The Witch's Forest

Day 4

Your sense of dread settled even further in your stomach, almost as if your insides was filled with stones. The long halls were devoid of servants as usual while a strange electricity filled the corridors, gripping your throat and making your skin break out into tiny bumps. The curtains were drawn open, letting in a haze of low sunlight and heavy mist. The clouds looked darker, almost black, as a lone raven cried out like a death bell. Swallowing heavily, you hastened your pace.

The halls felt longer than it did before, almost as if the mansion was preventing you from reaching her for whatever reason. Your heart felt like a snake had twisted itself around it as you jogged through the twisting passages. Each second felt like hours and you had broken out into a full-out sprint, hoping to find Hannah's room.

After what felt like days, you finally reached her room. The hair web had now completely covered the bedroom door, leaving only small slivers of wood from the gaps. You grabbed handfuls of it and tore at it, but it was like tearing through vines. However, you kept at it and by the time you were done, your hands were throbbing and red. Ignoring your discomfort, you grabbed the doorknob and a heavy weight sunk in your heart. Something was wrong. Really wrong.

Hannah's bedroom was completely dark with the curtains closed. She was crumpled into a ball on her bed with her sheets pulled over her form like a spider's cocoon. Underneath, she was completely still: you weren't sure if she was breathing or not. The sight alone made your body turn to lead as you leaned in closer, hoping to get a better look.

"H-Hannah?" You nervously called out, your fingers clenching the door like it was a shield.

She didn't respond. Not even a slight moan or a turn of her body.

"Hannah, it's time to get up," you said and crept closer to her.

She remained still. Terror clenching your every muscle as you were now an arm's length away from her bed.

"Hannah, we have to get going," you carefully pulled down her blanket.

A scream ripped out of your throat at the sight below.

Hannah's body was horrifically withered and shriveled as if she was nothing but bones covered with a thin layer of skin. Her cheeks were sunken-in and all of the color in her face had been drained, making her a deathly shade of gray. It looked as if all of the vitality had been sucked right out of her. The only signs of life were her shallow breathing and the faint rise and fall of her chest. Her glassy eyes darted to you as she let out a low rattling breath.

"Oh my God..." you put a hand over your mouth. "Hannah, can you speak?"

"(Y/...n)..." her voice was raspy and thin. "I feel...so tired."

"We have to leave now!" You yelled and lifted her up. She let out a moan of pain as you put her bony arm over your shoulder. Her head lolled to the side as she looked up at you through her half-lidded eyes.

"What's going on?" She asked between breaths.

"It's the witch," you responded. "We just have to leave this place and..."

You stopped when you heard footsteps heading towards your direction. You held Hannah tighter, looking around the room for a place for the two of you to hide; you saw a large wardrobe that was big enough for the both of you. Quickly, you shoved her into it and made a motion for her to be quiet. She gave a slight nod of her head as you closed the doors and entered.

You put a hand over Hannah's mouth, hoping that it would smother the sound enough. The door creaked open and a maid stepped inside with her hands clasped by her waist. Your insides tightened as she approached the bed, her back was towards you, but you saw the stiffening of her shoulders.