Chapter Six: Alliance
Agatha Cackle, Hecketty Broomhead, Betty Bindweed and Millicent Coldstone were a truly intimidating alliance that stood side by side and towered over Constance. Hecketty smiled defiantly.
Hecketty had been approached by Agatha Cackle several months ago and had brazenly brushed off her proposal of combining their resources and suggested working together in order to obtain what they truly wanted and needed however Hecketty presumed that the fragile alliance between herself and the floundering witches would be able to prevail and yet, before her pale eyes lay Constance Hardbroom.
Hecketty offered her hand towards Agatha, "I have maintained my end of the agreement...and I acquired my price." She smirked wickedly
Agatha reciprocated the gesture and firmly shook Hecketty's hand, "Our finest hour and to our success."
Constance forced herself to push herself from the cold floor, her arms trembled unsteadily but eventually collapsed under her weight, her strength exhausted as her mind slowly accepted the entire deception that Hecketty had cast an illusion spell to adopt the image of Mildred and merely toy with Constance, there had never been a chance to escape.
"You were always such an inconvenience but I knew your weaknesses." Spoke Hecketty as she knelled beside Constance, her fingers tightly entwined through her normally pristine bun and tugged sharply in order to have her full attention
"I am however grateful to see that you have completely recuperated from that viral infection," she smiled again, "You see I knew that I could rely on your personal supply of remedies granted it was a challenge to sabotage your potion with arousing suspicion but I relished the challenge."
Agatha laughed, "I could always count on my sister to unwittingly help us and she did a terrific job. After all, she would have noticed her beloved deputy headmistress was under the weather and likely order you to take the time in order to energize your failing body."
"You were completely helpless and ripe for the picking." Added Hecketty
"Where's Mildred?" she whispered, her concern for her student
"Ah yes! Mildred Hubble, the meddlesome brat that has foiled my plan in the past but not this time," she turned to Hecketty, "I want her!" Snapped Agatha
Hecketty lost interest momentarily with Constance and turned her attention to Agatha, "We have spoke about this matter before, do not continue to push me."
"Fine!" she spat in response before turning on her heel and purposefully marched with her faithful companions by her side. She walked with determination and headed towards the academy, her sister would pay dearly for stealing what was rightfully hers and making into the laughing stock of the entire community.
"For too long, Constance, I have waited for this moment." Growled Hecketty
The bitter memories from college, the school inspection and the brief time that she was acting as headmistress flooded her conscious mind. Constance thought that at this stage in her life that she would have put to rest the memories of the past and start to journey away from the darkness.
"You eluded me for so long after you escaped from college but imagine my luck when I found you at Cackle's academy, no longer safe but you decided to remain faithfully by Amelia's side...perhaps it was inevitable, you knew that you could no longer hide from me. I assure you Constance that you will never escape again, I own you. I always have."
Constance bravely shook her head in disagreement when her eyes widened as the shadow of Mistress Broomhead, her tormentor loomed over her, extinguishing the light.