Up On Hickle Hill

Chapter 4 - Escape

Miss Murdo and Mr Jenkins went about their business. doing whatever it was they were doing as I sat on the cold floor of the swinging cage. It was only then that I actually took in my surroundings. I was in a metal cage, about 3 metres above the cauldron. I could see a dim light at one end of the cave; I suspected it was the entrance. I faced what I thought was the entrance and mentally planned my surroundings. Miss Murdo and Mr Jenkins were to my right talking silently. About me, I guessed. Behind them were shelves and shelves of coloured liquids in clear vials. And to the right of those were more shelves. My heart started to beat more frantic than I've ever felt it beat before. It was trying to escape my chest, I knew it. I looked away from the shelves as quickly as I could and continued to scan the dimly lit cavern to distract myself. Toys and blankets. That's what was on the shelves. They said I was a test subject? I guess I wasn't the first.

"We have to dispose of her now. We can't give her the chance the escape." whispered Mr Jenkins, barely audible.

 "We wait until the morning as planned. I'll see to it that she doesn't escape! She woudn't even try. Two of us, and one of her. Plus, she's a petty little human." Miss Murdo replied, sounding agitated. I could tell she didn't quite believe what she was saying. I decided now would be a good time to ask more questions.

"Miss Murdo, why am I here?" I ask again, trying to sound calm but failing.

"Sweetie, I told you already, all in good time." she replied.

"I want to know now!" I screamed shaking the cage.

"Calm down, my dear. Or I'll be forced to turn you into a frog."

"Or a slug!" continued Mr. Jenkins.

"You're l-lying. You c-can't do that.." I stuttered 

"Oh, but I can, my lovely. I really can and I will if you don't shush!" I did as I was told and sat quietly for the next short while and continued to take in my surroundings.

It had to be some sort of joke, I thought. I remember thinking to myself  "Any minute now my mum or someone from school will appear and tell me that I've been pranked." I was in denial about the existence of witches. I still am really. It all feels like one big dream. I started to badly need the toilet but decided it was best to keep it to myself. As I rocked back and forth in the cold cage, located in the cold cave, I saw something on the shelves that were full of vials. Potions I think.. I squinted my eyes to read the label. It was named "Reversus Optimus". "Odd name." I thought. Underneath the name were the words "Reverses ANY other potion or spell". Might come in handy.

I believe about an hour had passed since Miss Murdo telling me to sh. I was beginning to accept that this might not be a joke. That this whole thing was real and I was really there. And then a boy appeared with Mr Jenkins. The boy was laughing!

"Aha, so it is a joke. I knew it!" I exclaimed. I was so glad I could finally go home. I finally realised where I recognised the boy from. It was John Mine. From my maths and English classes. All the girls at school have a crush on him. Me, I didn't see the big deal.

"A was gonna ask you the same thing.. what's your name again?" John said.

"Wait, so they captured you too?" I answered with a question.

"Ye say "captured" like this isny some sick joke. Your name?" he replied.

"Oh, yeah, my name. My name's Ellie." I felt myself starting to blush. Miss Murdo started to cackle.

"Now, now, lovebirds. Enough chit chat. Tie him up, Mr Jenkins."

"My pleasure!"

"Wait, what? Tie me up? What ye on aboot!? Let me go right now!" John started to punch and kick and fight. He broke free from Mr Jenkins grip and ran back the way he came in, toward the light. I started spurring him on.

"Come on John, keep going!" I started. "Get help! What they're doing to us is sick!" Miss Murdo butt in.

"He's even more pathetic than you are, my dear." She started counting down. "Three, two, one." THUD. I knew then that John had been captured and most ikely hit by the same blunt object that hit me. I could still feel the mark haunting my cheek.

I watched as Mr Jenkins and another man - whose face was unknown to me - dragged John's body through the cave, tie him up and lay him in a large metal cage on the ground. How I hadn't noticed it before was strange. It was huge. Big enough to fit four people with plenty room to move around. I started calling to John but he gave no reply. Then all of a sudden there was a big flash of white light and when my vision returned, all that was left of John was a pile of clothes and... a dog? That witch turned him into a dog!?

"What have you done to him?!" I screamed. John started to bark and I couldn't help but laugh a little. He sounded surprised at his new voice. He looked up at me confused and all I could bring myself to do was shrug my shoulders. No way we were getting out of there now. No. There was. I had an idea. A very embarrassing one at that. But an idea none the less.

I had heard Miss Murdo at some point say that if any other liquids were added to the potion below me then it would be difficult to stabilise it again and bring it back to how she wants. What it was for, I don't know but I didn't fancy waiting to find out.

"Miss Murdo, may I please have a drink?" I asked politely.

"Hmm, well seeing as you asked nicely, okay then." Mr Jenkins hurried off to fetch me some water so I decided to make idle conversation.

"I am ever so thirsty Miss Murdo. How I wish he hurries back with my drink." I said.

"Oh," she started "I see what you're trying to do here. You're thinking about pouring the drink into the cauldron? Silly girl. Water won't do a thing." She called to Mr Jenkins "Make sure it's water, Mr Jenkins. We don't want her getting any ideas." 

I had to make out as if I were disappointed. I had heard her say that about the water too. That wasn't my plan.

Mr Jenkins returned with a glass of clear water, shifted a rather large step ladder off of the wall and lay it under the cage. He put the glass down and positioned the ladder almost directly beneath the cage, picked up the water and made his way up the ladder. When he was in arms reach he outsretched his arm and handed me the glass through the bars of the cage. Miss Murdo watched as I slowly sipped at the water. Miss Murdo and Mr Jenkins began to whisper yet again.

This is the bit where it gets rather embarrassing. I signalled to John to look away. He... It... Whatever, doesn't matter. He understood and turned around in the cage. I gulped down the water as quickly as possible and looked over to make sure Miss Murdo wasn't paying attention. I unzipped my jeans and pulled them down to my knees. And you know... Did my business in the glass. I quickly pulled the zip back up and looked over at John who was standing open mouthed staring at me. As a dog, he looked ridiculous. I rolled my eyes at him, outstretched my arm and held the glass above the cauldron.

"Miss Murdo. I'm done playing nice. Let me out or your precious potion gets it." She started to laugh. I wondered if she was lying about the liquid in potion, but then she said

"Now, now my dear. Don't be silly. Don't do anything you might regret." She sounded shaky but spat that last word at me and I'm pretty sure I know what she meant.

"Let me out of this cage. Hand me up the key, but don't come near me. I don't trust you!" Miss Murdo etched closer and threw the key at me. I opened to cage slowly and exclaimed

"Back off or your cauldron really does get it." They did as they were told and backed away. I ran over to the cage that held John and unlocked him, ran over to the shelf containing the Reversus Optimus potion, grabbed it off and slowly backed away. I turned on my heels and headed for the light as quickly as possible with John in tow.

The tables have been turned, the cats are the ones doing the chasing now. I dared a look back over my shoulder and coud see they were gaining on us. However, John stopped, snarled and bared his teeth at them. To which they scattered and ran back further into the black as night cave. I guess being a dog had its advantages. John yelped in excitement and caught up with me.

When we reached the cave entrance - or exit as it was for this purpose, as I couldn't see myself ever returning - I gave John the potion and waited a few seconds for change, but nothing. I thought it would maybe take effect later on.