I was still going to check the place for supplies, though. I tested every step to make sure it was mostly stable before moving.
It was an open floor style with two doors on the right. The kitchen directly beside me had cabinet doors open and falling off the hinges. The space was filled with glass jars of what I assumed were herbs and spices. Nothing that would help me.
There wasn’t even a junk drawer with duct tape and paperclips. How long had this place been here?
The small intimate table had a single, leather bound book resting on it. The book was swollen from the moisture and was probably a health hazard. Still, I gingerly flipped it open, hoping it would give me some clarity on who lived here last.
Once it was open, I realized it was a journal and flipped to the last entry.
July 1891
To my sisters, avenge me.
For any Rinah witches who find me, my death is directly caused by Defect #3: Rot.
My breath caught at the name;Rinah.
I’d never met another person with that last name before.
My eyes grew painfully wide as I stared at that one word on the fragile page and my hand shook hard enough to make the edge crumble.
He has trapped me in this forsaken cabin and guards the door. Even if he wasn’t, without him, I couldn’t leave the oasis. All attempts to reason with the beast have been in vain. Dehydration will probably kill me first.
I’ve spent the last fifteen years trying to save our family, but Rot will be my ultimate failure.
Forgive me.
And put down my failed experiment with a clear conscience.
Levicy Rinah
A family member. I was from North Carolina, that was only one state away. But a bad feeling ran through me, that I wasn’t going to be happy with what I found out about them.
I flipped to the front of the book, against my better judgement. Years of wondering why no one ever claimed me won out over the sinking pit telling me that this would end badly.
May 1876
I made a mistake in 1830. When me and my sisters were banished from Virginia, brandished as witches, we fled west to the Allegany Mountains.
Modern day Appalachia.
What was she doing here then?
The strongest monster we’d ever fought before had already settled into the lands. My idiot fiance, Carl Falin, killed the monster’s brother and unleashed a war that we would never win. I sacrificed Carl in repentance to the peace and made a deal with the devil to stay on the land.
I’ve trapped him there, but my family’s blood still spills all because of my greatest shame.
I set out five years ago to search for other members of our family, hoping to gather information on how to get rid of him. I was successful, so now I have travelled to the Carolinas to create the solution to the monster plaguing my family.
It will require sacrifice and time, but I am dedicated to giving both.
If nature will not provide a solution to our plight, I’ll create one. Something powerful enough to destroy the mimic that spills my children and grandchildren’s blood.
Day 1:
