Veronica confronts Tabi and helps Riley recover.
Chapter 8

Veronica's thoughts drifted back to the long story she had read as she laid in her bed. Her mother swore the story was true. She got another book on the origin of the Hekatin and read another book about the ancient shattered isles. She didn't doubt it was true anymore.

Veronica laid there thinking about herself, a former boy made a girl through magic. How could she doubt anything else after this? It was much like the character Prince Serren, who was turned into a girl by his cruel sister in a monstrous act of betrayal. They paid for it and that was the moral of the story to her. His sister Pattenia paid for it most of all. Everything that happened to Serren as a girl was inflicted on her in revenge. He watched her get raped. She was tortured for months and executed in front of everyone in a horrifying sadistic way.

They had to be very careful with how they used the power that they have been granted and make sure what they do is moral and just. They made a horrible mistake thousands of years ago, hoping it would work, and that they would be able to come out into the light as free women. They paid for their brutal act and, in a way, the Hekatin are still paying for it to this day. The descendants of that order still aren’t free. They are forced to practice their art and their religion in secret. Fearful of what people would think if they found people with such power. And, Veronica thought they deserved it.

She had read another book this night about Prince Serren's life before the transformation. He was totally boy. It must have been torture to him. His family did it to him. It was such a horrifying betrayal. Yes, the witches did deserve what they got. Serren really got the last laugh. And he still is nearly a thousand years later. That tale was a good warning of what can happen when they misuse their power.

Then she thought of Riley. Riley was a boy she met shortly after she was transformed herself. Riley was a boy cruelly transformed by another very powerful witch, just to torment and humiliate him. Veronica would not feel so intimidated by meeting Tabi anymore. She now had the confidence and training that she felt she had nothing to fear from her anymore. Perhaps she could help Riley. He did not deserve to be treated like he was. These were the type of witches everyone was afraid of and what put them in this situation to begin with.

Then Veronica slowly drifted off to sleep, wondering about Riley. And how she was going to help that tormented boy. Unlike Veronica, Riley hated this life.

Veronica woke up early the next morning and prepared for high school. She ran into the bathroom and showered and dressed like any other teenage girl. She applied what she knew about makeup and hygiene and made up her face and hair. She applied just enough makeup, and she didn't overdo it like she might for a date. She was just going to high school classes, and then she ran down the steps to make some eggs. She saw her mother at the stove, making them their eggs and smiling.

Veronica started eating and asked her mother,” Mother, is there a way to help Riley?”

Seraphine shook her head side to side as she was making Crystal's plate. “It would be very difficult, Veronica. We have to know exactly what was done and how to reverse it or we may do more harm than good. And since everyone around Riley, her family and friends accept her as a girl born that way, we must assume they cast a wide spell on everyone around her as I did for you, Veronica. To turn her back into a boy now would be very jarring and shocking for everyone. It may bring down repercussions. I would suggest you don’t even try it, Veronica. There’s a lot we need to find out first before we even dare attempt it.”

Crystal came down a little later and ate, and Crystal drove them both to school.

Veronica went to her usual classes for the morning. She went to English in the morning and then to her history class. During history, they were discussing the middle ages, and she briefly wondered if she could visit the Shattered Isles. But she seriously doubted as a witch that they would be welcome there. The witches fled it for a reason. It might be very dangerous to visit Then Veronica had algebra and went to lunch.

Her friends were occupying a table with her sister Crystal. And she saw the boy Riley at a table by himself. Riley saw Veronica approaching him from the side, and she sat down beside him and smiled warmly.

Riley looked frightened and said,” I know you are one of them. Are you just here to mock me too?”

“No,” Said Veronica. “I am here to be your friend and help you. Don't you remember me from my first day?”

Riley nodded. “Yes, Veronica. Tabi said you were a boy before you were changed into a girl like I was. But I also see you are a witch from that amulet you are wearing.”

“I won't make fun of you, Riley. I want to know more about you and help you.”

Then Tabi aggressively moved toward Veronica and said, “So what are you doing with my sissy?” She said.

Veronica turned and stood up, facing Tabi. Tabi saw and smiled, “Oh, it's you, the other sissy pretending to be a real girl. What is your interest in Riley? ‘HE’ is Mine.”

Then Tabi looked down and saw the silver amulet Veronica was wearing and lost some of the color in her face. She whispered, “Goddess, how is this possible after not even a month. An apprentice witch, second class, it took me years to reach just third class. I won't reach second until about another year. This can't be real.”

Veronica stepped forward. Her friends finally noticed the conflict that was about to happen. Veronica said, “Yes, I have been training, and I am not afraid of you anymore. You will leave Riley alone now, won't you? She is Mine, you just want to torment the poor girl.”

Tabi stood there without fear, facing Veronica, saying, “With all of these people around. And I doubt that amulet you have on. It's impossible to reach that level in a month. It took me my lifetime to reach level three apprentice.”

Veronica flashed a malicious smile and stepped forward, pulling her right arm back. Then she drove a solid punch into Tabi's midsection, activating her power at the last minute, putting much more power into the strike than was possible. Tabi doubled over in pain, and Veronica violented shoved her back. Tabi stumbled backward and fell into a bunch of chairs, collapsed in pain as she cried out.

Veronica had a wicked look in her eyes. There was no warmth or mercy. It was a cruel look. “All of the pain people like you caused. What you did to this poor boy Ryan. I wish I could help him. People like you are evil. You caused our misfortune. You must pay.”

Veronica looked at Tabi's neckline and envisioned a tight band around her neck. The band started tightening around Tabi's neck, and she began choking and gagging. The kids nearby screamed at seeing Tabi choking. They guessed she had some food in her windpipe. Tabi's face started turning blue. She couldn’t get any air. She was gagging and choking helplessly.

Crystal stepped beside her sister and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder and said softly, “Veronica, stop. You proved your point. Please don't kill Tabi.”

That shocked Veronica into reality and she suddenly stopped killing Tabi at the last moment, and she gasped and sucked in air.

“You will leave Riley alone for now on. He is my boy, and we will respect him. You leave him alone.” then Veronica penetrated Tabi’s mind and said directly to her, “If I find you tormenting her again, I will finish what I started.”

Then Veronica took Riley's hand and led her to the table with her friends, and they sat and ate.

A teacher saw the fight and pulled Veronica away and escorted her and Tabi into the office.

The teacher took Tabi into the office first but didn't get much from her. Tabi told her what she already saw in the fight. Veronica was the aggressor and attacked Tabi and knocked her down. She was dismissed, and then she called in Veronica.

Veronica walked into the officer, sure she was in big trouble. The teacher asked, “So tell me what happened. I saw much of it, but I want it from your point of view. I saw you attack Tabi.”

“I was just sitting there talking with my new friend Riley when Tabi came at us. She had been bullying and demeaning my friend Riley. She thinks Riley is hers to do with as she pleases. I was defending my friend and telling her to back off. I ended up having to knock her down to make my point. I don’t like how she was treating Riley.”

There had been complaints about Tabi but nothing that could be acted on. She suspected that Tabi was a bully. The principal said, “While I agree with you on that and I can commend you for standing up for your friend, I still can't condone fighting. Students need to report these bullies so we can deal with them.”

“Yes, because it is so effective when we report bullies. It does so much to report them. Right,” Veronica said, dripping with sarcasm. “You are so effective in dealing with bullying.”

“We may be more effective if you students weren't so afraid to report them to us,” Said the Principal.

“When we do, the bully gets some punishment but just comes back angry and takes it out on his victim, and nothing changes. Perhaps if there were harsher penalties for bullying, it might do some good. But I think my way protected Riley much better. I doubt she will come at Riley again.”

“She may come at you, and her family may come at you too,” The Principal pointed out.

“If they do, I will have to teach them a lesson. I am not afraid,” Veronica said confidently.

“I see why you attacked Tabi, But I can't accept this type of behavior. I have to suspend you for a day, Veronica.” The Principal told Veronica.

“I understand, and I expected it.” Then she was dismissed. Tabi had also been suspended for a day.

She went out and saw Riley, and Riley said,”Thank you for helping me with Tabi. I don't know how I will deal with mom. She likes Tabi.”

“My mother could be here to take you when the school lets out. You could stay with us,” Then Veronica smiled sweetly. “I would appreciate that, Ryan. You really are cute as a guy.” Then she kissed Riley's cheek, and Riley blushed and agreed to spend the night with them. Riley had a few more classes, and Crystal was there and said she would protect Riley.

Seraphine came by about ten minutes later and they left. Veronica was afraid and figured she was going to be in big trouble. On the way home, Seraphine asked, “So you got in a fight with Tabi and attacked her?”

Veronica looked down, ashamed and afraid, “Yes. She was picking on Riley.”

“And you are still here and Tabi ended up on the ground. We were right to promote you to an apprentice. Good job, Veronica. Let's go for ice cream.”

“What?” Veronica said, confused that she wasn’t in trouble.

“You got into it with a sadistic bully like Tabi. Who ruined a boy's life and took pleasure in continuing to torment that boy. And you defended that boy. You thought I would disapprove of what you did,” Seraphine pointed out. “I do not disapprove at all. Veronica, I approve. But I have a feeling that Tabi will continue to come at you now. But I like what you did.”

They went to get Veronica an oversized ice cream cone, and they were on their way home. Seraphine said, “I won't punish you while you are at home. We get more time to work on your witchcraft. You are part of the Hekatin.”

Veronica ate her huge ice cream cone and thinking of her new responsibility as being part of the Hekatin. She had to defend them and make sure they stood for the ideals they espoused. They failed when it came to Serren and paid for it with their lives.

They went home and made their way to the training area in the basement. In no time, she was focusing and defending herself against Seraphine's attack.

After several long hours of training and practicing, she was lying down tired. Seraphine said, “Veronica you are a perfect example of the point I am making. Be careful who you abuse or mistreat. You have trained for under a month and you can hold your own against me and have a chance of defeating me. You defeated Lady Fawna. All in under a month.

"You are a lot like Serren in that respect. She was changed against her will and humiliated and demeaned beyond all reason. And when she started reading about the Hekatin, she became fearsome. She became extremely powerful within mere months of taking classes with the witches. She was able to hold her own against her mother, who was very a very powerful witch herself. She defeated Actonia, who was also a very powerful witch. My point is just to be careful, you never know how strong someone can eventually be. The Hekatin who changed Serren weren't, and Tabi wasn’t careful when she started picking a fight with you. Riley could become a very powerful witch if he wanted to be.”

“Mother, when I was studying about the old Hekatin during the time of Serren, something confused me. They talked about a beautiful land to the north that was the home of the witches and the final ruling family during the first age. It was called Guenefer. Guenefer was Pattenia's closest allies. But we didn’t hear much about them during Serren's rule and never again. What happened to Guennefer? They sheltered the witches and had one of the greatest libraries of the Hekatin ever.”

Seraphine looked sad. “They were utterly destroyed. They actively supported and helped Pattenia during her reign. Serren destroyed them all when he claimed the crown. Serren reclaimed his manhood, he was turned into a man and took control. He defeated his sister.

"He took control of the army and gathered his fleet and led them all to Guenefer. They knew they were in big trouble then. Serren's army landed on Guenefer and they killed and burnt everything. The nobles and people were rounded up and slaughtered. The cities were burnt to the ground. He destroyed and burnt their secret library, he burnt all of the witches. It was like Carthage and Rome. Even today, all that’s left is charred bodies, graves and burnt cities. Then his witch hunters started rounding up witches wherever they were in his country. We ended up having to flee the Shattered Isles. And I think we deserved it. But Serren killed every man woman and child who supported the Hekatin.”

“How is the Shattered Isles today, are they still a country?” Veronica asked.

Seraphine said, “Yes, but they are hidden. But they are a nightmare. It is extremely sexist and brutal. They still have the strict and unquestioned rule of man over women. Women are persecuted and have no power. It's to such an extent that they make Saudi Arabia look progressive, even with their guardianship laws over women.

"The Shattered Isles is a nightmare. And they still have an absolute monarchy. And only men can hold any position of power. Their witch hunters still hold power over society. Don’t even consider trying to visit the Shattered Isles. Some men have, and they were horrified. They are a modernized country. They have power plants and airports, a modern military with firearms and tanks. But they still hunt witches and liberalized women. And they are burnt at the stake.”

Then Seraphine looked at her new daughter and said, “And now I hear that you are trying out for the cheerleading squad.”

“Yes, I would love it,” Veronica replied.

Seraphine laughed. “That is great. I don’t know how we will handle that. But after today, punching Tabi out, no one can say you are a weak girl. A girlie girl does not have to be weak. Kimberly will be coming to help you soon. She is eager to help you train for the squad.”

Veronica actually stood up and bounced on her toes with joys squealing, “Ohmygod, A real cheerleader wants to help me prepare for the tryouts.” She squealed so loud. Her smile was so huge as she bounced on her toes.

Seraphine just rolled her eyes and considered what an injustice it was that this so obvious girl was born as a boy. How much torture that must have been for her.

“You have about another hour until Kimberly shows up.” Seraphine told her.

“I forgot to tell you that I invited Riley to stay with us. Her mother sees nothing wrong with the way Tabi treats her, and they are close friends. She needs someone to care and protect her.” Veronica pleaded with her mother to understand.

“That was very kind of you. Since you have taken the responsibility, her protection and helping her is up to you. I will do what I can to find out all that I can so we can restore her masculinity. I will accept her in my house, but I won't have a boy in your room with you. Especially one you are obviously interested in.” Seraphine flashed a sly smile, letting Veronica know that she knew what was behind all of this. “I saw you kiss him.”

Veronica’s face turned crimson with embarrassment as Seraphine laughed and told her to go get some rest and get dressed for Kimberly.

She sat down and began reading a little about Pattenia's life before she seized the crown from her little brother. Pattenia seemed very harsh and cruel to her when she heard how she treated her little brother and the things she did.

Veronica was surprised about how upset and sad Pattenia's life was before it all. She was the older and stronger of the two, she was a little smarter and mature than her brother. But she was so angry that she could never be considered for the crown the way things were then, just because she was a girl. There was that, and her little brother's treatment of her, and the marriage she was being forced into.

Her reign was very brief and violent. Seizing the crown and calling off her contracted marriage sparked a war with that family. Then her little sister forms alliances against her and sparks a full-scale civil war. Her brother proved he could lead, and he was the stronger of the two.

After reading about Pattenia's depressing childhood under the rule of men for about a half hour, it was time to prepare for her first training session for cheerleading. Kimberly was arriving shortly, and she had to prepare.

Veronica went to her bedroom and found some athletic training clothes. She put on a pair of pink leggings and a sports bra, and loose fitting white and pink workout top and a headband. She tied her hair in a ponytail using a hairband and went out to loosen up.

She started with some simple stretches and running to warm up. Then she practiced some of the basic cheerleading routines that the freshmen practice. That was what she was doing when Kimberly came out to meet her. She stood there watching Veronica go through several of the freshmen squad's basic cheers and then proceed to some of the more advanced routines for the Varsity squad. Kimberly had a basic idea of Veronica's skills by then and stepped in to help correct some of her mistakes and help with her timing.

Kimberly stopped Veronica and said, “I am impressed, Veronica. Usually, first-time tryouts hardly know any of the cheers. You know most of the freshmen squad's cheers and the Varsity squads.

"But you chose to try out for the competition squad. Of course, to be on that squad, you will also be expected to cheer on the varsity squad too. That's a given. But you are lucky that the cheerleaders decided to hold tryouts and invited anyone who wanted to try out come. Usually, they promote a girl from the Varsity squad to the competition squad. You would have to be on the Varsity squad for at least a year before they even consider you for the competition squad.

"It is likely that a girl from there will be accepted. But, there is a still chance that you might make it. And if you want to be considered, then you had better be exceptional. The competition squad is the elite of the elite. And we have a week. You are lucky you know many of the basic cheers but that won't help you get on the competition squad. We need to train with stunts and flying. That's what they do. You will also have to work on your timing with the moves, as that is vital. So, let's start, can you do a slow cartwheel?”

Veronica got into position and tried to do a slow cartwheel, and she lost her balance and fell over.

“That's okay, can you do a very fast cartwheel?”

That was simpler, but she almost over-rotated and missed before her legs flipped over to her hands and fell. She was unsteady when she rose back up. Then she was asked to do a walk over, one hand cartwheel with her legs together. She tried it and barely succeeded.

Kimberly knew they had a lot of work to do and said, “Well, if you want to even have a chance at this, I think we better train every day, from two and a half hours to three.”

“You were a cheerleader for the high school?” Veronica asked.

“Yes,” Kimberly replied. “And now I cheer for Florida state. We went to the state competition four years in a row. We placed three of those times and went to the nationals. Now let's start practicing the cartwheels. You have to learn how to time them with the others in the squad. The timing must be precise, or you will lose your squad points. You need to be able to perform a cartwheel with the precise timing, slow or fast, depending on the routine you are performing.”

Then Kimberly performed a slow cartwheel and then sped it up, and she showed Veronica how to keep her balance while performing a slow, deliberate cartwheel. And they worked on that until Veronica learned to perform it reasonably well without tumbling over.

Veronica was far from ready, but at least she could follow instructions and learn quickly. When she had arrived, Kimberly didn’t think there was a snowball's chance in hell of preparing Veronica for tryouts on a competition squad in a week. Kimberly thought that now, there was a slim chance she could be ready for it and maybe even be accepted.

Veronica paid attention to the specific details of her instructions and followed them reasonably well. And she learned very fast. There was indeed a chance of pulling this off. Kimberly was encouraged. There was still a long way to go and they would need every minute they had training to do it. So they began to quicken the pace of the cartwheels to medium speed and then fast speed.

Once she had all of the speeds in hand, they began trying to put them together with other routines performing together in sync with each other in a two-person routine. Then they began working on a walkover and a handstand.

Kimberly felt that they had accomplished a lot in their two-and-a-half-hour practice and would be there tomorrow at the same time. Veronica had learned a lot in that time and was well on her way to mastering the basics. Kimberly was walking out while Veronica was still practicing the walk overs using one hand. Yes, Veronica was dedicated. There was a good chance. But the competition for a place on the competition squad was going to be fierce. And there would be many very experienced cheerleaders trying out for the one spot. Veronica was going to have to work hard and prove her dedication to it to have a chance at it.

Kimberly had worked and taught Veronica much in their two and a half hour session. She watched Veronica continue to practice what she had been taught. Kimberly turned and left after assuring Veronica that she would be here the same time tomorrow.

Veronica continued to work another half of an hour practicing and she was getting good at the single-handed walk over with both legs together, and then she decided to call it a day. She rushed to the shower to clean up and prepare for Ryan's arrival. She wanted to look her best for him. She showered and did her hair and spent some time on her face before deciding that her look was good for him. She had looked into his mind and found out what he liked.

The cupcakes she was baking were done and Veronica went to the oven and pulled out a pan of thick chocolate cupcakes to let them cool off before Ryan arrived.

Seraphine saw her daughter all made up and pretty pulling a pan of cupcakes out of the oven. She looked at her daughter and said, “Wow, Veronica, you went all out. That red miniskirt, that flattering lacy low-cut blouse, those low heels and you are baking a pan of cupcakes. Your hair, you must have spent some time with the curling iron and your face, your eyes and lashes. It looks like you are preparing for a hot boy. What is this about? Is this for Riley?”

“RYAN!” Veronica said pointedly. “Mom, HIS name is RYAN!” She said in a stern tone.

“Don’t take that tone with me, Veronica.” Seraphine admonished. “But her name is Riley now.”

“But you know what happened to HIM, and he didn't want any of it. He isn't like me and this is a nightmare for him. Let's give him love and respect, please. Don't humiliate him anymore than he already has been. I know it may be difficult to refer to someone with that body and form as a boy. But Ryan is a boy inside all of that. So please understand.”

It was clear that Veronica had more than a casual interest in this boy and she told Veronica to sit down beside her.

Veronica obeyed, and Seraphine then said, “Veronica, I know what happened to him was horrible. I understand that he is all boy inside all of that. Ryan is a suffering and tormented boy. I absolutely will not mistreat him. But referring to him as a boy in public will attract unwanted attention and make things more uncomfortable for him in the long run. We can do it your way in private, here between us, and I will call him Ryan. But, Veronica, before you do all of this, you may want to have a talk with him and find out what he prefers himself.”

Then Seraphine gave Veronica a sly knowing look of a mother who isn’t fooled. “And you may want to find out if he is into you in any way before you take it too far and just get embarrassed or hurt.

“I found out what kind of girls he likes. I think there's a good chance of this working. I know he likes me. And I found out what he likes.”

Veronica went to check to see if the cupcakes were done inside, and she was satisfied. Then she started putting a thick coat of chocolate icing on the top.

“He likes Chocolate.”

Seraphine laughed and commented, “Then you two have that in common. You are both crazy for chocolate. But listen. If you two are going to pursue a romantic relationship, then we will have to have a long talk about limits. But do you want him to live here? What about his family and his mother?”

“Mother, listen,” Veronica said. “His mother was behind his transformation. She wanted a daughter and not a son. She set him up with Tabi and pushed him into it all. Knowing that he would be transformed by them. She betrayed her own son.”

Seraphine got that frightening look in her eyes. It was that same look she got when she found out that Veronica’s own sister Rose had bewitched Richard and caused him to savagely attack her daughter. Even now, Crystal occasionally had traumatic nightmares and needed to be comforted.

“He can stay here as long as he has to, and if his family has a problem with it, they can go fuck themselves. I will do everything I can to help Ryan reclaim his sex.”

Ryan walked in with Crystal a few minutes later and greeted Veronica. Crystal saw the cupcakes that Veronica had made and rolled her eyes once again. She was doing that a lot lately, but her little sister's antics were very amusing lately. Especially out seeing how she was acting around Ryan. This was too much and she struggled to not burst out in a giggle fit.

Seraphine welcomed Ryan to her family and said he could stay here as long as he wanted. And if his family came for him, they would have to deal with her and a report to the council about what they did to their son. That would be enough.”

Veronica started acting very feminine and smiling at Ryan as she offered him some cupcakes, and they sat at the table facing each other eating the chocolate cupcakes she had just baked for them.

She smiled at him, and they started talking. Ryan was slightly uncomfortable and said, “Um, Veronica, look at me. I can't be a boy.”

“Sure you can,” Veronica said as she sat beside him. “Beneath all of that, you are all boy inside, and I have seen it. That’s what I see when I look at you and you are a very attractive boy in my eyes.

Seraphine and Crystal watched the two teens interact, and it was almost unwatchable. Veronica was acting so girlie and feminine for Ryan. The way she looked at him, her occasional touches and fluttering her eyes. She was really putting it on that it was hard for Crystal to not giggle at it all. The two rolled their eyes and left.

“She is really into him,” Seraphine said. “I really didn’t expect this at all. But look at Ryan, he's clearly into her too.”

“How can any boy resist that kind of affection she is giving him,” Crystal asked as they left the room to stop from bursting into laughter. “But I see he likes her too. But she saved him, and I saw sis knock Tabi on her ass for him.”

Seraphine shook her head and said, “I am going to have to have a very long talk with those two.

Later that night, the two were curled up on the sofa watching a romantic movie in each other's arms. Veronica was slipping into sleep with her head on her boy's shoulder. It was strange being held by such a feminine body, but she knew in her mind that this was a strong boy, and he would be a boy again. So, she could get past the uncomfortable feeling. But laying her head on his shoulder and holding him tightly, the soft and slim shoulder and the swell of his soft breast where there should be the feeling of a strong chest was slightly distracting to her. She started falling asleep and stood up. She told Ryan she had to go to sleep now. He could sleep on the sofa until they could find a better place for him today there.

Veronica went to her own bedroom and curled up on her pillow. She fell asleep almost before her head hit her pillow.

Then she started having a very strange dream. She saw people from Georgia to Tennesee having mass rallies under the symbol of Maxis. She saw the Maxis priests in their scarlet robes and hoods standing near the rallies, controlling the crowds. Massive numbers of people raising their fists shouting, “Maxis. MAXIS.” And the priests marching down the streets like some military.

Their rally's grew each year. Politicians were giving bombastic political speeches with the symbol of Maxis behind them. People screaming and cheering. Then she saw those states holding meetings together and forming an alliance. Then they started hunting for the witches that fled to America.

There was the image of their great King Serren behind the speaker. Serren had been dead for about five hundred years at this point. He was still known as one of the greatest kings of the Shattered Isles and saved the country from the witches. He was beloved by his people.

There were new laws passed restricting the freedom of women. And then in her dream, she saw vast American armies marching under the symbol of Maxis clashing with federal troops. It had become a full-scale war on American soil. Then her vision saw the skyline of New York and she saw a brilliant eye smiting blinding flash of light that enveloped everything. Then the light dimmed and coalesced into a massive ball of fire in the center of the city that incinerated miles. The massive white hot fireball coalesced into a huge cloud rising above the city as a line of fire and heat radiated out from the center wiping out the rest of New York.

She woke up trembling and remembering the dream. She wondered how this was possible. There was no way. If vast numbers of Americans in the south were falling under the religion of Maxis, wouldn’t that be in the news. Wouldn’t people know? How could such a vast new movement be hidden? Those few hundred people from the Westboro Baptist church made the news. And they were total fools no one cared about. But, if people were turning to the Religion of Maxis here, that would be no laughing matter. This was something that would be very serious. That religion was a religion that demanded action. But there was no way this was happening. But Veronica was still trembling in fear from that dream.

She considered running to her boy to be held, but he would not understand at all. Veronica ran to her mother's bedroom, trembling and shaking in fear. She woke Seraphine up and said in a shaky voice, “Mother, we need to talk.”

Seraphine wiped her eyes clear and said, “Yes, indeed we do. But can't your ass chewing wait until later in the morning please.”