Small Tales of the Mystical

The Whispur

It was a cardinal ritual, for this would lead to that monstrosity being locked up once more, unable to terrorize towns and strike fear in the hearts of children. The full moon, in conjunction with the candles lit accordingly, the sigil perfectly drawn in the center and the song sung to pitch-perfection, would it be locked away for the next ten thousand years. Ablutions were done by the town before the ritual, so the spirit would not touch the hearts and minds of the unwary, but something was different. I felt an aura around this town; something I had never felt before. Sinister, eerie, malevolent, but not outright malice or evil. A small darkness was brimming and somehow only I had noticed it. No one believed me. Not the townspeople, not the other coven leaders, Not even the Head Witch herself but, I know there's something out there, lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike...

And it did.

Now everything was gone. My home, my people, my family, my friends. All of it snatched from the palm of my hand like stealing candy from a baby. I could only watch as my whole world slipped away, leaving nothing but a black hole in the center of a wood. Forever nothing, forever empty..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Eliza!" A voice echoed through my mind. It sounded like...like...

"Eliza, wake up!" Axel shook me like hell, which made waking up really uncomfortable. I rubbed my eyes and glared at him.

"What the heck, man? Why'd you wake me like that?" I ask, annoyed and disgruntled.

"You were shaking. Looked like you were having nightmares again." Axel replied, looking genuinely concerned, his hand still on my shoulder.

"Also, Mabel made pancakes, if you want some." he gave me a cheeky grin and I punched him in the arm to which he replied with an 'ow' and his usual, dorky laugh.

"Don't ever pull that nonsense with me again" I say with a chuckle. Axel simply shrugs, and casually strolls out the room without a care in the world. I was a bit jealous to be honest. We were both the same age, 23 but he, somehow, kept his free spirit and confidence whilst I was scarred, worn out and plagued with nightmares of that day.

But I warned them. I told them something was wrong. I told them and they didn't listen-

No, Eliza, now is not the time to think about that. You escaped. You're alive. That's all that matters. You'll never see your family and friends again but hey, at least you're alive. 

I shake my head to get rid of those thoughts and go to the bathroom, washing my face and brushing my teeth when, I look at myself in the mirror. God, I look like a disaster. Those nightmares have been keeping me up all night. And the eye-bags are proof of it. I sigh as I go back to my room and change from my pyjamas to a comfy oversized t-shirt and jean-shorts. My deep purple hair was a mess so I had to spend a good fifteen minutes brushing that out, then headed downstairs to the common area. Axel was waiting for me at the table, his creme dreads covering his left eyebrow slightly and his mischievous, snaggle-tooth-fang smile with a plate of fluffy, fresh pancakes with maple syrup and berries at the centre of the table. I sit down at the table and grab myself a few on my plate when a sweet, comforting voice appeared behind me.

"Well, morning Eliza! We thought you were going to be asleep the whole day!" Mabel chuckled whilst carrying a plate of dishes. Mabel was in her late forties, yet her skin was skin young and alive, her eyes were a bright blue and her hair the same curl and creme as Axel. She was short and a bit chubby but surprisingly really strong. She owned the local tavern in Areal- The town I reside in right now- and she's Axel's mom. And let me tell you, don't even think about trying her!