Chapter Seven: Remedied
As Marie-Christine wandered into the forest, Phillipe fled in the other direction; determined that today was the day upon which he would at last receive everything he had ever wanted... and more...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You have returned," the small gypsy woman whispered, as Phillipe took a seat beside her.
He nodded, "I need-- something... something that would knock a girl unconscious for an hour or two."
She stared at him; her ancient eyes wide-- almost as if with misunderstanding, but the look soon subsided, and she pulled a small vial full of a shimmering silver liquid out of her pocket, "If one was to take this vial," she whispered, "and use it on someone, the person's eyes would remain open, but the rest of their body would almost freeze in a way... They would be utterly defenseless."
"Give it to me," he whispered, holding out his hand.
She shook her head gently, "I cannot."
"If you are afraid of being punished for selling it, I promise that if I am caught I will not place the blame on you."
"That is not what I fear," she replied, gently, tucking the vial away, "I have a moral duty to God and the stars to not allow you to have it, for if you were to take it, I know what would soon befall the girl your fantasies seek-- You will die if you attempt to harm her."
He laughed, gently, "You will give it to me," he quickly pulled out his hunting dagger, "whether you are aware of it or not..."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phillipe was soon within the forest again; the vial hidden away in his shirt-pocket-- he had murdered the gypsy leader-- the 'queen' as she was called, and he felt no remorse for his crime; she had attempted to come between what he wanted, and she had gotten what she deserved. He had last seen Marie-Christine nearly an hour before, and he knew that the way from this side of the forest to hers was to take nearly four or five; he knew this for he had made the journey many times before just to be able to watch her as she worked in the garden...
He smiled; today, all of his dreams would become realities, and Marie-Christine would at last be his.
He suddenly remembered the gypsy's warning-- 'You will surely die if you attempt to harm her.'
What did that old bitch know?
Besides, he wasn't going to hurt Marie-Christine much...
He laughed, hoping that when he found Marie-Christine, she would not put up much of a struggle...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An untidy pile of discarded flowers... the tower that had served as a watching place in war times; he soon found Marie-Christine, and smiled at how helpless she was, as always; only this time, he would be able to take advantage of it.
Little liar, he thought to himself, watching Marie-Christine waking, That will soon be remedied when you are mine... He grinned, toothily, watching her; she had been sleeping beneath an oak tree, and her beautiful red cloak was lying beside her; she looked frightened as she stood-- anxious to get home.
She muttered something, but it was hard to decipher the word; he moved ever so slightly; disturbing the bush in which he had hidden, and making the slightest sound; her eyes fell on the spot, and she saw him, for she let out such a high-pitched scream that it echoed throughout the forest for miles on either end.
"No once can hear you now," he whispered, approaching her.