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The Witch's Ghost, Chapter 5

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Well guys, it’s Chapter 5, so it’s time to venture the 5th and final floor. This floor had my favorite music; really emotional, I think.

Chapter 5: What a Friend Is


6 years ago; after Ellen’s birthday


“You know, Ellen, I just thought of something.” Viola said as she and Ellen walked up the house’s stairways without shoes. “We’ve known each other for three years, and we never told each other our last names.”

“Really? Hm… I never noticed.”

“Yeah. Maybe we should. I mean, we’d know each other much better, right? Why shouldn’t we?”

“My last name is kind of… weird.” Ellen blushed.

“Okay, then I’ll give mine first. My last name is… Somershire.”

“Kmm.” Ellen chuckled. “That is a weird name.”

“So tell me yours!”

Ellen looked away, smiling softly. “…It’s Wickens.”

“Wow, really? Is your whole family magic?”

“No, it’s just a name. My parents abandoned me because I was magic, anyway. I used to have old photos of cousins and relatives. We’re more noticeable for our purple hair.”

“Purple hair is a hard thing to come by.” Viola lightly brushed Ellen’s hair. “I don’t think I see many people with golden eyes, either.”

“I have a book about Eye Studies.” Ellen looked at Viola, her catlike eyes narrowed as she wore a humorous smile. “Maybe you should do some research.”

“Maybe I will.” Viola grinned. “So where are we going, again?”

“Outside.” Ellen faced forward.

“Ellen, outside is downstairs!”

“Not in my house.” Ellen said as they crossed a hallway of stained glass windows. “Wait until you see it.” She opened a door, passed a small room with four colored dolls, and they were there.

The noontime sun hit Viola’s face, made her golden hair sparkle. They were on the mansion’s roof, she assumed. A garden flourished here, lush green grass growing from soil. They walked down a narrow path with archways of blood-red roses to enter the main garden. An elder tree stood in the center and appeared very ripe, all of its leaves in place, its bark solid and sturdy. A patch of white flowers grew before it, rose bushes filled the corners, dark-green moss on the walls. To her left was a table of coffee and cakes, to her right, red grasses breezed beside a door. Viola felt a shadow pass over her, and looking at the ground, she saw the winged shadow of a bird flying over the tree in circles. But when she looked at the sky, there was no bird, only clouds and sun.

“Ellen… this is beautiful. How did you make all of this?”

“This is nothing, really. It’s child’s play with the extent magic can do.”

The fresh scents of many flowers and flora filled Viola’s nose. She wiggled her toes between the soggy grass, embracing the nature of this garden. There was something odd about the feel, though. “This grass… it doesn’t feel like any I know. …” She looked at the roses. She approached a bush and gently felt its petals. “These roses, too. They’re…”

“Of course they’re not real plants. Everything is magically made.” Ellen said. “All the plants are tied to my emotional state. The garden only flourishes when I’m calm or happy. When I’m sad, things wilt… when I’m sick, they die. …They’ve been flourishing a lot, lately.”

Viola turned and shared a smile with her. The sun’s rays were directly overhead, blinding the top of their vision. “Come on, meet the flowers.” Ellen led Viola to the table where the yellow flowers sat; they appeared to be moving and chatting amongst their selves. “The yellow flowers are really sociable. They’re kind of conceited, but I use the pollen as ingredients for my medicine.”

“My, Dear, what lovely arms you have.” a flower said to Viola. “Ellen always told us how strong you look, I say, they’re almost as flawless as we are.”

Viola flushed, looking at her arms. They were bigger than Ellen’s, but she wouldn’t think herself ‘strong.’ “The red grasses over here know lots of things. The problem is they’re always lying.” Ellen led Viola to these grasses.

“25 doesn’t have a square root.” a grass said.

“Don’t be ridiculous, I’m certain it was either 6 or 7.” another grass argued.

“A number can have two square roots, of course.” the third grass noted.

Viola giggled. Ellen brought her to the elder tree. “This is the elder tree. He’s pretty smart, too. Ask it something.”

“Hi, Mr. Elder Tree.” Viola said politely. “Do you have any advice for me?”

“Hmmm… oh, yes. Knowing math may benefit you in the future.”

Both girls laughed. They looked down at the white flowers. “The white flowers are my favorite. If you sprinkle them with water, their petals glow, great for lighting. …Just be careful when handling it.”

“I scratch, you know.” A white flower commented.

“Okay, I will.” Viola smiled. “…Ellen, what’s with that bird shadow?”

“Well, that’s my Shadow Bird! I use him to eat weeds and stuff. Not that I don’t have a hand in their creation.” Ellen twirled her finger, making blades of grass grow higher on either side of Viola. The latter looked wondrously as they tied around her braids, making it seem as though she grew from the ground. Ellen giggled at the sight, shrinking the grass down to normal.

Viola felt a tickling on her feet. She looked down, seeing a group of ants skittering over them. “If those ants are bothering you, I can get rid of them.” Ellen said.

“No, don’t!” Viola sat on the ground, letting a little ant crawl on her finger. She smiled as it trekked across her arm. “I think ants are cute. Sometimes, I wish I was an ant. They have such a unique view on the world.”

Well, Ellen smirked in thought, if it was her wish, then may she be the genie. She cast magic over Viola, and the braided girl shrunk below the grass in an instant. “Waaaaoooh!” At first, she had no idea where she was, some kind of thick jungle. Then Viola gasped: a group of ants, the size of horses, crept up to her. “Nnnnn-” She frightfully backed up, jumping with a start when she bumped into another ant. She was surrounded. “Ellen! H-Help!”

“It’s all right.” Viola looked up. Ellen towered miles over the grass jungle, smiling at her friend. “They’re under my control. They won’t hurt you as long as I’m around.”

An ant nudged Viola with its head. She smiled and petted them softly. Viola climbed onto one of their backs, riding like a horse while Ellen telepathically commanded them. The witch bent down and let the ant crawl onto her right finger, then she lifted them up. Ellen raised her left hand to catch a little, orange butterfly. “Wanna go for a ride?” she asked, holding the butterfly under her other hand.

The butterfly’s wings were down and straight, awaiting its passenger. “Is it… safe?” Viola asked.

“You trust me, don’t you?”

Big or small, Viola thought, she trusted Ellen greater than anyone. “Of course.” She climbed off the ant and onto the butterfly’s back. On Ellen’s command, the butterfly flapped its wings and took off into the air. Though the speed was relatively slow and light, the ant-size Viola felt the rush of the wind against her features. Soaring over miles of jungle in seconds, alongside the rose bushes, across the yellow flowers’ garden (boy, that giant cake looked good), and up into the elder tree’s leaves. Beetles and spiders crittered about. Few rays of sunlight poked within, but they were all huge rays at Viola’s size.

Ellen was seated back against the tree, under the shade, peacefully controlling the butterfly. She let the bug flutter before her, and Ellen could see the wonder and sunny amazement on Viola’s tiny face. She let the butterfly land on her left foot, letting Viola climb down and to the ground. Ellen grew Viola back to normal size, the latter watching with delight as the butterfly flew away. Viola sat beside her friend under the tree. “Ellen… your powers are so amazing.” Viola spoke with awe.

“Please, they’re no big deal.” Ellen replied modestly.

“Yes they are! Ellen, your magic can do anything if you wanted to. I wish I had magic, too, there are so many great things I could do!” Her emerald eyes gazed at the sky, lost in fantasy over the idea of having powers. “End world hunger… grow fresh, pure vegetables, no one would have to eat meat, save millions of animals… and best of all, no—” She stopped herself. Viola looked at Ellen with a regretful frown. “…No sickness.”

“…” Ellen smiled. “Uh-oh, serious world-conqueror right here, don’t give this girl powers.”

Viola giggled. “Ellen… if I had magic, I really would focus everything in curing your illness. Are you… really sure you can’t do it yourself?”

“My magic already has limits outside the house, and I can’t use spells on myself much, either. I’ve been trying to find a cure, but… well, it isn’t easy.”

“I hope you find one someday.” Viola spoke softly. “Your powers could save the world, Ellen. You could…You could be a hero to everyone.”

Ellen looked down, smiling at the silly fantasy. A person like her… saving the world. Being a hero. “Viola, you have too bright an opinion about everything.”

“Not true. I hate killing, I hate meat, I hate sadness-”

“That’s my point. You’re way too sweet for your own good.” Ellen smiled humorously.

“M-Maybe… but I really believe you have potential, Ellen. If anyone else knew that potential, no one would…”

She saw Ellen frown. The subject of her going outside was touchy to her. Viola smiled and changed the subject. “Um, Ellen… is there a special place we could… write something?”

“Like… the elder tree?”

“Well, I didn’t wanna hurt it.”

“Don’t worry about it. He won’t feel pain as long as I’m in control.”

Minutes later, the girls had fallen asleep under the tree. Leaning against the other… Viola’s hand over Ellen’s. Ellen inscribed something on the tree. Something that would last forever.

ELLEN
&
VIOLA
Friends Forever


Present time; 5th floor

Ellen limped slowly across Floor 5’s hallway. Her head ached, and her heart. Viola’s heart… These flashbacks came out of nowhere, and when Ellen began thinking about them, she couldn’t stop herself. She couldn’t focus on puzzles while they were in motion, so she stood around for several minutes to let them pass. She was able to go for two years without hardly thinking about Viola, why was she all over her mind now? Oh, she had to remember, it was Viola’s brain she possessed. Viola had so many memories of this house, of Ellen. So many warm and happy moments…

Okay, Ellen admits it. Viola may have pitied Ellen, but the love Viola felt for her friend was real, not Viola’s way of feeling like an angel. She cared for Ellen out of love and came over almost every day. If that hadn’t been true, the Switching Spell never could’ve worked. And Ellen was so grateful, she had formed a true friendship with Viola. …Ugh. Ellen sat back against the wall close to the door. Her mind and heart were whirling like a maelstrom. Before she even took one step into the garden, she had to get herself back in order. For seven years, she grew up with Viola. For seven years, their friendship prospered, they had warm moments, and tense moments, they were spiritual sisters. Ellen truly loved Viola. But it was all part of her plan.

Greater than that love was Ellen’s pain. Her parents didn’t love her, they practically thought she was invisible. Ellen killed her mother first. Her father didn’t care. He was ignorant to his demon daughter. So she killed him, too. Then she met the demon. Formed a contract. Ellen became a witch. She was officially a soulless monster. But deep down, Ellen told herself that wasn’t true. For those following centuries, Ellen wanted someone to love. Be away from her pain and her past, forever. She wanted to use the Switching Spell for a very long time. But all of the children and adults screamed at her, so she killed them. Her soul became more tarnished with each death. Then, she met Viola.

It was all Ellen’s plan. Develop a friendship with Viola, be able to trust her, while she trusts back, but always remember, the pain Ellen was consumed in. Hacking, coughing, wheezing, the potion got weaker with age, Ellen had to act soon, because she couldn’t take it anymore. Her love for Viola would finally find its ultimate use. Their trust for each other allowed them to trade bodies. Then seeing Viola, so helpless and fragile in her old body… she took pity on her. But most important was, Ellen finally had what she wanted: a perfect, healthy body, friends and a father that loved her. It didn’t matter how grateful Ellen was to Viola for everything, it didn’t matter how much Viola loved her. Because she could have all the love she wanted, and no one would ever know.

Is Ellen really so selfish? What person wouldn’t want the internal warmth of friends and family, and perfect health? Ellen tried to help Viola too, by killing her with despair, she could go on in peace. But she didn’t. Ellen didn’t think Viola would understand her argument, that’s why she never explained. But perhaps… she should have. Ellen had to settle this. She had to find Viola and tell her why she did what she did, that Ellen wanted a normal life with friends and family, that was her only way of doing so, and Viola could go on in peace if she just accepts it. And if Viola didn’t accept it… then she really is selfish.

Ellen entered the small room with four tables of dolls. …The red doll was designed like Elizabeth, the blue doll was designed like April May, the green doll like Viola, and the purple doll like Ellen. The note said, One of these does not belong. Ellen rolled her eyes and ripped the head off her doll. Because one of these should die, she remarked internally. Hm, they could write a song about that. The door opened, so Ellen entered the garden. Like everything else in the mansion, Ellen expected the plants and grass to be in a state worse than death, the beauty and marvel of her garden soiled beyond repair by Viola’s hatred.

Her garden was more beautiful than ever. So many new flowers populated the grass, primarily violas. They smelled so lovely. A bright, golden sun, which Ellen was certain was an illusion, shone over the world. The white flowers were still around the elder tree. Ellen wondered how the other flowers were doing. Ellen entered the left room: the yellow flowers were fearfully polishing the grandfather clock in the back. “Keep the Keeper happy! The Keeper of Time must not be filthy!” a flower spoke with fear. Ellen entered the Diary Room—a sword flew at her, she stepped out, let it stick through the door. Ellen reentered the room and read the Secret Diary.

Today, I met a pretty girl.
She had violet hair and golden eyes.


The triplet beds in the room were still bloody. There was no skull under the nightstand, but rather a note. It’s allergic to pollen. Ellen returned outside and saw that the north route – the Gas Room was open. The note beside it said, Go for a ride? Before going into the Gas Room, Ellen headed to the east, prison wing. Two of the red grasses were still hanging by nooses, with one of them fallen. That fallen one said, “The Keepers are not connected.” Ellen wanted to open the right prison cell, but she realized the skeleton prisoner was still pressed to the barred door; since the wall he was shackled to had attempted to crush Ellen when she wandered in here last time. A sign next to it read, He wants to use the toilet.

So many things to do, Ellen thought. She entered the left cell and found a bottle of glue, on the spot where the glass shoes used to be. Ellen recognized this as a magic glue that could fix any broken object. Ellen left the cell—a bloody handprint plopped on the wall, with text. It can’t fix everything, can it? Ellen sighed in annoyance. However, she had an idea what this could be used for. She returned to the tea party room, and opened the door to the dark hallway. She had a feeling she could use the glue to fix the bottle she dropped in here last time. However, she still needed a light to carry in here; and some gloves to pick up the glass.

She searched the garden outside and found a pair of gardening gloves beside a rose bush. She headed back to the prison wing, following the route to the Skull Room. She peeked through the barred door to that room: the skulls were… rolling around in a pool of pollen. They sure were enjoying their selves. Ellen moved aside pieces of the nearby broken pot and found a lantern. She returned to the dark hallway, holding the lantern in her gloved hands, and found the broken jar on the floor. Ellen set the lantern down and hurriedly glued the broken glass back together—she felt that a face was staring from the darkness, but when she looked up, nothing.

She took the lantern and jar and escaped the dark room. The first place she thought about heading: the water room. As expected, the water was still red with blood. Ellen let that blood flow into the jar. She then carried the jar to the skeleton against the jail door, pouring the blood down his “throat.” The skeleton’s nonexistent stomach gurgled, and the hall trembled when his wall moved backward. Ellen entered the cell to find the skeleton and his wall gone. A chamber pot that has seen better days rested among the dust. From its ruin, Ellen collected a green Gas Bean.

Ellen remembered this should only be eaten after eating a Shrink Bean; even then, she needed a good place to… well, best not think about that. Ellen put the bean in her satchel and this time headed to the Gas Room. Immediately she clamped her mouth shut—the toxic gas was everywhere. Ellen stepped out to reclaim her breath, then peeked in briefly. It seems a maze was carved within the gas clouds covering the floor. Ellen held her breath and quickly maneuvered this maze. In the very center was a sign that stated, FAR IN THE FOREST. Ellen hurriedly returned outside to catch her breath. Then she ran back through the maze, instinctively checking the bookshelves. She found a book titled The Greedy Skulls.

Once, there was a soldier who kept extra food and provisions for his otherwise greedy comrades. He secured the provisions in a hiding place that only he knows. He awaits the day someone will find and distribute his food when the time comes. Starting from the northwest of the fortress, he went south, west, north, north, southeast, northeast, west, south.

Well, this was obvious. Ellen rushed back to the Skull Room, seeing the little monsters happy to dig in their pollen. Each of them faced a compass direction. If Ellen attempted to take a skull with her, she would surely be eaten alive; so one of them must’ve been friendly. Starting with the northwest-most skull, on its right was a skull facing south. Below that, a skull facing west. Down-left of that, a skull facing north. Below that, another facing north. Right of that, a southeast skull. Above, a northeast skull. Down-right, a west skull. One more right, a south skull. Ellen safely picked that one up, and wasn’t attacked. Ellen returned down the passage, and saw that another of the red grasses fell down from its noose. She approached, and its advice was, “The Keeper feeds between noon and dusk.”

So the Keeper feeds on either noon or dusk. ‘Guess Ellen would have to risk a life. She returned to and finally began her journey through the Dark Room. It was as quiet and somewhat terrifying as last time, with blood stains on the walls—one of the stains was a face, but when Ellen passed, it morphed into a normal stain. Ellen followed the route to the Keeper of Time—a little wristwatch under the desk. It was set at 12, but… that was too easy. Ellen couldn’t touch the clock, either, so she wandered around the dark hall to wait it out. She passed the area of headless statues to the small room where the jade pipe was previously located. In its place was a book titled Worlds Beyond Our Own, by Alexander Pines.

Convoluted research by scientists in New Oakland has led to the discovery of supernatural anomalies in the area. They have theorized the existence of alternate dimensions leaking into this one, but have come up with little proof. It is our job as scientists to conduct further research on this theorem.

When did Ellen ever have this book? She put it away and fast-walked back to the wristwatch—the statues now had bloody skull heads. The wristwatch was still at 4:00, so… Ellen hated doing this. She walked up to the corner where two coffins lay. The coffins of her dead parents. There they were, still in slumber, skeletons. Ellen put them far back in here where she could rarely look at them. She had no remorse for her parents, never would. She saw a note on the wall that said, BROKEN FAMILY.

Ellen returned to the wristwatch—she heard one of the lids of the coffins come off. She fast-walked to and saw the wristwatch on 6, so she used the skull to spit pollen onto it. Wondering if it did anything, Ellen turned and headed—“UAAAAAAHHH!” The filthy, decaying corpse of Ellen’s mother limped after her quickly, Ellen bolted through the darkness, navigated the passage, and successfully made it through the exit. Ellen gasped for breath, and hearing the sounds of furious beatings, Ellen saw that the yellow flowers were attacking an ill, discolored grandfather clock.

“MAKE HIM SUFFER! NO MERCY!” a flower screamed.

“Before his powers return!” another declared.

“Gouge his stomach!” another followed.

Lovely to a fault is an understatement, thought Ellen. But since they would gouge his stomach, Ellen walked up and opened the clock’s door. She got the pink Shrink Bean inside. With this, she only knew one way to go: Ellen walked outside, got beside the elder tree, and ate the bean. The ultimate sour taste overcame her before she shrunk to beetle size. Her loyal snake companion carried Ellen on his back, slithering up the side of the elder tree. But when he got to its branches, he had to stop, for fear of the sleeping Shadow Bird above.

Ellen could cross sub-branches like bridges to get to other branches, and also used the rugged side of the tree like a ladder. She couldn’t go too far when a green vine suddenly sprouted up in her path. There was writing carved in the tree, which said, It rules this domain. Must’ve meant the white flower down below. Ellen spotted a huge boulder – really a small rock from normal perspective – stationed on the gap between two branches. Since Ellen was on the higher branch, she struggled to push it with what reduced strength her body now possessed. Thankfully, it was enough to send it rolling down the other branches, and crush the white flower below.

The vine blocking her path retracted, letting Ellen climb a ladder to a higher level of branches. Spider webs were woven with their owners waiting patiently for food. One of the webs was woven over the gap between two branches, with another boulder seated on it. Ellen walked to the tip of the branch to pluck a pointed twig free, then used it to unhook one of the latches of the web. Now unbalanced, the boulder could fall through and crush the flower again. Another vine retracted, letting Ellen rush up a stairway of short branches. This next level of the elder tree was composed of leaves that Ellen could jump across, supporting the weight of her small size.

Ellen found a boulder at the end of the route, beginning to push it across the leaves until she was above the white flower. Of course, the leaves wouldn’t support the boulder easily; she noticed certain leaves were drooping, meaning they had no leaves below them, so Ellen took care to push the rock over many stacked leaves. In the spot that was directly above the white flower, she pushed and allowed the stone to fall through an unsteady patch of leaves, crushing the plant for good. With the last vine retracted, Ellen could climb up to the nest where the Shadow Bird rested. Although she couldn’t see it, its shadow was in slumber, and Ellen felt its solidity. She climbed onto the invisible bird’s back, and whisked across the garden, over the Gas Room, and landed… in the forest.

Ellen expected to be taken to the small area of garden after the Gas Room, but in its place, it seems a bustling forest covered this area. The leaves were a lush green, and the sky was a bright gold. It seemed Viola had truly mastered the manipulation of the house’s dimensions, having created an entire forest on this floor. The Shadow Bird landed, so Ellen climbed off, believing this was the right time to eat the Gas Bean. A route to the right led to an outhouse, so Ellen ate the Gas Bean, puffed to normal size, and rushed for the outhouse while her insides were bubbling. …The rest went without saying.

Ellen found the black cat seated on a stump. “So did you ever figure out what a ‘friend’ is?” he questioned. A short distance forward, Ellen found a Secret Diary.

She was so sad. She wanted an escape from her suffering.
I knew she could help me.


Ellen began to explore the peaceful forest, going left, right, left, frontward, right, but she almost always ended up at the diary. Clearly this forest was so expansive because it looped. However, one of the accidental routes brought her to an enclosing with a rock that depicted a butterfly. The sign beside it read, She crossed many continents searching for her loved one. First the arctic, then Asia, the desert, the Indian Ocean, up the Prime Meridian, and finally the Pacific. Ellen guessed that these were compass directions. Well, the arctic was up north, Asia was east, the desert was hot, so it must be south, Indian Ocean was east, she went north up the “Prime Meridian”… the Pacific was west of her continent, but if she was just at Indian Ocean, she headed east.

Ellen found a beautiful garden of colorful butterflies. The sign said, Who do you trust the most? The reddish butterfly looked like Viola’s father, Travis. The pink butterfly reminded her of Elizabeth. The blue one resembled April. The black one resembled the cat. And the orange one… well, this puzzle was obvious. However, just for fun, Ellen chose to go with the green butterfly, not immediately recognizing it. It led Ellen on an order of compass directions through the forest, until she was brought to an enclosing with a hole the width of a snake. Ellen knew the very creature that goes here… she unfortunately didn’t have him with her.

Ellen returned to the butterfly garden, deciding to complete this puzzle by following the orange butterfly. The one that resembled Viola… the one she trusted the most. Even in the current circumstances. She assumed every other butterfly would lead her to some form of hilarious death that connects with the respective person. The orange butterfly’s road was calm, but Ellen saw many holographic visions on the way. Viola was eating the lovely breakfast Ellen prepared for her… Viola got Ellen a new pair of red shoes… Ellen laughed when Viola tried each Magic Bean… Ellen wrote a song for Viola… Viola tickled Ellen while she wasn’t looking… Viola hugged Ellen lovingly-

Ellen shook her head. She had to focus on the butterfly and ignore these visions. The butterfly finally led her to a lone elder tree, where a hologram of Viola and Ellen sleeping together sat, before they faded. The butterfly rested itself on the tree, where the words were still inscribed on the bark.

ELLEN
&
VIOLA
Friends Forever


And behind the tree, half-buried in the soil, was an old family portrait. Taken 300 years ago. The glass was broken, the photo dusty. Mother… Father… and Baby Ellen. She sighed to herself and took the photo—when she walked away, the butterfly briefly displayed a projection of a tall woman, with blonde hair and green eyes, smiling. Ellen made it to the start of the forest and headed south, entering a door to the room for her infamous collection of medicines. As expected, all the medicines for Ellen’s eyes were destroyed. In fact, all of the medicines were heavily tarnished. It seemed Viola was blind to everything else except her hatred. However, one jar was still intact. The Throat-Burning Acid, one of the instigators of the entire event. Ellen chose to take this. She then crossed the small garden of rose bushes, where a Secret Diary was still placed.

A gardener must nurture their plants until they’re ripe.
And eat fruits when they’re at their most luscious.


Ellen still had the glue bottle, so she knew what was to come next: she held her breath, opened the door to the Gas Hall, and quickly began gluing the pieces of the shattered glass slippers back together. She put the shoes on afterward, and was able to rush through the cloud of gas. She made it to the exit, and reunited with her little snake. The snake hid under Ellen’s dress while the girl raced through the hallway again, past the Medicine Room, and to the forest. Ellen found the butterfly garden and followed the green one to the snake hole. She set the snake on the ground, giving him a warm smile, while the snake smiled back. She was almost sad to watch it crawl into the tiny hole. He had found his home.

It made Ellen think about the little froggy. Sacrificed before he had a chance to find home. At least she was able to apologize… Wait, why did she start thinking about this? She was so close to ending this whole thing, so close to having Viola off her… How would she get Viola to leave her alone? Right, she would explain to Viola how she just wanted friends and family that loved her. Of course, Viola loved her. But then—that wasn’t enough. Viola should be glad that Ellen is happy, that she has so many more people that care about Viola—I mean, her. Er… Ellen held her head after making it across the Gas Hall. She was certain she had her argument figured out, but now she had a headache.

Ellen focused on the current task of navigating the Dark Room to find her parents’ coffins. Mother was still uncovered. The woman that didn’t love her. Ellen placed the photo on the small desk between both coffins. Her father’s coffin opened, and Ellen collected the lighter from his dead hand. As she backed away, she saw… her 7-year-old self. Young, sad, bulging eyes, bloody bare legs, letting a teddybear dangle from her right hand. She looked up at Ellen’s emerald eyes, wiping a tear from her left eye. Why was the child so sad? That Ellen had killed her parents before they ever had a chance to express their love? Before she had the chance to…

Ellen turned and quickly walked out of the Dark Room, to the garden. What was she thinking? Her parents didn’t love her, nobody ever did until she stole Viola’s body. Wait, no, of course, Viola—that didn’t matter now! It didn’t matter that Viola wasn’t afraid of her, that Viola helped get her medicine, that Viola… wanted Ellen to be happy. Ellen shook her head—her mind was swimming with thoughts of the golden-haired beauty. She fought to quit thinking about her, about how wonderful and lovely… Ellen huffed with anger, going to sit beside the elder tree. She couldn’t control herself. She had to get around these memories, now or never.

2 years ago; three days before their anniversary

Viola and Ellen sat on opposite ends of the couch. They faced away from each other, their faces bored, glum, and thoughtful. “Do you want to… shrink down and ride the butterfly?” Ellen asked.

“It loses its appeal after a while.” Viola replied tonelessly.

“Oh. …Do you want to… ride the music sheets upstairs?”

“It’s kind of cramped…”

“Oh.” Ellen looked down.

Viola glanced to the window on her right. It was very sunny out. “…Ellen…” She sighed and turned around, “I would really love it if you come outside with me.”

“I have a garden on the roof, I go outside all the time.”

“I mean really outside, out of this house. It’s so beautiful out there, and there’s so many things we can do. Climb the trees, walk in the river… go into town…”

“Viola, you keep telling me ‘all the things we can do outside.’” Ellen spoke defensively. “I keep telling you, I don’t want to.”

Viola huffed and stood up angrily, “Why not? Ellen, why are you so afraid to go outside?! Because you can’t use magic as well? Your disease is getting worse? Ellen, nothing bad is going to happen to you out there. No one is gonna wanna hurt a little girl just because she’s sick, or…or has powers. You may be a witch, but you’re not a monster, Ellen, and people need to realize that.”

“I’ve gotten by just fine in this house on my own, and I already have you to visit me!” Ellen argued.

“Aren’t you sick of me?! Aren’t you sick of this house?! Why can’t you come outside for something different? A walk through the forest, meeting my friends, meeting the town. Ellen, if the townspeople got to know you, got to know the REAL you, instead of an evil ‘witch,’ then they would understand that they were wrong. I know you’re sick, I know this won’t help your disease, but it can help you. If you only understood that having more than one friend is a wonderful feeling.” Ellen gritted her teeth and clutched her fingers. “If THEY understood that the Witch they’re so afraid of isn’t a monster. Just like…Just like in my book.”

Ellen punched the back of the couch; albeit a weak punch. She huffed and stood up to face Viola. “Nobody is like you, Viola.” She spoke with a stutter. “You’re the only person that would ever come visit me every day. You’re the only person that isn’t afraid, that isn’t disgusted by me, the only person that could… tolerate me.” Bloody tears leaked from her eyes. Ellen turned away. “You just don’t understand that most people are cruel. They would hate me for what I am. I’m better off staying in this house…”

Viola sighed in disappointment. She approached and touched Ellen’s shoulder. “That’s not true at all. Yes, there are mean people, but there’s plenty of good people, too. And the people of New Oakland would love Ellen for who she is inside. No matter if you’re a witch or ill. Everyone would accept you. But… if I’m wrong… if they really can’t get past your powers and love you for you… then I’ll protect you.” The stutter in her voice didn’t mean this was a hard thing to say. Rather, Viola would hold very true to her word. “I’ll protect you from anyone that tries to hurt you. If it takes my life, I will always defend you. Even if you don’t want me to, you can trust that I will.”

More tears fell from Ellen’s face. She trembled. She believed every word… she did trust Viola… she would always trust Viola… and she was so thankful for her friendship and loyalty. Ellen turned to face her. “On our Friendship Anniversary. I’ll go outside with you.”

“You will? Even if you’re… sick?”

“I’ll make it work. One way or another, I will go outside. I promise.”

Viola smiled with pure pride and gratitude. She hugged Ellen close. “Thank you, Ellen. I promise you won’t regret it.”

Now…

Ellen held true to her promise, of course. She did go outside with Viola. As Viola. She didn’t regret it. She could finally leave her old life behind, with a father and friends that loved…

“No ‘buts’ Viola, now eat your steak.” Her father told Ellen.

“Thanks for helping me stack the hay, Viola!” April said to Ellen gratefully. “Ya know, Ah told mah daddy yer arms’re stronger than his, but he ain’t believe me!”

“Oh, Viola, it was only an accident.” Elizabeth told Ellen, weeks after the latter smashed Eliza’s ice-sculpture city by accident. “I can’t stay mad at you forever!”

“How’s my big strong girl doing today?” Her father greeted her one morning, ruffling Ellen’s golden hair.

“I love you, Daddy…”

“I love you too, Viola.”


…They loved Viola. They always loved Viola. They only knew Ellen as the Witch, or the diseased girl who was killed by the Witch. But what did Ellen expect? No one would love her if they knew the truth. That Ellen was a monster who betrayed her best friend. Her best friend who…

“What’s wrong, Viola?” Ellen asked when her 7-year-old friend came over one day.

“I got in a fight with Elizabeth.” Viola spoke with puffed cheeks. “She’s not sharing her new toy with me. …Ellen, will you come with me to Elizabeth’s and turn her into a frog?” she requested bubbly.


Who came to her house almost every day…

11-year-old Viola and 12-year-old Ellen lay bored on the triplet beds. Both laid perpendicular and sprawled across, Viola’s head beside Ellen’s feet, and Ellen beside Viola’s feet. None of them could think of anything to do. But it was nice to mellow out in such a silly fashion. Stare at the ceiling. Feeling fresh air of the open window. “I have a couple fantasy novels, wanna read them?” Ellen asked.

“Okay.”


Her friend that loved Ellen for who she was…

Ellen snapped her fingers and turned Viola into many animals. A cat that brushed against Ellen’s bare legs. A froggy that hopped off Ellen’s head. A pig that rolled around in the garden’s grass. A little butterfly that landed on the tip of Ellen’s nose, gave the teeniest peck with her little mouth, and flew off before Ellen changed her back.

Ellen clenched her lower lip with her teeth. She clutched her chest in her left hand. She fought to repress the tears. She looked at her strong arms… her sturdy legs… the gold braids on either side. No… they were Viola’s. Everybody loved Viola. Not Ellen. She tried and tried to forget Viola, but it was impossible—not if that was who she was pretending to be. Who everyone thought she was. Nobody knew she was a witch, that she was sick, nobody knew her true motives. But then again, neither did Viola. Because Ellen so expertly kept up the sham for seven years. Viola never knew about the demon, thought Ellen’s murders were on “accident,” never expected Ellen to be playing her all this time. Because Viola had everything Ellen wanted. Now Ellen had it from her.

Ellen’s parents never loved her. Tried to ignore her. Viola’s father cooked her breakfast and dinner every day. Every kid screamed at Ellen’s powers and hideous appearance. Elizabeth and April loved hanging out with Viola. Viola cared for Ellen. Viola loved playing with Ellen. She wanted Ellen to meet her friends and meet the town. She believed they could love Ellen for who she was. Her friends and the town do love Ellen, now. No… she was Viola. They still loved Viola. Ellen was dead. They never met her, they were sorry for Viola’s loss, but not sorry for the actual girl. They didn’t know her as anything more than a diseased girl. They passed her death off with little sadness, this was expected to happen.

Ellen clutched the grass forcefully, biting her teeth harder. Her head throbbed with rage. Her heart was in turmoil. The person named Ellen would never be remembered. She would never be loved. Viola will always be loved. Ellen lived off that love. The only person that would remember Ellen, years after she died… was Viola. Her one and only friend. Ellen just didn’t understand what she wanted, anymore. If she completed her mission… she would live the rest of Viola’s life, burying the truth in the confines of her mind. But if she actually surrendered, gave Viola what she wanted… she would die. And Viola, having seen the error of her kindness, will go back to living her life, swallowed in anger forever. Ellen thought it better to keep her body, keep living as Viola, so everyone will still remember Viola for what she was. And the real Viola could-

“You’re taking a while.” Ellen flinched. The black cat had wandered over, wagging his tail in the air. “Might I ask what’s wrong?”

“I…I…” Ellen let a few tears go, facing directly down while clutching the grass. “I don’t know what to do anymore. . .” She sniffled in a fashion where she forced herself desperately not to cry, like she were maintaining a storm of rampant emotions.

“You mean you don’t know what you want.” The cat said. “You’re actually thinking of giving it back.”

“Y…Y…yes.” Ellen choked. “But, ah-… I don’t know what would happen. What if it’s… too late for Viola. And what will… happen to me? I-I don’t… understand, anymore. I don’t know… what I would regret more. Because either way, I-… ‘Ellen’… that person will be forgotten, forever. Either way, ‘Viola’ will exist. And on the day when I pass away myself… I-I just don’t understand why I’m so afraid of…of dying. Dying without… anyone to remember me.”

“If it’s any consolation… I would always remember ‘Ellen.’” He told her honestly. “The two of you… I’ve never known any humans like you two. Still… what are you going to do? Her room is just up ahead. It’s now or never, what you’ll decide.”

Ellen calmed down, returning to her focused, emotionless state. She stood up unflinchingly. “I guess there’s only one way to find out.” Ellen returned to the Doll Room. Ellen lit the lighter she acquired, melting the pretty wax eyes out of each of the dolls. Then, the secret passage to Ellen’s former room slid open. She climbed down the ladder, crossed the dark hallway. She walked forward, to the direction of her room. Where Viola waited. The hardest battle, and the hardest decision Ellen would ever have to make. After nine years, one way or the other, her friendship with Viola would come to an end. The note was posted on the door.

YOUR TIME HAS COME
So if anyone is familiar with the character Crystal Wickens in my main series, Ellen is her distant great-aunt.

Chapter 1: gamewizard-2008.deviantart.com…
Chapter 2: gamewizard-2008.deviantart.com…
Chapter 3: gamewizard-2008.deviantart.com…
Chapter 4: gamewizard-2008.deviantart.com…
Chapter 5: We're near the end.
Chapter 6: gamewizard-2008.deviantart.com…
Chapter 7: gamewizard-2008.deviantart.com…


Witch's House © Fummy
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