Chapter Five: Twist of Fate
"Mildred?" gasped Constance in disbelief, "But how?"
She was determined and focused on their current predicament, time was the enemy and they had to act quickly if they were to escape and avoid the wrath of Agatha.
"No time." She answered breathlessly as she attempted to get her spell correct on the first attempt but there was pressure on her and she knew that she did not work well when under pressure.
She unsuccessfully stumbled over her words twice which would normally have resulted in a stern scolding and rewarded a hefty punishment but Constance remained silent and allowed Mildred to concentrate. She could feel her nerves and soaring adrenaline begin to cloud and impair her mind and judgement, and knew it was only a matter of time before she was discovered and separated from her teacher once again; this was their only chance, their only hope.
"Mildred, listen to me...calm down, breath slowly and focus on what needs to be done." Explained Constance in a calm voice that eased Mildred's fear of failure at a critical time and attempted to reassure the trembling student
She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, the fog that cluttered her mind parted even for a brief moment but it was enough for her to seize the opportunity and the spell was voiced in a cool, confident manner. The energy caused the restraints that bound her teacher to fall onto the floor with a clatter.
"We must hurry, Mildred."
Constance inspected the darkened corridor which was devoid of sound and attempted to leave until Mildred snatched her wrist and pulled her in the opposite direction, "No, not that way!"
She frowned at her student and noticed the strangely tight grip that Mildred possessed which antagonized the injuries she had caused from attempting to escape from her own restraints but it also caused a long lost memory to resurface but this was neither the time nor place to be reminiscing about the past.
"This way." Announced Mildred
"Mildred, I want you to listen very carefully to me. Should we encounter Agatha, I want you to get as far away from here as possible when you get the opportunity."
The young witch shook her head, "I won't leave you, alone with them."
Constance sighed impatiently, "You will do as I say! I can distract them long enough to give you time to get back to the school. Amelia will look after you."
Mildred reluctantly agreed and they hurried throughout the labyrinth of corridors. The sound of droplets trickled down the dilapidated walls collecting in small puddles. Constance listened out for Agatha but the ancient building remained eerily silent.
"Can we slow down, I have a stitch." Panted Mildred, pawing at her aching side
Constance grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to match her speed, ignoring the complaint, "We're close...you can rest soon, I promise."
Agatha abruptly stopped which unwittingly caused Millicent and Betty to collide into her and she silently glared at them with disgust which caused them to promptly and obediently step back from her terrifying stare.
"What's the matter, Agatha?" asked Betty, summoning bravery to ask
"She's escaped..." she paused and inhaled the air, "She's close. I can sense it." She growled and gestured for them to follow her
Betty and Millicent shrugged their shoulders simultaneously and mindlessly followed her.
Constance frowned and touched the solid, stone wall, "It's impossible." She muttered
Mildred had unknowing led them through a series of corridors similar to a maze until they reached the main doors of the building but instead an impenetrable wall had recently replaced the doorway and therefore stood between their escape and with the impending sounds of voices, it was too late to hide or attempt to find another route of escape.
It had been a trap.
"Get behind me, Mildred." Ordered Constance, her voice filled with determination
Mildred silently nodded and shyly shifted behind her fearless teacher for protection.
Agatha, Betty and Millicent rounded the corner and stopped, both teacher and student were at a dead end while no-where else to escape.
"You did not actually think it would be so easy to escape, did you?"
"Allow us to leave; no-one need be harmed." Ordered Constance, poised with her casting fingers, ready to defend herself and Mildred.
Agatha confidently threw her head back; a maniacal laugh erupted from her lips and echoed throughout the corridors of the ancient building, "When will you learn that you have no power here?"
"This is my final warning." Announced Constance, faithfully bound to the laws and regulations of the witches code
Agatha pointed towards Mildred and opened her hand out to the student, beckoning her to step closer, "Mildred, come with me and no harm will come to your teacher."
"Stay exactly where you are, Mildred. Do not listen to anything she says." Urged Constance
Mildred briefly sidestepped from behind her teacher and raised an inquisitive eyebrow, "You won't harm her?"
Her eyes widened, it was clearly another deception put into motion by Agatha, "Mildred, do not dare move." She raised her voice
Mildred clenched her jaw tightly as she continued to observe the interaction between her potion teacher and Agatha while Betty and Millicent remained faithfully by her side. She knew that she could help her teacher as Agatha was distracted as her opponent refused to cooperate. Mildred realized that she could help, there was an opportunity which could work in their favour and she decided to take it.
She muttered a spell and threw her hands into the air, outstretched and took aim.
Constance coughed as her body smashed against the hard floor while Betty and Millicent gasped in surprise and looked stunned at the young witch. Constance moaned and slowly her mind realized what had happened, she looked up at her student with confused, wide eyes, "Mildred?" she stuttered
Mildred sneered and she sided beside Agatha, "You know how I feel about stuttering hardly a ladylike quality now is it?"
The image of the clumsy student melted away and revealed the formidable Mistress Hecketty Broomhead; she stepped forward, towering over the fallen, former student. Constance shook her head unable to comprehend what she was witnessing, "No, it cannot be..." she paused, "What have you done with Mildred?" she demanded
"That doesn't concern you now." Answered Agatha
Hecketty smirked at her former student, "You don't look particularly happy to see me, Constance and judging by your reaction you were perhaps expecting someone else?" she retorted sarcastically