Page 105 of The Neighborhood Witch

Johanna stood up and took a step toward Hugo. She kept her distance. “You’re too late,” she exclaimed. “The witch is no more. The world should thank me.”

Hugo guided Alice’s head back to its resting position and turned to Johanna with malice in his eyes. His nose twitched. An internal fury built within him. He raised the wand high above his head.

Johanna’s eyes focused on the twists. She grasped the faded silver cloak clasp on her lapel. She squeezed to the point that it imprinted into her hand. She mouthed the words, “Thank you.”

Hugo crashed the wand into the center of the amulet. Black sparks of arcane magick emanated from the yellow jewel. The amulet disintegrated before his eyes. The orange gems fell out of the gold disk. They slowly dissolved before hitting the ground. The gold chain faded into memory. The amulet of witch’s fire was no more.

Hugo watched Johanna’s hands turned to dust. She was being erased from existence—her fate the same as the amulet’s. The black wave of arcane energy slowly spread up her arms to her torso. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head. She gasped before smiling. Her legs and torso faded. The last remaining visage of Johanna Newes was her head turning to dust and floating away in the breeze.

Hugo pocketed the wand. He removed the restraints from Alice’s hands and chest. He caught her as she fell limply into his arms. He lifted her lifeless body. His arms gripped under her knees and shoulders.

“Come on, buddy. I need you,” Hugo yelled over to Galahad.

There was no response.

“Hey, we’ve got to go.”

There was still no response.

“Gally, come on, buddy, I can’t do this alone.” A hint of fear and panic appeared in his voice.

Galahad lay motionless on the ground.

Hugo ran with Alice’s body to the black SUV beyond the trees. His legs strained on the uneven terrain. He dodged around trees and other debris. Her body jostled in his arms. She grew heavier witheach step. The strength came to him, and he continued forth. He had to get her to safety. He must get her to safety.

He slid Alice’s knees down his arm, freeing his hand to open the passenger door. He struggled to set Alice inside. Her limp body caught against the door. He was careful not to hit her head when he placed her inside the car. He strapped the seatbelt over her so she wouldn’t slump over.

He ran back through the trees to the lifeless broomstick. He stood for a moment, hoping it was only stunned. He bent down and brushed against it with his hand. It laid motionless.

“Please,” Hugo pleaded. “Don’t leave me too. I need you.” He gripped the hickory handle and lifted it close to his chest.

The hickory broomstick, the horse dog Hugo had named Galahad, was dead.

The sky grew darker, and shadows crept over the area. The trees cackled with excitement over what had transpired as they swayed in the breeze. Hugo stood up and rushed back to the SUV. He placed Galahad on the back seat. He climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine. The headlights fired up, fighting back against the oncoming darkness. He backed up and turned around. They sped away down the dirt path.

Chapter 28

The Lovers’ Kiss

Dusk fell on the area. The last vestiges of orange, red, and purple sunlight slowly faded from view, giving over to the darkness of night. The lights of the town center rose above the horizon like twinkling stars appearing in the night sky. The black SUV sped down the road leading into Newbury Grove.

Hugo’s eyes focused on the road before him. He pushed the SUV to twice the normal speed limit. Hugo glanced over to check on her, only briefly, before returning his eyes to the road. Alice’s lifeless body jostled with the movement of the car. Her head slumped over; her body was only held up by the seatbelt.

“Hold on, Alice,” Hugo said in a mixture of fear and reassurance. “We’re almost there.”

Hugo’s eyes only caught the town motto, ’Welcome To The Neighborhood’ as the SUV zipped past the Newbury Grove welcome sign. He slowed down as they approached the town center. The Newbury Grove citizens went about their nightly activities.

He arrived at the intersection that led toward Ravenhill Drive. The tires screeched, rubber against asphalt, as Hugo whipped the car around the corner. He paid no attention to the stop sign, his missionfar more important than any traffic laws. He picked up speed again before pressing the brakes once more to control the turn down their street.

Hugo could see their final destination. The purple house appeared from the darkness as they approached. He slammed on the brakes, stopping in front of the house. Their bodies lurched forward before snapping back against the seat rests. Hugo unbuckled himself and exited the vehicle. He ran around to the passenger door and removed Alice from the car.

Her head and arms dangled as he held her lifeless body. He struggled to hold on to her, changing his grip on her legs and torso. When he was satisfied, he gave a kick to the SUV door to shut it and hurried to the house. His muscles exploded in agony as he carried her across the yard.

He started the climb up the gray porch steps. Each step more odious than the last. He slightly rotated her body in an attempt to steady his balance. His foot caught on the ledge of a step. He tripped forward and let go of her legs, catching himself. He stood up, grabbed her legs again, and continued his ascent.

Hugo ran through the open black door. He ran into the living room and set her body on the red velvet couch. He grabbed the twisting pillars of the hourglass resting on the end table. He spun the ring to the top. The sands slowly fell. He placed it back on the end table and ran out of the living room.

He slammed the front door as he passed by on his way up the stairs. His leg muscles burned, but he fought through it and continued. He ran through Alice’s bedroom to the bathroom held within. Max whined as he rushed past. He turned on the lights and grabbed the ornate gold frame of the mirror.

---