It was another stormy day. The black clouds circled above as big raindrops started to drop. Distant thunder could be heard mixed with the furious cheers of the citizens of Gershwin. They were coming for her.

Cedonia, the Wicked Witch of the South, was scared but at the same time proud of what she had done. For many years she had been flying around on her old broomstick rescuing animals from cruelty and setting them free in the wild. And for the same amount of years the citizens of Gershwin had hunted down the Wicked Witch of the South for many false accusations thrown upon her by the Emperor. She didn’t have much time left as she could hear the chanting mob getting closer and closer to her castle. Her plan had to work.

As she placed the bucket of water down in the corner a nearby thunder roared and the rained slashed against the big windows. As Cedonia turned round a beautiful figure stood at the top of the stairs. It was her. She was her school companion. She was her best friend. She was the one that lived Cedonia’s dream. It was Violet. She was dressed in her dazzling blue ball gown and her crown stood on her head with its twelve diamonds shining brightly in the dim light. Her expression was sad and worried.

“Leave” said Cedonia in a steady voice.

“They’re coming for you“ said Violet as she quickly walked down the stairs.

“Leave” answered Cedonia interrupting Violet.

“Cedonia, this can’t go on any longer. I know you don’t want to hear this but you are out of control! Don’t you understand what you have done? You have kidnapped the King’s son because he took your dead sisters broken wand? I mean come on it’s just a useless wand!” shouted Violet in an annoyed voice.

“I’m the Wicked Witch of the South, I can do anything I want! My power is unlimited! And I am not going to let that little Prince use my sisters wand as a trophy!” said Cedonia in an evil voice.

“You just don’t get it do you? They are coming for you! They will kill you, there is no escape out of this one Cedonia. No escape. The Emperor has hired the best witch hunters of the land! Cedonia just surrender! And just look at what they have already done to your sister and to Francis” said Violet.

“Francis? What has happened to the love of my life? The only person that truly ever loved me? Where is he? What has happened to him? Tell me!” begged Cedonia.

“Oh Cedonia, you have seen his face for the last time… I’m so sorry…” sobbed Violet.

“You’re right… I surrender… I surrender. You must leave! Now! You can’t be found here. Take this” snapped Cedonia as she handed Violet the Book of Spells. The most powerful book in all of Gershwin.

“But Cedonia…” muttered Violet “You know I can’t read that” she sobbed as she pointed at the book.

“Then you must learn. Violet; I’m limited, my life is limited but just look at you, you can do all I couldn’t do. You will learn, now take it and leave…” said Cedonia with a quiet voice.

“So, is this our… goodbye?” asked Violet who was on the verge of crying.

“You’re the only friend I have ever had…” said Cedonia.

“And I’ve had so many friends, but only one, that really mattered” said Violet as she held Cedonia’s hand and smiled.

“Oh Cedonia, I know I’m who I am today because I knew you. You changed my life and helped me learn so many things; like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes the sun… You altered my life and now who can say if I’ve been changed for the better but, because I knew you, I have been changed… for good.” Said Violet in an emotional voice.

“It well may be, that we will never meet again in this lifetime… So let me say before we part that so much of me is made of what I learned from you; you’ll be with me like a handprint on my heart. And, because I knew you I have been changed for good. Goodbye Violet” said Cedonia.

“Goodbye Cedonia” answered Violet as the two hugged.

The mob’s cheers were now just outside of the castle and the echo of the banging of the door shot throughout the castle.

“Go, no one must know you were here!” shouted Cedonia as she lead Violet away from the grand hall. The doors burst open and hundreds of people invaded the castle. Cedonia stood at the centre of the grand hall, took a deep breath and waited for them to burst into the room. She could hear the noise of the mob approaching the grand hall and then suddenly the doors swung open revealing all the people. Cedonia smiled and stood still as the screaming people surrounded her. One of them found the bucket of water and threw it on her; she knew that would happen and as the water hit her skin she started to melt. She screamed in pain as she got smaller and smaller until all that was left in the room was her hat.

The secret tunnel was narrow and dark but it was quite short. At the end of it her broomstick awaited sitting up against the wall. She grabbed it and flew off. She could hear the happy cheering and the Wicked Witch of the South was dead. She wanted to let Violet know that she was still alive but she couldn’t. Nobody could know. She could never go back to Gershwin.