Chapter 4: The Real Interview

I look around the room and I'm still fascinated by those books on the shelves. "What are those books really about?" I inquire, taking a sip of my tea.

Maleficent cocks her head to the side and explains, "I was being truthful. Those books contain all the spells, rituals and philosophies of the forces of evil. I've learned many important things from case studies and theories in those tomes. Very inspirational."

I nod, grateful that she was being truthful. "Now what was the most memorable thing you remembered from your studies?"

"I believe it was that as long as there is good, there will always be evil."

"Is that why you're so powerful? Because there are definitely more good people in the world than evil ones."

"Clever," she remarks, sipping her tea. "In life there must always be a balance. Why do you think there are three good fairies and only one of me?"

I nod, and Spatterson seems to be itching to ask a question. "At Aurora's christening, did you find it hilarious when Merryweather tried to attack you, only to be held back by Flora? I can imagine how hot-headed that Merryweather is."

I look at her, appalled at such an irrelevant and thoughtless question. Is she serious?

"Quite so," Maleficent says with a smirk. "Although I don't recall you being there. How could you know such a thing?"

"I saw it in the movie."

"A movie? What sort of magic is this movie?"

"Let's try to stay on topic here," I add as politely as I can.

Spatterson asks another question, "So were you born evil, or what?"

"Indeed," she concedes. "I was being honest here, as well. Goodness actually made me sick. It made me feel nauseated, weak and foolish. The only thing that could ever make me happy was to make others unhappy. To see people in fear and in pain and suffering because of me is something I find so pleasing."

"Why is that?" asks Spatterson.

"Well, because no one would ever stand in my way! I was something to be feared. And when you're feared you're respected. You become an unstoppable force."

"Don't you think that one can be powerful and unstoppable even if they are good?" I ask.

"Perhaps, but I wouldn't know, would I?"

"You're obviously very powerful," I address. "So what exactly is the source of your power? Do you actually command all the powers of Hell?"

"Of course not!" She laughs. "I may be a powerful fairy, but to be able to do that requires a certain power I and countless others do not have. The power of capacity."

"Go on."

"I can harness only so much energy. Like anyone, even I have limitations. It's the same as acquiring knowledge. No one can know everything. I can only access and retain so much power. The power of Hell is so vast no one person can possibly have the power to rule it all. However, I am grateful for the ability to draw some of my power from there."

"Interesting," I respond. "Now, what are your motivations? What gives you your drive to do what you do?"

"Ah, yes," she responds nodding. "I believe I mentioned this before: I do what I will. And usually what I will is evil in nature. Why? It's just the mere notion of causing pain to others that I find so tempting. It's the same as a drunkard in a tavern. He can't help but drink himself stupid, and I can't help it when the chance to be evil presents itself."

"Are you saying that being evil is a disease?"

"Not at all. It's just a drive present within most people, you know. Insignificant in some, greater in others. In my case, it's all that I have. When I saw that King Stefan bore a child after so many years, I couldn't help but try to destroy all that he has worked so hard for."

"Is there more to the story than that? I mean, I've heard it was it because you weren't invited to the christening ..."

"Oh yes, the christening. I knew they wouldn't invite me. So I crashed the party, and used the christening as a convenient excuse to curse their child. I wanted to make it seem like it was the king and queen's doing; by not inviting me they inadvertently cause me to curse their baby! I wanted them all to feel responsible for that. I wanted them all to feel hopeless, weak and foolish."

Spatterson seems surprised by this. "So you would have cursed the baby anyway, even if you were invited?"

"Why, of course! Things just worked out for me is all. I'm sure I made real fools of their Highnesses." She grins smugly.

"Why did you want to make fools out of their Highnesses?" Spatterson asks. "What did they do to you?"

"Were you not paying attention, child?" snaps Maleficent. "I'm evil."

Spatterson seems a little dejected at that and we all fall silent.

"Now, what was the curse?" I ask breaking the silence. "How did it work exactly?"

"It was rather simple. All I did was wish ill upon the child, condemning her to death before the sun set on her 16th birthday. However, the curse would only work if I knew where she was located. Inconvenient, I know, especially when she was hidden from me all these years."

"How did you find out where she was?" ask I.

"I first had my raven fly around the surrounding areas. He noticed some magic bursting through a chimney in a cottage. I knew then that the fairies had hidden her there. When I visited the cottage myself, I thought I was going to catch the princess, but instead, who else but Prince Phillip! So that's how I caught him. I knew then that they must have taken Aurora to the castle for her betrothal! I sensed that was where she was and so I went straight to King Stefan's castle. There the curse acted on its own, putting her in a trance. She would be seeking out the spindle of a spinning wheel. So I guided her to the spinning wheel that I conjured leading her to her inevitable demise. But sadly all it did was put her to sleep; Merryweather's doing I suppose."

"Now, why curse the child when you could've just killed her at the christening?" I ask. "Why wait?"

"Fear causes more pain than any sword, my dear Ben. Living in fear and despair is a fate worse than death."

"So what are your plans now?" I say. "You seem to have won. Prince Phillip is in the dungeon, and Aurora is locked away in a tower. Is there anything that you really want to do?"

"Perhaps I'll work on destroying those pesky good fairies. Maybe I'll try my hand at conquering other worlds. Or maybe I'll look into this movie you speak of."

Suddenly Spatterson perks up and asks another question. "You must be very lonely living in the castle all by yourself. Have you ever known love and what it feels like, Maleficent?"

Maleficent's smug grin transforms into a glower. She narrows her dreadful yellow eyes. "I think you both asked quite enough questions for one night," she says in an eerily calm tone. I go wide-eyed noticing that the orb on her staff is glowing a bright green. "You two may leave now."

Once again, I don't wait around to be struck by some hex. I immediately arise and head to the doorway. I stop and turn to see if Spatterson has done the same.

"Can you answer the question -" Spatterson tries to continue.

"GO!" Maleficent bellows arising and raising her magically charged staff.

I beckon for Spatterson to come just before I dart out the room. We both rush through the cold, dank hallways all the way to the front foyer. We push the huge front doors open, dash across the narrow pathways and over the abyss. But my heart sinks as I notice that the gate is still locked. We can't jump over it as there's nothing to grab onto. Then a familiar green light flashes before us and Maleficent begins to materialize once more.

"Now shall you deal with me, O fools ... and some of the powers of HELL!" she says rising high into the sky in a cloud of black smoke.

Shit, I think. Sarah really shouldn't have come with me. I mean really shouldn't have. WHY SPATTERSON?

THE END?