CACKLE- Book 1

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Remi stood alone in the darkness of her subconscious.

"How very odd." A voice spoke. It sounded far away, but it echoed around her. Like she was in a large, empty room. The voice was all that filled the space.

"Who are you?" The voice asked.

It was the voice of the old woman, the croaking laughter had stopped, but the sound of her voice was so familiar now. Remi knew it was the same person, was it a person? The same entity at least.

"What... are you...?" The voice asked.

It was hesitant, it sounded curious. Less maniacal than before. Remi didn't know what to do, she didn't know how to speak in this dreamscape.

"You're not human." The voice said.

Remi tried to move, tried to run, but there was nowhere to go. There was only darkness. She turned in circles, her mind spinning her round and round until she saw the faintest flicker of red- so far away she wasn't sure it was even real. Only a speck, but Remi tried running towards it anyway, though, no matter how hard she tried It never grew any closer.

"What are you?" The voice asked again. "Speak, now!"

Remi's throat felt like it was opening, like her voice was bubbling up in her chest. "I.." Remi said... The sound of her voice was unfamiliar as It echoed in the hollow space. She couldn't feel her lips moving, but she knew she was speaking... somehow.

"Can you hear me?" Remi asked.

The voice gave a light chuckle before responding, "Yes... I can hear you."

Remi could feel herself panting, she was still panicked, but she tried to calm her breathing. Tried to think the words she wanted to say.

"Who are you?" Remi said. "Are you a human?" She asked.

The voice laughed, that same maniacal laughter as before. "I just asked you those very questions, girl."

"Will you answer me, if I answer you?" Remi asked.

The voice hesitated. It groaned once and said, "I will."

Remi could feel the curiosity in the voice, it was willing to speak with her. This... woman's voice wanted to know more about her. She could use that to her advantage.

"I am a witch." Remi said.

"Hmmm..." The voice sounded intrigued.

"What is your name?" The voice asked.

"No. It is your turn, a question for a question." Remi said.

She felt weak, her head was spinning, but she held her ground. She knew whatever this thing was, it was important. Very important.

"Yes, girl. I am a witch. I am the most powerful witch you will ever meet. There are none like me." The voice said. It sounded boastful, offering more than Remi had asked.

"Your name?" The voice asked again.

"Remi." She said.

"Hmmm..." was all the voice said in return.

"Your name?" Remi asked.

"Marella." The voice answered.

Then there was silence.

"Marella. What do you want?" Remi asked.

The voice laughed at her. "What I want is not something you're capable of providing. A most interesting turn of events. I can't make you move; I can't make you speak. You're a special little witch, aren't you?"