chapter 16 - ultimatum

Chapter 16: Ultimatum

“What is on the 6th floor?” Anya asked Melanie curiously. Anya kept the amulet in her hands, running her hands over it. She distinctly remembered it from that day in Jezebel’s office.

“The Boss’s HQ. It’s where she casts her spells from. She keeps watch over the entire hotel like a hawk from there.” Melanie shuddered at the thought of what she contributed to. She didn’t think about the disturbing implications at the time.

“Why did you draw Heather? What did that have to do with this… spell you call it.” Anya asked crossly. “I did not read it in the book.” She said, pointing at the spellbook.

“She keeps a wall of her victims, as they looked before she… changes them. Photographs apparently get affected by the spell, but drawings don’t. Something about how photographs replicate exactly how something looked, whereas there’s interpretation in a drawing. She keeps a room full of them on the 6th floor.”

“I see…” Anya was still confused, but let it go. “What happens when your boss reverses this spell?”

“Everything returns to the way it was.“ Melanie answered. “At least I think so. She kept threatening that would happen.“

“B-but…“ Anya started. “Is that what she wants?“ She remembered how Heather seemingly begged her to be fed. Would she want to go back to the way she was? Was she pleased with her old life? Anya recalled Heather talking about her ex-boyfriend leaving her.

“What are you talking about?!?” Melanie snapped. “You think she’s happy the way she is? Of course, she wants to change back. Who would choose to live like that?" Melanie was dumbfounded at this. She was utterly convinced Anya wanted to waste time.

"We shall ask her," Anya replied. Gripping the amulet now cradled around her neck, almost in a menacing gesture. "Now." Melanie gulped and nodded.

"Fine. But make it quick. It's only a matter of time till Jezebel discovers I'm back."
~~~
Much of Heather's room had changed in Anya's absence. The bed was now in a state of complete disarray. Fast food wrappers littered the ground around it, like a shrine to its inhabitant. Heather lay on top of it in her underwear, casually gorging on a feast of cheeseburgers and milkshakes. Her plump face lit up when Anya entered. Melanie trailed close behind her. The first thing Melanie noticed was an odor, it reminded her of a familiar smell from the previous night.

"You're back!" She said enthusiastically. "I got delivery." Anya gazed upon Heather and thought to herself. "I've created a monster." She motioned quickly to her companion.

"This is Melanie. She works for Jezebel..." Melanie now stood right next to her. "We have something to tell you."

"You've been put under a spell, and I participated. I wanted to apologize for my involvement and..." Anya cut her off.

"Heather. The hotel owner did something. It caused you to change. When I first met you, you were skinny as a rail." Anya said. Heather gave her a look of bewilderment.

"That doesn't sound like me." She laughed suddenly. It was almost like a cough, like a horse neigh. Melanie recognize it instantly and winced. "When we met, you thrashed me at pool and then took me to dinner." She grinned broadly.

"N...no, you beat me that night. This is part of it. Things were different days ago." Anya pleaded with Heather, but her joyful expression didn't abate.

"This is a waste of time Anya, we have to go to the 6th floor now." Melanie snapped at her companion. "Once we're done, Heather will become the journalist again."

"Journalist? That doesn't sound like me. I didn't even graduate high school." Heather said, laughing again. "I dropped out when I found out I could make a living eating on camera." She sat up and jiggled her distended belly with the grace of an ox. Anya looked over to Melanie and noticed she bit her lip sharply. "Is she horny?" She thought, although quickly dismissed it. Anya sat down next to Heather.

"H-Heather..." Anya started. "Would you prefer to live in a world where we are not together. But you are a talented and successful writer, with sharp distinctive features. But you would be friendless and alone. Or, would you prefer to live with me, as you are right now." Heather's expression changed as Anya spoke. A tear streamed down Anya's eye, it was just like when they were in the pool.

"I would do anything to be with you, Anya. I love you." Heather replied, almost immediately. "I don't want to be anyone else." Anya gave her a hug, more tears had flowed.

"I... I will be back." Anya said to Heather. She got up slowly from the bed and walked over to Melanie. "The two of us have an errand to run. Then... we can start our new life together, zaika."

"Let's go," Melanie said. Her tone had softened somewhat since before.

"Don't be too long, darling..." Heather said, there was a tone of anxiety in her throat. "Please come back soon."

"I will," Anya replied. The two of them left the room.