Chapter 88─Myrtle’s plans and Gillian’s task

Myrtle stared at Douglas with her mouth open in shock.

“Are you sensing that my granddaughter has special powers?” she asked.

“I’m just considering all the possibilities. She could, you know. You said that her voice was unusual. I think that her voice might contain supernatural qualities.

Maybe she can already do wonders with it even though she’s not yet aware of it,” Douglas replied tugging at the tip of his nose as he tried to think.

“So, how do we find out about this?” Myrtle asked, looking around nervously.

“I will have to spend time with her without her knowing who I am. I can then find out if she has unusual powers,” Douglas suggested as he looked at Myrtle with his grey brows raised.

“That can be a good idea. But, the werewolf should be abducted tonight already,” Myrtle insisted with her mouth set firm in determination.

“I will find some folks to help me with that,” Douglas responded.

“Then there are those two female wolves that I still have to deal with,” Myrtle murmured in a sombre tone with her eyes narrowed in contemplation.

“Oh, there are female wolves involved in this drama as well? I need all the necessary information because I can’t afford any surprises,” Douglas warned as he stared at Myrtle earnestly.

“Let’s get some snacks and sit at a table so I can give you the missing details,” Myrtle responded as she began to move in the direction of the buffet tables.

***

“Now, don’t be afraid of anything that you see in this video,” Gillian warned Milla as they stood next to each other in the basement nursery.

“Okay,” Milla responded with a frown as she listened to Gillian’s words.

“Do you already know what’s on this video?” she asked, glancing at Gillian curiously.

“Some of it, yes, but Mishka and I haven’t checked the video these past few days because we were too busy with other stuff,” Gillian replied.

“So, you think I can be shocked by some of the stuff that you’ve seen?” Milla asked as she studied Gillian’s face in concern.

“Well, you’re gonna find out the truth about some people that you know. Maybe you have a suspicion about them, or maybe you’ve never suspected it, so just be ready for anything.

I promise not to show you anything spooky,” Gillian remarked as she gave Milla a steady look, trying to see how strong she was emotionally.

“Then let me sit at least, since you think that some of it can be shocking to me,” Milla suggested as she pulled a chair closer.

“Great. I must tell you that what I’ve seen on the video was a shock to me because I had to see Mishka’s grandmother in an entirely new light,” Gillian remarked in a steady tone of voice.

“Oh? What exactly does she do that’s so shocking?” Milla asked, clasping her arms around herself as if she was trying to protect herself from what was coming next.

Gillian frowned as she tried to think.

“I think it’s better for me to tell you what to expect when you view this video, otherwise you will be caught off-guard,” she suggested.

“That sounds reasonable, so, what is it about Mishka’s grandmother?” Milla asked as she sat upright on the chair now.

“Well, when she comes here at night she chants because it helps her see and understand certain things which are not clear to other people,” Gillian began in a steady tone.

“Oh, are you talking about when she makes natural medicines?” Milla asked stretching her eyes wide as the idea hit her.

“Well, she doesn’t really need to chant in order to mix medicines. She just studies that in a book and then she tries to make it herself,” Gillian responded.

“Oh? So why does she chant? I wonder, is it the same chanting that the cook and Mishka say they heard the other day?” Milla asked, frowning in confusion.

“Yes, that’s it. She chants so she can call up supernatural powers to help her see things which normal humans can’t see,” Gillian responded.

“So, is she doing what those people in the witch drama series do? Does she learn from them?” Milla asked, rubbing her arms and shivering as if she was feeling cold.

“No, she’s been doing this for decades. She can see into someone’s future and she can make changes in their lives with her chanting,” Gillian explained without removing her eyes from Milla’s face.

“So, like a fortune-teller or a witch?

But she can’t be a witch. Not her. We’ve known her for a long time and we never saw anything strange about her,” Milla responded as she stared back at Gillian.

“I know, it’s hard to accept something like that about an elderly woman that you’ve never suspected. And, even if you did see or hear something suspicious, you would have ignored it,” Gillian responded without batting an eyelid.

“So, you’re saying that you saw that she’s a witch?” Milla asked, covering her cheeks with her hands.

“Yes, in this video, but you must be strong and not shout out when you see certain things which are unusual or shocking because Mishka and I need your help,” Gillian explained, looking straight into Milla’s face.

“Okay, if you need my help, I promise not to faint or scream,” Milla responded after drawing a deep breath to steady herself.

“But, can I share it with someone else just in case I need someone to confide in?” she asked while Gillian removed the video recorder from its hiding place.

“Just share it with me and Mishka, please. Anyone else will be a big risk. One that we can’t afford,” Gillian responded, fixing her eyes on Milla’s face.

“Alright. It just feels like we’re spying on Mishka’s grandmother,” Milla remarked as she stared down at the floor.

“You can’t hide yourself from the truth because sooner or later, it’s going to affect you,” Gillian remarked in a firm tone of voice.

“What if I get frightened of her after I see this video?” Milla asked staring at Gillian.

“You will quickly get used to what she does on the video. It’s not so scary after a while. I just hope that the stray cat doesn’t disturb you,” Gillian replied.

“So, the stray cat is not just in my imagination?” Milla asked shifting forwards on her chair and leaning forward in surprise.

“No, it does exist and Granny Myrtle knows all about it. You will see it for yourself on the video just now,” Gillian responded in an excited tone.

“Okay, I promise to cover my mouth and not scream, but am I supposed to be afraid of Mishka’s grandmother from now on?” Milla asked as she drew a deep breath.

“No, I’m not afraid of her, so you won’t be either,” Gillian responded in a light tone of voice.

“Okay. So, what kind of help do you need? Should I begin to spy for you?” she continued.

“Well, can you, please?

Because, up until now we’ve only had the video camera to spy for us, but you could do it in a much better way because you can follow her almost everywhere,” Gillian responded.

“Gosh! I’ve never thought of myself as a private investigator or a spy,” Milla responded, looking around the nursery as if she expected to see someone else there.

“You don’t have to do it for too long and you can also use the experience for the video that you’re making,” Gillian responded.

“Is that why you came over while Mishka and her grandma are out tonight?” Milla asked, casting a quick glance at Gillian.

“Yes, because Grandma Myrtle doesn’t go out so often lately,” Gillian remarked.

“I will help you, but what will you do for me if she finds out about me watching her. What if she dismisses me?” Milla asked with concern in her eyes