Alex and I walked down a rocky dirt path illuminated with different arrays of color by glowing mushrooms. The moonshine above peeked through the trees towering over us. In the distance, howling could be heard from a nearby wolf pack. Though it sounded like it was warning us about upcoming danger, Alex seemed to think the same thing I did. His grip on his staff tightened like a snake around its prey. After a while, the feeling faded, and we carried on to our destination. Tonight was a special night. Tonight, Alex promised to teach me new spells under the light of the stars.
I was pleased about this because, despite being a witch, I don't know many spells. I can cast simple elemental spells and some complex ones, but that's about it. So you can imagine how I felt when Alex told me this news. Like a kid on a sugar high, I was spinning about our library with ecstasy. It seemed as if a crimson hurricane had passed through, according to Alex.
Finally, we arrived at our destination. It was a large circular clearing surrounded by the same glowing mushrooms that lit our path, the tall trees that towered over us, and shrubs decorated with flowers. Oddly, the flowers were wilting.
That aside, Alex and I quickly started to set up for the session to come. Thankfully, it didn't take long because I could hardly wait.
"I'm glad you're very excited about this," Alex said with his normal soft voice.
"How could I not be? I finally get to learn new spells! Soon, you won't have to worry about protecting me all the time because now I can protect myself and even you," I responded, glee pouring out of every word.
"If that's the case, let's get started then. Shall we?" Alex asked, with a smile on his tan face.
"We shall," I said, a similar smile appearing.
Alex flipped through the pages of his spell book to find a spell to start us off with. But our attention was caught when we heard the shrubs beginning to rustle loudly. We locked eyes with one another, knowing something was about to go down.
As the sound got louder, Alex grabbed his staff, and I grabbed my wand. We also pulled down the veils attached to our hats to conceal our identities. Then, out of nowhere, a swarm of witch hunters emerged and started to attack us. There was no doubt in my mind that they were here to capture or kill us. Judging by the nets and chains, it was the first option. I hope.
Alex quickly jumped in front of me and cast a levitation spell. He spun them until they got dizzy, then threw them into the nearby trees. I had cast a blinding spell on the rest. Alex and I tried our best to fight back, but we could only do so much. No matter how many spells we cast, the hunters kept getting up and furthering their efforts to capture us. I couldn't keep this up for much longer because I started to feel the effects of using too much magic. My body was slowing down, and I started to become vulnerable. Unknown to me, a hunter sneaked up behind me with a dagger. Luckily, Alex noticed and cast an entangle spell. Vines immediately sprouted from the ground and grabbed their limbs. I gave Alex a thankful glance, but he saw right through it and noticed how tired I was getting.
"RUN, MYRA! I'll do a spell to get rid of them all, but to protect you from harm, I need you to be as far away as possible. When everything is over, I'll find you. I promise," he shouted, and as soon as the words left his mouth, I booked away from the fight. If only I knew I wouldn't see Alex for a long time.
I sprinted across the forest as fast as I could, unaware of my surroundings. I didn't know where I was running, nor did I care. Adrenaline fueled my movements as I ran faster and faster. But with time, I began to feel the effects of all that magic once more, and I noticed a physical weariness seeping throughout my body. I believed I was at a safe distance and opted to rest on a nearby rock. Finally, feeling relaxed, I closed my eyes and let the sounds of nature soothe me.
Time passed as the wind whistled on. In the process, it takes some leaves hostage in its gust and separates them from their loved ones. Speaking of loved ones, I was still waiting on Alex.
"Please be okay, Alex," I murmured under my breath, curling into a ball as I sat patiently on the same smooth stone.
"If I were you, I'd be more worried about yourself," a cold voice said with a hint of enthusiasm.
"What-"
Before I could respond, I felt hands grasp me and forcibly hauled me off the rock. They pushed on my knees, my wrists bound with ropes. As I struggled to free myself from my aggressors, I was slowly falling into a panic.
"Nicely done, lads. We appear to have captured one of those cursed witches amid their heinous rituals," the same cold voice said with a sick and twisted grin.
He casually strolled before me, admiring the terror in my brown eyes. He removed the black tulle veil from my heart-shaped face, and my entire body shook. I promised Alex I would keep my identity a secret; I hung my head shamefully at my failure.
His voice was smooth as he spoke, "My my my, aren't you an exquisite masterpiece of art." As soon as he finished speaking, he forcibly grasped my chin and continued to ogle the attributes that adorned my face. His hold was firm as his thumb slowly encircled the base of my chin, moving my head to continue admiring my features. My heart beat rapidly, and my body trembled more. NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? PLEASE LET GO OF ME. I DON'T LIKE THIS. LET THIS END, PLEASE. WHERE ARE YOU, ALEX? PLEASE HURRY AND SAVE ME. PLEASE, my thoughts screamed in terror.
While chuckling to himself, he finally released my chin from his grip and leaned close to my ear. A chill crept down my spine when his warm breath hit the upper part of my neck.
"It's such a shame, all this beauty wasted on a she-devil such as yourself," he claimed, locking eyes with me again. His eyes were in a sharp stare; his lips curled in disgust.
A short, uncomfortable silence settled before he decided to speak again. A malicious smile followed.
"Speaking of rituals, we have some of our own at the village. Like festivals, weddings, funerals, and sacrifices..." his voice trailed off slowly; I knew where this was going.
"Would you like to be a part of ours? After all, you have no other choice."
