Jump to new as of June 20, 1999

Posted on Thursday, 17 June 1999

The girl pulled her hair back into a ponytail and wiped her bangs out of her face. Then she grabbed a few jars of brown goo, some jars of black goo, a couple of navy blue goo and one jar of pink with purple polka-dots goo. She mixed them together and started chanting. Then she stopped, realizing that she had forgotten the words. As she reached for the spell-book the mixture overturned and fell on her. As she slowly faded out of the dark room she said some very naughty curses.

The road was bright and lacking in general room-ness feel. The girl shielded her eyes and looked around. A tall young man was coming up on a horse. She stepped back admiring him. He stopped the horse and looked at her for a little bit. Finally, he broke the silence.

"I believe most of the houses of ill-repute are over that way."

The girl looked back with her face flushed. "I would never… I mean, I don't work there! What ever gave you that idea!"

"Your attire." The girl looked down and saw that shorts and a tank top would probably not help his opinion of her. She looked up and asked, "Could you be so kind as to tell me the year sir?"

"Very well, the year is 18--, the year of our lord."

"Oh my god. Look buddy, do you believe in magic?"

"No."

"Then this will be harder. Would you think that in the future girls dress like this."

"No."

"Well then. I don't care." She pulled herself up onto his horse. "Now rid 'em cowboy… to…uh, where do you live?"

"Pemberley. Are you insane?"

"I'll say yes if it gets me shelter."

"I thought so… Miss?"

"Carmel. And you?"

"James Darcy."

"Well then James Darcy, geeup!"

And to his amazement he did.

Chapter 2

Posted on Friday, 18 June 1999

Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy stood at the front door waiting for their son. They saw the distant figure turn into a closer one and then finally he was near them. The two ran to greet him.

"Hello James" Mr. Darcy did a quick about-face "Hello Miss…"

"James! Who is she? And what have we said about women?" Elizabeth became alarmed.

"Oh no, please don't yell at Jimmy here, he couldn't help it. I'm really at fault. You see I forced him to bring me here. Had he not offered to give me a ride I would have followed him. Take pity on a girl hopelessly lost." The girl slid off the horse and walked closer.

"This will be an unusual story." Mr. Darcy sniffed.

"You see I'm a witch from another century, and I messed up a spell so I'm stuck here. Please give me a home till I can go back to my time." She opened her eyes wide and shed a few tears.

"Wily, I think she's telling the truth." Elizabeth had enough dealings with spoiled brats to know what was an act and what wasn't.

"I think that her tongue should turn black from all the lies she spouts, but if you say so dearest."

The girl smiled a radiant smile and jumped up and hugged both of the parents at once. Breathlessly thanking them she turned to James and said, "Sorry if you've had much trouble but they insist on me staying."

James started sulking.

Chapter 3

"Stand up straight."

"Yes, Lizzy."

"Don't step on your skirt."

"I didn't, whoops I did. Are you sure my shorts are most improper?"

"I'm not going to grace that with an answer. Carmel, do try to be nice to the Bingleys, they are so sweet."

"I'm sure they are."

"And you have to remember that some of the relatives that Mr. Darcy and I have are not… pleasant and you must try to be nice to them."

"You're having a reunion?"

"Yes."

"Do you have a gun? I'd like to shoot myself?"

But this proposition could never be explored as at that moment two carriages pulled up. The Bingleys came out of one while the Wickhams (minus Mr. Wickham of course) came from another.

"Hello there babe." Carmel had spied a cute boy coming from the Bingley cart. She glided (as best she could in the dress over) but then was stopped by another boy.

"Well, who is this?" The boy asked, trying to smile rakishly.

"I don't know. Who is this?" She asked in return looking for the cute boy.

"I am Mr. Winston Wickham." He smiled again.

"Oh alliteration, how cute." She was getting mad.

"I think so too."

"It reminds me of an author I used to read."

"Yes who?"

"R.L. Stine."

"I read him too, great man. Much talent." Winston looked puzzled when she burst out laughing. He was so frustrated. He had his father's looks but no matter what he couldn't seem to get the charm.

"Now, Winny, let me pass." She was already moving towards her goal.

"Fine." Winston now left to look for a hiding spot away from his mother.

Chapter 4

Posted on Saturday, 19 June 1999

James played with his food. Elizabeth looked down and said

"James, stop it! You know your cousin, Charles Jr., never does anything like that."

"Mom, everyone loves Charlie! He's perfect. Even that girl loves him! Even grandma loves him!"

"First that girl has a name, I suggest you learn it. Second, you know that Grandma loves you too."

"I get on her poor nerves."

"So do I."

"That's why she keeps on expressing her amazement about your good marriage all the time."

"We can't all be perfect."

"Then let me play with my food."

"That's it. You have been nothing but rude to everyone in the last few days. Go outside."

"Yes mama, and I promise to think about what I've done. God knows the trauma that the mashed potatoes have suffered from my hands."

"That's not funny."

"I don't care."

With that he stormed off.

Chapter 5

Carmel looked up at the tree. She debated whether to climb it. Then she heard Winston's voice. In a second she was safely hidden in the branches of the tree. He passed and she sat for a little while. Then she heard footsteps and turned her head to look. It was James.

James paced back and forth. Then he took a branch and started to cut it into little pieces. Snap, Snap.

"Why'd she have to come? Her and her stupid "future" ways. I think she's just a tramp trying to con us into a good home. And she's a bad flirt." Snap, Snap. "I mean, she has not charm, no grace no nothing! Even Aunt Caroline is better. And the stupid color of her eyes! That weird muddy green! She's not pretty at all! No, no, no. She deserves to marry into the Wickhams. That's a good family for her." Snap, snap. "I wish I had never met her. And the way she treats me. As if I was a nothing. I will one day be the owner of Pemberley, and that's more than what I can say for her." Snap, snap. "I'll find a way to get rid of her. No killing, but she'll be put out onto the side. And then maybe I won't have to deal with her." Snap, snap. He threw down the stick and walked away, his face a mask for the inner turmoil.

The branches trembled. And Carmel resolved to get back to home as quickly as possible.