Page 2 of Hallow’s Eve

“We own you, Little Witch. You will come to us by nightfall, Hallow’s Eve.” The mix of dominant, ruthless voices flood my mind with ghost-like touches down my arm.

I swear I can feel a phantom hand caress my breast, trail down between my legs, and cup my pussy. The sudden intrusion terrifies me and I swat the imaginary hand away. I quickly wash my body and hair and step out of the shower.

My aunt’s words are fucking with me. There’s no way in hell the curse is real. There’s definitely no such thing as hot-as-hell demons who want to touch me inappropriately. Well, I would take a good fucking over being claimed to hell. Not that I know how it feels to be fucked but I imagine it’s better than my vibrator.

After lathering my body with lotion and braiding my hair, I slip my nightgown over my head and turn off my light. I slide into my warm bed and before I sink into the fluffy sheets, I clasp my obsidian pendant around my neck just in case and snuggle under my weighted comforter. I take a deep breath, closing my eyes, and slowly exhale as I recite my positive intentions for the night, asking for protection as I slumber and shield me from any negative energy.

Sleep finds me quickly but flashes of a woman running in the forest with a red hooded cape floods my dreams. She’s running from something, but I can’t see what has her scared. My heart rate increases as if I’m the girl running. Fear floods my bloodstream and I can feel cold sweat prickle my skin.

“Run, Witch. When I catch you, you're going to pay.” An unhuman voice fills my ears.

I try to scream at her to run faster but she can’t hear me. The only thing I can do is watch as she tries to escape her inevitable fate.

The girl trips over a branch, cutting up her hands and knees. The scent of her blood makes the wolves howl, signaling the predator of her location. The wind picks up, carrying her scent in the air causing the night to come to a chilling temperature. They’re coming for her.

She rushes to her feet, looking around in panic before taking off once again. She can feel them getting closer and closer and her chest begins to tighten with panic.

A cottage comes into view and she takes off towards it, hoping there’s someone there who can help her. She takes the steps two at a time and pounds on the wooden door frantically.

“Help me! Please, somebody help me!” she screams as tears roll down her face.

A shadow hovers over her causing her to pause. Her trembling body slowly turns around and a dark figure reaches out to her with sharp claws embedded into her skin. She screams from the radiating pain as they retract from her. She falls to the ground with blood pouring out of her. She tries to scoot away from it but it grabs her by the leg and drags her down the steps.

She catches the banister, trying to hold on for dear life but the force yanks her, causing her nails to scratch into the old wood.

I thrust upright in bed with tears rolling down my face and my chest heaving up and down. HELP ME, whispers in my mind, reminding me of the inevitable death to the girl in my dream. I glance out my window and the forest taunts as it stares back at me. Fuck, so much for a peaceful night.

I crawl across my bed and shut my curtains to block out the very thing that plagues my mind. You do not have control over me. You do not own me. I think it over and over again.

Chapter two

Waking up the next morning, my eyes feel like sandpaper and my head feels like it was hit by a fucking brick over and over again. Groaning, I roll over, dreading getting out of bed but I desperately need to relieve myself.

My dream replayed over and over again like a message that was meant to be drilled into my head. The voice was faceless but deep and terrifying. I felt everything she had felt and it rattled deep within my bones. Her fear consumed mine, quickening my heart rate to the point where it might explode. Her trembling voice echoed throughout my mind begging not to die. I wonder which of the family descendants she belonged to.

My mind then reverts to the moment in the shower. The voice was much different than the one in my dream. It was laced with seduction and undoubtable desire. I can still feel its ghost-like touch, caressing me in places it shouldn’t have been allowed to. My legs clench together as my body reacts to the memory. Catching myself in a moment of weakness, I shake off the treacherous imagination.

Jesus, Brooklyn, what has gotten into you? It was just my mind playing tricks. Just a mix of the need to get myself off and the constant reminder that I’ll be summoned. The two mixed together was definitely a fucked-up fantasy my mind had stirred together. I desperately need a cleanse again, and a nice cup of coffee. Yup, that’s it.

Looking into the mirror, dark circles line my eyes and I quickly grab my makeup bag and apply concealer and foundation. The last thing I need is my aunt to become more overbearing than she already is. If she had it her way, she would chain me to a chair and leave me in the basement until the night passes. Once I’m satisfied, I undo my braid and my long blonde hair cascades down my back in beautiful loose waves.

I throw on a big comfy sweater, paired with leggings and combat boots. Once satisfied, I head downstairs to the smell of fresh-baked lavender cookies and Stevie Nicks blasting in the kitchen. Walking through the living room, I step through the archway to my aunt swaying her hips as she peers out the window.

At this moment, she looks so at peace and free. Her bangles clink together as her long, flowy dress swishes against the floor. Her long, brown hair is let loose, which is a rare site as she always has it up in a bun or a braid. She looks so young and happy like there isn’t a dark cloud hovering over our heads. I wish I didn’t cost her so much stress and anxiety or that her life had to stop to take care of her abandoned niece. She never took a lover or had kids of her own. She had enough on her plate but I can see it in her eyes that she longed for a big family. After what happened to my mom, she didn’t want the same fate for her future children or to go absolutely mad.

“Good morning, Little Bird. Are you going to stand there and watch me or are you going to join me?” She snaps me out of my thoughts without looking at me.

She has this way of knowing you’re near, even if she doesn’t hear or see you. Sometimes it’s a pain in the ass when you’re trying to sneak in and she comes out from a dark corner, scaring the living shit out of you. I step further into the kitchen, grabbing a cookie from the counter. I moan as the flavors meet my tongue, closing my eyes as I take each bite, savoring my favorite treat. I could eat the whole damn plate in one sitting but I’ve been trying to cut back on the sweets.

“Of course I’ll join you. We haven’t danced together in a long time!” Smiling, I turn up the sound so the only thing that can be heard for miles is “Dreams”.

My hips sway as I roll my body, arms above my head, twirling in the air. I understand why she decided to let loose and live this morning. We both know that tonight is going to be full of fear and turmoil, why not start the day with positive energy.

After three songs full of dancing and laughing, we park it in the cushioned chairs near the window. Our chests heave up and down with smiles across our faces. The moment is interrupted when we both look out the window and the forest looms over us like a black cloud, ready to pour on us any moment.

“I just want you to know that I love you like my own. No matter what happens tonight.” She takes my hand, squeezing it tight.

“You’re talking like you’re never going to see me again. It’s just a story made to scare us. We don’t know if it really happened in the past. Let’s not let the ancient stories break our spirits." I squeeze back.