her words.
Colette smiled cryptically.
"A witch.yes she is.well she was, that is."
"She's dead?"
"She has gone on to another place. Let's just leave it at that. Now, can you tell me how you got here?"
Colette looked at Mimi questioningly.
"Doesn't your aunt know the answer to that?"
Mimi asked, bewildered by the whole situation.
"Actually I don't know the answer to that question. Since she is no longer of this world her way of communicating is limited and my abilities are also limited. You see, some witches have a gift to use their craft very well and others.have latent abilities. I unfortunately am one of the latter. My aunt was the former. That is how she knew the balance was askew. She told me that you were not of this world and that you were brought here by the influences of another.a darker, malicious one, up to no good."
Colette looked at Mimi interestedly.
"What do you mean, a witch? Aren't all witches up to no good?"
"Oh dear. More and more of the ridiculous illusions and stories about witchcraft. What did I expect? Someone who was actually more open?"
Colette sighed and shook her head in frustration.
"Being a witch is not being someone evil and up to no good. It is all a state of mind and how you use your gift. Some choose to use it to hurt and to alter their lives and others choose to use it to help and to learn more about themselves and others."
"So you and your aunt are good witches, is that it?"
Colette sighed again.
"It's not just about good and bad. It's so much more.Oh, why do I even try? Someone with such a simplistic mind would never understand."
Simplistic?
Boy, she was a lot like Chloe! Thinking she was so much better than everyone else. Hey, maybe Chloe really was a.
Okay, stop it now Mimi. This is getting you nowhere. You have to figure out how to get back home. And possibly the only way to do that is with Colette's help. Wait a minute!
"I just thought of something!"
Mimi looked at Colette excitedly.
"What?"
Colette asked, equally excited. Now, maybe they were finally getting somewhere.
"The names. Everyone's names! Even yours! You remind me so much of this girl I know, named Chloe. See the similarity?"
Mimi didn't even wait for a reply. She just kept going on.
"And Isabel. My best friend's name is Belle, but her whole name is Isabella. Jeanette reminds me of Jan. Victor, that is Brady's middle name. Douglas is Shawn's middle name. And Robert! That's Philip's middle name! And they all look so much alike! They even act alike in many ways! That's got to be something, right?"
Colette watched Mimi with that annoyed look again.
"Or it could be a complete coincidence. Everyone has a double somewhere. Most people just don't usually meet them. I was hoping you might remember HOW you got here. What were you doing before you came here?"
Mimi looked down in defeat.
"I don't know. I don't remember."
"WELL TRY."
Colette said in a cold voice.
"I don't know!"
Mimi held her head in her hands, feeling terribly alone and lost.
Colette could see that Mimi was about to lose it. She could hear her aunt's voice reprimanding her, telling her to be gentler. This girl was lost, so lost and she needed their help. Colette got up from her chair and kneeled down next to Mimi's chair.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound callous. You must be very frightened right now. I do want to help you. I just need for you to help me help you."
Colette spoke more gently now.
Mimi picked her head up shakily.
"How, how can I?"
Her voice sounded so quiet even to her own ears.
Colette looked up at Mimi.
"By remembering. Remembering anything at all that can help us get you back to your time, your realm."
Mimi looked down into Colette's eyes that now actually looked kind.
"I don't.I .wait, there's been this voice ever since I've been here, actually it's been more like two voices, like they're battling against each other. Is that crazy?"
"No, no, maybe not. Voices. Hmmm. That might be it."
Colette was more talking to herself than talking to Mimi.
"You have definitely been brought here by another witch with amazing abilities. However, the purpose has been selfish and cruel. There is a possibility though that another witch is trying to fight it, trying to help you."
"Who?"
"I don't know. It seems that this witch has limited capabilities or maybe.just maybe the other witch has somehow temporarily limited those capabilities. See, Mimi. This is why it is important that you remember. I think that if you can get your memories back of how you came here you can return to your time.somehow. Maybe even with the help of this other witch. I'm sorry. I can help you no more, except by communicating with my aunt. The rest is up to you."
Colette spoke to Mimi solemnly.
"How do I even know I can trust you?"
Mimi asked, her voice incredulous. This was all so crazy!
"You don't. You must decide for yourself whether or not you should." Colette spoke matter of factly. "But tell me, if you won't trust me, who will you trust?"
"Robert and Isabel?"
"Possibly you could. I can tell you they would never do anything to hurt you.but their way of helping you may actually not help you at all. Think about it. They are from the 19th century. Do you think they will have an easy time believing that you are from years ahead in the future?"
"Well you believe it!"
"I'm a witch. I'm more open. Besides, I have the word of my aunt and she would never lie to me. But it's your choice and you must decide quickly."
"I.I guess I'll trust you. I mean. I don't have anyone else to. But what.what do I do?"
"Focus on the task at hand. Getting back home! Don't let anger or confusion or any other emotions cloud your vision. Remember, you must concentrate, think about how you could have gotten here. Oh yes, and something else. There is the possibility that this witch, the malicious one, is walking amongst you and others. BE CAREFUL! Watch out for whom you trust. And don't alter your fate. Don't allow yourself too be immersed to deeply into this time. Any recklessness may alter your own destiny and could bind you here in this realm forever!"
"Did you have to make that sound so ominous? You said I could trust Robert and Isabel, right?"
"Yes, but even with them you must be careful. Refrain from involving yourself too much in their lives. Now you must go. You must go back to the house and tell no one about this discussion. Do you understand?"
Colette got up and beckoned for Mimi to follow her. She walked her towards the door and opened it.
"Yes, I think."
Colette sighed.
"That will have to do. Now remember everything I said."
Colette watched Mimi leave, and then looked up to the sky with questioning eyes.
****
Mimi woke up the next morning and dressed in a peach colored dress that Isabel let her borrow. She walked down the steps to the front room through the long spacious hallway. She opened the double doors and walked outside. She walked down the stone steps and stood in front of the house seeing what it looked like on the outside for the first time. It was absolutely magnificent and huge! It was built of red brick and stone. Mimi looked at the porch and a large tower off to the side topped with gray sandstone that contrasted nicely with the red brick of the house. There were six archways on the lower part of the house with a single arch to the side leading to the front doors. On top of the arches was built the second story. On top of that, up high was the third story. All the windows were beautifully dome shaped. A sandstone fence and gorgeously cut hedges led the way to the arched entrance. Large trees surrounded the house, covered with fall color leaves that had yet still to fall to the ground. Mimi stood there in awe. This place was unbelievable.
But she had to remember. She had to remember the past. She had to get back home.
"There you are! I've been looking for you."
Mimi turned, a little startled to see Isabel at the top of the stairs standing there in a pink colored dress.
"Sorry. I just wanted to come outside for a minute. This is the first time I've seen the house from the front. It's so big!"
"Yes, it is pretty grand. Nevertheless, I think of it more as a home than anything. Miriam, I was looking for you because Douglas is going to come over later. We're going to play croquet together and I just know that if you play we can convince Robert to join us. So what do you say?" Isabel asked Mimi in a hopeful voice.
Mimi smiled. Wasn't croquet a little like peewee golf?
"Sure Isabel. I'd love to."
****
Mimi now stood with Robert watching Douglas help Isabel swing her mallet. They watched as Isabel hit and the ball went through one of the gates. Isabel let out a shriek of delight and smiled happily. Robert admonished her gently at first for acting so un-ladylike and then let out a little smirk, probably thinking no one would see it. But Mimi saw it. They were playing against each other, Robert and Mimi on one team, Isabel and Douglas on the other.
"Okay, my turn. Wish me luck darling?" Douglas turned to his fiancé with a twinkle in his eye.
"My dear, you don't need luck. You have me." Isabel giggled.
"Isabel!" Robert exclaimed.
"Oh Robert, Don't be such a fuddy duddy!" Isabel replied.
Douglas laughed and hit the ball, making it go through two gates. He turned towards Isabel and gave her a wide grin.
Isabel returned it.
"Okay, your turn, brother-in law to be." Douglas only half joked.
"Watch it you two! Or there will be no celebration tomorrow night!"
Robert gave them each a disapproving look, and then laughed softly to show them HE was just joking. Then he hit the ball through two gates of his own.
"Your turn, my lady."
Robert bowed gracefully to Mimi, causing her to giggle. He smiled at her response.
Mimi swung and hit the ball through three gates. Wow! This really was a lot like peewee golf.
All three of them just stared for a second and then congratulated her.
"You must play this all the time." Robert said in a half-shocked voice.
Mimi wasn't sure how to answer. She felt trapped.
"No, uh.I've played something like it.uh.so there's a celebration tomorrow night?"
Okay, she just FLUNKED Etiquette 101.
Isabel answered her excitedly, unknowingly letting her off the hook.
"Yes, for Douglas coming home! Oh Miriam, it's going to be so wonderful! You and I will just have to go pick out dresses tomorrow!"
"I didn't even know I was invited." Mimi answered shyly.
"Of course you're invited!" Isabel replied with certainty.
"We would love for you to come Miriam." Robert looked at Mimi with a gentle smile.
"And I don't think Isabel will accept no for an answer!"
Douglas laughed, making them all laugh.
Next was Isabel's turn again. Mimi watched as Douglas stood behind her, helping her swing. Mimi remembered when Philip wrapped his arms around her helping her play peewee golf when she tricked him. It made her feel sad for a second. She missed him. She missed a lot of people. She watched them again and felt a memory creep up in her mind:
FLASHBACK: Philip and her walking through somewhere that was dark, she was holding onto his jacket, afraid.
Then the memory went away, but now she knew. She was beginning to remember that night!
Robert watched her, seeing the sadness in her eyes, then the look of.
What was it?
Remembrance?
He wondered what it meant.
****
Mimi was now walking with Robert, Douglas and Isabel into a large very sparsely decorated hall. There were chairs set up in front of a large screen. Men and women were standing around and sitting talking animatedly. Robert and Douglas led Isabel and Mimi to their seats and they all sat down, near the curtain. Mimi wasn't so sure about what they were going to see.
"So Douglas, tell us about this."
Robert looked at Douglas, sitting next to Isabel, for an answer.
"I can't even explain it. It's absolutely fantastic! Wait till you see it."
Douglas directed his attention towards Isabel. He spoke to her in a low whisper.
"And you, you might want to hold onto me."
"Is it terribly scary?" Isabel asked fearfully.
"Just sit close to me darling."
Douglas answered Isabel and put his arm around her chair.
Mimi was really starting to worry now. She shivered a little.
"Are you all right?"
Robert asked her gently. He looked at her with a concerned expression.
"Yes, I'm okay."
Mimi responded, not sounding very convincing.
She flashed back to being with Philip on the wagon. The way he put his arm around her.making her feel warm and relaxed.
Then all of the sudden the lights went out and Mimi jumped. She felt Robert's hand reach for hers and she welcomed his touch.
The sounds of roaring thunder came and lightning flashed along the walls.
FLASHBACK: Walking along a path, a path they normally took now, a shortcut they found to her house, lit up by lightning, being pounded by heavy rain, thunder roaring like a lion.
Mimi shuddered and Robert moved closer to her in concern.
She remembered! She remembered more! They were walking home from school and then-
Bells tolled eerily and a ghostly figure that started out very small and was far away started coming closer, closer and grew bigger and bigger.
Women screamed in the audience and Mimi moved closer to Robert without even realizing it.
He put his arm around her.
Bats appeared on the walls and goblins and skeletons flew out towards the audience accompanied by scary sounds.
Mimi had it.
She turned her face towards Robert, forgetting that she met him only days ago. She buried her face in his jacket, feeling him gently place his hand on her upper back.
****
"So what did you think of the 'Magic Lantern Show'?"
Robert was sitting next to Mimi in the back of his carriage. Isabel and Douglas were riding in Douglas's carriage.
Robert looked at Mimi, waiting for an answer.
"It was.uh.Okay. It absolutely terrified me!"
This in a way surprised Mimi. She was from a time of special effects and yet this thing scared her more than some of the horror movies she had seen!
Robert laughed gently. "Well don't worry about it. You weren't the only one frightened by it."
"Well I doubt it scared you."
"Some parts of it were actually quite horrifying and amazing."
"How can you actually say both things in one sentence?" Mimi asked incredulously.
Robert laughed again. "Ah, Miriam you are quite a delight. But I feel myself at a disadvantage."
Robert looked at Mimi with a curious expression.
"What do you mean?" Mimi asked cautiously.
"You know quite a bit about me. Yet, I know so little about you. Please don't think I'm being intrusive, but I would like it very much if you could tell me a little about yourself."
"Uh, well. I, I have a younger brother and I, I'm pretty protective of him, like you are of Isabel. And I.I know someone that you remind me of ."
Mimi dropped off uncertainly. She looked up to see Robert smiling at her.
"Thank you for trusting me. So I remind you of someone. Hmmm. Friend or foe?"
Mimi laughed.
"That's what Isabel said when I said she reminded me of someone too."
Robert looked at Mimi surprised.
"We both remind you of someone. Gracious! Though you still need to answer my question." Robert teased lightly.
"Friend. He's a friend."
Mimi said a little sadly, missing her friends.
"Nothing more? Please don't answer if I'm asking too much. I just like learning more about you."
Robert spoke seriously now.
"No. No. We're just friends. Nothing more."
So if that was true, why was he one of the people she missed the most?
****
Mimi wandered out into the night again, not sure what was making her want to go outside. Once again, she was wearing only a nightgown and a robe. She kept thinking back to the memory she had during the show. If only she could remember more. She was walking with Philip and-
A black crow flew towards her, coming out of the sky, down, down, down.Closer to her. closer, closer, closer.
Mimi screamed as the black crow flew towards her, and then darted RIGHT over her head.
She ran, falling down as it darted back down towards her.
She let out a terrified scream. "HELP ME! SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME!"
Chapter 15: Witches of Salem, Part IX
Colette came out of the guesthouse, hearing the screams.
Robert heard Mimi's shrieks of terror and ran down the front steps.
The black crow moved towards its target.
Mimi looked up in horror.
"Sister of the night
The lost one needs help
Guide me in using the gift
Join me with my sisters."
Robert raced through the tall grass.
The black crow dived.
Colette raised shrouded hands to the sky, her eyes closed.
Mimi let out a horror-struck scream.
And another.
Lost.
But with the help of others now finding her way back.
Concentrated.
The crow cawed at the unmistakable yet unseen force that lifted it far up into the sky.
Colette opened her eyes. It had worked, but only because of the help of another?
She was growing strong again. Moreover, she was possibly the only one that could help the lost girl.
"Let her memories come back.
in enough time..."
Colette chanted and went back inside the guesthouse.
The lost one hoped it would be soon too.
The malevolent one was up to no good!
Mimi watched as the crow flew away in a very strange way, almost as if something was carrying it.
FLASHBACK: a black crow flying through a storm filled night, rain pounding the ground as she starts screaming hysterically and Philip tries to calm her down.
Then in pure exhaustion and a sense of hopelessness she lay in the tall grass, letting hysterical sobs take over her body.
"MIRIAM!"
Robert yelled, rushing to Mimi's side. He gathered her into his arms, picking her up off the cold ground and held her close to his chest, rocking her in his arms as she cried uncontrollably.
Mimi clung to him, needing comfort, needing to feel safe.
OH, SHE JUST WANTED TO GO HOME!
"Shh.It's all right. it's all right."
Robert spoke to Mimi in a low assured voice, as if he was speaking to a frightened child. Then he swept her up into his arms and carried her into the house.
****
"Here, drink this. It will warm you up."
Mimi took the cup of hot cocoa Robert offered her. She was now sitting on the sofa in the parlor, covered by a blanket that Robert brought for her. Candles lit up the otherwise darkened room. She looked at Robert, sitting across from her in a chair. He was looking at her. She looked away.
"Why are you looking at me?"
"I'm concerned about you and wondering what you were doing outside in the middle of the night."
"I don't know."
"You don't?"
Robert asked her, surprised by her answer.
"No."
Mimi looked down sadly, feeling very very alone.
Robert spoke in an almost pleading voice.
"Please, please tell me how to help you. I know that you are terribly unhappy and if there is anything I can do to make you feel better."
"Look, I know I should be grateful to you for letting me stay here and I am, but you.you can't help me."
Her voice broke off sounding defeated.
Robert looked at her, then got up from the chair and bended down on the floor in front of Mimi. He lifted his hand to her face, stroking her cheek.
"You don't need to be grateful for anything. I'M grateful, for meeting you. But I don't want you to be sad. You can trust me. Let me help you."
His voice was a mere whisper.
Mimi closed her eyes, trembling from his touch. It would be so easy to just give in.to tell him everything.to not have to deal with it all alone anymore. So easy...
Then, Colette's words of warning came to Mimi: 'any recklessness may alter your own destiny and could bind you here in this realm forever.'
Mimi opened her eyes. She could hear her voice shaking as she spoke.
"I'm sorry. I can't. I just can't. Please just understand."
She felt Robert slowly move his hand away from her face.
He spoke in a resigned voice.
"I do, I do. I just wish.No, I won't push you. Just know that I am here for you all right?"
"All right."
****
Mimi was getting ready to go roller-skating. Robert, probably wanting to help get her mind off the previous night, suggested that they go out for the day with Isabel and Douglas. Later Isabel told her she would help her pick out a dress for the celebration for Douglas. Mimi was looking forward to the party and was apprehensive about it. It sounded so fancy! She went to the Coronation for Greta, but she had a feeling that this was going to be even bigger. She also couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen tonight.
The flashbacks were coming more, but she still had no idea where she and Philip ended up that night. Were they together when all this stuff happened to her, going back to the 19th century, or were they apart? Why was this house, in an odd way, starting to seem familiar? What about the crow? Was it following her or something? What was with the names? Meeting one person that reminded you of someone was one thing, but your closest friends and.foes? Who were the two battling voices in her head? Witches?
OOHH, It made her head hurt to keep thinking about it and sometimes now when she had a flashback it made her feel dizzy.
Was one of the "sources" trying to keep her from remembering? She wondered.
Then there was Robert.
OH Robert! The way he could make her feel.but it was dangerous. He reminded her so much of Philip and yet he wasn't him.
The more she remembered, the more she realized that though these people reminded her of people she knew: they weren't them. They were strangers, some of them very nice and caring, but strangers nonetheless. Her friends were back in Salem, 2001. And she had to get back to them.
Back to her life.
Back to her family.
Back to.
Philip.
****
Mimi struggled once more to stand upright. She roller bladed lots of times, but roller skating was something she was not used to. And this version of it! The boots were heavy and bulky. The wheels were rough and felt slippery. The floor was coarse in places. And there were so many people!
"Whoa!"
Mimi nearly fell, but Robert grabbed her arm before she could, with a smile.
"Thanks." She meekly replied.
"My pleasure. Here, why don't you hold onto me?"
Robert kept a hold of her arm as Mimi grasped onto it with her hand.
"Okay, but don't be surprised if I start to fall and bring you down with me."
Mimi shakily moved her legs, trying to figure out how to work her skates around the rink.
Robert laughed with an amused smile.
"I'll just have to make sure that does not happen."
Mimi shakily smiled back, and then noticed Isabel and Douglas. They were over on the other side, laughing and both skating pretty well.
She wasn't looking where she was going and completely lost her balance, bringing Robert down with her. He tried to keep them on their feet, but Mimi fell down fast and he couldn't prevent himself from falling with her. He did manage to keep a firm grasp of her though, preventing her from getting hurt.
They landed, Mimi on the ground, sitting down, Robert on his knees, his face inches from hers. She held onto his upper arms. He was holding onto her waist. She looked up into his eyes.
And remembered.
FLASHBACK: Philip holding onto her, trying to calm her down as the fierce winds raged around them, Philip seeing something.up ahead.what did he see?.focus.FOCUS!
"Ahh!"
Suddenly she felt a sharp piercing pain, a horrible headache and her vision blurred. Mimi faltered, grasping Robert for support.
"Gracious, you're hurt!"
Robert looked at Mimi with concern, holding onto her.
"No, no. I'm okay. I just, I. Please, can you just help me up?"
Mimi answered him, feeling a little weak, but realizing she couldn't tell him about the memory.
Robert helped Mimi up, with a questioning look. Why wouldn't she confide in him?
Witches of Salem, Part X
Mimi stood in the middle of the beautiful room watching everything with wonder in her eyes. The room was huge, a giant ballroom that had a polished hardwood floor and a high ceiling, from which fantastic chandeliers hung. At one end of the room, sat a small orchestra playing one waltz right after the other. Waiters and servers walked around carrying wine, champagne and small snacks. Men and women dressed stunningly, danced merrily and enjoyed the ambiance. Mimi was having a hard time believing that she was even there.
"Miriam, isn't this absolutely wonderful? Robert doesn't really care for these types of things, but I'm so glad I got him to give in and have this here. And the best part is that it's all for Douglas. I'm so happy to have him back in Salem."
Mimi turned to Isabel, enjoying her enthusiasm. She looked absolutely beautiful, in a turquoise dress made of fine silk, accented by almost white lace, a frilled panel in the back, embroidered flowers, puffy sleeves and a square neckline framed by lace. Her hair, partly up and partly trailing down to her neck, had flower decorations all over it.
Mimi thought that she herself didn't look that bad either. Isabel earlier had helped her pick out a silk emerald colored gown to match her eyes. It had an embroidered panel of flowers, a low square neckline, pleated puff sleeves, a draped bodice and a long flowing skirt that opened slightly at the side, revealing a pleated skirt underneath, lined with embroidered flowers. Her hair was partly up like Isabel's and had matching flowers in it.
"I can't believe that this is actually a room in your house. It's so large and magnificent."
Mimi, spoke looking around the room in awe. She would never get used to this.
"Yes, but the truth is we hardly ever use it. Robert's always working. He usually doesn't have the time for functions like this."
Isabel looked around, noticing someone with distaste.
"Oh no, I was hoping she wouldn't be here. Robert must have invited her or maybe she invited herself."
Mimi looked over to see Jeanette sauntering in, dressed in an almost scarlet silk gown, her hair up high on her head. Jeanette immediately headed over towards Robert, waiting for him to kiss her cheek and then giggling at something he said as she held onto his arm. Mimi watched with displeasure.
"Isabel, do you mind me asking why you don't care for Jeanette?"
Mimi was curious, but she worried a little if the question would be well received. She hoped it wasn't too forward or offensive.
"Don't care for her? I can't stand her! First, there was Colette, who totally broke Robert's heart. I may tease him at times, but I love my brother dearly. He has always taken care of me and I could NEVER like someone who would hurt him. And that is what Colette did, whether she intended it or not. And Jeanette, she just wants his money. I know it!"
"Uh, are they.are they together, because.I mean we went to that show last night.wouldn't that be, I don't know, improper?"
"No it wouldn't be, because they are not together. Jeanette likes to pretend they are, but she is only fooling herself. I don't know if I should be saying all of this or not, but I feel so comfortable with you Miriam. After Colette, Robert focused only on his work. He tolerates Jeanette, out of kindness, I think, but he doesn't really care for her."
Isabel suddenly smiled.
"Actually, I think he's taken quite a liking towards you. I think he really cares about you Miriam. Oh, if the two of you were to become a couple, that would be so wonderful. I just know someone like you would never hurt him and you would be good for each other!
"Isabel are you trying to be a matchmaker, my dear?"
Mimi watched as Douglas came behind Isabel and placed his hands on her waist, giving Mimi a friendly smile. "Miriam, you look wonderful."
"Doesn't she, Douglas? Miriam, this dress is absolutely perfect on you!" Isabel gushed.
"I agree entirely."
Mimi nearly jumped at the sound of Robert's voice. She turned around and was face to face with him. And, oh, how he looked.
"You look lovely Miriam."
Robert took her hand in his and gallantly kissed it.
Isabel latched onto her fiancé.
"Let's go dance Douglas."
She waltzed away with Douglas, winking at Mimi.
Mimi looked up at Robert. He was wearing a black tuxedo, very similar to the one Philip wore at The Coronation. It had a low cut waistcoat with a narrow collar and black pants. His shirt was white and his bow tie was white. The collar and cuffs of the waistcoat were lined with black velvet. His hair was the way he usually wore it, swept away from his face, with slight waves, but tonight it looked especially good...
"Uh, you look very nice too."
Mimi felt a little shaky. He was very kind, but he was also so dignified.
"Thank you, but I would much rather enjoy dancing with such a lovely lady than just standing here. Would you do me the honor, Miriam?"
Robert bowed low to Mimi, holding out his hand for her to dance with him.
Mimi looked at him, worriedly.
"I'm, I'm not sure how to dance to this music."
Sure, she had danced with Shawn at The Coronation, but this was a gentleman, a very dignified one.
"Just follow my lead and you will do fine. Besides, I have the utmost faith in you."
He stood up straight, keeping his hand held out for her with a smile.
Mimi smiled back and brought her hand out, feeling Robert take it in his. Then he placed one hand on her waist and held her hand with his other. He moved slowly, turning her around and around. Mimi looked up into his eyes and let him lead. She felt him pick up the pace a little and she felt almost like she was flying. Around and around they spun in circles over the polished wood floor.
The song ended and they stopped dancing, just looking at each other. Then they moved apart.
"Excuse me."
Mimi looked at Jeanette as she laced her arm through Robert's and gave her an almost evil smile. Then she looked up at Robert, smiling at him sweetly. Too sweetly for Mimi's taste!
"Robert dearest, would you dance with me? I just absolutely love this song! You don't mind, do you Mabel?"
"Jeanette." Robert began.
"It's Miriam, JUNIPER, not Mabel." Mimi responded with false innocence.
Robert stifled a laugh and Jeanette gave Mimi a deadly look.
"Don't worry. We can talk later." Mimi spoke only to Robert, ignoring Jeanette.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Have fun, you two."
With that, Mimi walked away, noticing Victor and Colette come in. Colette was wearing a vivid blue satin dress and her hair was twisted up high with matching flowers. Victor was dressed like the other men, in a tuxedo. Colette gave Mimi a small nod, but did nothing else to acknowledge her. Mimi watched as they went to the middle of the floor and started dancing together. She looked over a little more and saw Jeanette and Robert dancing together. He was so graceful, but the way Jeanette just kept holding onto him, flirting with him, laughing, smiling.
UGH!
****
Mimi walked up the front stairs, unnoticed by anyone. Feeling unhappy, she left the ballroom. Maybe, she thought, she should just go to bed early. She walked down the long hallway, stopping at a partially opened room. She had no idea why she felt so inclined to enter it. She entered the lavishly decorated room. There was a large bed with a canopy of burgundy and gold curtains hanging overhead. The floor was done in a medium shaded wood finish, with a carpet, that matched the bed, in the middle. There was a dark wood washstand and dressing table, but some pictures on the wall were what got Mimi's attention.
She walked over to look more closely at two pictures that hung near the fireplace. Something about those pictures.
One was of a very old couple and the other looked like a family picture, including Isabel and Robert as children.
But, wait a minute shouldn't there be one more? There was one mis-
"That's Isabel and myself with our parents. We were just children then."
Mimi turned around, shocked, to see Robert standing in the doorway, watching her.
This.this room, is it, uh is."
Mimi couldn't finish. He had completely surprised her and now she felt like the little kid caught stealing cookies from the cookie jar.
"It's mine. You don't have to look so scared. I'm not angry."
Robert smiled at her gently, but his face also revealed a questioning look.
"I didn't mean to be rude or anything. I'll go-"
Mimi stopped abruptly when Robert entered the room completely and stood in her way.
He lightly touched her arm.
"Please, don't.Let me show you the other picture."
"O-okay."
"It's of my grandparents, on my mother's side. They're no longer alive, but that painting of them is one of my favorites."
"This is going to sound strange, but is there, was there another picture here.before?"
Mimi looked up at Robert questioningly from where he stood beside her.
"No, it's always just been those two. But.I can't believe you just asked me that question-"
"I'm sorry-"
"No, no there's nothing wrong with it. It's just.you see, I always planned to put up a third picture, one of my wife, future wife and myself after I get married. I never told anyone about it. How did."
Robert's voice dropped off as he looked at Mimi with wonder.
FLASHBACK: Walking into a very old looking room with Philip carrying a candle in front, seeing pictures on the walls, pictures of-
Robert grabbed Mimi before she could fall.
"Miriam?"
He questioned worriedly.
For a second Mimi had felt dizzy, but then she recovered, with the help of Robert holding onto her.
"I'm, I'm okay."
Robert just shook his head and let go of her, feeling frustration from the fact that she wasn't telling him the whole truth. Then he came to a decision.
"Would you come somewhere with me?"
"What about Jeanette?"
"Jeanette? She probably won't even notice."
"She seemed very happy to be dancing with you."
"She's happy that I'm rich. Come with me, please?"
Robert held out his hand to Mimi.
Mimi looked at the outstretched hand, saying nothing at first, and then finally took it.
"Okay."
Outside the window, the black crow watched.
****
Mimi followed Robert up the steps, the numerous steps, until they reached the top and looked down. She could see everything, all of Salem and on the other side, the ocean.
He had taken her to a lighthouse that his father had built years ago. She walked to the side closest to the ocean and gazed at the beautiful sight. It was a star filled night and the only light they had was a lantern that Robert had been carrying and put down when they reached the top.
"I love to come here, on nights like this. You can see everything, including the ocean, the mysterious ocean. My father used to bring me here when I was a child and I knew, I knew that the sea was the life for me."
Mimi looked back at him, from where he stood a little behind her. He looked so wistful. It tore at her.
"Robert, you shouldn't give up on your dream. You've raised your sister. Now it's your turn. You deserve to be happy and I just know you can find someone who will agree with that."
Mimi shivered a little, feeling the coolness in the air, and pulled Robert's jacket closer around her. He had let her wear it.
Robert said nothing, just staring at her.
Feeling unsure of herself, Mimi turned back to look out at the ocean, shivering again.
Losing herself in the dark deep depths of the water, she was taken off guard when his hands wrapped around her waist.his warm breath against her neck.
"Miriam."
Robert started.
She trembled as she felt his hand lace its way up her arm towards her face, his fingers tracing tiny lines.
"Robert."
Then she felt herself being turned around in his arms as he brought his hands up to her face, cradling it. Mimi closed her eyes and felt his lips softly touch hers as he bent his head down towards hers. She sighed, feeling his mouth part under hers, his hands moving across her face with soft touches. She laced her hands around his neck, moving them up to his hair, running her hands through it.
Feeling so.
FLASHBACK: Philip holding her, then yelling, pointing out the way to a house, a large house, a very old but FAMILIAR looking house.
Mimi broke away, gasping for air as she weakly pushed Robert back. She stood there trying to regain her senses as he gently let go of her.
Home, she had to get back home. She had to go back. She had to find out what happened. If they entered the house together, where was Philip now?
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
Robert looked at Mimi, also sounding like he was trying to catch his breath. His face looked so apologetic.
"No, no, it wasn't you. You didn't do anything wrong. I wanted it too. It's just, I, I'm sorry."
Mimi's voice broke off as tears started falling from her eyes.
"I just.I need to get home."
Mimi started crying. Robert took a gorgeously monogrammed handkerchief out of his pocket and started to wipe at her tears with it. Then he handed it to her and took her into his arms. She rested her head against his chest, closing her eyes.
"Is it him too.this friend.perhaps he means more to you?"
Robert stroked Mimi's hair and spoke to her softly.
"No, no he.would never feel that way about me.we're, we're just friends.nothing more."
"Perhaps.for now, but later. possibly more." Robert sighed. "Oh, Miriam, I've offered to help you, but you've not allowed it. So, what do I do? Miriam, I care for you so much, How do I-"
Mimi opened her eyes and stepped back from him, lifting her hand.
"No, don't. Could you just give me a minute.alone?"
"You want me to leave you up here alone?" Robert's voice was incredulous.
"Maybe you could just wait for me outside the door, you know that little hallway or whatever we walked through before we got to this part of the lighthouse."
"I don't know."
"I'll be fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Please?"
"All right. But I'll be right outside the door and only for a couple of minutes."
Mimi laughed softly.
"It's not like anything could happen. Anyone would have to get past you to end up on this side of the door.
"True, but I don't want you up here alone, regardless. Only a couple of minutes."
"Wait, your handkerchief."
Mimi started to hand it to him but he stopped her.
"It's alright. You can hold onto it for me."
Robert stepped towards her and took her into his arms, kissing the top of her hair. Then he left her alone.
She watched the door close.
"YOU SILLY LITTLE FOOL."
Mimi turned around suddenly, startled, and was face to face with Jeanette. She was now wearing a midnight blue colored dress, cut in jagged edges. Oh my gosh, she was a-
"Yes, I am a witch. BOO!"
Mimi jumped.
"Ha, ha ha, ha! So surprised that I can guess your thoughts are you? Well it's not WITCHCRAFT or anything such. You just have such an easily readable face. You're absolutely horrid at trying to hide things. Did you think you could come here as my puppet and obtain ROBERT for yourself? Did you honestly think that?"
Jeanette moved toward Mimi with a menacing look.
Mimi screamed. Robert was right outside the door. He would be there in a minute.
So why wasn't he coming?
"Oh my, you poor dear."
Jeanette's voice dripped with cruel sarcasm.
"He can't hear you. He's under my spell. There is no hope for you."
FLASHBACK: Three pictures in a room: one of his grandparents, one of his family, one of him with his future wife, that looked so much like Mimi, she looks back to tell Philip and can't find him.
"AHHH!"
Mimi screamed out, holding her head in agony. With the flashback came torturous pain. Her vision blurred, but somehow she managed to hold herself upright, leaning against one of the sides of the lighthouse ledge.
"How.how did you get up here?"
"I flew."
"Witches can't fly."
"They can if they have the ability to become something else."
Jeanette smiled at Mimi darkly.
FLASHBACK: a black crow watching her from a shelf.
Mimi nearly fainted this time from the pain.
Then there was a new voice.
"How dare you do such harm to this poor child? YOU are the fool, Jeanette. For thinking your evil plan would work! And when it didn't work completely to your satisfaction what do you do? Torture the poor girl!"
Mimi stared at the luminescent appearance of a woman before her, a woman who looked so much like herself, only her hair was more red and longer and she looked older, close to Robert's age.
The woman in the picture, it was her!
Mimi shakily tried to move away, terrified.
"Oh, don't be frightened. I am here to help you."
"YOU! I BINDED YOU-"
"Yes, but it didn't work when this young woman was strong enough to fight against your sick spell and when others decided to help her."
The woman, so much like Mimi, laughed.
"You didn't know that Colette was related to one of the most strongest of us did you, JEANETTE, or should I call you JUNIPER?" The woman laughed once more.
"I found that completely hilarious."
She smiled encouragingly at Mimi. Mimi just stared in shock.
"But you're not completely whole yet. Robert will NEVER be yours. He is MINE."
Jeanette angrily responded to the woman.
"What, so you can have all his money and use him and Isabel to your liking? I don't think so. You will end this ridiculous spell, do you understand me? You will return this poor girl back to her home and Robert and I WILL be together as is meant to be!"
The woman crouched down near Mimi.
"It is all right. I will see to it that you get back home."
"Who, who are you?"
My name is Melinda. I am a witch and I am Robert's intended wife to be. Everything you have learned is true, but you have taken my place. To you, everyone appears to look like those you know, but it is only one of the tricks of the spell. If you saw us as we REALLY are, we would not look so familiar. It is all because of Jeanette. She thought Robert would never care for you and that she could become his if I wasn't around. She thought wrong. She thought you would be weak and not fight to remember. She thought wrong. She thought I would give up. She thought wrong."
Melinda stood up and looked Jeanette straight in the eye.
Mimi felt terribly confused, but she felt the pressure and pain of remembering alleviating. She could do it now without the agony. But she still hadn't remembered everything. If only she could. Exactly what happened and how did she get there? Oh my gosh, her and Robert, they.
"Robert and I, we, we. I don't even know you, but I know, I can feel that you were one of the ones helping me.I'm sorry."
"It's all right. I don't blame you. You had no realization of what was happening. It makes me only cherish my Dear Robert more for taking such good care of you. I don't blame either of you."
Melinda spoke gently to Mimi, and then directed her attention towards Jeanette.
"I blame YOU. Now you will return this girl back to her realm, to her loved ones."
FLASHBACK: Turning around to not see Philip, where is he?, she screams for him, runs out into the hallway, sees an open door, goes in, into a strange room filled with strange things, she knocks down some bottles, while trying to leave the room, a heavy thick smoke appears, making her feel weak, a black crow watches her.
She knew now. She knew how she got there. Jeanette used her to separate Robert and Melinda. Why her, she didn't know. But somehow she cast her into her spell, leading her and Philip to the house.the crow leading them.watching them.and then she brought Mimi here, to this other time.
But once again, if she was here, where was Philip?
Mimi tried to let go of her fear and faced Jeanette.
"WHERE IS HE? WHERE'S PHILIP?"
"That pathetic boy that was with you?"
Jeanette questioned with a cruel smile.
"What did you do with him?"
"Where is the boy, Jeanette?"
Melinda pierced Jeanette with her eyes.
"You don't know where he is either?"
Mimi asked Melinda, her voice full of fear.
"No, I'm sorry I don't. This was all Jeanette's doing. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HIM?
" Melinda's voice was icy.
"How should I know what happened to him? I focused only on this insolent brat. I didn't care what happened to him. Most likely he is still floating around. Or dead."
Jeanette answered in an uncaring voice.
"NO!"
Mimi screamed, feeling agony again, this time from somewhere deep inside her. She clutched at the ledge of the lighthouse for support.
"JEANETTE, YOU HORRID CREATURE, HOW COULD YOU DO SUCH A THING?"
"PHILIP!"
Mimi screamed out and collapsed.
****
"MIMI!"
Philip screamed, watching in horror as she hit her head hard and fell like a lifeless rag doll.
He ran to her, falling to his knees beside her still body.
"She hit her head Philip! She might have a concussion! Don't move her!"
His friends yelled out to him as he focused only on her.
She had to be all right.
She had to be.
****
"Hhmm... Oh."
Mimi could hear voices, around her as she started to open her eyes slowly and saw faces above hers, familiar faces.
"She's coming around."
"She's waking up."
"She's opening her eyes."
"Come on Meems, that's it, open your eyes, you can do it."
"Oh, my head."
"Come on you guys, let's give her some room."
Philip turned towards his friends, motioning with his hands for them to move back. Then he directed his attention back at her, his hands at her sides.
"Philip?"
Mimi questioned weakly.
"Yeah. No don't try to get up."
Philip pushed her back gently when she tried to sit up.
"You hit the back of your head against a casket, it's okay. Just stay down."
"A casket? Where, where are we? What happened?" Mimi asked, confused.
"Don't you remember? We're at one of the houses they decorated to look like it was haunted. It's Halloween. This guy came out of this other casket and scared you. You ran away so fast and tripped hitting your head on one of the other caskets." Philip looked down at Mimi with concern.
"Yeah, we thought Philip was going to punch that guy out after you fell. He was furious. The poor guy tried to tell him he was just doing his job." Brady smiled at Mimi encouragingly and Chloe, Belle and Shawn watched her, with worried expressions.
"Robert, what happened to him, and.and.Melinda."
"Oh my gosh, she's hallucinating!" Belle replied in shock.
"Or she hit her head too hard and is going crazy." Chloe deadpanned, immediately wishing she had just kept her mouth shut, after receiving some angry looks. Mimi and she would never be friends, but she hoped that she would be okay.
Philip turned towards his friends. "Stop it you guys." Then he turned back towards Mimi with a gentle expression.
"Meems, try to remember."
Mimi looked up at Philip, his kind eyes, and remembered him picking her up at her house, then meeting with their friends and touring the houses. Something that looked like a mummy jumped out at her and she ran.then everything went black.
Oh my goodness, it was just a dream! It had all been a dream!
Philip's eyes were so full of concern.
"I remember.that mummy jumped out at me and then.I ended up here on the ground."
Her friends sighed in relief.
****
Mimi sat against a pillow. Philip and the rest of her friends went to go get their jackets, which were hanging on a rack near the front door of the house. After feeling her head for a bump, Philip helped her sit up, insisting that the take her to the hospital since there was one there on the back of her head. She sat there waiting, noticing something on the ground that looked like.
No, it couldn't be.
It was just a dream.or was it?
She reached for the object and watched in horror as a black bird, a black crow, flew through an open window ready to snatch it.
Then.
A beautiful white dove flew into the room right after it and miraculously reached the object first.
Staring into Mimi' eyes.
Mimi saw the three pictures now, the last one of Robert and Melinda smiling together, in each other's arms.
Then she saw a vision of them on their wedding day, kissing passionately and lovingly.
Mimi stared back at the dove. It seemed to almost smile.
She felt a smile grow on her face too, as she watched it fly out through the window, the object in its possession.
Mimi sighed.
They were together.
Finally, they were together.
"Mimi?"
Mimi turned around and saw Philip crouching down near her, his eyes questioning.
Her emotions took over.
The thought of losing him had been so awful.
She reached for him, holding onto him fiercely.
"Meems?"
Philip asked, feeling her arms holding onto him tightly.
He started to return her embrace.
Mimi just sighed and closed her eyes, her head against his shoulder.
Until he started to assist her with getting up and helped her put on her jacket.
With a soft look in his eyes.
Those oh so familiar eyes.
She was home.
~*~
The dove glided through the air, carrying in her grasp the monogrammed handkerchief.
Her most treasured possession.
The object that would lead her back to the one she loved.
And the one who loved her.
The End of Chapter 15
Okay, now I have to list my resources and tell about my inspiration for this story.
I never would have been able to write this story without my main inspiration for it:
A book titled: The Wicked Pigeon Ladies in the Garden: By Mary Chase
It is beautifully and terrifyingly written. It's actually a children's book (my teacher read it to my class when I was in the 6th grade and I immediately loved it) Adults can read it too though and enjoy it. It is such a great horror story, in the old-fashioned sense. It's what gave me the idea for the crow and the going back in time.
In addition, there is a wonderful web site, called Victorian Station. It has EVERYTHING you could ever want to know about the Victorian time period and Victorian houses. It helped me so much with descriptions of the house, the people, and their hobbies and traditions.
"The Magic Lantern Show" is real. It was a show where they used various size lanterns to project things on screens and walls and make it look like they were getting bigger or coming closer. The site said that at one of the first shows all the women fainted in the audience! I thought it even sounded scarier than some of our movies today!
This sight also gave me the inspiration for the house. The house I described is real, on the outside. It's called the Harry Packer Mansion and it's in Pennsylvania. It's run as an Inn now and they even have Who Done It mysteries.
Various factual books helped me out too. Here's a list of them.
1. Costume 1066-1966 By John Peacock
2. Victorian Scrapbook By Cynthia Hart, John Grossman and Priscilla Dunhill
3. The Encyclopedia of Victoriana
Mara
Okay, this was the end of this chapter, but the story isn't over at all. There's a lot more dealing with Philip and Mimi in realtime Salem.
Colette regarded Mimi with an annoyed expression.
"Must you make it sound like a curse?"
"But, you're, you're a."
"Yes, we've already established the fact what I am. I am a witch. Pure and simple."
Pure and simple?
Mimi, horrified, looked up at the woman standing in front of her. She was wearing a long wine colored gown with long jagged sleeves that flapped like wings when she moved. All she needed now was the pointy hat, broom and black cat.
Colette snapped her fingers and walked towards Mimi, watching her cower in fear.
"My, my, my. Don't look so frightened!"
She rubbed her hands up and down her arms.
"It's much too cold out here. Let's go inside and I'll fix you a cup of witch's brew."
Colette finished the sentence with a shrewd glance towards Mimi.
Mimi somehow now felt herself able to move, but Colette's last words!
"WHAT?"
She got up and started to back away, petrified.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! You should have seen your face just now. It was a joke! Come, I'll fix you a cup of coffee."
With that, Colette led a shaky Mimi inside.
****
Mimi was now inside the guesthouse warily drinking a cup of coffee.
"So you're staying in the guest house? But weren't you and Robert."
Mimi broke off, not sure what she was doing with this strange woman.
Colette noticed Mimi sitting across from her, barely drinking the coffee she had given her.
"You can drink it, you know. I'm not trying to poison you. Now back to you're question. Yes, Robert and I were together for a while. Then we broke up and much to Isabel's chagrin Robert let me stay in the guesthouse when I had nowhere else to go. I plan to leave soon though. It is not right for me to stay here. Besides, Victor and I plan to get married."
"Oh, well.Wait a minute! You called me Mimi earlier! How did you know my name?"
Mimi stared at Colette incredulously.
"I'm a witch. I know everything."
Colette laughed at Mimi's expression.
"Oh, you are such fun! But enough silliness. We have much we need to talk about. I know who you are and I know you are not from this realm. You are from another time and somehow, you have come to this time. Actually, I think I may have an idea how."
Colette was now completely serious.
"Who on Earth are you? Are you even from Earth?"
"Oh please.My name is Colette, remember? And yes I am from Earth. I know about you because of my aunt. She is the one who asked me to help you and she is the one I was calling to when you saw me outside, chanting."
"Your aunt.Is she.a.a."
Mimi stumbled on her words.
Colette smiled cryptically.
"A witch.yes she is.well she was, that is."
"She's dead?"
"She has gone on to another place. Let's just leave it at that. Now, can you tell me how you got here?"
Colette looked at Mimi questioningly.
"Doesn't your aunt know the answer to that?"
Mimi asked, bewildered by the whole situation.
"Actually I don't know the answer to that question. Since she is no longer of this world her way of communicating is limited and my abilities are also limited. You see, some witches have a gift to use their craft very well and others.have latent abilities. I unfortunately am one of the latter. My aunt was the former. That is how she knew the balance was askew. She told me that you were not of this world and that you were brought here by the influences of another.a darker, malicious one, up to no good."
Colette looked at Mimi interestedly.
"What do you mean, a witch? Aren't all witches up to no good?"
"Oh dear. More and more of the ridiculous illusions and stories about witchcraft. What did I expect? Someone who was actually more open?"
Colette sighed and shook her head in frustration.
"Being a witch is not being someone evil and up to no good. It is all a state of mind and how you use your gift. Some choose to use it to hurt and to alter their lives and others choose to use it to help and to learn more about themselves and others."
"So you and your aunt are good witches, is that it?"
Colette sighed again.
"It's not just about good and bad. It's so much more.Oh, why do I even try? Someone with such a simplistic mind would never understand."
Simplistic?
Boy, she was a lot like Chloe! Thinking she was so much better than everyone else. Hey, maybe Chloe really was a.
Okay, stop it now Mimi. This is getting you nowhere. You have to figure out how to get back home. And possibly the only way to do that is with Colette's help. Wait a minute!
"I just thought of something!"
Mimi looked at Colette excitedly.
"What?"
Colette asked, equally excited. Now, maybe they were finally getting somewhere.
"The names. Everyone's names! Even yours! You remind me so much of this girl I know, named Chloe. See the similarity?"
Mimi didn't even wait for a reply. She just kept going on.
"And Isabel. My best friend's name is Belle, but her whole name is Isabella. Jeanette reminds me of Jan. Victor, that is Brady's middle name. Douglas is Shawn's middle name. And Robert! That's Philip's middle name! And they all look so much alike! They even act alike in many ways! That's got to be something, right?"
Colette watched Mimi with that annoyed look again.
"Or it could be a complete coincidence. Everyone has a double somewhere. Most people just don't usually meet them. I was hoping you might remember HOW you got here. What were you doing before you came here?"
Mimi looked down in defeat.
"I don't know. I don't remember."
"WELL TRY."
Colette said in a cold voice.
"I don't know!"
Mimi held her head in her hands, feeling terribly alone and lost.
Colette could see that Mimi was about to lose it. She could hear her aunt's voice reprimanding her, telling her to be gentler. This girl was lost, so lost and she needed their help. Colette got up from her chair and kneeled down next to Mimi's chair.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound callous. You must be very frightened right now. I do want to help you. I just need for you to help me help you."
Colette spoke more gently now.
Mimi picked her head up shakily.
"How, how can I?"
Her voice sounded so quiet even to her own ears.
Colette looked up at Mimi.
"By remembering. Remembering anything at all that can help us get you back to your time, your realm."
Mimi looked down into Colette's eyes that now actually looked kind.
"I don't.I .wait, there's been this voice ever since I've been here, actually it's been more like two voices, like they're battling against each other. Is that crazy?"
"No, no, maybe not. Voices. Hmmm. That might be it."
Colette was more talking to herself than talking to Mimi.
"You have definitely been brought here by another witch with amazing abilities. However, the purpose has been selfish and cruel. There is a possibility though that another witch is trying to fight it, trying to help you."
"Who?"
"I don't know. It seems that this witch has limited capabilities or maybe.just maybe the other witch has somehow temporarily limited those capabilities. See, Mimi. This is why it is important that you remember. I think that if you can get your memories back of how you came here you can return to your time.somehow. Maybe even with the help of this other witch. I'm sorry. I can help you no more, except by communicating with my aunt. The rest is up to you."
Colette spoke to Mimi solemnly.
"How do I even know I can trust you?"
Mimi asked, her voice incredulous. This was all so crazy!
"You don't. You must decide for yourself whether or not you should." Colette spoke matter of factly. "But tell me, if you won't trust me, who will you trust?"
"Robert and Isabel?"
"Possibly you could. I can tell you they would never do anything to hurt you.but their way of helping you may actually not help you at all. Think about it. They are from the 19th century. Do you think they will have an easy time believing that you are from years ahead in the future?"
"Well you believe it!"
"I'm a witch. I'm more open. Besides, I have the word of my aunt and she would never lie to me. But it's your choice and you must decide quickly."
"I.I guess I'll trust you. I mean. I don't have anyone else to. But what.what do I do?"
"Focus on the task at hand. Getting back home! Don't let anger or confusion or any other emotions cloud your vision. Remember, you must concentrate, think about how you could have gotten here. Oh yes, and something else. There is the possibility that this witch, the malicious one, is walking amongst you and others. BE CAREFUL! Watch out for whom you trust. And don't alter your fate. Don't allow yourself too be immersed to deeply into this time. Any recklessness may alter your own destiny and could bind you here in this realm forever!"
"Did you have to make that sound so ominous? You said I could trust Robert and Isabel, right?"
"Yes, but even with them you must be careful. Refrain from involving yourself too much in their lives. Now you must go. You must go back to the house and tell no one about this discussion. Do you understand?"
Colette got up and beckoned for Mimi to follow her. She walked her towards the door and opened it.
"Yes, I think."
Colette sighed.
"That will have to do. Now remember everything I said."
Colette watched Mimi leave, and then looked up to the sky with questioning eyes.
****
Mimi woke up the next morning and dressed in a peach colored dress that Isabel let her borrow. She walked down the steps to the front room through the long spacious hallway. She opened the double doors and walked outside. She walked down the stone steps and stood in front of the house seeing what it looked like on the outside for the first time. It was absolutely magnificent and huge! It was built of red brick and stone. Mimi looked at the porch and a large tower off to the side topped with gray sandstone that contrasted nicely with the red brick of the house. There were six archways on the lower part of the house with a single arch to the side leading to the front doors. On top of the arches was built the second story. On top of that, up high was the third story. All the windows were beautifully dome shaped. A sandstone fence and gorgeously cut hedges led the way to the arched entrance. Large trees surrounded the house, covered with fall color leaves that had yet still to fall to the ground. Mimi stood there in awe. This place was unbelievable.
But she had to remember. She had to remember the past. She had to get back home.
"There you are! I've been looking for you."
Mimi turned, a little startled to see Isabel at the top of the stairs standing there in a pink colored dress.
"Sorry. I just wanted to come outside for a minute. This is the first time I've seen the house from the front. It's so big!"
"Yes, it is pretty grand. Nevertheless, I think of it more as a home than anything. Miriam, I was looking for you because Douglas is going to come over later. We're going to play croquet together and I just know that if you play we can convince Robert to join us. So what do you say?" Isabel asked Mimi in a hopeful voice.
Mimi smiled. Wasn't croquet a little like peewee golf?
"Sure Isabel. I'd love to."
****
Mimi now stood with Robert watching Douglas help Isabel swing her mallet. They watched as Isabel hit and the ball went through one of the gates. Isabel let out a shriek of delight and smiled happily. Robert admonished her gently at first for acting so un-ladylike and then let out a little smirk, probably thinking no one would see it. But Mimi saw it. They were playing against each other, Robert and Mimi on one team, Isabel and Douglas on the other.
"Okay, my turn. Wish me luck darling?" Douglas turned to his fiancé with a twinkle in his eye.
"My dear, you don't need luck. You have me." Isabel giggled.
"Isabel!" Robert exclaimed.
"Oh Robert, Don't be such a fuddy duddy!" Isabel replied.
Douglas laughed and hit the ball, making it go through two gates. He turned towards Isabel and gave her a wide grin.
Isabel returned it.
"Okay, your turn, brother-in law to be." Douglas only half joked.
"Watch it you two! Or there will be no celebration tomorrow night!"
Robert gave them each a disapproving look, and then laughed softly to show them HE was just joking. Then he hit the ball through two gates of his own.
"Your turn, my lady."
Robert bowed gracefully to Mimi, causing her to giggle. He smiled at her response.
Mimi swung and hit the ball through three gates. Wow! This really was a lot like peewee golf.
All three of them just stared for a second and then congratulated her.
"You must play this all the time." Robert said in a half-shocked voice.
Mimi wasn't sure how to answer. She felt trapped.
"No, uh.I've played something like it.uh.so there's a celebration tomorrow night?"
Okay, she just FLUNKED Etiquette 101.
Isabel answered her excitedly, unknowingly letting her off the hook.
"Yes, for Douglas coming home! Oh Miriam, it's going to be so wonderful! You and I will just have to go pick out dresses tomorrow!"
"I didn't even know I was invited." Mimi answered shyly.
"Of course you're invited!" Isabel replied with certainty.
"We would love for you to come Miriam." Robert looked at Mimi with a gentle smile.
"And I don't think Isabel will accept no for an answer!"
Douglas laughed, making them all laugh.
Next was Isabel's turn again. Mimi watched as Douglas stood behind her, helping her swing. Mimi remembered when Philip wrapped his arms around her helping her play peewee golf when she tricked him. It made her feel sad for a second. She missed him. She missed a lot of people. She watched them again and felt a memory creep up in her mind:
FLASHBACK: Philip and her walking through somewhere that was dark, she was holding onto his jacket, afraid.
Then the memory went away, but now she knew. She was beginning to remember that night!
Robert watched her, seeing the sadness in her eyes, then the look of.
What was it?
Remembrance?
He wondered what it meant.
****
Mimi was now walking with Robert, Douglas and Isabel into a large very sparsely decorated hall. There were chairs set up in front of a large screen. Men and women were standing around and sitting talking animatedly. Robert and Douglas led Isabel and Mimi to their seats and they all sat down, near the curtain. Mimi wasn't so sure about what they were going to see.
"So Douglas, tell us about this."
Robert looked at Douglas, sitting next to Isabel, for an answer.
"I can't even explain it. It's absolutely fantastic! Wait till you see it."
Douglas directed his attention towards Isabel. He spoke to her in a low whisper.
"And you, you might want to hold onto me."
"Is it terribly scary?" Isabel asked fearfully.
"Just sit close to me darling."
Douglas answered Isabel and put his arm around her chair.
Mimi was really starting to worry now. She shivered a little.
"Are you all right?"
Robert asked her gently. He looked at her with a concerned expression.
"Yes, I'm okay."
Mimi responded, not sounding very convincing.
She flashed back to being with Philip on the wagon. The way he put his arm around her.making her feel warm and relaxed.
Then all of the sudden the lights went out and Mimi jumped. She felt Robert's hand reach for hers and she welcomed his touch.
The sounds of roaring thunder came and lightning flashed along the walls.
FLASHBACK: Walking along a path, a path they normally took now, a shortcut they found to her house, lit up by lightning, being pounded by heavy rain, thunder roaring like a lion.
Mimi shuddered and Robert moved closer to her in concern.
She remembered! She remembered more! They were walking home from school and then-
Bells tolled eerily and a ghostly figure that started out very small and was far away started coming closer, closer and grew bigger and bigger.
Women screamed in the audience and Mimi moved closer to Robert without even realizing it.
He put his arm around her.
Bats appeared on the walls and goblins and skeletons flew out towards the audience accompanied by scary sounds.
Mimi had it.
She turned her face towards Robert, forgetting that she met him only days ago. She buried her face in his jacket, feeling him gently place his hand on her upper back.
****
"So what did you think of the 'Magic Lantern Show'?"
Robert was sitting next to Mimi in the back of his carriage. Isabel and Douglas were riding in Douglas's carriage.
Robert looked at Mimi, waiting for an answer.
"It was.uh.Okay. It absolutely terrified me!"
This in a way surprised Mimi. She was from a time of special effects and yet this thing scared her more than some of the horror movies she had seen!
Robert laughed gently. "Well don't worry about it. You weren't the only one frightened by it."
"Well I doubt it scared you."
"Some parts of it were actually quite horrifying and amazing."
"How can you actually say both things in one sentence?" Mimi asked incredulously.
Robert laughed again. "Ah, Miriam you are quite a delight. But I feel myself at a disadvantage."
Robert looked at Mimi with a curious expression.
"What do you mean?" Mimi asked cautiously.
"You know quite a bit about me. Yet, I know so little about you. Please don't think I'm being intrusive, but I would like it very much if you could tell me a little about yourself."
"Uh, well. I, I have a younger brother and I, I'm pretty protective of him, like you are of Isabel. And I.I know someone that you remind me of ."
Mimi dropped off uncertainly. She looked up to see Robert smiling at her.
"Thank you for trusting me. So I remind you of someone. Hmmm. Friend or foe?"
Mimi laughed.
"That's what Isabel said when I said she reminded me of someone too."
Robert looked at Mimi surprised.
"We both remind you of someone. Gracious! Though you still need to answer my question." Robert teased lightly.
"Friend. He's a friend."
Mimi said a little sadly, missing her friends.
"Nothing more? Please don't answer if I'm asking too much. I just like learning more about you."
Robert spoke seriously now.
"No. No. We're just friends. Nothing more."
So if that was true, why was he one of the people she missed the most?
****
Mimi wandered out into the night again, not sure what was making her want to go outside. Once again, she was wearing only a nightgown and a robe. She kept thinking back to the memory she had during the show. If only she could remember more. She was walking with Philip and-
A black crow flew towards her, coming out of the sky, down, down, down.Closer to her. closer, closer, closer.
Mimi screamed as the black crow flew towards her, and then darted RIGHT over her head.
She ran, falling down as it darted back down towards her.
She let out a terrified scream. "HELP ME! SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME!"
Chapter 15: Witches of Salem, Part IX
Colette came out of the guesthouse, hearing the screams.
Robert heard Mimi's shrieks of terror and ran down the front steps.
The black crow moved towards its target.
Mimi looked up in horror.
"Sister of the night
The lost one needs help
Guide me in using the gift
Join me with my sisters."
Robert raced through the tall grass.
The black crow dived.
Colette raised shrouded hands to the sky, her eyes closed.
Mimi let out a horror-struck scream.
And another.
Lost.
But with the help of others now finding her way back.
Concentrated.
The crow cawed at the unmistakable yet unseen force that lifted it far up into the sky.
Colette opened her eyes. It had worked, but only because of the help of another?
She was growing strong again. Moreover, she was possibly the only one that could help the lost girl.
"Let her memories come back.
in enough time..."
Colette chanted and went back inside the guesthouse.
The lost one hoped it would be soon too.
The malevolent one was up to no good!
Mimi watched as the crow flew away in a very strange way, almost as if something was carrying it.
FLASHBACK: a black crow flying through a storm filled night, rain pounding the ground as she starts screaming hysterically and Philip tries to calm her down.
Then in pure exhaustion and a sense of hopelessness she lay in the tall grass, letting hysterical sobs take over her body.
"MIRIAM!"
Robert yelled, rushing to Mimi's side. He gathered her into his arms, picking her up off the cold ground and held her close to his chest, rocking her in his arms as she cried uncontrollably.
Mimi clung to him, needing comfort, needing to feel safe.
OH, SHE JUST WANTED TO GO HOME!
"Shh.It's all right. it's all right."
Robert spoke to Mimi in a low assured voice, as if he was speaking to a frightened child. Then he swept her up into his arms and carried her into the house.
****
"Here, drink this. It will warm you up."
Mimi took the cup of hot cocoa Robert offered her. She was now sitting on the sofa in the parlor, covered by a blanket that Robert brought for her. Candles lit up the otherwise darkened room. She looked at Robert, sitting across from her in a chair. He was looking at her. She looked away.
"Why are you looking at me?"
"I'm concerned about you and wondering what you were doing outside in the middle of the night."
"I don't know."
"You don't?"
Robert asked her, surprised by her answer.
"No."
Mimi looked down sadly, feeling very very alone.
Robert spoke in an almost pleading voice.
"Please, please tell me how to help you. I know that you are terribly unhappy and if there is anything I can do to make you feel better."
"Look, I know I should be grateful to you for letting me stay here and I am, but you.you can't help me."
Her voice broke off sounding defeated.
Robert looked at her, then got up from the chair and bended down on the floor in front of Mimi. He lifted his hand to her face, stroking her cheek.
"You don't need to be grateful for anything. I'M grateful, for meeting you. But I don't want you to be sad. You can trust me. Let me help you."
His voice was a mere whisper.
Mimi closed her eyes, trembling from his touch. It would be so easy to just give in.to tell him everything.to not have to deal with it all alone anymore. So easy...
Then, Colette's words of warning came to Mimi: 'any recklessness may alter your own destiny and could bind you here in this realm forever.'
Mimi opened her eyes. She could hear her voice shaking as she spoke.
"I'm sorry. I can't. I just can't. Please just understand."
She felt Robert slowly move his hand away from her face.
He spoke in a resigned voice.
"I do, I do. I just wish.No, I won't push you. Just know that I am here for you all right?"
"All right."
****
Mimi was getting ready to go roller-skating. Robert, probably wanting to help get her mind off the previous night, suggested that they go out for the day with Isabel and Douglas. Later Isabel told her she would help her pick out a dress for the celebration for Douglas. Mimi was looking forward to the party and was apprehensive about it. It sounded so fancy! She went to the Coronation for Greta, but she had a feeling that this was going to be even bigger. She also couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen tonight.
The flashbacks were coming more, but she still had no idea where she and Philip ended up that night. Were they together when all this stuff happened to her, going back to the 19th century, or were they apart? Why was this house, in an odd way, starting to seem familiar? What about the crow? Was it following her or something? What was with the names? Meeting one person that reminded you of someone was one thing, but your closest friends and.foes? Who were the two battling voices in her head? Witches?
OOHH, It made her head hurt to keep thinking about it and sometimes now when she had a flashback it made her feel dizzy.
Was one of the "sources" trying to keep her from remembering? She wondered.
Then there was Robert.
OH Robert! The way he could make her feel.but it was dangerous. He reminded her so much of Philip and yet he wasn't him.
The more she remembered, the more she realized that though these people reminded her of people she knew: they weren't them. They were strangers, some of them very nice and caring, but strangers nonetheless. Her friends were back in Salem, 2001. And she had to get back to them.
Back to her life.
Back to her family.
Back to.
Philip.
****
Mimi struggled once more to stand upright. She roller bladed lots of times, but roller skating was something she was not used to. And this version of it! The boots were heavy and bulky. The wheels were rough and felt slippery. The floor was coarse in places. And there were so many people!
"Whoa!"
Mimi nearly fell, but Robert grabbed her arm before she could, with a smile.
"Thanks." She meekly replied.
"My pleasure. Here, why don't you hold onto me?"
Robert kept a hold of her arm as Mimi grasped onto it with her hand.
"Okay, but don't be surprised if I start to fall and bring you down with me."
Mimi shakily moved her legs, trying to figure out how to work her skates around the rink.
Robert laughed with an amused smile.
"I'll just have to make sure that does not happen."
Mimi shakily smiled back, and then noticed Isabel and Douglas. They were over on the other side, laughing and both skating pretty well.
She wasn't looking where she was going and completely lost her balance, bringing Robert down with her. He tried to keep them on their feet, but Mimi fell down fast and he couldn't prevent himself from falling with her. He did manage to keep a firm grasp of her though, preventing her from getting hurt.
They landed, Mimi on the ground, sitting down, Robert on his knees, his face inches from hers. She held onto his upper arms. He was holding onto her waist. She looked up into his eyes.
And remembered.
FLASHBACK: Philip holding onto her, trying to calm her down as the fierce winds raged around them, Philip seeing something.up ahead.what did he see?.focus.FOCUS!
"Ahh!"
Suddenly she felt a sharp piercing pain, a horrible headache and her vision blurred. Mimi faltered, grasping Robert for support.
"Gracious, you're hurt!"
Robert looked at Mimi with concern, holding onto her.
"No, no. I'm okay. I just, I. Please, can you just help me up?"
Mimi answered him, feeling a little weak, but realizing she couldn't tell him about the memory.
Robert helped Mimi up, with a questioning look. Why wouldn't she confide in him?
Witches of Salem, Part X
Mimi stood in the middle of the beautiful room watching everything with wonder in her eyes. The room was huge, a giant ballroom that had a polished hardwood floor and a high ceiling, from which fantastic chandeliers hung. At one end of the room, sat a small orchestra playing one waltz right after the other. Waiters and servers walked around carrying wine, champagne and small snacks. Men and women dressed stunningly, danced merrily and enjoyed the ambiance. Mimi was having a hard time believing that she was even there.
"Miriam, isn't this absolutely wonderful? Robert doesn't really care for these types of things, but I'm so glad I got him to give in and have this here. And the best part is that it's all for Douglas. I'm so happy to have him back in Salem."
Mimi turned to Isabel, enjoying her enthusiasm. She looked absolutely beautiful, in a turquoise dress made of fine silk, accented by almost white lace, a frilled panel in the back, embroidered flowers, puffy sleeves and a square neckline framed by lace. Her hair, partly up and partly trailing down to her neck, had flower decorations all over it.
Mimi thought that she herself didn't look that bad either. Isabel earlier had helped her pick out a silk emerald colored gown to match her eyes. It had an embroidered panel of flowers, a low square neckline, pleated puff sleeves, a draped bodice and a long flowing skirt that opened slightly at the side, revealing a pleated skirt underneath, lined with embroidered flowers. Her hair was partly up like Isabel's and had matching flowers in it.
"I can't believe that this is actually a room in your house. It's so large and magnificent."
Mimi, spoke looking around the room in awe. She would never get used to this.
"Yes, but the truth is we hardly ever use it. Robert's always working. He usually doesn't have the time for functions like this."
Isabel looked around, noticing someone with distaste.
"Oh no, I was hoping she wouldn't be here. Robert must have invited her or maybe she invited herself."
Mimi looked over to see Jeanette sauntering in, dressed in an almost scarlet silk gown, her hair up high on her head. Jeanette immediately headed over towards Robert, waiting for him to kiss her cheek and then giggling at something he said as she held onto his arm. Mimi watched with displeasure.
"Isabel, do you mind me asking why you don't care for Jeanette?"
Mimi was curious, but she worried a little if the question would be well received. She hoped it wasn't too forward or offensive.
"Don't care for her? I can't stand her! First, there was Colette, who totally broke Robert's heart. I may tease him at times, but I love my brother dearly. He has always taken care of me and I could NEVER like someone who would hurt him. And that is what Colette did, whether she intended it or not. And Jeanette, she just wants his money. I know it!"
"Uh, are they.are they together, because.I mean we went to that show last night.wouldn't that be, I don't know, improper?"
"No it wouldn't be, because they are not together. Jeanette likes to pretend they are, but she is only fooling herself. I don't know if I should be saying all of this or not, but I feel so comfortable with you Miriam. After Colette, Robert focused only on his work. He tolerates Jeanette, out of kindness, I think, but he doesn't really care for her."
Isabel suddenly smiled.
"Actually, I think he's taken quite a liking towards you. I think he really cares about you Miriam. Oh, if the two of you were to become a couple, that would be so wonderful. I just know someone like you would never hurt him and you would be good for each other!
"Isabel are you trying to be a matchmaker, my dear?"
Mimi watched as Douglas came behind Isabel and placed his hands on her waist, giving Mimi a friendly smile. "Miriam, you look wonderful."
"Doesn't she, Douglas? Miriam, this dress is absolutely perfect on you!" Isabel gushed.
"I agree entirely."
Mimi nearly jumped at the sound of Robert's voice. She turned around and was face to face with him. And, oh, how he looked.
"You look lovely Miriam."
Robert took her hand in his and gallantly kissed it.
Isabel latched onto her fiancé.
"Let's go dance Douglas."
She waltzed away with Douglas, winking at Mimi.
Mimi looked up at Robert. He was wearing a black tuxedo, very similar to the one Philip wore at The Coronation. It had a low cut waistcoat with a narrow collar and black pants. His shirt was white and his bow tie was white. The collar and cuffs of the waistcoat were lined with black velvet. His hair was the way he usually wore it, swept away from his face, with slight waves, but tonight it looked especially good...
"Uh, you look very nice too."
Mimi felt a little shaky. He was very kind, but he was also so dignified.
"Thank you, but I would much rather enjoy dancing with such a lovely lady than just standing here. Would you do me the honor, Miriam?"
Robert bowed low to Mimi, holding out his hand for her to dance with him.
Mimi looked at him, worriedly.
"I'm, I'm not sure how to dance to this music."
Sure, she had danced with Shawn at The Coronation, but this was a gentleman, a very dignified one.
"Just follow my lead and you will do fine. Besides, I have the utmost faith in you."
He stood up straight, keeping his hand held out for her with a smile.
Mimi smiled back and brought her hand out, feeling Robert take it in his. Then he placed one hand on her waist and held her hand with his other. He moved slowly, turning her around and around. Mimi looked up into his eyes and let him lead. She felt him pick up the pace a little and she felt almost like she was flying. Around and around they spun in circles over the polished wood floor.
The song ended and they stopped dancing, just looking at each other. Then they moved apart.
"Excuse me."
Mimi looked at Jeanette as she laced her arm through Robert's and gave her an almost evil smile. Then she looked up at Robert, smiling at him sweetly. Too sweetly for Mimi's taste!
"Robert dearest, would you dance with me? I just absolutely love this song! You don't mind, do you Mabel?"
"Jeanette." Robert began.
"It's Miriam, JUNIPER, not Mabel." Mimi responded with false innocence.
Robert stifled a laugh and Jeanette gave Mimi a deadly look.
"Don't worry. We can talk later." Mimi spoke only to Robert, ignoring Jeanette.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Have fun, you two."
With that, Mimi walked away, noticing Victor and Colette come in. Colette was wearing a vivid blue satin dress and her hair was twisted up high with matching flowers. Victor was dressed like the other men, in a tuxedo. Colette gave Mimi a small nod, but did nothing else to acknowledge her. Mimi watched as they went to the middle of the floor and started dancing together. She looked over a little more and saw Jeanette and Robert dancing together. He was so graceful, but the way Jeanette just kept holding onto him, flirting with him, laughing, smiling.
UGH!
****
Mimi walked up the front stairs, unnoticed by anyone. Feeling unhappy, she left the ballroom. Maybe, she thought, she should just go to bed early. She walked down the long hallway, stopping at a partially opened room. She had no idea why she felt so inclined to enter it. She entered the lavishly decorated room. There was a large bed with a canopy of burgundy and gold curtains hanging overhead. The floor was done in a medium shaded wood finish, with a carpet, that matched the bed, in the middle. There was a dark wood washstand and dressing table, but some pictures on the wall were what got Mimi's attention.
She walked over to look more closely at two pictures that hung near the fireplace. Something about those pictures.
One was of a very old couple and the other looked like a family picture, including Isabel and Robert as children.
But, wait a minute shouldn't there be one more? There was one mis-
"That's Isabel and myself with our parents. We were just children then."
Mimi turned around, shocked, to see Robert standing in the doorway, watching her.
This.this room, is it, uh is."
Mimi couldn't finish. He had completely surprised her and now she felt like the little kid caught stealing cookies from the cookie jar.
"It's mine. You don't have to look so scared. I'm not angry."
Robert smiled at her gently, but his face also revealed a questioning look.
"I didn't mean to be rude or anything. I'll go-"
Mimi stopped abruptly when Robert entered the room completely and stood in her way.
He lightly touched her arm.
"Please, don't.Let me show you the other picture."
"O-okay."
"It's of my grandparents, on my mother's side. They're no longer alive, but that painting of them is one of my favorites."
"This is going to sound strange, but is there, was there another picture here.before?"
Mimi looked up at Robert questioningly from where he stood beside her.
"No, it's always just been those two. But.I can't believe you just asked me that question-"
"I'm sorry-"
"No, no there's nothing wrong with it. It's just.you see, I always planned to put up a third picture, one of my wife, future wife and myself after I get married. I never told anyone about it. How did."
Robert's voice dropped off as he looked at Mimi with wonder.
FLASHBACK: Walking into a very old looking room with Philip carrying a candle in front, seeing pictures on the walls, pictures of-
Robert grabbed Mimi before she could fall.
"Miriam?"
He questioned worriedly.
For a second Mimi had felt dizzy, but then she recovered, with the help of Robert holding onto her.
"I'm, I'm okay."
Robert just shook his head and let go of her, feeling frustration from the fact that she wasn't telling him the whole truth. Then he came to a decision.
"Would you come somewhere with me?"
"What about Jeanette?"
"Jeanette? She probably won't even notice."
"She seemed very happy to be dancing with you."
"She's happy that I'm rich. Come with me, please?"
Robert held out his hand to Mimi.
Mimi looked at the outstretched hand, saying nothing at first, and then finally took it.
"Okay."
Outside the window, the black crow watched.
****
Mimi followed Robert up the steps, the numerous steps, until they reached the top and looked down. She could see everything, all of Salem and on the other side, the ocean.
He had taken her to a lighthouse that his father had built years ago. She walked to the side closest to the ocean and gazed at the beautiful sight. It was a star filled night and the only light they had was a lantern that Robert had been carrying and put down when they reached the top.
"I love to come here, on nights like this. You can see everything, including the ocean, the mysterious ocean. My father used to bring me here when I was a child and I knew, I knew that the sea was the life for me."
Mimi looked back at him, from where he stood a little behind her. He looked so wistful. It tore at her.
"Robert, you shouldn't give up on your dream. You've raised your sister. Now it's your turn. You deserve to be happy and I just know you can find someone who will agree with that."
Mimi shivered a little, feeling the coolness in the air, and pulled Robert's jacket closer around her. He had let her wear it.
Robert said nothing, just staring at her.
Feeling unsure of herself, Mimi turned back to look out at the ocean, shivering again.
Losing herself in the dark deep depths of the water, she was taken off guard when his hands wrapped around her waist.his warm breath against her neck.
"Miriam."
Robert started.
She trembled as she felt his hand lace its way up her arm towards her face, his fingers tracing tiny lines.
"Robert."
Then she felt herself being turned around in his arms as he brought his hands up to her face, cradling it. Mimi closed her eyes and felt his lips softly touch hers as he bent his head down towards hers. She sighed, feeling his mouth part under hers, his hands moving across her face with soft touches. She laced her hands around his neck, moving them up to his hair, running her hands through it.
Feeling so.
FLASHBACK: Philip holding her, then yelling, pointing out the way to a house, a large house, a very old but FAMILIAR looking house.
Mimi broke away, gasping for air as she weakly pushed Robert back. She stood there trying to regain her senses as he gently let go of her.
Home, she had to get back home. She had to go back. She had to find out what happened. If they entered the house together, where was Philip now?
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
Robert looked at Mimi, also sounding like he was trying to catch his breath. His face looked so apologetic.
"No, no, it wasn't you. You didn't do anything wrong. I wanted it too. It's just, I, I'm sorry."
Mimi's voice broke off as tears started falling from her eyes.
"I just.I need to get home."
Mimi started crying. Robert took a gorgeously monogrammed handkerchief out of his pocket and started to wipe at her tears with it. Then he handed it to her and took her into his arms. She rested her head against his chest, closing her eyes.
"Is it him too.this friend.perhaps he means more to you?"
Robert stroked Mimi's hair and spoke to her softly.
"No, no he.would never feel that way about me.we're, we're just friends.nothing more."
"Perhaps.for now, but later. possibly more." Robert sighed. "Oh, Miriam, I've offered to help you, but you've not allowed it. So, what do I do? Miriam, I care for you so much, How do I-"
Mimi opened her eyes and stepped back from him, lifting her hand.
"No, don't. Could you just give me a minute.alone?"
"You want me to leave you up here alone?" Robert's voice was incredulous.
"Maybe you could just wait for me outside the door, you know that little hallway or whatever we walked through before we got to this part of the lighthouse."
"I don't know."
"I'll be fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Please?"
"All right. But I'll be right outside the door and only for a couple of minutes."
Mimi laughed softly.
"It's not like anything could happen. Anyone would have to get past you to end up on this side of the door.
"True, but I don't want you up here alone, regardless. Only a couple of minutes."
"Wait, your handkerchief."
Mimi started to hand it to him but he stopped her.
"It's alright. You can hold onto it for me."
Robert stepped towards her and took her into his arms, kissing the top of her hair. Then he left her alone.
She watched the door close.
"YOU SILLY LITTLE FOOL."
Mimi turned around suddenly, startled, and was face to face with Jeanette. She was now wearing a midnight blue colored dress, cut in jagged edges. Oh my gosh, she was a-
"Yes, I am a witch. BOO!"
Mimi jumped.
"Ha, ha ha, ha! So surprised that I can guess your thoughts are you? Well it's not WITCHCRAFT or anything such. You just have such an easily readable face. You're absolutely horrid at trying to hide things. Did you think you could come here as my puppet and obtain ROBERT for yourself? Did you honestly think that?"
Jeanette moved toward Mimi with a menacing look.
Mimi screamed. Robert was right outside the door. He would be there in a minute.
So why wasn't he coming?
"Oh my, you poor dear."
Jeanette's voice dripped with cruel sarcasm.
"He can't hear you. He's under my spell. There is no hope for you."
FLASHBACK: Three pictures in a room: one of his grandparents, one of his family, one of him with his future wife, that looked so much like Mimi, she looks back to tell Philip and can't find him.
"AHHH!"
Mimi screamed out, holding her head in agony. With the flashback came torturous pain. Her vision blurred, but somehow she managed to hold herself upright, leaning against one of the sides of the lighthouse ledge.
"How.how did you get up here?"
"I flew."
"Witches can't fly."
"They can if they have the ability to become something else."
Jeanette smiled at Mimi darkly.
FLASHBACK: a black crow watching her from a shelf.
Mimi nearly fainted this time from the pain.
Then there was a new voice.
"How dare you do such harm to this poor child? YOU are the fool, Jeanette. For thinking your evil plan would work! And when it didn't work completely to your satisfaction what do you do? Torture the poor girl!"
Mimi stared at the luminescent appearance of a woman before her, a woman who looked so much like herself, only her hair was more red and longer and she looked older, close to Robert's age.
The woman in the picture, it was her!
Mimi shakily tried to move away, terrified.
"Oh, don't be frightened. I am here to help you."
"YOU! I BINDED YOU-"
"Yes, but it didn't work when this young woman was strong enough to fight against your sick spell and when others decided to help her."
The woman, so much like Mimi, laughed.
"You didn't know that Colette was related to one of the most strongest of us did you, JEANETTE, or should I call you JUNIPER?" The woman laughed once more.
"I found that completely hilarious."
She smiled encouragingly at Mimi. Mimi just stared in shock.
"But you're not completely whole yet. Robert will NEVER be yours. He is MINE."
Jeanette angrily responded to the woman.
"What, so you can have all his money and use him and Isabel to your liking? I don't think so. You will end this ridiculous spell, do you understand me? You will return this poor girl back to her home and Robert and I WILL be together as is meant to be!"
The woman crouched down near Mimi.
"It is all right. I will see to it that you get back home."
"Who, who are you?"
My name is Melinda. I am a witch and I am Robert's intended wife to be. Everything you have learned is true, but you have taken my place. To you, everyone appears to look like those you know, but it is only one of the tricks of the spell. If you saw us as we REALLY are, we would not look so familiar. It is all because of Jeanette. She thought Robert would never care for you and that she could become his if I wasn't around. She thought wrong. She thought you would be weak and not fight to remember. She thought wrong. She thought I would give up. She thought wrong."
Melinda stood up and looked Jeanette straight in the eye.
Mimi felt terribly confused, but she felt the pressure and pain of remembering alleviating. She could do it now without the agony. But she still hadn't remembered everything. If only she could. Exactly what happened and how did she get there? Oh my gosh, her and Robert, they.
"Robert and I, we, we. I don't even know you, but I know, I can feel that you were one of the ones helping me.I'm sorry."
"It's all right. I don't blame you. You had no realization of what was happening. It makes me only cherish my Dear Robert more for taking such good care of you. I don't blame either of you."
Melinda spoke gently to Mimi, and then directed her attention towards Jeanette.
"I blame YOU. Now you will return this girl back to her realm, to her loved ones."
FLASHBACK: Turning around to not see Philip, where is he?, she screams for him, runs out into the hallway, sees an open door, goes in, into a strange room filled with strange things, she knocks down some bottles, while trying to leave the room, a heavy thick smoke appears, making her feel weak, a black crow watches her.
She knew now. She knew how she got there. Jeanette used her to separate Robert and Melinda. Why her, she didn't know. But somehow she cast her into her spell, leading her and Philip to the house.the crow leading them.watching them.and then she brought Mimi here, to this other time.
But once again, if she was here, where was Philip?
Mimi tried to let go of her fear and faced Jeanette.
"WHERE IS HE? WHERE'S PHILIP?"
"That pathetic boy that was with you?"
Jeanette questioned with a cruel smile.
"What did you do with him?"
"Where is the boy, Jeanette?"
Melinda pierced Jeanette with her eyes.
"You don't know where he is either?"
Mimi asked Melinda, her voice full of fear.
"No, I'm sorry I don't. This was all Jeanette's doing. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HIM?
" Melinda's voice was icy.
"How should I know what happened to him? I focused only on this insolent brat. I didn't care what happened to him. Most likely he is still floating around. Or dead."
Jeanette answered in an uncaring voice.
"NO!"
Mimi screamed, feeling agony again, this time from somewhere deep inside her. She clutched at the ledge of the lighthouse for support.
"JEANETTE, YOU HORRID CREATURE, HOW COULD YOU DO SUCH A THING?"
"PHILIP!"
Mimi screamed out and collapsed.
****
"MIMI!"
Philip screamed, watching in horror as she hit her head hard and fell like a lifeless rag doll.
He ran to her, falling to his knees beside her still body.
"She hit her head Philip! She might have a concussion! Don't move her!"
His friends yelled out to him as he focused only on her.
She had to be all right.
She had to be.
****
"Hhmm... Oh."
Mimi could hear voices, around her as she started to open her eyes slowly and saw faces above hers, familiar faces.
"She's coming around."
"She's waking up."
"She's opening her eyes."
"Come on Meems, that's it, open your eyes, you can do it."
"Oh, my head."
"Come on you guys, let's give her some room."
Philip turned towards his friends, motioning with his hands for them to move back. Then he directed his attention back at her, his hands at her sides.
"Philip?"
Mimi questioned weakly.
"Yeah. No don't try to get up."
Philip pushed her back gently when she tried to sit up.
"You hit the back of your head against a casket, it's okay. Just stay down."
"A casket? Where, where are we? What happened?" Mimi asked, confused.
"Don't you remember? We're at one of the houses they decorated to look like it was haunted. It's Halloween. This guy came out of this other casket and scared you. You ran away so fast and tripped hitting your head on one of the other caskets." Philip looked down at Mimi with concern.
"Yeah, we thought Philip was going to punch that guy out after you fell. He was furious. The poor guy tried to tell him he was just doing his job." Brady smiled at Mimi encouragingly and Chloe, Belle and Shawn watched her, with worried expressions.
"Robert, what happened to him, and.and.Melinda."
"Oh my gosh, she's hallucinating!" Belle replied in shock.
"Or she hit her head too hard and is going crazy." Chloe deadpanned, immediately wishing she had just kept her mouth shut, after receiving some angry looks. Mimi and she would never be friends, but she hoped that she would be okay.
Philip turned towards his friends. "Stop it you guys." Then he turned back towards Mimi with a gentle expression.
"Meems, try to remember."
Mimi looked up at Philip, his kind eyes, and remembered him picking her up at her house, then meeting with their friends and touring the houses. Something that looked like a mummy jumped out at her and she ran.then everything went black.
Oh my goodness, it was just a dream! It had all been a dream!
Philip's eyes were so full of concern.
"I remember.that mummy jumped out at me and then.I ended up here on the ground."
Her friends sighed in relief.
****
Mimi sat against a pillow. Philip and the rest of her friends went to go get their jackets, which were hanging on a rack near the front door of the house. After feeling her head for a bump, Philip helped her sit up, insisting that the take her to the hospital since there was one there on the back of her head. She sat there waiting, noticing something on the ground that looked like.
No, it couldn't be.
It was just a dream.or was it?
She reached for the object and watched in horror as a black bird, a black crow, flew through an open window ready to snatch it.
Then.
A beautiful white dove flew into the room right after it and miraculously reached the object first.
Staring into Mimi' eyes.
Mimi saw the three pictures now, the last one of Robert and Melinda smiling together, in each other's arms.
Then she saw a vision of them on their wedding day, kissing passionately and lovingly.
Mimi stared back at the dove. It seemed to almost smile.
She felt a smile grow on her face too, as she watched it fly out through the window, the object in its possession.
Mimi sighed.
They were together.
Finally, they were together.
"Mimi?"
Mimi turned around and saw Philip crouching down near her, his eyes questioning.
Her emotions took over.
The thought of losing him had been so awful.
She reached for him, holding onto him fiercely.
"Meems?"
Philip asked, feeling her arms holding onto him tightly.
He started to return her embrace.
Mimi just sighed and closed her eyes, her head against his shoulder.
Until he started to assist her with getting up and helped her put on her jacket.
With a soft look in his eyes.
Those oh so familiar eyes.
She was home.
~*~
The dove glided through the air, carrying in her grasp the monogrammed handkerchief.
Her most treasured possession.
The object that would lead her back to the one she loved.
And the one who loved her.
The End of Chapter 15
Okay, now I have to list my resources and tell about my inspiration for this story.
I never would have been able to write this story without my main inspiration for it:
A book titled: The Wicked Pigeon Ladies in the Garden: By Mary Chase
It is beautifully and terrifyingly written. It's actually a children's book (my teacher read it to my class when I was in the 6th grade and I immediately loved it) Adults can read it too though and enjoy it. It is such a great horror story, in the old-fashioned sense. It's what gave me the idea for the crow and the going back in time.
In addition, there is a wonderful web site, called Victorian Station. It has EVERYTHING you could ever want to know about the Victorian time period and Victorian houses. It helped me so much with descriptions of the house, the people, and their hobbies and traditions.
"The Magic Lantern Show" is real. It was a show where they used various size lanterns to project things on screens and walls and make it look like they were getting bigger or coming closer. The site said that at one of the first shows all the women fainted in the audience! I thought it even sounded scarier than some of our movies today!
This sight also gave me the inspiration for the house. The house I described is real, on the outside. It's called the Harry Packer Mansion and it's in Pennsylvania. It's run as an Inn now and they even have Who Done It mysteries.
Various factual books helped me out too. Here's a list of them.
1. Costume 1066-1966 By John Peacock
2. Victorian Scrapbook By Cynthia Hart, John Grossman and Priscilla Dunhill
3. The Encyclopedia of Victoriana
Mara
Okay, this was the end of this chapter, but the story isn't over at all. There's a lot more dealing with Philip and Mimi in realtime Salem.