After about six months, Glinda had fallen into a daily routine. She would wake up in the morning and get ready for the day before getting breakfast with Dr. Dillamond and the Chimp, whose name she found out was Jabari. After breakfast, Glinda and Dr. Dillamond would walk around the safe parts of the Emerald City for Animals; they'd shop, go to museums, and eventually get lunch somewhere. Despite her parents being out of her life, her father would send her money once a month. She accepted it, but hated herself for doing so. It was hard for women to find a job anywhere. Her father never wrote a letter to go along with it, nor did he respond to hers when she wrote. But the little connection she had with her father helped her pretend that he still cared just a little bit. It hurt less.
After lunch, she and Dr. Dillamond (who could walk upright but still couldn't speak), would go to an Animal rehabilitation center. The blonde would go to the public library and read. She found out the book she had read multiple times in Southstairs had more books in the series about various different sorceresses. Obviously the first one she read was about an illusionist, the second a levitator, and the third used water. As she read the books, she didn't realize that her mind was memorizing each spell.
She'd always check out a few books for Dr. Dillamond because Animals weren't allowed in the public library. She'd meet up with Jabari and her old professor for dinner. At night, she'd bathe as Dr. Dillamond read a book. Despite being able to be on her own, she still had trouble sleeping at night if she was alone. The Goat would sleep in the same bed as her, and she would cuddle up to him and cry herself to sleep some nights. Most nights, they'd just be on opposite sides of the bed. The comfort of someone being there for her was enough to get her through everything.
On this particular night, Glinda felt like writing a letter to her father.
Popsicle,
I wish you would respond to me. I am writing to let you know I received the money and I thank you for it. However, I would like a response this time. I miss you and momsie so much. How is she? How are you? Do you two miss me at all? Am I still worth something in your eyes? Do I disgust you? Do I disappoint you? Despite everything that has happened, I still love you both and I long to go home. I miss you so much and I wish you'd come get me.
Love your daughter,
Glinda
She folded up the letter and put it in an envelope. Just as she did that and looked out the window, she could have sworn she saw someone flying. She went out onto the balcony quietly, holding her robe tightly against herself to help keep herself warm in the cool night air. When she looked up, she definitely saw someone riding on-a broom? Her blue eyes shined with joy when she knew it had to be Elphaba.
As quietly as she could, she climbed down the fire escape off of the old balcony that Dr. Dillamond wrote multiple times that it wasn't safe. In her slippers and pajamas, she ran as fast as she could through the city as she followed the woman on the broom. In the distance, she saw that Elphaba landed. She pushed herself to run faster. "Elphie!" she called into the night when she actually saw the woman walking quickly through the city herself.
Glinda continued to run as fast as she could and finally caught up with the dark figure. "Elphie, it's me!" she beamed and put a hand on her shoulder. Elphaba shook it off violently.
"What do you think you're doing, approaching the Wicked Witch of the West like this, my pretty? Do you have any idea what I could do to you?"
"Elphie, it's me, Glinda," the blonde's smile faltered. "You wouldn't hurt me."
"Stop it, stop it! Glinda's dead! Stop it!" Elphaba hissed and Glinda realized that the green woman couldn't comprehend that she was indeed alive.
"It's okay, Elphie. I'm very much alive, see? I'm okay!"
"Stop speaking, you little idiot!"
"Fae, we have to go!" a voice urged, and Glinda immediately recognized it as Fiyero. How could Elphaba do this to her? Weren't they supposed to be best friends? Hadn't Elphaba promised her in the Emerald City that they'd be together someday?
Suddenly, the Gale Force approached them, and Elphaba was at least smart enough to hop onto her broom, cackling loudly, before flying off towards the west after grabbing Fiyero who clung to her on the broom. Glinda, however, wasn't so fortunate.
"You are under arrest for being affiliated with the Wicked Witch of the West," the captain stated.
"No!" she cried. "No, please, not again!"
"Let Glinda go!" She looked over towards the source of the voice and wasn't sure if she should be thrilled that Dr. Dillamond finally spoke, or horrified because she probably just ruined his entire life. Jabari was actually there with the Goat, too, who looked ready to help her.
Everything happened so quickly- the two Animals approached the guards to speak with them, but there had been a gunshot. Glinda slowly opened her eyes and saw Dr. Dillamond on the ground with a bullet wound, blood pouring out from it. Jabari sat helplessly beside him. When she saw another Gale Force member raise his gun at the Chimp, Glinda yelled out, "No!" She found the strength to push her hand forward and chanted words she hadn't even realized she memorized. A bubble formed around the Animals.
The soldier shot at the bubble. Nothing happened. "Whatever," the captain said. "We want her, not them. Leave 'em. Let's bring her back to Southstairs where she belongs. Madame Morrible wants her back tonight." Instead of being afraid, Glinda let anger take over. She would never go back to Southstairs if she had anything to do with it. The thing was though, if she didn't go with them, she'd be labeled an enemy of Oz just like Elphaba. But if she went with them, it would be much worse. The blonde decided she needed to develop a thicker skin; she decided she needed to forget about ever living a normal life. Elphie called herself the Wicked Witch of the West, accepting the title the Wizard and Morrible gave her She hurt me tonight. Elphie hurt me. Morrible hurt me. My parents hurt me. Fiyero hurt me. Everyone just hurts me. Elphie..why? But I will show them what wicked truly is. Especially Morrible. She thinks Elphie's a threat to her precious Oz, but that green witch wouldn't hurt anyone. But I would; I have. With that thought, she let a malicious grin cross her features before a bubble formed around her.
Glinda floated up into the air, sending out horrible illusions. She wasn't afraid of them, like when she read the book. The pictures in the book scared her, but for some strange reason, the images she was producing weren't frightening her in the very least. In fact, they were empowering.
Blood poured from the eyes of the screaming faces that flew above the Gale Force. The soldiers were covering their heads to shield themselves from the blood they felt raining on them. However, it wasn't really there. Glinda realized for the first time that tricking people with these illusions made them actually feel it. "What the body thinks is there," she whispered a line from the book, "it feels. It will continue to feel as it believes. Even if you know it isn't there, if your eyes believe it enough, your brain can no longer distinguish illusion from reality; even if your conscious tells you not to believe it. But I don't feel it because, well, I don't really know. But I don't and that's all that matters; I cannot feel illusions, but they can and they will."
The horrific visions intensified. When a soldier tried to shoot at her, Glinda snapped her fingers, using her magic to kill him. She had killed before, so why not kill again? Southstairs, she decided, was no different from this. "I will show you all what wicked truly is," Glinda declared. "The Wicked Witch of the North will be the most feared person in all of Oz! If you cross my path, you will regret it. Spread the word."
The soldiers looked up at her with fear in their eyes; she loved it. But it wasn't enough. Glinda wanted revenge.