Everyday Witches

Marge and Jeff spun into the Mayhew yard, tearing up little chunks of sod and grass as the car slid sideways and the wheels skidded to a stop. They each ratcheted forward in their seats, the seat belts locking into place; the only thing keeping them from flying through the front windshield. Marge looked over at Jeff in the driver’s seat, in disapproval, but with the severity of the situation she opted to hold her tongue. They each unbuckled and jumped out of the car, not bothering to close the doors behind them.

Marge’s purse lay forgotten on the floorboard of the car and although Annabelle and Price had been flung around brutally in the stop, they recovered quickly and took to the air to follow the witches. As they neared the porch they were shocked to discover Rubrum’s handiwork. Jeff ground to a halt, letting out a low whistle, his fingers itching at his gun belt.

“What the heck is that,” Marge shrilled, pointing at the briar patch that had sprouted from the railings, and merged high overhead in a tangled mass of branches that hung heavy near the roof.

“Hey guys,” a thin voice came from somewhere unseen.

Marge nearly jumped out of her skin and clutched a hand to her chest, looking around the yard in surprise.

“Over here,” the voice said.

Marge edged cautiously towards the house and Jeff hurried to her side, throwing a protective arm around her.

“Hello?” Jeff looked around the empty porch with suspicion, his cop instincts firing on all cylinders.

“Up here.”

He and Marge both looked up at the strange thicket. Behind the woven patch of branches, they caught a slight movement as James’ fingers wiggled in an attempted wave. Marge gasped and Jeff swore softly.

“It’s a Dryad,” James said. “She’s working with the Mayhews for some reason.” His voice sounded strange, constricted by the powerful limbs that had wrapped around his chest. “She’s in there but so is Jude. You have to go on and find him.”

“Are you sure?” Marge asked. She had a death grip on Jeff’s arm and appeared to be on the verge of tears.

“We’re sure,” Callie chimed in, from further up in the viney mass. “We’ll be fine. Go get Jude! And the Mayhews too!”

Jeff nodded and peeled Marge from his side, hurrying up the steps and into the house. Marge looked back at the others, conflicted but then hurried in after her husband. Annabelle was hovering near the briar patch and she gave Price a look, pointing after them emphatically. He nodded in response and followed them in, while Annabelle herself stayed behind to help James and Callie.

**

While Marge and Jeff had been dashing from the car to the house, Rubrum had just entered through the front door. Now she stood in the entryway, assessing the situation. The elder witch outside had caused her to doubt herself and the young witch had some explaining to do. All was quiet in the darkened interior until the back door at the far end of the hallway came crashing open, bouncing into the wall behind. The young witch spilled into the house along with his friend, both of them scratching furiously at vicious looking welts that had erupted on their reddened skin. He looked up and saw Rubrum and they both skidded to a stop, halfway down the hall. The three of them eyed each other uneasily.

“What is this mess…” Rubrum started to say, frowning, only to be interrupted by a small cloud of pixies that followed the others in through the open back door. The tiny fae buzzed into the house and down the hall, stopping to hover over the heads of Chad and Daniella.

Rubrum looked up at them, frowning further. “What have you done,” she asked the pixies, gesturing at the miserable witches who were doubled over and still rubbing madly at their exposed skin.

Bishop, carrying the ceremonial weapon, puffed out his chest regally and flew closer to the Dryad to explain. But before he could speak Kojack came tearing down the stairs, landing in an ungraceful three legged stance in the hallway, in between Rubrum and the witches. Fin and his mother gasped as they saw the dog they’d once freed, and they tittered unintelligibly to each other about his newest injuries. The German shepherd barked once and then ducked around Rubrum, almost running head first into Marge and Jeff as they came in from the porch. The dog skidded to a stop and then looked towards the door, letting out a howl of frustration.

As the latest arrivals entered the house everyone gathered in the hallway froze. The party eyed each other guardedly, no one daring to make the first move. Finally, Bishop moved forward again and addressed the Dryad. He looked at Rubrum but gestured towards Chad.

“He… is a very bad man. He imprisoned many of my kind, and also the dog.” He moved to point at Kojack, who was now pawing frantically at Marge’s leg and whining. She held a hand out to shush him, watching raptly.

“And he kidnapped our friend,” Jeff added, stepping closer to Rubrum, his hands held out in front of himself, in innocence.

The Dryad looked at Chad, her beautifully delicate face twisted in anger. “Is this true? Is this all your doing?”

Chad stopped scratching at his face and frowned, trembling. “Um… Well…”

Rubrum scowled. “And is this your debt alone? Where is your brother? And your sister?”

Chad hung his head. “They left a few weeks ago. Scott said he didn’t want to have anything to do with this, so they went back to Louisiana where our kin live.”

“Enough,” Rubrum said, her melodic voice echoing through the hallway. Her green eyes glowed with the fire of conviction and her moss like hair floated ethereally around her small face. She lifted a hand in the direction of a small stool that lay beside the wall. Then she thrust her hand forward, fingers splayed. The stool shivered and cracked and several tendrils of wood sprouted instantly from the legs. She continued the gesture with her hand and the sprouted roots cycled in tandem, walking the stool towards her. Then she shifted her hand towards Chad and Daniella.

Daniella quivered, her reddened eyes welling up with tears, and Chad flattened himself up against the wall. There would be no running or fighting their way out of this. The ever transforming mass of wood crept slowly across the floor towards them, stopping when it reached their feet. It shivered again and began to sprout further, spawning a multitude of long, whip thin branches. The branches snaked towards Chad and Daniella and homed in on their wrists and ankles, entangling them both.

Rubrum turned to face Marge and the others, who were huddled together near the front door now. She held her tiny hand out steadily in the opposite direction. “My apologies. I fear that my sense of duty was misplaced.” Her voice was high and musical, like a young girl’s. Yet it was commanding enough that no creature of the Gaia would underestimate her. She turned back to Chad and Daniella, her mossy gown rippling with the movement. “I’ll take care of these two. You are free to rescue your friend.” She nodded towards the staircase as if she could sense Jude’s presence beyond.

“Th.. Thank you,” Marge stammered, reaching for Jeff’s hand and holding on tightly. She stared in amazement as the tiny Dryad glided down the hall towards Chad and Daniella, a hand held out in front of her. She gestured as she walked, conducting the writhing mass of wood to carry the pair out the back door ahead of her. Then she turned back and nodded sharply to the remaining witches and the small group of fae before disappearing out into the day beyond.

The witches stood in stunned silence until Kojack barked sharply and pawed again at Marge’s leg. The dog turned and ran up the stairs, looking back at them anxiously. Marge blinked several times and then turned, as if in a dream, to follow him up the stairs. Jeff wavered, looking back towards the porch, where James and Callie were still trapped.

“Um, sweetie,” he said hesitantly.

Marge turned back to look at him, her foot poised to climb the stairs. Her hair was frazzled from sleep and her nightie disheveled, looking not at all like herself.

“I’m sorry sweetie, but do you think you could…” He gestured up the stairs and then back towards the front porch.

Marge blinked again and her expression cleared, resolving into determined focus. She reached up to smooth her messy curls, tucking them behind her ears. “Of course honey, go ahead. I’ve got this.”

Bishop cleared his throat from his perch near the ceiling and then descended, followed closely by his wife and son. “We’ll help, Master Witch. It would be an honor.” He tucked the arm that wasn’t holding the blade around his waist and gave a little half bow. Fin and his mother tittered and nodded in agreement. Price zipped over from his hiding place near the front door and chimed in with something unintelligible, his cheeks flaming. He pointed emphatically to himself and then to Marge and the other fae.

Jeff chuckled at their enthusiasm and thanked them apologetically. Then he made his way back outside. Marge quickly headed up the stairs, escorted by the small cloud of fae. When she reached the top Kojack was waiting down the hall, outside an open door. When he saw her appear at the top of the stairs, he whined and then loped into the room. Marge trudged down the hall after him, pausing in the doorway. Jude was there, seated against the wall, looking wrinkled and a little battered but mostly unharmed. When he saw Marge he grinned broadly, wincing a little as the movement agitated the sore spot on his head.

“Man, am I glad to see you.” He grinned again, a few tears slipping down his cheeks.

Marge ran into the room and knelt beside him, leaning over to hug him tightly.

Jude coughed lightly and laughed. “Okay, okay. I am definitely glad to see you, but you’ve got to get me out of these cuffs. Save the hugs for when I can actually hug you back.”

Kojack crept up and licked the side of his face and he laughed again. “I’m glad to see you too, buddy.” He reached his shackled hands over to ruffle the dog’s ears. “But I’m really ready to get out of here.”

Marge moved back, a few tears escaping her own eyes. She gently tapped the cuffs that bound Jude with a pink fingernail. “They’re enchanted. Magic isn’t going to work on them. We’ll have to find another way to take them off.” She looked around the empty room, dubiously.

Bishop, who had been hovering near the door with the other fae flew towards them, stopping in midair a few feet away from Jude. “Master Pixie Rescuer,” he said humbly. “Please, allow me.” He held the ceremonial blade out towards Jude and then indicated towards the cuffs.

Jude gave him a wan smile and nodded. Bishop flew up to land on Jude’s arm, holding the ceremonial relic tightly in both hands. He steadied himself, propping one foot on the cuff and the other on Jude’s hand. Then he angled the knife into the keyhole of the cuffs.

“Fin,” he called, over his shoulder. The young pixie approached and landed lightly on Jude’s arm beside his dad. He placed his hands alongside Bishop’s, holding tightly to the dull side of the knife and together the two turned the blade until a little click sounded and the cuff popped open.

“Yes,” Fin said, in excitement, letting go of the blade and clasping his hands above his head in a victory pose. “We did it!”

Bishop looked at him sternly. “You celebrate too soon, son. Come on now.”

Fin looked at his feet, his cheeks reddening a bit with embarrassment. “Sorry Dad,” he said.

Bishop stepped gently along Jude’s folded hands, carrying the knife to the other cuff. When it was in position he and Fin unlocked it as well. Then, stepping back, Bishop kicked at the bit of charmed metal and it fell to the floor with a clank.

“Thank you,” Jude said, rubbing his raw wrists, his voice choked with emotion. “How can I ever repay you?”

Bishop shook his head. “No need. It is we who owed the debt. And we are glad to have been able to return the favor.” He turned to look at his wife who still hovered near the doorway, beside Price. “Now, I believe we have a stew on the fire that’ll be needing tending before it burns.” She nodded and Bishop looked back at Jude. “If you ever have need again though, we are kin now; having come to each other’s aid. You know where to find us.” He nodded in closing and, gesturing to Fin, the two flew off and out the doorway.

Kojack was nestled tightly in against Jude’s leg and he gave the dog one more little pat before using his hands to slowly push himself to his feet. He groaned a little as he stood, his head beginning to throb rythmically. He put a hand to the side of his face and then grinned in relief at being able to move it freely. He looked over at Marge, who smiled back at him, and he pulled her in for a hug. The two were an unlikely pair but the bond that had formed between them during all they’d faced these last few weeks was unshakable now.

“Thank you so very much,” Jude said, sincerely, his arm wrapped tightly around Marge. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

“Any time,” Marge replied, sniffling as she attempted to hold back her tears. She didn’t know what she would have done if Chad had harmed him further. Really though, she had no idea what those darn Mayhews had wanted with him in the first place. She pulled herself together and stepped back, patting Jude softly on the cheek. Then she shook her head, still in disbelief over the whole situation.

“I mean, what the heck is wrong with that kid anyway,” she grumbled, looking around the empty room, and at the cuffs that were still mounted to the wall. “I swear… kids these days. No respect at all. Using other people for their own gain. Kidnapping them. This whole generation really. Eavesdropping, and gossiping, and… littering. You know, I don’t think he’s even mowed this lawn since the last time we were out here. And did you see all that dust on the duvet downstairs!”

Jude burst into laughter and then stifled it quickly. He could see that she was getting herself really worked up. Chuckling softly, he put an arm around her shoulder and steered her towards the door. “I’m sure you’re right Marge. It’s a crazy world we live in. Let’s head on back downstairs though. I’m sure the others are worried.”

Marge stopped and looked at him, remembering the Dryad and the web of wood she’d spun. “Oh boy,” she said with a grin. “Yes, let’s go! You’re not going to believe what happened down there.”

**

Once Jeff and Annabelle had cut James and Callie down from the Dryad’s nest James had gone in search of Maria. He had found her disoriented and aching, but awake in the kitchen. He had cleaned up the gash on her temple and was helping her out to the yard around the time that Marge and Jude had come down the stairs with Kojack and the Price. Everyone had cried, and laughed, and marveled, and wondered, hugging each other tearfully and gratefully. Then finally they’d all gone on to their separate vehicles for the trip home. Marge, now that it was all over, was mortified that she had gone out in her nightie; and had been especially eager to return home, once it was clear that everyone was okay. She and Jeff piled into their SUV, while the rest loaded into the truck bound for the farm. Jude and Callie climbed into the back of the truck, scooting close together to make room for Kojack; and Maria sat up front with James.

James fired up the truck, tuning the radio to a soothing oldies station for the drive home. “Let’s get this show on the road,” he said, grinning at Maria and then the two in the back seat.

As they started out for home, Callie laid her head on Jude’s shoulder and grabbed his hand in both of hers. “I was so worried,” she said, softly. “I was afraid that I’d never see you again.” She reached a hand up to dab at her eyes before her mascara could run onto Jude’s shirt.

“Hey,” Jude said, leaning his head on top of hers and putting an arm around her shoulders. “I’m sorry that you were so worried.” He sighed. “Believe me, I was pretty worried too. But, thank the green Earth, it all turned out okay.”

Callie lifted her head off his shoulder and turned to face him, remembering the last time they’d sat with their faces only inches away; barely able to believe everything that had happened to them since then. This was it, she thought. It was now or never.

“Jude, I… I had a lot of time to think about what was really important while you were gone. And I don’t want to let any more dumb disagreements stand in our way. It’s not about the stupid city, or the stupid farm, is it?. Wherever we are would be home. And I’m willing to compromise if you are. We could buy that house out near the farm and I’ll just drive in to the city for work.”

She sounded like she might be about to say more, but Jude stopped her; placing a work roughened finger on her lips. He grinned impishly and then leaned forward slowly until their lips were touching. He kept his eyes open, grinning into the satin feel of her lips, at the surprised expression in her eyes. Then he closed his own and kissed her.

*Author’s Note*

Aaaand cue the Green Acres theme song!

It’s funny, a little ways into this novel I realized that Jude and Callie’s story line was oddly reminiscent of the old Nick at Nite show Green Acres. Although I try to keep my stories fresh and new, something never told before, I decided to let it slide as theirs was actually one of my favorite story lines of the novel. As I wrote the book I often found myself giggling and humming the theme song every time their parts came up. If you haven’t seen the show before (I know it’s ancient) check out the link below, and hopefully it’ll give you a little giggle too!