The Witching Hour

[Cal]

Chapter 9 - Love Spit Love

The gang sat in a circle around a candle.

Belle loved her hand over the candle.

BELLE:

This is to feel, this is to be, shape and form it, for all to see.

They looked around. They couldn't see anything different.

LUC:

What? What's different?

BELLE:

My eyes... they're green. They're normally brown.

MATTIE:

Oh, it suits you!

RIC:

You can do that with contacts.

BELLE:

You want to see something bigger.

LUC:

Yeah.

RIC:

Bigger!

Belle moved her hands through her hair. It went from dark brown to ice blonde.

MATTIE:

Wow!

BELLE:

Are you impressed?

RIC:

Yeah, I'm impressed!

Belle shook her hair, it went back to her natural colour.

BELLE:

What do you want me to do to you guys?

RIC:

I want a smaller ass!

They laughed.

_________

Belle was asleep in bed. The wind was knocking the branches up against the window. She suddenly woke up, she could here somebody shouting her name. She got out of bed and walked over to the window. She opened it. It was Steve.

BELLE:

Steve, what are you doing here?

STEVE:

Hey, why didn't you answer the phone?

BELLE:

Because it's four in the morning!

STEVE:

I guess that's a good reason.

BELLE:

What are you doing here?

STEVE:

I was thinking maybe we should move in together?

BELLE:

I don't think I'm ready for that sort of commitment.

Steve looked around to his side. He saw Irene.

IRENE:

Oi! Go away and call back in the morning when everyone is a better mood.

Steve walked away.

IRENE:

God saves Ireland, who was that!?

BELLE:

Nobody! I'm heading back to bead, see you in the morning.

IRENE:

See ya, love.

__________

The next day, Belle headed over to Luc's house before Steve came over. Mattie and Ric were there.

LUC:

Hey, I was just about to call you.

BELLE:

Wanna go to the shop?

___________

They entered the shop. The woman behind the counter spoke as soon as they walked in.

LADY:

Back again! You know, with all this magic you're doing, and the size of it, it's gonna come back times 3.

BELLE:

What? We didn't read that in any book?!

LADY:

That's because it's not in any book.

RIC:

I wanna buy this book.

He walked over to the counter and slammed the book down.

LADY:

You want to invoke the spirit? That's very powerful!

RIC:

Listen lady, I'm a big boy. And what do you know, I have money this time.

Ric handed over the money and they left. The woman looked at them....

[Cal]

Thanks Eli!

__________________________________________

Chapter 10 - Invoking The Spirit

It was a dull evening, the gang walked through a cave and onto a long sandy beach.

_______

They sat around a fire and talked.

BELLE:

When things used to be really bad, before I tried to kill myself, I used to imagine that there were snakes everywhere. I would close my eyes and open them again, and they'd still be there. They wouldn't go away. They were everywhere.

RIC:

You know, the Serpent is a very powerful being, you should respect it.

She saw a demonic look in Ric's eyes, Was he turning to dark magic?

RIC:

Alright, enough screwing around, lets call the corners, shall we?

He got up.

They all stood in a circle and held hands.

RIC:

Hail to the guardians to the watch towers to the east, here us.

MATTIE:

Hail to the guardians to the watch towers of the south, here us.

LUC:

Hail to the guardians to the watch towers of the west, here us.

BELLE:

Hail to the guardians to the watch towers of the north, here us.

Thunder roared and lightning stuck and nothing was as it seemed. Belle was scared, what was Ric doing? He looked demonic.

RIC:

Aid us in this magical working on this May's eve. Serpent of old, ruler of deep, guardian of the bitter sea, show us your glory, show us your power! We prey of thee, we prey of thee, we invoke thee. Hear our calls.

Lightning struck Ric.....

________________

Luc woke up the next day on the beach, Mattie was sitting on the rock above him, and Belle was looking out to sea. They all looked out to see, they saw Ric walking across the water coming towards them.

RIC:

Do you feel that? All the power is running through my vains!

Belle looked worried.

_________________

The gang were in Ric's car driving home from the beach.

BELLE:

All I'm saying is that I think it's enough already. I don't know what's going on with this, I'm completely humiliating Steve, when all I wanted was for him to like me. And Mattie, what's going on with you? You used to be nice! Now you're completely narcissistic.

MATTIE:

Excuse me, but i've just spent the last year looking like a monster, now I'm trying to enjoy myself. I'm sorry if that bothers you!

RIC:

Hey, can you guys tell me what colour that light is?

He was looking at the traffic light ahead, it was red. He stared at it.

BELLE:

It's red.

RIC:

Doesn't red mean stop?

It turned green. Luc and Mattie chuckled.

BELLE:

It's like what the shop lady was saying, it will all come back times three. I know you guys are getting what you want now but it's gonna haunt you.

MATTIE:

Oh, I'm so scared.

RIC:

Are we actually having a theological conversation? I mean it's fun, it's scary. I mean, who gives a sh*t!?

He did the trick with another traffic light, it turned green.

MATTIE:

Oh Ric, we do!

BELLE:

What do you guys think?

RIC:

They don't think!

LUC:

Bitch!

RIC:

Stop trying to win them over because it's not going to work.

BELLE:

I'm not trying to win them over, you're paranoid!

RIC:

Paranoid!? I am not Paranoid!

MATTIE:

Mmm... Paranoid!

RIC:

Would you shut up!?

Luc and Mattie laughed.

RIC:

Do you want in? Or do you want to leave the circle? Because just tell me right now!

BELLE:

Why does it have to be that way with you, Ric?

RIC:

Because that's the way it is!

BELLE:

All I'm saying is that I think you should think.

Mattie and Luc laughed again.

BELLE:

And I don't want out. One of these times the light is not going to be green, Ric.

RIC:

Oh, you scared? Huh?

He put his foot on the accelerator, the car sped up. The light didn't turn green and an oncoming car almost hit them. It was close.

LUC:

Sh*t!

He laughed.

MATTIE:

Woohoo!

RIC:

That was actually pretty close!

Belle looked horrified.

[Cal]

[Cal]

Chapter 11 - Playtime

Belle was at home and the phone to Steve.

STEVE:

Belle, C'mon please! I have to see you.

BELLE:

I don't know.

STEVE:

It's just dinner, please!

BELLE:

Okay, tomorrow night.

STEVE:

Yes!

BELLE:

I'll see you then.

STEVE:

Bye.

________

The next day Belle was in a car with Steve.

BELLE:

So when I started hanging out with them, I was relieved because I didn't have any friends. I felt like I belonged. I disagree with them once and they turn their backs on me. It's not friendship.

STEVE:

Yeh, I know exactly what you mean.

BELLE:

You do?

STEVE:

You know, sometimes it's like we are one person, you know what I mean?

BELLE:

No, I'm not sure!?

STEVE:

I'm not sure either! That's so funny because I have no idea what I'm talking about!

BELLE:

Aren't we supposed to go to a restaurant or something?

STEVE:

No.

BELLE:

Okay Steve, I know you think you feel really intensely but do you ever stop and wonder where it comes from?

STEVE:

No. I can't think i just feel. Now that I have you, I'm not letting go.

BELLE:

Let's just stop and think what you're saying here. You don't even know me!

Steve leaned over and put his hands on her back.

STEVE:

Let me give you a back-rub.

BELLE:

Steve, I don't want a back-rub, please just let go of me.

STEVE:

Relax.

BELLE:

I think you should take me home.

STEVE:

No! Belle, c'mon.

He put his hand on her leg.

BELLE:

Get off me!

Belle got out of the car and walked down the road. Steve jumped out and chased her. She ran.

STEVE:

Belle, get back here!

Belle ran faster and was screaming. She tripped. Steve sat on top of her and pinned her to the ground.

BELLE:

Steve, stop it, please!

STEVE:

Stay still!

She struggled to move. Then with all her strength, she kneed him in the ribs. He fell over. She got up and ran.

__________

Luc answered the door.

LUC:

Belle! Are you OK? What happened?

Belle walked in.

_____________

BELLE:

You should have seen the look in his eyes. They seems empty.

Ric stood there absolutely stunned, how could someone do this to his friend?

RIC:

Where would he be?

MATTIE:

That Campbell kid is having a party at his parents house on Yabbie Creek road, he could be there?

BELLE:

No, Ric. Just leave it.

RIC:

It's about time that guy got what he deserved. I'm gonna go and play with him.....

[Cal]

Chapter 12 - Changing Faces

Ric walked into the the Campbell house where the party was being held. Heads turned. He was way out of place.

Steve saw Ric enter and he walked over to him.

STEVE:

Is Belle with you?

Ric didn't answer him and walked up the stairs.

RIC:

Follow me.

Steve let down the bottle of beer and stumbled up the stairs. Ric entered the nearest bedroom.

RIC:

Sit down.

Steve sat down while Ric looked out the window.

STEVE:

Is Belle with you?

He walked over to Steve and put his hand on his leg.

STEVE:

What are you doing!?

RIC:

C'mon Steve, relax.

STEVE:

Get off me!

He pushed Ric on to the floor. He began to shake and get aggitated.

STEVE:

What's going on with you? What's wrong?

Ric covered his face with his hands and slowly pushed them through his hair. His turned into Belle.

BELLE:

Suprise!

STEVE:

What the...?

She walked over and started to kiss him. They lay on the bed for a few minutes until the bedroom door opened. Steve looked up. In walked Mattie, Luc and ..... Belle. He looked back down. He was kissing Ric.

Steve jumped up.

STEVE:

You're witches!

RIC:

Ha, Duh!

BELLE:

C'mon Ric, you've had you fun.

RIC:

No, he's gotta pay!

STEVE:

You're just jealous!

Ric got off the bed and walked over to Steve. He began to float a few inches in the air. Steve looked shocked.

RIC:

Jealous? Jealous!? You don't mean anything to me! You are nothing, you are sh!t. All you do is treat women like they are whores. But you're the whore!

STEVE:

I'm...I'm sorry!

RIC:

Oh, he's sorry!? Sorry!? He's sorry!? Sorry my ass!

Steve was lifted up and thrown out the sash window. He fell all the way down onto the car below. The gang heard people scraming.

What had Ric done?

[Cal]

Thanks.

______________________

Chapter 13 - Sweet Dreams

Belle sat on the wall outside her house, thinking about the events the previous night. She was thinking about how Ric killed Steve, it was so unexpected, so brutal. She was thinking about how the cops kept her at the station for nine hours. How did they believe that it was an accident? How could Peter Baker be so gullable?

She had a picture of her and her friends. They all looked so happy. She picked up a scissors and cut Ric out of it. She held the cut-out piece. Belle picked up a piece of red ribbon and started wrapping it around the picture of him.

BELLE:

I bind you from doing harm Ric, harm against other people and harm against yourself.

___________

That night, Belle lay in bed, looking out the French doors that led onto the balcony. She could see the tree branches lurking and the wind howling. She felt strange. What could be going on?

Suddenly, the French Doors burst open and in flew Ric, Mattie and Luc. They pinned her to the bed and started screaming.

BELLE:

Get off me! Stop it!

She woke up screaming. It was a dream. Nobody else in the room. All alone.....

_____

Belle walked down the school corridor, trying to ignore the whispering and pointing. She entered the nearest toilet. She sat in a cubicle and locked the door. She began to cry.

The door burst open. It was them.

RIC:

There you are! We've been looking everywhere for you. Are you OK?

BELLE:

I'm fine.

RIC:

Why do you want to leave the circle?

BELLE:

I didn't say that...

RIC:

I know you didn't. You're thinking it.

BELLE:

Look Ric, Steve is dead.

MATTIE:

That was an accident.

RIC:

He deserved it.

BELLE:

Says who?

RIC:

Says me! Because it's true.

BELLE:

Fine, whatever, I'm out.

RIC:

Fine, that's fine. We don't really need a fourth anymore, do we guys?

LUC:

No.

RIC:

Because you've left the circle, you might want to think about leaving the school.

MATTIE:

Or the town.

LUC:

Or the planet.

RIC:

Oh, and please don't do any more magic on me.

BELLE:

I didn't do any....

RIC:

You know, in the old days, if a witch betrayed her coven, they would kill them.

They walked away.

MATTIE:

Sweet dreams, Belle.

LUC:

Oh yeah, how have you been sleeping lately?

[Cal]

Chapter 14 - Mind Games

Belle walked down the street. She was frantic. Her best friends were turning on her. They could use magic at any time and she won't be able to stop them. She needed to take action.

She turned and walked into the Magic Shop.

BELLE:

Hello?

The lady ran down the stairs.

LADY:

Yes?

BELLE:

Hi....em..

LADY:

Hey, What's wrong?

BELLE:

Em, I know I don't know you very well but I em...I just didn't have anywhere else to go.

LADY:

Tell me what's wrong, please.

BELLE:

Do you know the people I come i here with? They are using magic against me and I can't stop them. I tried to do binding and it didn't work. I'm scared.

LADY:

Shhh, it's OK. Come with me.

The Lady walked over to a curtain that was hanging off the wall. She disappeared behind it. Belle followed.

She walked into a large room. Candles were lighting, and insense was burning.

BELLE:

What is this place?

LADY:

It's a temple built on spiritual ground.

BELLE:

What do we do now?

LADY:

You can defeat the ones who challenge you, must you must surrender yourself to the higher power. You must Invoke the spirit.

BELLE:

No. Ric did that and he's gone Crazy!

LADY:

He took it to a dark place.

BELLE:

I can't do it.

LADY:

There is no other way....

She grabbed Belle's hand and held it up.

BELLE:

Hail to the gaurdians of the watch-tower of the North....

They heard a large bang. It was like a knocking. Suddenly, they saw a huge explosion which then dissapeared. Ric was playing mind games with them.

BELLE:

That's Ric. I have to go!

Belle rang out.

LADY:

Belle, wait, please!

[Cal]

Thanks, Jane.

The next chapter will be the Main chapter, all the action etc. While the last one, will be very short - but will contain all the twists. Of course, if you have seen "The Craft", you know what I'm on about.

New Song to go with Fic

[Cal]

Thanks

___________________________

Chapter 15 - The Witching Hour

Belle ran towards her house. She was frantic. Was Ric really after her?

She opened the front door. The house was dark and empty.

BELLE:

Hello? Mum?

There was no answer. She walked over to the wall and turned on the lights. The phone began to ring.

Belle picked up the phone.

BELLE:

Hello?

It was Ric.

RIC:

She's gone.

BELLE:

What? Who?

RIC:

Amanda. She thought you ran back to the City. She went to find you.

BELLE:

What?

RIC:

Belle, there has been an accident. It's all over the news. Turn on your TV.

Belle walked over to the TV and turned it on. She saw a picture of a Highway Pile-up. The news lady was reporting from the scene.

REPORTER:

There are no known survivors of the Route 66 pile-up. Names have been released. They are, Irene Roberts, Kim Hyde, Beth Hunter and Amanda Vale.

Belle dropped the phone. Four of her closest friends have been killed. Even her own mother.

She was in shock. She felt like crying. She felt sick. Was it real?

The lights went out. She ran across the sitting-room. She had noticed that the pots were filling up with insects, maggots and snakes .

She ran up the stairs. What was going on?

Belle ran into the bathroom. She looked over into the sink, it was full of Scorpions. She walked over to the toilet. It was full of Maggots.

She screamed.

She ran into the shower and pulled the curtain. Snakes started crawling up the curtain.

BELLE:

Stop it! Please, go away! STOP!

The shower curtain burst open. It was Ric.

RIC:

Gotch'ya!

Belle screamed.

RIC:

God, if I was as pathetic as you are, I would have killed myself AGES ago! You should get on with it!

Ric ran off. Belle had noticed that the snakes were gone. It was all a mind game. She walked out of the shower. She looked around. No bugs, insects, or maggots.

________________________

She walked down the stairs and looked over the sitting-room. She saw Ric, Mattie and Luc standing there.

BELLE:

Where is Mum?

RIC:

Oh, you'll be seeing her soon. You're going to kill yourself tonight, my dear.

BELLE:

No, I'm not.

Ric, Luc and Mattie started to levitate in the air.

RIC:

Suprise!

BELLE:

No.

RIC:

The look in your eyes says you might not be so sure.... After all, you have every reason in the world to kill yourself. I mean, you killed Steve. Bravo!

BELLE:

Stop it, please!

LUC:

Why doesn't she use magic on us?

RIC:

Because she is WEAK! Weak, weak, weak....

BELLE:

Stop, please.

Belle was crying.

RIC:

Oh god, you're so digusting........ Now is the end. Let her go in peace.

Mattie and Luc follow on chanting.

LUC:

Now is the end. Let her go in peace.

MATTIE:

Now is the end. Let her go in peace.

Belle looked down. There was a suicide note on the ground. It read "I killed Steve, I'm sorry. Love, Belle"

BELLE:

I didn't write that!

RIC:

Doesn't matter. Handwriting looks the same. Oh, what's wrong with your scars, Belle!?

Belle looked down to her wrists. Ric slashed them with a blade. He laughed.

BELLE:

It isn't real!

She tried to convince herself that it was another mind game.

RIC:

Then why are you still bleeding!?

Blood dripped down onto the note. Belle ran upstairs.

RIC:

Run! Run back to your room, like the little coward that you are. SHE'S SO PATHETIC!

She ran into the bathroom upstairs and grabbed a towel. She held it against her wrists.

BELLE:

Please, somebody help me!

She dropped to the floor.

____________

Ric turned around to Luc.

RIC:

Luc, go see what's happening.

LUC:

No! This whole thing.....is just...

RIC:

No? Get your lazy ass upstairs or I'll slit your throat! You're as dead as her!

MATTIE:

C'mon, Luc. I'll go with you.

Belle lay on the floor, looking up at the ceiling.

BELLE:

Hail to the gaurdians of the watch-towers of the North. Powers of other and Earth. I Invoke thee. I Invoke thee. I invoke thee.....

Mattie and Luc were out in the hall.

LUC:

Belle?

BELLE:

By the power of three times three, make them see, make them see. By the power of three times three, make them see, make them see.

Mattie and Luc walked passed a mirror. Luc looked into it.

LUC:

Mattie! Oh my god. Look!

She looked in. All they could see was Luc losing his hair and Mattie having burns all over her face.

LUC:

It's coming back times three....

MATTIE:

Oh my god! No, Not again.

They ran down the stairs, passed Ric and went out the front door.

RIC:

What happened? Wher are you going?

_______________

BELLE:

Hail to the guardians of the.... Hail to the gaurdians of the watch-towers of the North. Powers of other and Earth. I Invoke thee.

Belle's cuts started to heal. Ric was walking up the hallway. He walked into the room.

RIC:

Belle, come out wherever you are!

He turned his back on a full-lenght mirror.

Suddenly, a hand reached out of the mirror and grabbed Ric's shoulder. He jumped. Belle walked out of the mirror.

BELLE:

Did I frighten you, Ric? I'm sorry.

RIC:

What's going on? Why aren't you dead?

BELLE:

He came to me. Saved me. The lord of witchcraft said that you abused the power he gave you, and now you must pay. You're in deep sh!t.

RIC:

Did he!?

BELLE:

He did. By the way, what happened to Luc and Mattie? They ran off without saying goodbye, that's bad manners.

Ric's fingers turned into snakes and bugs started to crawl out of his mouth. He fell over and started to sream. He shhok his head. They all disappeared.

BELLE:

Oh, relax, it's only magic!

Belle smiled.

BELLE:

Now who's pathetic?

RIC:

I know I'm a little crazy. I don't mean to be. I'm sorry!

BELLE:

Good. I bind you Ric, from doing harm, harm against other people, and harm against yourself. I bind you Ric, from doing harm, harm against other people, and harm against yourself.......

______________________

[Cal]

Thanks.

________________________

Chapter 16 - Flying

A few days later, Belle was brining in the shopping from the car with Amanda. She was so relieved that the events a few days earlier were over. She could finally give her mind a rest.

She heard someone coming up the drive-way. It was Luc and Mattie.

LUC:

Belle?

MATTIE:

Hi Belle, how are you?

She was shocked. Why were they here?

BELLE:

Good. Then again, I can sleep at night, so... How are you?

LUC:

We want to apologise. We feel really bad about....

BELLE:

Trying to kill me!?

MATTIE:

Yeah, we never thought it would go that far.

Amanda walked past.

AMANDA:

Hi, guys!

MATTIE:

Hi, Ms. Vale.

LUC:

Oh, you kow that thing about the car crash was just a joke?

BELLE:

Wow, funny!

Belle turned awat and started walking towards the house.

MATTIE:

Belle, wait...em.. We were just wondering do you still have any powers?

LUC:

Because we don't...

She looked at them.

LUC:

Sorry..

They turned away and started walking.

LUC:

She probably doesn't have any power anyway.

They both laughed.

Belle turned around and stared at them. She had heard what Luc said. Wind started to blow and thunder roared. Lightning struck a tree above Mattie and Luc. They looked up and jumped. The tree narrowly missing them.

They looked around at Belle in pure shock.

BELLE:

Be careful. You don't want to end up like Ric.

_____________________________________

Rachel Armstong walked down corridor 7B of the Summer Bay mental institute. Patients were screaming from all rooms. Scream of terror. And screams of joy.

She opened the door of room 775.

RACHEL:

Hello, Ric.

Ric lay on the bed, he was tied down.

RIC:

It's you. He did it. He gave me power. I can do whatever I want now. I can fly!

She got a needle and injected Ric in the hip.

RIC:

Ow! Ow!

RACHEL:

He gave you something, honey. But it ain't the power.

She walked towards the door and looked back at him. He was so mentally unstable now. All he ever talked about was the power that he had. She left the room and locked the door.

RIC:

But I can fly! I'm flying. I'm flying. I'm flying.......

His eyes closed.

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