Fantasmical 2023 Entries

Witches Don't Keep Promises

It wasn't supposed to happened. She tricked me into a forbidden alliance. I swear, I never meant to make a deal with the devil...

"Esther, what's the address?" I asked into the phone, dodging a stray soda can as I walked by a smelly dumpster.

"78 Peacock Avenue," she replied. "It's called the Hotel Cafe."

"'Kay, I'll see you there." I stuffed my phone into my pocket, pulling my shawl tighter around me. I was never one to socialize, but Esther somehow managed to drag me out of my turtle shell for coffee that morning. That girl does miracles, believe me. Within moments of her call, I was fresh out of the shower with my best clothes on - a black knee-length Louis Vuitton dress with a matching shrug. I pulled my hair back with an obsidian hairband and threw on my black boots, which ended at my ankles.

As I walked to my destination, a salty breeze whipped my hair around wildly. The ocean glimmered under early morning sunlight. It must've been at high tide, for the waves gently crept up the seashore. They left behind little treasures - beautiful shells in all colors; deep purples, bright pinks, pastel oranges.

The waters called to me and I responded. I walked down to where the ocean faded into the sea. The sky glowed with the sun's brilliance. For a moment my troubles flew away like fireflies. All that existed was me and the sea.

Strange thing was, the heavens were silent. Normally bursting with life, the seagulls and least terns were nowhere to be seen, nowhere to be heard.

Sssstay...away...

The sky immediately blackened as thunder raged and roared violently. The fluffy white clouds caught on fire, burning to a crisp until nothing was left but ashes. Smoke hung around like death waiting for its kill.

Turn backkk...runnn far away...

The whispers warned me. Rain dampened my carefully done Dutch braids. Warm water dripped down my face as a figure came into view. I swiped at my eyes, which cleared to reveal an ethereal boat on the shore.

Don'tttt give in...

My feet moved forward against my will, and I made my way to the shallow waters. Invisible forces pushed me towards the boat. As soon as I sat in, it sped off. In no time we were far from the beach. Esther, I thought frantically, but it was too late now.

The boat rocked back and forth gently, slowing down as a new circle of land appeared before me. Greenery flourished while peacocks strutted across the expanse. Hummingbirds drank their share of nectar alongside bumblebees. Flowers bloomed in breathtaking colors. All the while, the heavy rain turned into a nourishing shower, nurturing the flora.

And amidst nature's beauty stood a smiling old lady.

The little boat halted on a patch of mud. The lady waved her hand, pulling me to a standing position.
"I'm no ordinary woman, Nyx Ambrose," she said, amused.

"How—"

"Never mind that. The real question is, what lengths would you go to for power, darling?" She waved her hand again, and an image of myself appeared. An image of me bearing the crown. I looked different somehow; confident and regal in a way I wasn't now.

"You've fascinated me, Nyx," the lady spoke softly. "I want to strike a bargain." She stepped closer until our noses almost touched. Her breath smelled of sickly sweet berries.

"I help you get the crown, and you help me get off this island."

"Who even are you?" I spat, stumbling back, needing distance. "Why should I trust you?" Her sweet stench wafted up my nose, making my head dizzy.

Suddenly she lunged forward and grabbed my dress. "This island has suppressed my powers, darling. I want them back." Her tone was deadly and filled with warning. "You wouldn't refuse an old lady help, would you?"

Powers?

"What the hell do you want from me?" I demanded.

She avoided my question. "Dance, Nyx." She grabbed my hand as an enchanting song began to play out of the blue, twirling me around. My black boots clacked with every step. Her grass-green eyes gleamed mischievously as her feet moved to the rhythm. A shiver made its way down my spine; something bad was about to happen...

"Join me, Nyx!" She yelled over the music.

The berry scent filled my entire being until my only thought was this: please the lady.

So I danced. I spun and jumped and moved my body until I was on the verge of collapsing. Every time I wanted to stop, that smell would hypnotize me into dancing once again. And so it went on until my head spun like my body, until my stomach churned like butter. She isn't an old lady at all, I'd realized. She's a witch.

Don'ttt givvvve innn...

"Now tell me, Nyx," the witch started, her voice captivating. "Your assistance for mine. Do we have a deal?"

"Y-y-"

The witch grabbed my chin, scraping her long nails across my neck.

"Do. We have. A deal."

"Y-yes..." I forced out, woozy with delight and confusion. The witch laughed, pleased, then pointed her hand at me. A beam of black magic streamed out of her finger, slamming so hard into my arm I screamed. I sobbed quietly, gasping. She created another cut in her own arm, grimacing. Then she held her arm under mine. Three drops of my own blood mixed with hers. The sharp stink of iron filled my nostrils. The witch grinned, her teeth sharp. "A reminder of your promise. You can't break it now that I have your blood. Now, Nyx, you won't tell a soul about this, will you?"

"N-no..."

"Good girl." She waved her hand in an intricate pattern, and my eyes began to droop. I swayed sleepily.

"You really shouldn't trust old ladies with magical powers," she said, tutting. She leaned close. "They don't always keep their promises."

And then my world went black.