The Witch's Revenge

Chapter 2
Chapter Two: The Trap is Set

Chapter Two: The Trap is Set

The moon hung high and full in the night sky, casting an eerie silver light over the daycare center. Inside, the last child had been picked up hours ago, and now only the quiet hum of the overhead lights filled the empty rooms. Hannah and Todd were closing up for the night, grumbling about their long shifts and the stubborn diaper pail that refused to stop reeking.

Unbeknownst to them, Elara was already there.

She had slipped in as shadows grew long, hiding herself within the inky darkness of a storage closet. Her cloak seemed to blend into the shadows, making her presence a secret kept from the world outside. She waited with bated breath, listening to the sound of their voices, the careless laughter, and their complaints. The rage simmered within her, fueled by every word that slipped from their lips.

Her daughter. Her precious Lila, had been subjected to their disdain and disregard. Tonight, that would end.

Elara closed her eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the flow of ancient magic coursing through her veins. She whispered softly, almost inaudibly, as the spell took shape in her mind. Her fingers moved in precise patterns, weaving the incantation into reality. The air around her seemed to hum with energy, and a faint glow began to emanate from beneath the closet door.

The time had come.

Inside the Main Room

Hannah sat on a chair, scrolling through her phone as usual, while Todd lazily swept the floor. “I swear, if I have to deal with another diaper disaster tomorrow, I’m quitting,” Todd muttered, tossing the broom aside with a sigh.

Hannah snickered. “Good luck with that. You know they’re desperate for workers. They’ll just beg you to stay.”

Todd chuckled. “Yeah, but they need me more than I need them.”

Suddenly, the lights flickered. Once, twice, three times, before dimming down to a low, unsettling glow. A strange chill crept into the room, causing both of them to stop and glance around. The air felt thick, almost oppressive, and the faint scent of lavender seemed to drift in from nowhere.

Hannah frowned. “Did you smell that?” she asked, her voice tinged with unease.

Todd sniffed the air. “Yeah… weird.” He looked around, puzzled. “Maybe someone left something burning?”

A soft, lilting voice cut through the silence. “Oh no, nothing is burning… yet.”

Hannah and Todd spun around to see Elara standing in the doorway, her eyes glowing a deep, unnatural green, a wicked smile playing on her lips. Her presence seemed to fill the entire room, making the walls seem to close in around them.

Todd took a step back, his face pale. “W-Who are you? How did you get in here?”

Elara’s smile widened. “Who am I? I am a mother, like so many others who trusted you… but unlike them, I do not forgive.”

Hannah’s heart pounded in her chest. “Look, lady, we didn’t do anything wrong. If this is about your kid—”

Elara raised her hand, and Hannah’s words stopped in her throat. “Oh, it is about my child,” Elara said, her voice cold and commanding. “My sweet Lila, whom you treated with such disregard and contempt. Tonight, you will learn the consequences of your negligence.”

Todd scoffed, trying to mask his fear with bravado. “Listen, we don’t have to take this. Just leave, okay? We don’t want any trouble.”

Elara’s eyes darkened, and a chuckle escaped her lips. “Trouble? Oh, trouble has already found you, dear boy.”

She snapped her fingers, and the room seemed to shudder. Todd stumbled, feeling a sudden, overwhelming weakness in his limbs. He fell to his knees, his heart racing, his body trembling uncontrollably. His hands felt strange, his skin tingling as if a thousand tiny needles were pricking him at once.

“What… what’s happening?” Todd stammered, his voice breaking with panic.

Elara’s smile turned sinister. “You despised changing diapers so much, didn’t you? Let’s see how you feel about wearing them.”

Todd’s body began to shrink. His clothes grew baggy, sliding off his rapidly diminishing frame. He looked down in horror as his hands became smaller, his fingers chubby and uncoordinated. His legs drew up into his body, shortening as his feet lost their shape, becoming the small, pudgy feet of a toddler.

“No… no, please!” he screamed, his voice becoming higher-pitched, the deep tones fading into a shrill wail. His hair lightened and softened into fine, wispy curls, and his face grew round and cherubic, eyes widening with fear and confusion. His once-familiar form was gone, replaced by the helpless body of a baby girl, no older than Lila.

Hannah watched, frozen in terror, as Todd’s transformation completed. There he sat, now a tiny, frightened infant girl on the floor, tears streaming down his chubby cheeks. He tried to speak, to scream, but only a helpless cry came out.

Elara stepped closer, towering over the baby. She reached down and picked Todd up, cradling him in her arms. “There, there, my little one. You wanted nothing to do with caring for babies? Now, you will be the perfect playmate for my daughter, forever at her side, forever in need of care.”

Hannah backed away, her face pale, her hands trembling. “Please… no… you can’t do this,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Elara turned her gaze toward Hannah, her smile widening. “Oh, I haven’t even begun.”

Hannah’s heart pounded in her chest, a wave of terror washing over her. She knew in that moment that she was next.

The trap was sprung, and the first piece had fallen into place. The night was far from over, and Elara’s revenge had only just begun.