Marcia couldn’t risk using the amulet now. Not when she had so little knowledge of what exactly the banshee had done. No, she wasn’t going to do anything so drastic without finding out just how reality had presumably been altered. That being said, she slipped the amulet into her rain boot, just in case she felt like she could use it later.
As they walked through the halls, Marcia suddenly realized that the banshee had adopted a new form. She looked like one of the maids of the mansion now. But why? That thought vanished from her mind, however, when they walked past a mirror, allowing Marcia to get a good look at her new self. Not only was she now black, but her hair was curly and raven-colored like Christine's. She even had Christine's nose. The only feature not to change were her eyes, still the same almond shape and warm gray.
The two arrived in the main foyer, where Christine was pacing back and forth nervously.
“Miss Christine?” the banshee asked. Like her appearance, her voice had changed. Christine looked up. “I found Marcia wandering the halls.”
“Oh, thank goodness!” Christine said, putting her hand on her heart. “I was so worried when she slipped away from me!” Christine walked up to Marcia. “You scared Gam-Gam half to death!”
“Sorry,” Marcia mumbled, deciding to play along for the time being. If she just went with whatever was happening, she’d find out more information than if she tried to resist constantly.
“Aw, Gam-Gam can’t stay mad at you,” Christine cooed, pinching Marcia’s cheek. “My precious little ladybug.”
“I’ll go back to my work,” the banshee said, bowing politely. Christine nodded.
“Yes, thank you, I can take care of my darling granddaughter from here.” The banshee disappeared back down the hall they had come from. Christine picked Marcia up. “I know you like to play, but you’re not allowed to stay in Gam-Gam’s house overnight, remember? With all the renovations and everything, it’s too dangerous for my baby bug.” Christine kissed Marcia’s cheek.
“Where am I going?” Marcia asked. Christine laughed.
“What a jokester!” Christine walked out of the mansion and up to a town car. The driver of the car got out and opened the back door. Christine buckled Marcia into a car seat. “Be a good girl like Gam-Gam knows you can!” Christine kissed the top of Marcia’s head, then closed the door. Marcia watched Christine walk back into the mansion.
The driver got back in the car.
“Mister?” Marcia said timidly. The driver looked at her in the rearview mirror. “Where am I going?” The driver chuckled.
“The same place you go every night, young miss. You’re going to…”