Chapter 5 – Brave
"This does not happen as much as it used to, us walking home together. It is the nicest". Sabrina was coming back from the Paramount, holding Harvey's hand. After all that went down with Uncle Jesse and him eventually passing away, not being strong enough to make it through the witch exorcism performed on him, it was nice to simply roam around Greendale, hand in hand with Harvey, catch a movie. She could not help but smile when he was around. It was nothing he said or did in particular, just his presence that made her unbelievably at ease. They need not to have a deep conversation to enjoy the time they spend together. For instance, he was asking her about Thanksgiving plans, to which she answers it is not a big deal in the family. This conversation is actually not a big deal. Yet, it just feels so right. Then, the more serious topics comes around. His grand-father is going to be in town, which involves "deer-hunting". Sabrina could not imagine Harvey hunting, going after poor animals, especially not deer, they were lovely. Harvey never fails, does he? When she tells him she did not know he hunted, he right away answered he did not. Actually, she did not even need to finish the question, he did guess and answer before the words could even get out of her mouth. That is just how they were, they could understand each other. It's been so many years, they knew each other by heart.
"Promise me you'll be careful", she cannot help but voicing her worry, even when it is the slightest. Rationally, she realizes that nothing bad could happen to him with his father, grand-father and Tommy around, but she needed him safe. Vitally. She wanted him around, a few more minutes, at least, so she asks him if he would come in, to say hi. Then, all of a sudden, she notices this weird undefined blood-dripping object hanging on the front door of the Mortuary. Quick, she had to think quick. The Aunties are having someone over, she forgot. Harvey does not see through it. How could he? He is so trusting and kind-hearted and adorably naïve – in a positive way. When she asks for a raincheck, he fondly smiles and says "sure", he does not question her, does not even give her a weird look which would be deserved given her volte-face. He does not though, because he is Harvey Kinkle. And that's why she loved him.
Nicholas Scratch had heard a rumor earlier that night that the Spellman's were going to be selected for the Feast of Feasts. He was worried sick. He never understood the fuss around this tradition. First, human flesh tested horrible for some reason. Most importantly, he did not understand why each year, someone had to be sacrificed. He accepted it, blindly, because it was the Dark Lord's will and the High Priest's teachings, but he always had his doubts. These began when he delved into Edward Spellman's teachings and theories, and discovered that the he actually banned the ritual back in the days he was High Priest. Then Father Blackwood took over after Edward Spellman's passing, and it came back – apparently on a revelation from the Dark Lord. He knew the story behind the witch who sacrificed herself so that other witches could survive off her flesh. Yet, this did not prove entirely satisfactory an explanation as to why a witch needed to die each year, in particular in times when the coven's ranks were depleting, they certainly did not need to be a woman down.
As a warlock, he never had to personally worry about the Feast, he was not eligible for sacrifice. As an orphan, he did not have any direct family member to worry about, so he pretty much spent every Feast in the back of the Desecrated Church, disgusted at the cannibalistic scene the ceremony would offer – but with no real sign of solidarity to the witch that was being eaten. However, nothing was the same anymore. Sabrina, his friend Sabrina – he snorted at the use of the word, friend, right, if we expect the fact that you literally drool as a pre-teen just thinking of her, sure she is a friend – was potentially on the line to be Queen of the Feast, and be eaten. Be gone, forever. Officially transubstantiated to live eternally in the Dark Lord's heart. At least, that was the official version they were taught, and thus, forced to believe. It is not that he did not trust Father Blackwood – how could he not? The coven under him had saved him, raised him, ever since he was a kid, it is just that he could not understand the point, although one of their first teachings was to never question the Dark Lord's will.
When she entered the Academy, Sabrina heard the Weird Sisters discuss excitedly the prospect of Prudence being selected for the Feast, when she approached to seek for confirmation, Prudence confirms, not without reminding Sabrina that she was a "half-breed" and "not a real witch." There is no greater honor, Sabrina could not believe what she was hearing. As the Sisters were leaving, she saw Nicholas passing by. "Nicholas, wait, wait up. Where do you stand on the Feast of Feasts?" She needed to know. She knew Nicholas was extremely knowledgeable, and she respected his mastery of the witch world, and if her father was one of his sources, he sure must have an approach that is more balance that Prudence's. For some reason, she was worried about Prudence. She could not say why, the girl was – is – awful to her, berating her, belittling her every occasion she gets, although things got sort of slightly better after the harrowing, but there was a long way to go before they could be called friends.
Nick felt her look on him, it is almost as if she were pleading with him to give the right answer. Knowing her and her skepticism for everything witch-related, he figured out she was at least as unsettled about the Feast as him. For a second, he lost himself in her hazel eyes, it was as if he were hypnotized, then he said: "I am a conscientious objector. I think it's bonkers." It was the answer she was looking for. It was the first time he said that out loud, to anyone. Even to himself, he always had his doubts but never did he dare say it that straightforwardly. Spellman spell, he thought. He then tells her about how her father banned the Feast of Feasts because it was barbaric and how Faustus Blackwood reinstated it upon revelation from the Dark Lord. The more he talks to her, the bigger his worry gets. He knows her family was selected, but he needed to make sure she was safe, that her life was not on the line. "Wait, you're not a tribute, are you?"
"No, my Aunt Zelda is putting herself forth", Nick was reassured, she was going to stay around. But what if her Aunt Zelda was sacrificed? She raised Sabrina, she must be attached to her, care about her. His thoughts were shortened when Sabrina added: "but I wonder if she'd feel differently about the Feast if I were on the chopping block." Nick could not say anything, he looked at her, trying his best not to show that he was lost. Sabrina could not put herself forth, she could not take the risk. He didn't even know why he cared so much. He never cared. Never. Not for anyone. He knew Sister Zelda, she kept to herself, was Edward Spellman's sister and was a devout to the Dark Lord. Of course, she would take the opportunity to become Queen of the Feast and please the Dark Lord. Sabrina should let her, after all, it is her will. Why would she need to put herself in danger? Zelda had lived for centuries, and Sabrina was too young to be sacrificed.
Later that day, as the sorting ceremony was about to start, Sabrina stormed in the Desecrated Church and interrupted the High Priest's speech about the significance of the Feast and how the life of the coven was more important than the life of an individual witch. "Stop. I'll draw, I'll draw for the Spellman family". That Zelda was annoyed with her niece's behavior was an understatement. She was furious. She knew Sabrina – and she knew her brother too, his stubbornness, his defiance, she had inherited it all – and could see right through what she was trying to do, unlike Nicholas who was sitting in the Desecrated Church, bewildered, stunned at this 16-year-old witch who showed little respect to the coven's traditions and rites, and barged into the Church to replace her Aunt on the stand. He could not imagine what would push her to do that. "I am upholding a beloved tradition, Aunt Zelda. Unless of course you want to admit that this whole thing is barbaric, as my father believed". There it was. She wanted to corner her Aunt, so that she could publically show her dismay at the thought of her niece possibly being scarified. She wanted to see how far her Aunt's devotion went. In the process, she called the Feast barbaric, in front of the entire coven and she could not care less about the murmurs and whispers around her. He thought so and until today, never dared to voice his opinion loudly – yet he did, to her; and there she was, telling the entire coven without any sort of hesitation. She was something else, he thought, once again. Not only was she brave and bold, but she was also warm, she radiated with a sort of energy that gave courage to others, that is what enabled him to put words on his thoughts on the Feast.
Sabrina went by instinct. She had not exactly planned how she was going to about her Aunt Zee and the Feast, all she knew was that she needed to do something, and she remembered earlier today listening to that song in a shop in Greendale. Say what you want to say and let the words fall out, honestly, I just wanna see be brave. She was not sure who sang that, although the voice did sound familiar. She was taken aback when her Aunt agreed to let her represent the family and be "brave" – that word again, in less than thirty seconds.
While the ceremony was unfolding, Nicholas was restless. He did not understand why. He did not know Sabrina all that well, yet, he was on the edge of his seat, praying Satan and all his demons for Sabrina to be spared. For him to be spared. It was a close call between Sabrina and Prudence, and the latter prevailed – so to say. Nicholas let out a heavy breath he was holding during the entire process. He got so close to losing Sabrina, save for the small detail that he did not have her. Harvey Kinkle did. He did not worry about Prudence. He knew her for as long as he could remember, and yet, he felt no urgency at all. She wanted it after all. Sabrina was safe. Swimming in his thoughts, he was brought back to reality when Father Blackwood exclaimed: "Kneel before your Queen." He kneeled, for the tradition smirking at the thought that Prudence had done more kneeling with him than the other way around. The smirk turned into a soft smile when he saw that Sabrina had not kneeled. Of course, she would not. She does everything out of sheer passion and conviction. She was unconvinced by the Feast to say the least and would not participate in any of it. That strength to stand up to an entire coven, to centuries of tradition; he was simply in awe.
Later that night, Sabrina tried to understand – to no avail – the reasons for Prudence's absolute ecstasy to the idea of being Queen, and well, be killed and eaten by the coven while she was scrubbing her back. As she struggled to find sleep, she heard moans and laughter coming from Ambrose's room. And there they were, the Weird Sisters, Ambrose, Luke and Nick, drenched with sweat, engaged in a steamy orgy. She first tried to call on Ambrose, but he was too caught up with the action to answer, so she turned to the second.
"Nicholas, what are you doing here?", Sabrina murmured. Nick stopped all at once, looking at her, pupils fully dilated. He did not intend for her to see him like that. But when Prudence asked him, he could not deny her. She was Queen, after all. Plus, he was horny – the horniest he has been in ages. Little did Sabrina know that during it all, he was the only one his mind could think of. It was quite a paradox. Thinking of her was the only way for him to keep going at it. At the same time, he wished she was there with them, experiencing raw lust. His mind not working properly, he blurted without thinking: "Join us, Sabrina." Her face and the way she immediately pronounced his name – even when upset, the way that "Nicholas" got out of her mouth was magic to his ears, and to other parts of his body in that precise moment – and thus he was quick to add: "Or we could go to your room… just the two of us." He should have known better, she did not even give him an answer – of course, Sabrina Spellman would not raw lust; and when Prudence enjoined her to "get in or get out," she left, leaving him there – not in the mood anymore.
On the way to Baxter High with her "cousin" Prudence, she thought to what happened last night. She would never embrace that side of witches, she was too much of a romantic. She thought back to when Nicholas offered her to join and then to just go together to her room. She felt disgusted at the thought of joining, less at the thought of having a one-on-one with Nick – that if Harvey did not exist, of course. There was no denying that Nick was extremely handsome. He was nice to her too, albeit a bit too much flirtatious. But Harvey was caring, loving, gentle, honest, straightforward, genuine, and they had so much history, and love. Thinking of him was enough to plaster a smile on her face, and she did not even realize that for the first time, she did compare Harvey to another man.
That discussion had been tense, she did not know what was worse, Prudence's rage or discovering that Harvey was the descendent of witch-hunters. She brushed that off, deciding that he was not to be held accountable for his ancestors' past wrongdoings. "Prudence, if you lay a finger on Harvey, I swear to Satan, I'll tear you to pieces". She was dead serious when she threatened Prudence, no one would ever hurt Harvey, not under her watch. She knew Prudence would be ready to do anything to uphold her beloved traditions and teachings, even go through with the murder of an innocent. After all, she did almost kill Sabrina, with cold blood, no hesitation if it were not for Sabrina's scheme to end the harrowing. She knew she had to do something when later that day, her and the Weird Sisters' visit to Dezmelda's was interrupted by the Kinkle's traditional hunt and they had killed a deer, which actually was a familiar. The aggressiveness of the Weird Sisters thereafter against Sweet Harvey was worrying, terrifying, actually. She needed to do something. "Keep away from him, Harvey is not killer", she said, desperate, at loss of words. She could not let anything happen to Harvey, in particular not let her witch life impact his, take his.
Sabrina did not show it, but Prudence's words on her unreserved faith in Harvey, "once a hunter, always a hunter" did hit home. She did have faith in him. As she approached him – ignorant of the fact that she was around when the hunt unfolded, he began to tell her the story. How there was a deer, how his grandpa told him that it was his turn, "I couldn't do it. Grandpa did it. But I should have stopped him, and I did not stop him. I did not stop him". Harvey's emotional distress was both heartbreaking and warmth-filling. Heartbreaking because she could see how much different he was from his family, how it hurt him not to be strong enough to stand up to them. Warmth-filling because her faith in him was justified, he was her Harvey, the one that would never hurt anyone. Glancing at him, she could perceive the internal turmoil in his eyes, she was always so good at reading him. She leaned into his chest, in a natural embrace. It was all so soothing, she could forget everything in those familiar arms. There she was, soothed. So, she needed to sooth him as well: "You're not like them, not even close. You wouldn't hurt a fly, that is why I love you." Lost in her thoughts, in Harvey's reassuring energy, she almost forgot. She needed to protect him, from the Weird Sisters, from anything. She would not let anything happen to Harvey. "Qui affecto protego, mixtisque iubas serpentibus et posteris meis stirpiqu", she murmured inaudibly. There he was. Protected. Magically. Without him knowing about it. Yet. She would tell him. She just needed to figure out the right time.
The following night, the coven was in the Desecrated Church. Sabrina could sense the hunger, the avid eyes set on Prudence, they were ready to eat her. Dead, preferably. Cannibalism. She also sensed the tension in Father Blackwood's posture, attitude. After the eventful dinner in which Lady Blackwood confessed she plotted against Prudence because she was the High Priest's hidden daughter, Sabrina had convinced the High Priest to spare Prudence against his silence. There was the sentence. "Prudence Night cannot fulfill her duty as Queen of the Feast."
Nicholas had been sitting front now with the Spellmans, he could sense that something was up. Sabrina looked way too unfazed a few minutes before Prudence was about to get sacrificed, after all the efforts she put into trying to convince her that she needed not to. When Father Blackwood announced Prudence would live, Nicholas must say he felt relieved. She was his friend, after all. Sabrina, next to him, seemed all too unsurprised for his liking. He needed to get to the bottom of that. The High Priest was about to tell them about a revelation from the Dark Lord when all of a sudden Sister Mildred slit her throat. Within seconds, Father Blackwood declared her Queen of the Feast, and the rest of the coven jumped to eat her recently-dead body. He and the Spellmans stayed behind, unable to watch the sad show in front of them. Sabrina remained speechless, they had evidence in front of them that the Feast was a travesty, and yet the coven did not even question it. They were brainwashed. Mentally-caged. Maybe there is a way out of the cage where you live, Sabrina's mind went back to that Brave-song. Maybe there was a way out for the coven?
Nick was not quick enough to catch Sabrina as she was living, to ask her what happened. Something must have happened. Father Blackwood seemed all too disturbed and she looked a bit too satisfied, he suspected something happened the day before, when Father Blackwood informed him would have super at the Spellmans when they ran into each other in the hallways of the Academy. The following morning, he found Luke at the Library as he was looking for a book on conjuring spells. "Hey man, crazy what happened last night. Right?"
"It was. I am curious to know what revelation the Dark Lord made to Father Blackwood. Things unfolded fast before he had a chance to tell us. Do you know anything?", Nicholas asked. He knew the High Priest was found of the young blonde warlock and confided in him, at times. "No idea, I was not at the Academy last night, and I just got back."
Nicholas raised an eyebrow, it was not Luke's style to leave the Academy for the night, to not observe the rules. "Really? Since when does Luke Chalfant infringe on the rules and sleeps out of the Academy?" Luke shrugged his shoulders. "Well, since I have a boyfriend who is on house arrest and I did want to spend the night with him. Cuddling." Nick looked at him questioningly: "You were at the Spellmans. Cuddling with Ambrose Spellman. You?"
Luke had a smug smile. "What can I say. You wore us out the other night Nicky. Also, I was there too the other night, I saw how you lusted over Ambrose. I enjoy our funny games, but he's mine. I mean, you can have him, sometimes, but only when I am around. Got it?" Nicholas chuckled, trying his best to hide his turmoil: "I would not dream of it, Chalfant". He then walked away. Luke had it all wrong. That night, he was not lusting, he was daydreaming about Sabrina, and for some reason his eyes roamed over Ambrose for a bit longer than he would have wanted, because the cousins had the same features around the eyes, and the forehead. Nick was actually shocked he paid that much attention to these sorts of details. And the turmoil he was hiding now in the alleys of the Library? Envy. He was envious because Luke Chalfant got to spend the night at the Spellmans, with Sabrina's cousin, "cuddling" while he was out at the Academy, frustrated he did not even get to speak to her after the eventful Feast, she had left way too quickly – probably to speak to Harvey Kinkle before his bedtime. Yes, envy. He wished he was the one she would speak to before going to bed, he wish he was the one roaming around the Spellman House, a boyfriend to one of the younger Spellmans – younger, everything was relative, Ambrose was 132 years old, but he was significantly younger than his Aunties. He also wanted to be able to take Sabrina in his arms, and hold her for as long as she'd let him, forever maybe. He never felt this way about anyone. Neither did he ever feel these feelings he's been experiencing since he met her. Envy. Jealous. Longing. All at once.
There he was, the backlash of somebody's lack of love – at least, lack of love for him.
