Yay! 200+ reviews! How awesome is that?

Oh and if y'all thought last chapter was good...oh dang...you're going to love this chapter.

Enough said, here's chapter 37. Right where the last chapter picked off.

Chapter 37: A Witch, a Potion & a Silver Bracelet

Willa couldn't think straight. It was almost as if something was clouding all of her thoughts. She heard only certain things that were being said. It was as if her ears were eliminating all sound except for Maleficent's voice.

It was strange, but Willa's clouded thoughts wouldn't allow her to process it much further than that.

"You can either drink this, and save both you and your husband." There was a twinkle in Maleficent's eye. "Or you can choose not to drink this, and your husband will die a slow painful death and you will be forced to watch."

Willa's eyes widened. She didn't want for Philby to die—especially if she had to watch him being tortured to death.

"So Isabel, which choice do you choose?"

She glanced over at Philby and saw him shaking his head. He was trying to tell her something, but she couldn't tell what. She looked back at Maleficent.

Even though her brain was clouded and her head felt heavy, some thoughts were going through her head. Willa began to slowly process what was going on. Maleficent was very deceitful. Willa should probably assume that she's lying to her, that both options end in death for both of them. But something about Maleficent seemed truthful, reliable…and…and…honest.

Willa looked Maleficent in the eyes and suddenly all of the clouds in her brain disappeared. Something clicked and everything made sense.

Maleficent was someone she should trust. Drinking the liquid would most definitely save Philby and herself. Maleficent would never hurt her.

"I choose to drink the liquid…as long as it'll save us both."

Maleficent's smile became warm and inviting. She held out the flask for Willa to take.

"Excellent choice, my dear."

She motioned for the guards to take the gag off of Philby's mouth.

"ISABEL! NO! DON'T LISTEN TO HER! SHE'S LYING TO YOU!" Philby yelled in the background, but to Willa it sounded muffled and distant.

"Do not listen to him, he doesn't know what's best for him. Go ahead, Isabel, drink."

Willa took the cork out of the flask without a second guess. It was as if Maleficent's voice was controlling her. Deep down Willa knew better than to drink it, but it was as if her body wasn't listening to her. It was taking commands from Maleficent.

Willa unwillingly put the flask up to her lips and drank the green liquid.

At first nothing happened. Willa looked up at Maleficent and watched as her warm, inviting smile turned into an evil grin.

"Excellent," her dry, raspy voice said before breaking into a maniacal laugh.

Willa, confused as to what she had just done, looked to Philby for answers and saw that he was just as confused as her.

"What did you make her drink?" He shouted. It was as if someone had turned up the volume in the room. She could hear everything again—not just Maleficent.

"Just a little something I've been using for years on insolent fools." Maleficent walked back over to the table and waved the guards off of Philby.

Suddenly Willa's stomach felt like it was going to burst. She doubled over in pain and Philby ran over to her. She let out a small cry of pain.

"Isabel!"

The only reply Willa could manage was tears. She felt as if her insides were going to implode upon themselves.

"Stop whatever you're doing to her right now Maleficent, or so help me!"

Maleficent, in return, laughed. "She made the choice all on her own. She brought this upon herself."

Maleficent put a silver bracelet on her right arm and immediately Willa's pain stopped. Willa took a few deep breaths before regaining her composure.

"Now, time for the fun part." Something about her grin sent chills up Willa's spine. What had Maleficent forced her into?

"Will you explain the plan again to me, Finn?" Amanda asked. She knew Finn was getting frustrated at her confusion, but his plan wasn't simple. So really, it was his fault.

"We're going to have to get ourselves caught by Maleficent. It's the only way we can know where she's keeping our friends. We get captured, then we fight from the inside and work our way out."

"But what about Dillard?"

Finn was quiet for a second. That could only mean one of two things. Either he was thinking of something, because he hadn't thought of that yet. Or he already had a plan for their son, and he knew she wasn't going to like it.

"Wanda. She'll be able to keep him until we can get back."

"Do you know where she is? We haven't seen her since Christmas."

"I have an idea of where she is."

Amanda rolled her eyes. "That doesn't answer my question."

"I know, but the less we talk, the less Maleficent knows."

He walked toward the door of the safe house, put away his sword and pulled his hood over his head. It was now mid-morning, which meant they would have until nightfall to get Dillard to safety before Maleficent's forces would be coming after them.

"Are we going to be able to make it there in time?" She asked him. She had to know this before they left. She wasn't going to risk her son's life for Finn's plan. That simply wouldn't do.

Finn turned around, his back to the door, and nodded. "Wanda's not too far away. We can make it here and back before then."

Amanda nodded and pulled her hood over her head.

"Don't worry Amanda, I have a plan that'll get all of our friends back—assuming Maleficent is where my father says she is."

Finn opened the door and they stepped out onto the busy streets of Anaheim. They couldn't afford for anyone to notice them now. They had to get their son to safety first. Then Finn's plan would be put into action.

Amanda just hoped they would be able to make it to Wanda before Maleficent made it to them.

"Alright, my dear. Let's give this a test run, shall we?" Maleficent asked Willa. Philby wasn't sure what was going on, but he had a feeling it was going to be very bad for both of them.

Maleficent moved the bracelet until she was satisfied with its spot on her arm. She gave the couple a wily grin that made Philby cringe.

Philby wrapped an arm around his wife's waist and held on tight—preparing for the worst.

Maleficent closed her eyes and mumbled something. Once she opened her eyes, her eyes immediately locked in on Willa.

"You're in the presence of the future world ruler, Isabel. I believe you should bow."

Willa bowed immediately.

"What's going on?" Her voice was weak.

"No, I think sitting on the floor would suit an insolent fool like you much better."

Willa sat on the floor immediately, without a second to waste.

"What are you doing to her?" Philby asked Maleficent. This was some kind of magic he had never seen her use. And it scared the daylights out of him.

Maleficent promptly ignored him. "Get up, Isabel."

Willa got up and stood. "Dell…I can't control what I'm doing," she whispered to him as quietly as she could.

"Now slap your husband across the face."

Willa turned to Philby and slapped him as hard as she could. She mouthed the word "sorry" as soon as she did it.

At least she can still think for herself, Philby decided. There's hope of stopping this curse.

"Ah, it's good to have this back." Maleficent moved the bracelet along her arm again. "I've missed having this kind of power."

"Now, Isabel. I've got things to do. I'll ask that you go back into your cell and wait for me to return." She turned to leave the room, but glanced back at us. "And make sure your husband goes back into his chains. We can't have him trying to escape now can we?"

One of the guards opened the door as Maleficent left and Willa grabbed a hold of Philby's arm. Without really thinking about it, she started walking back to the cell with her head looking down in shame, as if looking at him would make it worse.

They made it back to their cell in silence, and just like she was commanded to, Willa put him back in his chains and sat down beside him.

Almost immediately she placed her head in her hands and started to cry.

"Dell…what if she makes me do something awful? I couldn't live with myself if I did something like that."

Philby reached over and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Don't you worry, Isabel. There's got to be a way to get rid of this curse."

"I did this to myself, Dell. I made the stupid decision."

"You did what you thought was best. It's not your fault."

"Yes it is!" Willa yelled out, leaving a few seconds of open-ended silence. She took a few deep breaths and continued in a whisper. "I know better, but it was as if she was using magic to convince me otherwise. She wanted me to drink that. She's got something evil planned, I just know it."

"Isabel, don't worry. I'm going to get you out of this. I promise." He kissed the top of her head. "I'm your knight in shining armor, remember? I'll get you out of this alive, I can promise you at least that much."

They stayed quiet like that for a few minutes before she wiped the last tears away and spoke quietly.

"Dell, it's times like this where I know I don't deserve you."

"You know, Isabel, I was going to say the same thing to you."

"That makes no sense." She turned up and looked at him with a confused look.

"Sure it does."

When she raised her eyebrows, he realized he needed to explain.

"Isabel, darling, you're the love of my life. The past three years have been the best of my life. You've always been there for me, no matter what. Just having the pleasure of coming home to you every night is enough to get me through the day. You always greet me with a smile and a hug, and if you're in a good mood, a kiss." He smiled at the memories. They seemed so far away, but in reality, they were doing that just a few days ago.

"You're the most intelligent person I've ever met, Isabel. Every time I talk to you, I learn something new. That is, when I'm not distracted by how beautiful you are." She rolled her eyes playfully. "You're kind and caring to every person you meet, no matter who it is. Despite all the horrors that you've had to live through, you always manage to find a reason to smile."

Willa smiled up at him. He wrapped his arm tighter around her.

"And that, Isabel, is why I don't deserve you."

She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.

"I love you, Dell. Nothing Maleficent can do or say will ever change that."

Two Days Later…

Charlene slowly woke up. The lack of food and water was really starting to get to her. She lifted her head off of Terry's shoulder and saw someone standing over her and let out a brief shriek of fear.

"Geez, Charlie. I know I look bad and all with the blood on my head and stuff, but seriously? You didn't scream the last two times!" Thomas crossed his arms.

"Thomas?" She lowered her voice to a whisper. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to make sure you figured out what your 'thing you hold closest to your heart' was."

"Why now?"

"Because you're going to have to give it up pretty soon."

"How soon?"

"I can't tell you everything, Charlie! I can only give you so much!"

"Well why can't you just tell me what's the thing I have to give up. That'll make it much easier!"

Thomas rolled his eyes. "Come on Charlie. Think! You'll have to physically hand something over to Maleficent. What do you have here?" He motioned to the empty cell room.

"None of my possessions are here!"

Thomas rolled his eyes again. "What do you have here in this cell that you love a lot? It's got to be something or someone that you can't live without."

Charlene was still confused. None of her material things were here with her. How could she give up something that wasn't with her?

Wait…did he say someone?

Charlene looked back at Terry and saw that he was fast asleep. Now that she thought about it, she really couldn't live without him. She looked back up at Thomas.

"I can't give him up, Thomas."

"That's why you have to, Charlene."

"She's going to kill him."

"Perhaps. But it'll stop her for good."

"That makes no sense."

Thomas threw up his hands in frustration. "I don't make up the rules of the game, okay? If I did, I would just snap my fingers and all of you would be back to safety! But I can't!"

Charlene didn't realize she was crying until she felt a tear slip off of her cheek and fall onto the cold, stone ground.

"So when the time comes, I just have to hand him over to her?"

"That's the only way that makes sense."

"I don't want him to die, Thomas. I love him."

Thomas reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder. Despite the fact that he was a ghost, she could still feel his touch.

"I know you do, Charlene. I hate that things had to work out this way."

"Can't I take his place? I don't want to live without him, Thomas."

"It has to be this way, Charlene. I'm sorry, I really am."

Terry stirred but did not wake up.

"He's going to wake up soon. I'd better go." Thomas took a step back.

"Thomas?"

"Yeah sis?"

Charlene held back tears. "How much longer do I have with him?"

"Not too long," Thomas looked on the verge of tears himself. Can ghosts even cry?

"I'm sorry Charlene. I hate that things have to end up this way. If it's any consolation, I still love you. And you're the best dang queen Florida has ever seen."

He smiled at her. His smiles were something she could never resist. She gave in and smiled back at him. "I love you too Thomas."

"I hope we get the chance to talk again."

"Me too."

Terry opened his eyes and Thomas disappeared.

"Charlie?"

"I'm right here," Charlene said as she moved back to sitting by Terry.

"Good." He reached over and grabbed her hand.

She leaned her head on his shoulder, holding back tears. This was the beginning of the end for them. She didn't want to waste those precious few hours they had left.

"How are you this morning Charlene? Well…at least I think it's morning."

"I'm hungry, if I'm being completely honest. And thirsty." They both shared a quick laugh. "How's your arm?"

"It's fine," Terry retorted quickly. "I want to know what's going on here with Maleficent. If she's planning on having us starve to death, that's lame. That doesn't seem like her."

Charlene nodded in agreement, but said nothing.

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Terry spoke.

"Whatever happens, Charlene, I want you to know that I love you."

Charlene took a deep breath so that she didn't cry. He knows. He has to. I can't do this, I can't.

"I…I…love you too."

They heard the shuffling of feet outside of their cell and before they knew it a guard appeared at the bars.

The guard unlocked the door and swung it open.

"I need Queen Charlene," the guard said in a deep voice. For some reason, the deep voice wasn't what Charlene was expecting from the guard.

"I'm chained to the wall."

"Of course you are," the guard sarcastically muttered under his breath. He walked over and unlocked the chains. He grabbed her by the arm and walked her out of the cell-all without looking up at either of them. While locking the cell door back, he glanced up at Terry, winked and tipped his hat at him.

Charlene's anger boiled inside of her. How dare he mock him? I'm sure if Terry was feeling better, he would have attacked. She was sure of it.

The guard grabbed her arm again and escorted her through the labyrinth of a dungeon. After walking for a long time, he pulled her into a random room and shut the door.

In the room was a table in the corner with a few chairs. There was a small candle sitting in the middle of the table and it was lit, giving the room an eerie look.

The guard took off his hat and his jacket, immediately relaxing into a chair in the corner of the room. A second person that Charlene had not seen before reached over and placed their hand on the guard's shoulder.

"Aren't you coming to sit with us Charlene?" The guard asked her.

"Who are you? What am I doing here? What are you going to do with Terry?"

"Ssshhh!" The second person said as the walked up to her. The person was dressed in a long dark green dress and had a black cape over it. Around her neck was the silver necklace that Terry had found by his ship a few days ago.

"How do you have that?" Charlene said as she pointed to the necklace.

"Charlene, do you not recognize us?" The first guard asked.

"I don't associate myself with Maleficent and her army of idiots."

"If we were actually associated with her, I'd be really ticked at you right now." The second person said as she put her hands on her hips.

"What do you mean, 'if you were actually associated with her?'"

The second person rolled her eyes before removing her hood from her face. The first guard walked up and put an arm around her shoulder.

"Charlene, we need you to come talk to us. I have a plan to get all of us out of here alive."

Charlene looked at the couple before her in disbelief. Before her was Amanda and Finn. They had gotten in Maleficent's dungeon undetected, now impersonating guards. All of her hope was restored.

Finn had a plan. That was all the reassurance Charlene needed.

And the plot thickens! We're working our way up to the big EPIC finale that I've got planned. Oh goodness it's going to be great! :)

So what does Maleficent have planned for Willa & her curse? Will Philby be able to break the curse before Maleficent can carry out her plans? Will Charlene hand Maybeck over to Maleficent, as Thomas tells her she'll have to? What about Jess? Where's she during all of this? What's Finn's plan? And more importantly, will it work?

Find out in the chapters to come! Please review, I love reading them and I'd love to see what y'all think are the answers to the questions above. Also, tell me what you like/dislike! I purposely didn't end this chapter in a cliffhanger for those of you who actually review, since almost every review mentioned that for at least the last 5 or so chapters.

I'll update as soon as I can. Enjoy your weekend! :)