The Witch's Doll ⚢

Chapter 40

A/N

Oh god, the last chapter. I'm not ready to say goodbye yet *sobs*

"You took care of me even though I'm not worthy of it."

Before she had much time to ponder what was exactly going on, Susan was continuing.

"Will you take care of her for me... when I'm gone?"

"Of course, Susan... The child may not bear my blood, but she is yours and therefore, will be my child."

"Please take care of my Alessandra if you haven't heard from me."

"You do not know if you are going to survive, do you?

Susan turned away. "None of my ancestors who tried to destroy the doll has ever lived. All the spells backfired. Don't worry, about me. You saved me, Candace. Twice. Let me do this on my own."

"Courageous actions shouldn't end in tragedy. So I beg you... come back to me."

Susan smiled sadly, but she stayed strong for her. "Of course I will; I'm just saying I don't know how long it will take, and I don't like the idea of you here alone and unprotected."

"You should at least leave the child to me."

She placed a caring hand on her womb. "This child needs another form of protection that neither of us can provide. She needs to grow up religious or surrounded by those people; we've talked about this, Candace."

"I know," she gulped. Candace despised the idea that they possessed neither of the only defense to ward of the Mangaser evil magic. If she knew this would have happened, she would have gone to the Philippines, unearthed Southeast Asian Magic and study them or even go back to her old faith, the religion she was born in. Yet as Susan always said, nasa huli ang pagsisisi—regret is in the end.

"But I am afraid. Not just for me, but the both of you."

"You should be afraid. It's natural to be afraid." Susan said. "Before I leave, I want you to have something." She reached into her pocket and withdrew a necklace with holy beads and a holy cross. She handed it to Candace, making her take it. The fact that Susan can hold onto it without repercussions has said a lot about the lack of malignant forces within her. "Whoever you are afraid of. Don't be afraid to use it."

"I am fine. But be careful though. I want to see you, at the very latest."

Susan nodded firmly in agreement, smiling, and trying to reassure them both. "I think I can handle it."

"Okay. Go get them."

With a wink and another smile, Susan sprinted off on foot, leaving Candace and the two Fortuna Academy high school girls behind.

As soon as she was gone, it didn't take a minute for Candace to return to her composure. As if just a few seconds ago, she hadn't said goodbye to the woman she loved dearly. "I want you to do me a favor, Marie, Soleil."

"Anything," one of the girls said, eagerly, but Marie looked distraught.

Candace grasped the holy relic tighter. She has refused to wear it around her neck. "Susan will try to destroy the doll, and if she does so unsuccessfully, the rosary won't be able to protect me."

"We can ask for help from the Church." Soleil yelled, "Or any religion!"

"No, the Church doesn't want me, not after I confessed my sins to the head priest."

"What did you do?"

"I had promised Susan I'll protect her child if she never comes back, but I know I can't fulfill it. So I took some drastic measures. I contacted the witches from France. They will arrive shortly."