The World of Myth Magazine

Mary slowly sits up as she wakes from her nap. She is sweating and notices a bit more blood in her bed but she doesn't let it affect her mood. She is smiling and is so happy thinking about her baby girl. She and Charles are so excited for their little bundle of joy. Mary thought about the panic Charles had when he first found out about the pregnancy and it made her laugh. Charles was now more excited for his baby girl than Mary was. He wasn't as convinced as Mary was that the baby was a girl, but he did want a little girl. They had many talks about their family. They hoped for two girls and two boys. Mary would be busy raising the children but she didn't mind. Charles was everything to her and he was such an amazing man. She had known him her whole life. Their fathers work together at the same law firm. Charles was going to be a lawyer when he finished school; it has been a lifelong dream of his to follow in his father's footsteps. Charles was the one who suggested the name Amelia. It was his grandmother's name; Mary had been very close to her so she was happy to name their baby after her.

"I love you more than words can describe Amelia. Everything will work out. I promise I won't let anything happen to you."

Charlotte is sitting on the floor in disbelief. She could not believe she just cast a spell. She wondered if it had worked. She was not sure what to expect. She flips through photos of her children hoping that she has made the right decision. She had the feeling of butterflies in the pit of her stomach.

A few moments later the doorbell rings. Charlotte is startled as she had not been expecting company. Charlotte stands up places the photo on the table and blows out the candles. She looks around to make sure that everything is out of sight before exiting the attic. The doorbell rings again as she is walking down the stairs. She picks up her pace. As she approaches the door she can see Victoria. Charlotte opens the door greets Victoria and welcomes her in.

"Thank you for letting me in" Victoria says quickly.

"Yes, of course. You are Mary's friend. She will be happy you are here." Victoria ignores everything that Charlotte has just said. She is looking around frantically.

"Please tell me you have not done the spell."

"I just finished."

"Is Mary in her room?" Victoria is pushing her way past Charlotte and starts to head towards the stairs.

"Victoria this is not –"

Mary's screams of pain are heard. Victoria doesn't hesitate and runs up the stairs and right into Mary's bedroom. Charlotte rushes up the stairs right behind her.

When Victoria enters the room she rushed to Mary's bed and grabs her hand. Mary is screaming loudly and her bed is covered in blood. Charlotte stands in the doorway horrified at what she is seeing. She is frozen in fear and cannot move. Mary begins to cry.

"Amelia… is… coming" Mary speaks slowly as she is having difficulty breathing through the intense pain she is experiencing. She has never felt a pain like this before.

"What?" Charlotte asks as she slowly makes her way to her daughter.

"The baby is coming" Mary replies between screams.

Charlotte frantically tries to help Mary, she directs Victoria to grab some clean towels.

"She's coming" Mary screams as Victoria returns with the towels and hands them to Charlotte. The baby comes out and doesn't make a sound, she is stillborn. Charlotte cries as she holds her granddaughter. A distraught Mary struggles to take Amelia from her mother. Once she has Amelia she holds her securely. Mary looks down at her stillborn daughter with tears in her eyes. Mary goes from a sad state to a state of rage. She begins screaming loudly and both Charlotte and Victoria are frightened. They have never seen Mary act this way. Victoria stands quietly by the door as she does not want to get in the way.

"I did this for you Mary" Charlotte cries not looking at her daughter. Mary glares at her mother with a burning force.

"What have you done?" Mary shrieks. Charlotte does not look at her. They sit in silence for a moment. Victoria begins to cry because she knows what is coming next, but she remains quiet as this is Mary's time. "What have you done mother?"

"A spell to save you" Charlotte cries as she looks at her daughter.

"I told you not to do anything"

"I love you Mary, I –"

"You killed Amelia" Mary shrieks. Charlotte tries to hug her daughter. "Do not touch me or Amelia. I hate you!" Mary screams in anger. She holds her baby tightly. With calmness in her voice she whispers "I love you Amelia."

"Mary-"

"Get out! Get out now" Mary yells infuriated. "How could you do this?"

"I love you, I did this-" trying to appeal to her daughter.

"GET OUT!" Charlotte watches Mary hold Amelia for a moment and then walks out of the room. She leans against the wall in the hallway and cries. Mary takes a deep breath and continues to hold Amelia tightly. Victoria walks to the bed and has a seat beside Mary. "I am so sorry Mary" She lets out a big sigh of disappointment, she cannot believe what her mother and Charlotte have done. "Amelia is beautiful." Mary smiles and whispers thank you. Mary does not let go of Amelia, her grip becomes tighter with each passing second. Victoria looks towards Charlotte and their eyes meet. Victoria gestures for Charlotte to come back into the room. They watch Mary as she becomes completely lifeless. Charlotte rushes to her daughter and breaks down into a hysterical fit.

"Charlotte we need to talk."

"What have I done to my baby?" Charlotte throws her body on Mary in a blubbering mess.

"What have I done to my baby?" Charlotte shakes Mary to see if she will move, but nothing happens. "My sweet Mary. What have I done?"

"My mom didn't give you a protection spell" Victoria says sheepishly. She is embarrassed by her mother's actions and was still trying to figure out how she was going to explain this to the Edwards family.

"Victoria this is no time to joke" she snarled. Victoria takes a few steps back.

"I am so sorry. I'm not joking."

"What did your mother do?"

"She told me that she and Wilson were together."

"My husband Wilson?" Charlotte said almost laughing. "Your mother needs to get over herself. My Wilson has never been with your mother and never will."

"Yes, your husband. My mom said they were seeing each other. He was going to leave you, but then found out you were having Mary."

"No, this is not true. Wilson wouldn't do that."

"My mom found out she was pregnant a few months after you. When she told Wilson he told her he wanted nothing to do with her or me."

"Stop with the lies."

"He told her he was married to you and couldn't leave you since you were pregnant."

"No, Wilson wouldn't do that."

"She has never wanted me to be friends with Mary. It killed her that we are so close. Now I understand why. Mary is my sister."

"She is not your sister!" Charlotte becomes irate and starts throwing things.

"My mom gave you a curse Charlotte, not a protection spell."

"GET OUT!" Charlotte pushes Victoria. Victoria falls to the ground.

"I am so sorry." She looks at Mary and Amelia and begins to cry.

Victoria stands up and starts to walk towards Charlotte.

"Get out!" Charlotte grabs Victoria's arm and walks her to the door. Victoria struggles to break free from her tight grip. Once they are at the door Charlotte forces her out onto the porch.

"Charlotte, please listen to me. Give me a minute to explain."

"I have nothing to say to you. You are a liar Victoria. Just like your mother." Charlotte slams the door shut.

Victoria desperately knocks on the door, Charlotte doesn't open it. She continues to knock banging harder and harder.

"Charlotte, there is more! Please open the door." Victoria pounds on the door as loudly as she can. She waits a minute and no one answers.

"Oh Charlotte, this is only the beginning. Worried she tries knocking one more time. When she realizes it is no use Charlotte is not going to come back she kneels down sighs and begins to cry.

-