I don't like how nice she's being, said Seth. It's almost scarier than before. I think she's really anxious to get out.
I know. But I think we're just as anxious to restore Grandma and maybe find Grandpa.
She's a liar, Seth cautioned. I don't think we can count on any of her promises.
Probably not.
We should expect her to attack us as soon as she's free.
If not, great, but I brought salt, whatever good that will do.
Don't forget, we'll have Grandma to help us handle her, Kendra said.
Grandma might not know anything about fighting witches.
I'm sure she's learned a trick or two. Let's try to ask her.
Seth held up the hen. Kendra stroked her head gently.
Grandma Sorenson, Kendra said. Ruth. I need you to listen to me. If you can hear me, we need you to answer.
This is very important. The hen appeared to be listening.
Should we untie the last knot to have Muriel Taggert restore you?
The head bobbed.
Was that a yes?
The head bobbed again.
Can you give us a no?
The hen did not respond.
Grandma. Ruth. Can you shake your head so we can be sure you hear us?
Again the chicken made no acknowledgment.
Maybe it took all she had to answer your first question, Seth speculated.
It did seem like she nodded, Kendra said. And I don't know what else we can do. Freeing the witch is a high price to pay, but is it worse than having no hope of finding Grandpa and keeping Grandma trapped forever as a chicken?
We should free her.
Kendra paused, scrutinizing her feelings. Was this really their only option? It seemed to be. Let's go back, she agreed.
They returned to the doorway of the shack. We want you to restore Grandma, Kendra said.
You will voluntarily sunder my last knot, the final impediment to my independence, if I restore your grandmother to her human form?
Yes. How do we do it?
Just say 'of my own free will I sever this knot' and then blow on it. You should probably find something for your grandmother to wear. She will not have any clothes on.
Kendra ran to the wheelbarrow and returned with the bathrobe and a pair of slippers. Muriel stood in the doorway, clutching the rope. Lay your grandmother at my threshold, she instructed.
I want to blow on the knot, Seth said.
Sure, Kendra answered.
You let Grandma out of the bag.
Kendra squatted and pulled the mouth of the bag wide open. Muriel held the rope out to Seth. The chicken looked up, ruffling her feathers and flapping her wings.
Kendra tried to steady her, disgusted by the feel of slender bones moving beneath her hands.
Of my own free will, I sever this knot, Seth said, as Goldilocks squawked noisily. He blew, and the knot unraveled.
Muriel extended both hands over the flustered hen and began softly chanting indecipherable words. The air wavered. Kendra squeezed the squirming hen. At first it felt like bubbles were shooting through the flesh of the bird; then the delicate bones started to churn. Kendra dropped Goldilocks and stepped back.
Kendra saw everything as if through fun-house lenses.
Muriel appeared distorted, first stretching broad, then tall.
Seth became an hourglass with a wide head, a tiny waist, and clownish feet. Rubbing her eyes failed to cure her warped vision. When she looked down, the ground curved away in all directions. She leaned and swung her arms to maintain her balance.
The fun-house Muriel began to ripple, as did the startling image of Goldilocks shedding feathers as she expanded into a person. The scene grew dim, as if clouds had blocked the sun, and a dark aura gathered around Muriel and Grandma. The darkness expanded, momentarily obscuring everything, and then Grandma stood before them, completely naked. Kendra put the bathrobe over her shoulders.
From inside the shack came a sound like the rushing of a terrible wind. The ground rumbled. Get down, Grandma said, pulling Kendra to the ground. Seth also fell flat.
A furious gale blasted the walls of the shack into shrapnel.
The roof rocketed beyond the treetops, a geyser of wooden confetti. The stump split down the center.
Fragments of timber and ivy whistled in all directions, clattering against the trunks of trees and slashing through the undergrowth.
Kendra raised her head. Dressed in rags, Muriel gaped in wonder. Chips of wood continued to fall like hail, along with fluttering bits of ivy. Muriel grinned, displaying deformed teeth and inflamed gums. She began to chuckle, tears brimming in her eyes. She flung her wrinkled arms wide. Emancipation! she cried. Justice at last!
Grandma Sorenson rose to her feet. She was shorter and stouter than Muriel, with hair the color of cinnamon and sugar. You must vacate this property immediately.
Muriel glowered at Grandma, the joy in her gaze eclipsed by spite. A tear escaped and slid down a crease to her chin. This is my thanks for unbinding your curse?
You have your reward for the services you rendered.
You have emerged from confinement. Eviction from this preserve is the consequence of prior indiscretions.
My debts have been paid. You are not the caretaker.
My authority is the same as my husband's. In his absence, I am indeed the caretaker. I invite you to leave and never return.
Muriel turned and began tromping away. Where I go is my business. She did not look back.
Not on my preserve.
Your preserve, is it? I object to your claims of ownership.
Muriel still had not looked back. Grandma started walking after her, an old woman in a bathrobe trailing an old woman dressed in rags.
New crimes will entail new punishments, Grandma warned.
You might be surprised who administers the penalties.
Don't provoke new enmity. Depart in peace.
Grandma quickened her pace and caught hold of Muriel by the upper arm.
Muriel twisted free, turning to face Grandma. Tread lightly, Ruth. If you seek trouble here and now, in front of the little ones, I will oblige you. This is the wrong moment to cling to antiquated protocol. Things have changed more than you realize. I suggest you depart before I regain authority here.
Seth ran toward them. Grandma took a step back. Seth flung a handful of salt at the witch. It had no effect. Muriel pointed at him. Your recompense is coming, my bold little whelp. I have a long memory.
Your actions require retribution, Grandma warned.
Muriel was striding away again. You speak to deaf ears.
You said you'd tell us how to find our Grandpa, Kendra called.
Muriel laughed without looking back.
Hold your tongues, children, Grandma said. Muriel, I have commanded you to depart. Your defiance is an act of war.
Chapter Nineteen
You issue evictions in order to build a case for wrongdoing and thereby justify retaliation, Muriel said. I do not fear a feud with you.