Darkness quickly fell upon Cackle's Academy that night, and Mildred Hubble was in a rotten mood for Constance had left the castle without saying goodbye - a clear sign that she was upset as she did not want to talk to anyone. Instead, she had left a hastily scrawled, handwritten note in apology, in which she told Mildred to write to her immediately if she needed anything. That is why she now found herself traipsing down the corridor with Ethel, for her own frustration had motivated her to go ahead with their plan, to hell with the consequences.
As she moved, she felt on edge for the moon cast a silvery glow through the tall windows, illuminating the stone corridors with an eerie light. Mildred and Ethel moved silently through the shadows - Ethel having refused to explain any further until they were inside - their footsteps muffled by the thick rugs that lined the hallways. The air was filled with the distant sounds of the castle settling for the night - creaking wood, the faint rustle of tapestries, and the occasional hoot of an owl echoed down the corridors.
Aside from that, everyone else was fast asleep.
Ethel led the way, her expression determined and focused, while Mildred followed closely, her heart pounding in her chest, always the least confident out of the two. The events of the past few days had left her emotionally drained, but the prospect of uncovering the truth about Miss Ravenscroft gave her a renewed sense of purpose. She had to help Constance. She cared about her too much.
"Hurry up! We need to be quick," Ethel whispered as they finally approached the door to Miss Ravenscroft's office. "If anyone catches us, we're done for."
Mildred nodded, swallowing her nerves as she hurried to catch up with the older girl. "For God's sake, I get the point! Let's just get this over with. Whatever you have to say better be worth it, or I swear Ethel, I'll-"
"Before you make any threats, we need to get in first!" Ethel exclaimed, as she bent down to the door handle, trying to turn it as quietly as she could, but it was no use.
"Nice one. You're not going to try that again, are you?" Mildred mocked, finding Ethel's behaviour slightly amusing despite the circumstances. Constance had also tried to simply open the door when she broke into the Witches Guild last year, a sign that even the most powerful of witches were sometimes, incredibly dim.
"Oh, shut up! I tried to borrowed the key from Mr Blossom, but he wouldn't give it me without Ravenscroft's permission. We'll have to use magic instead."
"Let me try-"
"No, Mildred! As wise as even you may be in the fifth year by now, we cant risk you messing anything up" Ethel explained, before she cast her fingers and recited a spell that Mildred had never used before. "Entrance revolvus, returnus resolvus, verum revela, unlockus controlvus!"
Mildred watched as Ethel carefully lifted her fingers, before the lock turned with a quiet click. The door swung open, revealing the dark, foreboding interior of Miss Ravenscroft's office, the neat and orderly room undercurrent of something sinister that made Mildred's skin crawl tonight.
Ethel dragged Mildred inside by the wrist when she merely stood there gawping, her heart racing at the thought of being caught. "Come on, there's something you need to see."
"Ethel Hallow!" Mildred hissed her frustration heightened to breaking point as a result of her manhandling. "Before you show me anything, I want you to explain how exactly you discovered it, because I am sick of you dragging me into small places without elaborating on your reasons for doing so!"
"Fine!"
They slipped into the office, closing the door softly behind them, before Ethel pulled out her hand again and muttered a soft incantation, casting a dim, blue light that illuminated the room just enough for them to see. Eventually, she turned to face Mildred.
"Look, I've been going to sessions with Ravenscroft since the very first week back, literally the day after I told you about Alexander, before the party, before anything that happened. At first she was fine, sickly sweet and a little useless, but perfectly normal, everything that you would expect a school counsellor to be."
"Ethel, if you're going to take her side now, after you've dragged me all the way here-"
"Oh for fu- for God's sake - Mildred Hubble! Will you just let me finish for once in your damn life!" Ethel scolded. "She was everything you'd expect a school counsellor to be, until suddenly, she wasn't. We were talking about Alexander once day, and she asked me if I had told anyone else about it, so I mentioned you, and from then onwards, everything changed. Her sessions became less about helped me, and more about discussing other people. She asked me about my relationship with you, she asked me about your personality, what you believe in, what you hate, but also what you adore-"
"She asked all that about me, but why? What did you tell her, Ethel?" Mildred questioned warningly.
"I told her that we hate each other, that we have been arch revivals for four years, but then I also told her that my perspective on you was beginning to change, because of everything that happened last year. I told her that you don't believe in bad people and that you forgive others easily a result. I told her that you hate seeing others in pain, but you also hate being taken advantage of, made to feel victimised or used, and I told her that you were having difficulty with Miss Hardbroom, for she's the only person that manages to get inside your head."
"You told her all that?!"
Mildred exclaimed in awe, horrified that Ethel had said such things for Elena now knew her weaknesses, but also surprised about how much the girl knew about her.
"Yes, Mildred, I did, but I didn't mean to. You don't understand, she was so clever with how she got it out of me. She asked me questions about our relationship, wording them to act as if it was all to get a better understanding of me, so it wasn't until I left the room where I realised it was all about you instead. As for why she asked, I don't know, and I don't like not knowing everything, so I decided to find out myself because I didn't think it was normal behaviour".
"And pray tell, what did you find?" Mildred questioned, her eyes narrowing.
"She left halfway through a session one day, because Miss Drill pulled her outside for ten minutes to discuss another student. While she was gone, I took my chance..." Ethel continued, before she led Mildred to a tall, ornate cabinet in the corner of the room. "I looked in here. This is where she keeps her personal files and other items - records about students, different therapy pathways - anything you can think of, it's in here. This is what I need you to see."
Mildred watched as Ethel carefully opened the cabinet doors, reciting more unlocking spells as she did so before revealing rows of neatly organized files and a few peculiar objects. Ethel reached into the back of the cabinet, flicking through all the labels until she pulled out a thick, leather-bound book. She placed it on the desk and opened it to a marked page.
"Look at this," Ethel said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mildred leaned in, her eyes scanning the page. The paper was neat, all kept in once piece, but the variety of entries made no sense, almost as if the words had been randomly written with no real purpose:
"Case 192...Broom fixture...each other to ensure that...trust remains...mental health must be...ensure...isolation...home...to where it...to meet her end."
Mildred's blood ran cold as she read the entries. All seemed well apart from the very last sentence which she was incredibly disturbed by.
"See! It's weird...why is a counsellor writing about a broom fixture and someone going to meet their end? I didn't think anything of it at first, it's all healthy aside from that, but with all her suspicious behaviour...you don't think that -"
"But Ethel, this doesn't make any sense...I can see where you're coming from, but it's like...like -"
"Like half of it is missing?" Ethel finished, as Mildred's eyes widened in agreement. "Exactly, and what if it is? I know it sounds like a reach, but we need to find the other half. Who knows what it will say? I don't know who it's about, but you mentioned that you and Miss Hardbroom had both been seeing her...and I just wondered...if it had anything to do with you."
"Oh my God...Ethel, we need to find that second half." Mildred urged.
"I know, Mildred, and don't kill me for saying this, but I think you're the one who needs to find it, not me" Ethel stated, her expression firm.
"Why me? I thought you believed I was hopeless?" Mildred questioned in confusion, unsure of what she could do alone.
"I've been doing some reading as part of our WHC independent research project, and I came across something about a rare type of magic" Ethel began ominously. "Mildred, I think there's a reason why you were brought to this school, why you connect with everyone here in a way that no one else can. Have you ever heard of an 'empathomancer'?"
"A what?!"
"An empathomancer. Sometimes called an intuwitch? It's a label given to a woman who has an impeccable talent for sensing and understanding the feelings of others, while being highly intuitive herself. Empathy and Intuition - it's associated with soul magic."
"Isn't that just basic human decency though? I'm sure everyone does that."
"No, Mildred! Soul magic...oh, come on?" Ethel interjected, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Soul magic is really rare, and it's really powerful. Some witches dedicate their entire lives towards trying to master it, but legend says it's innate gift which is why it isn't taught anywhere. It's magic that channels the entire human spirit, it breaks all of our natural laws. There's a reason why you can bring drawings to life. Why you always know where to look, who to trust, what to do! Mildred, do you have any idea how serious this is? There's hardly anyone alive who has this talent, and hardly anyone in the past who's ever recorded it."
"Human spirit...do you mean, love?"
"Yes! Love, care, compassion, whatever you want to call it, it all means the same thing!" Ethel continued, frustration seeping through as Mildred raised a singular, unconvinced eyebrow at her. "Okay look, have you ever been in a situation where your magic acted on its own accord? Because if you have, that practically solidifies this. Independent magic is the one sign of abnormally powerful skill."
"Yes...yes, I have actually!" Mildred exclaimed, her eyes widening as she pieced everything together. "Last year, when I tried to hurt myself in that lake, Miss Hardbroom was pulled under the water. It just happened, she didn't say a spell or anything and neither did I, she just landed right in front of me...and during the battle at the Witches Guild, my magic killed Mistress Broomhead, not me. I went to physically push her, but then a jet of light shot from my hands out of nowhere, and no one believed me..."
"Exactly, this is mental, Mildred! And during both of those events, your magic was driven by love. The first time it connected with Miss Hardbroom's love for you, and the second was your love for her - the need to protect her. I don't know how your abilities have gone unnoticed for so long, but I think I am right about this which is why you must be the one to decide where to look for this missing piece of the puzzle. Think, Millie, listen to what your heart is telling you and get out of here!"
Mildred glanced around to make sure they were still alone before taking a seat at the desk. She rested her forehead in her hands, her temples pounding for she couldn't believe what had just been uncovered. She wanted to shout and Ethel, tell her she was talking rubbish, but suddenly, a low and urgent voice in her head spoke to her, solidifying that she was indeed, abnormal.
"I think the other half of the note is in Miss Ravenscroft's bedroom" Mildred stated immediately. "It makes sense. She's probably keeping it close to ensure no one else finds it. The rest of the note has to be somewhere she considers safe."
"Brilliant! See, I trust you, Mildred, but sneaking into her bedroom…that's incredibly risky. If she catches you, it could be disastrous."
"I know," Mildred admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "But we don't have a choice. We need that second half to prove what she's planning. It's the only way to stop her. I'll go, you stay here and keep guard. That way, if she catches me, we still have the first piece of paper."
"Good plan. Be quick, be safe, Mildred."
-x-
Mildred crept silently through the dimly lit corridors, her heart pounding in her chest. Every creak of the floorboards beneath her feet sounded like a thunderclap in the quiet of the night. As she approached Miss Ravenscroft's quarters, the air grew colder, heightening the sense of danger that had settled over her. She knew she had to be careful - if Miss Ravenscroft caught her, the consequences would be dire, but the need to find the second half of the note and uncover the truth spurred her forward.
Reaching the door to Miss Ravenscroft's bedroom, Mildred hesitated for a moment, listening for any sign of movement. Hearing nothing, she carefully turned the handle and slipped inside. The room was shrouded in darkness, save for a sliver of moonlight that filtered through a gap in the curtains, casting a pale glow on the neatly made bed where Miss Ravenscroft slept soundly, ginger curls strewn across her face. Even in her unconscious state, Mildred's head was screaming at her to get out of there, a voice she now believed was soul magic, desperate to protect her.
Mildred's breath caught in her throat as she scanned the room, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. She needed to find the second half of the note quickly and get out before Miss Ravenscroft woke up. Searching the desk, she had no luck, and it wasn't until she crept over to search under the bed that her heart jumped into her mouth.
A soft rustle from the bed made Mildred freeze. She turned to see Miss Ravenscroft staring at her, her eyes half open, as Mildred clasped a hand to her mouth. However, Elena simply turned back over, stirring slightly but then settling back into sleep. Letting out a silent breath of relief for she couldn't believe her luck, Mildred realised she must have still been dreaming. She went to leave the room, deeming the mission too risky, until her eyes fell on a glimmer of white that was poking out of the newly exposed pillow case.
Reaching out a hand, her heart racing with every step, she began to lift the pillow, careful not to make a sound. Her fingers brushed against a page as Mildred's heart leapt - could this be what she was looking for?
With trembling hands, she unfolded the paper and scanned its contents, the hair on her neck standing on end:
"002...Mil...must be turned against...no...eliminated from the picture...to...complete...once...take her back...all began."
This was it - the second half of the note, it had to be for it made no sense, random words scribbled all over it with gaping spaces in between, just like the other one. Mildred's mind raced as she realised the gravity of the situation. This could reveal everything as she moved swiftly and silently back to the door, glancing one last time at Miss Ravenscroft to ensure she was still asleep. Then, with a final, deep breath, she slipped out of the room and closed the door quietly behind her, before sprinting down the corridor.
The journey back to the office felt like an eternity, every shadow and sound heightening her senses, but as she finally reached the safety of her room, abnormally relieved to see Ethel still stood there, the weight of the situation pressed heavily on her. She had the evidence, but now she needed to act.
"Mildred! That was so quick, did she see you? Did you find it?"
"Yes. No. I don't know. Ethel, give me that piece of paper" Mildred exclaimed, trying to keep her voice down.
Clutching the two notes in her hand, Mildred rushed over to the seat which she had been occupying earlier as she took out a nearby post-it note and scribbled the words together, matching their gaps to form a jumbled sentence. However, the words didn't remain scrambled for long as she finally pieced together a shot paragraph, her blood running cold as she realised the depth of the entire situation before reciting it aloud.
"Case 192002 - MilBroom fixture must be turned against each other to ensure that no trust remains. Mental Health must be eliminated from the picture to ensure complete isolation. Once home, take her back to where it all began to meet her end."
Ethel lifted a hand to cover her mouth, the shock of what they had uncovered sitting heavy on her shoulders. She had been right. They had both been right. Miss Ravenscroft wasn't who she said she was, and she was planning something awful.
"This is… this is proof," Mildred whispered, her voice trembling. "She's trying to hurt someone, but it doesn't say who."
Ethel nodded, her expression grim, before her eyes widened in realisation. "But what if it does, just not directly? Give it here" she ordered, before snatching the original note back into her own hands. "We didn't notice it at first, because it didn't make any sense, but the letters at the start of 'mental health', do you notice anything about them?"
"Um...oh, wait, yes, yes I do! They're in bold" Mildred stated, confusion evident in her tone.
"Exactly! And what letters are those bold ones? M and H!"
"You dont mean..."
"I do...M and H...must stand for Mildred Hubble. That would explain why she was so invested in knowing everything about you! She needed to use you..."
"Wait, so it could say 'MilBroom fixture must be turned against each other to ensure that no trust remains. Mildred Hubble must be eliminated from the picture to ensure complete isolation. Once home, take her back to where it all began to meet her end." Mildred repeated in horror. "Ethel, if she's referring to me, she's talking about Miss Hardbroom.
"
"We need to show this to Miss Cackle," Ethel said, her voice resolute. "She has to see what Miss Ravenscroft is really up to, and she has to bring HB back here."
"Agreed. But we need to be careful. If Miss Ravenscroft realises we've been in here, she'll destroy the evidence and come after us." Mildred urged before she took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. "Let's get out of here and find Miss Cackle now, before it's too late."
Dashing from the desk, Mildred and Ethel carefully closed the cabinet before made their way back to the door. However, just as they were about to slip out into the corridor, they heard footsteps approaching. Mildred's heart raced, and she exchanged a panicked glance with Ethel.
"Hide!" Ethel hissed, before pulling Mildred behind a large, heavy curtain that hung near the door.
They held their breath as the footsteps grew louder, stopping just outside the office. Eventually, the door creaked open, and Mildred could see the silhouette of not just Miss Ravenscroft but also Miss Cackle, the both of them standing in the doorway, Elena's presence menacing even in the dim light. After what felt like an eternity, the pair entered the room. Mildred was about to pounce out and expose Elena there and then, until the woman spoke and interrupted her from her thoughts.
"I could have sworn I locked that door...but yes, I am ever so sorry, Amelia, I have no choice. I wouldn't wake you at midnight, but I just got the message that my mother is unwell so I need to look after her this week. I know it is an inconvenience with Constance having just taken leave, but I must go too..."
"Don't worry yourself, Elena. We will manage without you, and your family comes first. Take the week off and keep me posted" Amelia replied softly, as she helped Elena pack some belongings before the pair of them left the room, shutting the door swiftly behind them.
"That was too close," Ethel whispered, her hands still trembling.
Mildred nodded, her face pale for she had another harrowing realisation. "Did you not hear what she said though?"
"I heard that she's out of our hair for a week" Ethel responded, her eyebrows furrowed.
"Exactly...at the same time as HB? That's not a coincidence, Ethel." Mildred explained anxiously. "The note says, 'Once home, take her back to where it all began to meet her end' and HB's home...so that must mean she's going after her! This is bad. This is really, really fucking bad" Mildred cried, nausea seeping into her throat.
"We need to act, right now" Ethel exclaimed, but stopped as another gut wrenching reality hit her. "But Mildred, Miss Ravenscroft is clever - evil, but clever - and we can't deny that. She says everything at the perfect time. She always knows what to say, who to say it to and how to hide it. Being able to compulsively lie like that, it's not natural. You aren't born with it, you have to learn it, and how do you learn things? Through other people."
"Are you trying to say-"
"That someone taught her. Yes, Mildred, yes I am, and we cant do anything about it until we find out who she's working with."
Mildred stepped out from the curtain, her hands resting on the top of her head in desperation. She squeezed her eyes shut, so tightly that she was seeing stars, begging for her intuition to help her. She couldn't stand life without Constance. She couldn't bear to see her get hurt. She would go to the ends of the earth for her, and she needed her now more than ever as she begged her brain to work, to tell her anything, just as it had come up with a brilliant plan on that fateful night last year.
"Wait! That's it...oh my God...that's it" Mildred cried, as she spun around to Ethel. "GIVE ME THAT!"
"What?" Ethel cried in disbelief, urging Mildred to keep her voice down.
"The note!" Mildred shouted, unable to contain her adrenaline as she snatched the paper from Ethel's hand. "Case 192...002...192002...1...9...2002..."
"Mildred, how is spitting out random numbers going to help us?" Ethel scolded in exasperation.
"Because, Ethel...this isn't just any random case number, it's a damn code! It stands for a date...1, 9, 2002 - the 9th of January, 2002 - that was the day where Constance and I killed Mistress Broomhead! Elena Ravenscroft is somehow working on behalf of a dead woman!"
"But, a dead woman...you know what this means...don't you Mildred?" Ethel questioned sensitively, moving closer to the younger girl as she placed a hand on her arm.
"Yes. Miss Ravenscroft isn't working for control or power. She's working for revenge."
A/N - Thoughts:
1) I'm pretty sure this plot was predictable, so I'm writing well to make up for it and further twists are coming!
2) I 100% believe that Mildred, especially our 1998 Mildred, has the potential to be incredibly powerful. As Maud once said, "I trust you, Millie. You always make the right decision in the end."
3) Re-enter Constance, for she can't catch a break in this sequel x