On this day, he found himself near his old hometown of Exeter and decided to stop in to visit his grandmother. He had not seen her in ages and thought that it might be a pleasant surprise. One that would make both him and her happy.
The family lives so far apart now that it was hard to get together even on holidays. Grandmother was really getting on in years so he would drop by and see her one more time, while he could. Besides, grandma was a bit of a loner and did not take to people, not even family visiting, accept for him. They had a great relationship that grew even stronger after his mom had died. He had gone to stay with her until it was time for him to go off to college.
As he approached the little house, he could see a young woman standing in the yard trimming the rose bush. He said, "Good evening" and asked if his grandmother was home. Just then, he looked deep into the young woman's face and he knew at once. It was she! His grandmother! However, how could this be? She now, looked even younger than his very own mother had before she died. "Grandma! It is you." "What is this? You look thirty again." She laughed and said, "Lets keep it our little secret". "Come, lets go inside and I'll explain." " Hurry along now, the weather is changing for the worse". She led him off to the house. He was quite stunned and surprised.
Once inside, she told an amazing tale that was hard to believe. She said that she was given this youth as a gift for a favor she had done for a witch and that the witch would soon visit her to take it back. It was only to be for a short time anyway and she just wanted to feel young again, this one final time.
"I know you find this impossible to believe but you can see the evidence in my face. I will have to ask you to leave." "Why" he asked. She just shrugged her shoulders and said, "well when I did it, I was going to give it back but now I have found out something that makes me unable to keep my word, so go along and let me talk to her alone. You may still be able to reach the highway if you leave now". 'But before you leave I want you to know that this is what did it" She pulled, from her bosom, a black stone that was attached to a rope necklace. "This is what she gave me and this is what she needs for life. She is not who she pretends to be. She is evil and I will address that evil tonight". With that, she led him to the door but the storm was gathering too quickly and it looked like it would not allow him to travel. "This happens sometimes when she is near. Best you stay out of sight and do not say a word until I tell you that you can speak. She is near now".
Suddenly there was a loud clasp of thunder and the door swung open, the wind carrying it into the wall with a loud crash. Standing there in the midst of the howling winds stood the figure of a fragile old woman. "Welcome cousin, this your cousin Morra" the young woman introduced the visitor. "And this would be your grandson?" The old woman questioned. " Good, good, it is fitting that he be here. "Now where is my amulet?" "Sit cousin and warm yourself by the fire. You have only just arrived and should rest first after your long journey. There will be plenty of time to socialize before you return home. After you have rested, I will present the amulet to you then". The old woman snaps, "You know it was a loan to you! It was not mine and it must returned to me before midnight!" "And it will be", said the young woman. "John, get your tired cousin a chair and sit it by the fire, so that she may not catch cold". "I don't catch cold anymore you know that! Or EAT or DRINK or put up with waiting for what is rightfully mine!" Now give it to me or else". "Or else what?" said John as he placed the chair by the fireplace as he was asked to do. "Now, now, she is tired from her journey and is not herself". "Not myself" "Oh I see you are trying to shield the young man from our history, so be it, you have one minute to retrieve it and then I will punish you all". The young woman looked at her grandson, smiled and said "John remember to stay clear of the fireplace. This storm may stir up those hornets that live in its walls. Storms seem to get them excited, remember." John was not quite sure what she'd meant at first, there had been hornets living in the chimney years ago but they'd been rid of them ages ago." "So you would have me stung by bee's? You know such things cannot harm me anymore. Like you, I have taken the pledge but you of course already know this." The old woman thought for a moment, "Whatever trick you have planned, it is not going to work. I am stronger than you and you know it". "Yes you are, cousin, I would not be wise to cross you" said the young woman.
Now the old witch was perplexed. Why was her cousin acting so strangely? What was her trick? "Never the less, your time is up" John heard the old woman say, and at that moment he was struck with a paralyzing pain emanating from his back...
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