everlong| hocus pocus

06. thou art toast

   "OH, SWEET REVENGE!" thundered a loud, raspy voice—it could only belong to Winifred Sanderson, alive, real and in the flesh. "See, sisters? My curse worked perfectly!" she exclaimed with excitement. The two other witches halted their dancing and gathered around their eldest sibling. The Sanderson sisters didn't quite match Jasper's expectations; she had envisioned old, ugly hags, but after 300 years, they were surprisingly well-preserved. Jasper found herself admiring the blonde sister's dress momentarily, though the urgency of their situation quickly refocused her mind.
"That's because thou art perfect," chimed in a nasally voice—Mary. Winifred cackled with manic glee, whisking herself away toward her spell book.
     "My lucky rat tail! Right where I left it!" Sarah exclaimed, tugging at the tail. Winifred gasped, eyeing the candle Max had inadvertently lit. Jasper groaned quietly, gripping the decrepit wooden column tightly.
     "But who lit the black flame candle?" wondered Winifred, before her attention was captured by her beloved spell book. She tapped her long, sharp nails on its glass casing. "Wake up, sleepyhead. Oh, how I've missed you. Did you miss me too?" Jasper dared a peek from behind the column, Max, hiding a few feet from her, both feared the consequences of summoning a coven of witches. "Come on now, we've got work to do," Winifred declared, engrossed in her spell book. Seizing the moment, Max looked again to Jasper, petrified by the idea of his little act reviving the witches.
"Winnie?" Mary interjected.
     "Yes?" Winifred replied.
     "I... smell... children." Mary announced. Those three words were enough sent shivers down Jasper's spine, her childhood fears unfolding before her eyes.
     "Sic 'em!" Winifred whispered, leading Mary and Sarah stealthily forward.
    "It's a little girl," Jasper squeezed her eyes shut, hoping it was all a nightmare. "Seven, maybe eight and a half," Winifred wheezed with joy. Jasper covered her mouth, glaring at a panicked Max who still clung nervously to the wooden column which held up the book.
     "Ooh, let us play with her!" Sarah rasped excitedly. "Come, little children, I'll take thee away," Sarah sang, a clueless smile on her face. Winifred swiftly covered Sarah's mouth, eyes bulging.
     "Come out, my dear. We won't harm thee," Winifred coaxed. "We love children!" Mary slammed the desk where Dani was hiding, prompting the young girl to reveal herself with a yelp. The witches' laughter ceased abruptly upon seeing her. Jasper muttered profanities, sinking into a ball against the column. Max's eyes widened, realizing his foolish attempt to impress Jasper had unleashed this nightmare.
     "I thought thou would never come, sisters," Dani began, to Jasper's disbelief.
     "Greetings, little one," Winifred smiled.
     "Twas I who brought you back," Dani fabricated.
     "Imagine," Winifred mused aloud, glaring at Sarah to restrain herself. "Such a pretty little... child." Mary slithered toward Dani, who recoiled in fear. The teens watched Dani, now surrounded by the witches. Max and Jasper exchanged panicked glances, silently communicating their next moves. Jasper gestured subtly, indicating her intention to approach Dani. Max shook his head vehemently, signaling her to stay put. Would she listen? No.
     "Tell me, dumpling, what year is it?" Winifred asked, facing away from Dani's hiding spot. Jasper slid to a nearby hiding spot, praying she wouldn't be seen.
     "1993," Dani answered hesitantly. Winifred gasped, placing Dani in a chair.
     "Sisters, we've been gone 300 years," Winifred hissed, kneeling closer to Dani.
     "Well, Winnie, time flies..." Mary chuckled.
     "When you're dead!" Sarah joined in. The sisters laughed, Dani nervously following suit.
     "It's been fun, but I... guess I'd better be going," Dani attempted to rise, only to be pushed back into her seat.
     "Oh, stay for supper," Winifred grinned devilishly.
     "I'm...not hungry," Dani stammered.
     "But we are!"
     Dani tried to flee, but Mary and Sarah caught her. Jasper leaped up, shouting, freezing the sisters in their tracks. They gasped, glaring at her. Jasper realized the mistake she'd made, as Max emerged, his presence shocking the witches again. "Let go of my sister," Max warned, his voice commanding.
     "Roast 'em, Winnie," Mary suggested eagerly.
     "No, let me play with them," Sarah pleaded. Ignoring them, Winifred conjured green electricity, aiming it at Max. He lunged forward, but Winifred's magic struck him, sending him crashing into a wall.
     "You there!" Winifred ordered Max to stand, clapping her hands in glee. "I haven't lost my touch, sisters. See?" Dani reached out, but Mary pulled her back.
     "Hello!" Winifred greeted, smiling wickedly. "Goodbye..." With a surge of her power, Winifred lifted Max into the air. Jasper reacted instinctively, pulling Sarah away from him and throwing her to the ground.
     "Mary!" Jasper shouted, seizing a heavy frying pan and striking Mary on the head. She shoved her into Sarah, creating a pile of disoriented witches.
     "You leave my brother alone!" Dani screamed, hitting Winifred with her trick-or-treating bag. Max dropped to the ground, dazed. Winifred recovered quickly, chasing after Dani. Jasper grabbed Winifred by the hair and tossed her aside, the cat attacking her neck as it had Max earlier. Dani sprinted for the door, Sarah rushing to Winifred's aid. Max watched the chaos unfold, shocked. Soon, Jasper helped him to his feet.
     "Max, Max, come on!" Jasper urged, taking Dani's hand. Max pushed them out the door, slamming it shut behind them.
     "Max! Max!" Jasper cried. "Dani, we have to move before the witches find you."
     "But Max! What about Max?" Dani cried.
     "Max is..." Jasper glanced back, hearing screaming and a sprinkler. "fine. He'll be out in a minute. I promise." Within seconds, Max emerged, soaked but safe. Jasper breathed a sigh of relief.
     "Max! Over here, come on!" Max took Jasper's hand, leading them away with the black cat at their side.