In the water, white light covered Prudence's entire body. As Samantha watched, Prudence's body shrank into the dimensions of a little girl's. The reverend hauled Prudence out of the water, stepping back to avoid getting any of the water splashed onto himself, Samantha, or Pryde. Samantha wanted to run over and check on her friend, but Pryde held her back. "You don't want to touch her right now," Reverend Crane said. "The water in its purest form is extremely potent."
The glow surrounding Prudence faded, revealing a chubby little girl swamped by a wet gray dress. Pryde let go of Samantha's shoulder so she could at last rush over to Prudence's side. Samantha brushed her finger along a constellation of freckles that had appeared across the bridge of Prudence's nose. Prudence opened her eyes and started to cry when she held up a sleeve now many sizes too big. "I'm little," she said. "You said nothing bad would happen, Samantha. You promised." Prudence put her head against the ground and continued to cry.
"Do not worry, my child. Soon all this will be forgotten." From his pocket he took out a glass vial filled with red liquid.
Samantha waited until he brought the vial in range and then swatted it from his hand. The glass shattered against the cave wall, spraying its contents over the hieroglyphics.
"That was a foolish thing to do," Reverend Crane said. "And it accomplishes nothing. I have more. You have only delayed the inevitable."
"I won't let you erase her memory like you did to me," Samantha said. She grabbed Reverend Crane and shoved him against the wall. Before she could do anything else, Pryde wrapped an elbow around her neck.
"I'm afraid you don't have a choice," the reverend said. He went back over to Prudence and began untying the rope from around her waist. Pryde kept his elbow locked around Samantha's neck, squeezing until she gasped for air. "Don't kill her. I have plans for her."
Pryde let up enough for air to trickle back into Samantha's lungs. As she tried to catch her breath, the reverend approached her with the rope dangling from his hand. She didn't have any more time to spare.
The calm she'd felt earlier came over her once again. She whipped her right leg back to trip Pryde. He stumbled, his grip loosening around her neck. She used the opportunity to grab his left arm and toss him over her shoulder. Pryde landed at the reverend's feet.
"I'm going to finish you now," Pryde growled. He pulled out his knife and charged towards Samantha. She stood her ground, waiting for him to slash at her with the knife. When he did, she took hold of his wrist in both hands and twisted it around. The knife dropped from his hands, but still he didn't give up. He tried to punch her with his free hand; Samantha calmly ducked and tossed him back to the ground.