I woke up, finding myself in a hospital bed. My parents and relatives were gathering around me. "Rachel dear," Mother breathed. "Are you okay?" I opened my mouth to speak but no sound came out. I could only manage a nod.

My father was grim-faced. "Rach, I heard that you tried to slide down a pipe because of some irritating girls right?"
He held out my keys. I was speechless with shock. How did they know what happened.
Did Angel...my hands were shaking. I only managed to utter a few words,"Yes. Angel Smith. And一"
"Prudence. Am I right?"
"Yes."

The following words made me go all stiff. "Now Rachel. Why is that voodoo doll bracelet being worn?" My mother snapped, "give that back NOW! Do not ever ever lay your hands on it OR ELSE!"
She snatched the bracelet away and wore it, fingering the dolls and whispering to them. It was almost as if......she was a sorceress! But it was not possible.

The dolls stared at me with twinkling eyes instead of those cold, evil eyes of theirs. That was...plain weird. Maybe they were telling me something crucial.
I just cannot tell now.
But maybe afterwards.

"Sweetie. There are two girls waiting to see you. They are the ones who caught you just in time before you hit the ground." My father said. Oh. So that's why the bump I felt was not that hard! Whoever they were, I would thank them! They strutted in. But they were ANGEL AND PRUDENCE! How can that be?!

"But but....how can you save me anyway. You always hated me."

"What do you mean Ugly Rag? Prudence and I can save anyone." They sniggered loudly.
"Anyway,"Prudence snorted. "We can't be bothered to talk to an ugly rag like you!" They slammed the door. My parents stared at them in disbelief. Sigh. Never mind. At least I was going to be discharged tomorrow. But how did my parents know that they saved me anyway? But before I could ponder, I just fell into a deep magical sleep.

.....................................................................

It was wonderful to be free! I was "held captive" in the hospital for days. Finally! I twirled around. "Ouch," I cried, clutching my bandaged leg. I fingered the poppies growing in my backyard. The roses danced to the music the wind was making. The leaves twirled and fluttered like birds in the sky. A girl with braids, who looked older than me, stood at the gate leading into my backyard.

Her black glasses rested on her nose and fitted her perfectly. She looked so pretty and dainty. I have never seen anyone that nerdy but pretty before. I know that didn't make sense but it really seemed hard to explain how beautiful she looked. "Oh hello! It is nice to see you again! Are you better now? You were discharged, right?"
I was confused, I didn't know this girl. Why was she acting as if she knew who I was?
"Who are you?" I finally uttered.
"I'm Constance! I saved you, remember?"

What did she mean by she saved me?

Noting my quizzical expression, she continued,"when you were 6, you almost fell into a ditch. I managed to save you in time. A few days ago, you slipped off a pipe. I caught you just in time." I was so shocked that my heart nearly fell out of my mouth. So that explained everything. It was unbelievable that those two troublemakers would catch me. Angel and Prudence lied. As usual.

"Thanks, Constance. You saved my life."
"Don't mention it. You haven't told me your name though."
"Rachel."
"Oh yes Rachel, why did you wear a voodoo doll bracelet?" said Constance in a slight worried tone.

"I needed to take care of it. It is my family heirloom." I told her gravely.
"Oh my," said Constance as she fingered the bracelet. "Look at these voodoo doll charms." The dolls' eyes glinted in amusement, a cold blue. "This bracelet is enchanted, in fact, cursed."
"What?" I gasped.
"Someone probably cast a spell on it!"
"Who, Constance?"
Wait, I just realized that I saw my mother wave her hands over the bracelet a few times recently. Once in the hospital and another time at home just before I fell off the pipe. It dawned on me that it might be my mother. "My mother might be the one." I told Constance. "But how can I find proof?"

"Use your eyes, Rachel. You will figure it out." Constance hurried away, disappearing into the canopy of the trees.