Nadine had her own way of finding out how much of her life had changed, she would have never thought of using it before, becaues it was so outlandish, but now she found herself at the door of Elizabeth Cancer. Mrs. Cancer was considered something of a mystic in her church, an oddity, it was said she could tell things about people, could heal them, her prayers had weight to them, and she was a good woman, faithful, kind, but also evidence of something that most people were not ready to accept, be that God or magic, it was a world that was not ruled by science as we knew it, and so most people ignored her. In the church she had her admirers, there were some who would come to her for prayers, but most would leave frustrated as they were not ready or able to understand the truth she would tell them.
So it was that Nadine turned to her to find how she had been changed. The house was old, broken by age, and musky, crosses were mixed with symbols that would only be familiar to catholics and older religions. It was the magic of a faithful woman, as if the soul of God had rested in the place and night sweats of the divine had tinged the air.
Uneasily Nadine introduced herself, though she need not to.
Instead of hello she was greeted with "The Lord be with you"
to which Nadine did not know the proper reply, and simply said Hi. Suddenly she felt as if she should not have come.
Elizabeth started
I knew you before...you've changed though. Tell me have you come seeking forgiveness for this?
Nadine didn't know what to say.
I have changed, but I'm not sure I am at fault for it, it was not me who did the changing.
Elizabeth continued unhindered
And what was given in return for the gifts you've received...how badly have you harmed your soul? Whatever you gave it was too much, Beauty is fleeting, your soul lasts forever.
Nadine felt damned and accused before she had a chance to defend herself.
It wasn't me who did it and if something has been taken from me then it was stolen not given. I am here because I have been tampered with by magic and I wish to know how.
At the word "wish" Elizabeth perked up
Wish you say...a wish is a hope, a desire, we all wish my dear, in our heart of hearts and in our minds we all want something. To be better to fill a hole inside us, that is the wage of the original sin, but to have that granted is a new thing. Sit down....let me look at you.
With that Nadine sat, the old woman looked over her, but with closed eyes, as if a prayer was being said instead of an observation made. Then she stopped, and asked
What do you want to know then?
Nadine sat for a second, part scared and part puzzled. What did she want to know? Was she still herself? Was she a virgin still? Would she become evil, be tempted into becoming some abomination?
Elizabeth felt the fear and spoke.
I knew the old you, too pious by half, people sometimes think that if they try and be extra holy it'll happen, like going to the gym. They build themselves up to something that they think in their mind is better than the other people around them, but they are just denying that they too are fallen creatures, no less than anyone else. And so now what are you? Prettier, yes, but also more...smile for me.
Nadine smiled as best she could, Nadine found this easier than before, she had pride in her smile, which she knew could shine. Still this was something less than her best smile.
Yes, see, something more within you has changed, a pride, something you've not dealt with before. You'll have to watch that.
Nadine took this to heart...
Tell me of your family, is your dad still a preacher?
This was new information to Nadine. Her father had never done that before.
I know he works for the charitable arm of McMillian, giving out the tax deductible donations to keep old Richard in the black, but does he still preach?
Nadine responded
He was never a preacher before, a lot of things have changed...
Hmmm, so the church girl is now the preachers daughter....tell me how did this happen.
Nadine told her story.
Mrs. Cancer had not heard of Mrs. Holloway, but suggested that Nadine stay far away from the school, her friends, her new environment.
I don't know what's happened to you, and It's not in my power to change it, but I can tell you, you are in danger girl and only drastic action can save you. Run, find a convent and pray, never stop praying, you may already be damned, or you may be saved. It's always best to keep hope alive, but for the love of God you must run. You can never see your old life again.
At this she got violent.
Run! Run! and Pray!
Nadine was terrified, it was as if the room had turned to sour milk and she was being cast out. Mrs. Cancer seemed manic and crazed, she didn't make sense. Nadine didn't want to run, she didn't want to spend her life in a convent, she wanted her old life back, that was why she had come here, to find out if she could be changed back. Now she found that there was no hope of changed, she was stuck in a new world, pretty and apparently a preachers daughter. She twinged at the idea, she wasn't sure if she liked the idea of her father in that role, in a way she resented it.
The thing she did not know, what Mrs. Cancer failed to tell her, was that the spell that changed her was still in some ways, active....and that if she wasn't careful, still more changes might come.
