Post The Book

Y/N

Y/N's House
Saturday, 14th September 2024 (6:15PM)

So apparently traditional candles made of tallow are hard to find. And expensive. Alongside that I'm not looking forward to the smell these will give off. But there's no backing out now, because I spent a lot of money and time on this.

I look at the gathered items and decoded papers on my kitchen counter as I hold a bag. A pack of white tallow tea-lights, (and obviously a lighter, I assume I will need to light them) a small clean knife, and the book. I take a shaky breath as I look over the items. Am I really doing this?

I grab the pieces of paper too, just in case, stuffing them into my coat pocket. I look through the window - the sun is going to set soon.

I pick up the last paper I decoded, a string of words: 'Meet me in the forest. Bring the items. Decode the last two there'

I feel a shiver run through me, I don't know if it's from thrill or fear.. or both? It's finally occurring to me that I'm actually doing this - and part of me is anxious. But I've put so much effort in this far, it's too late for last second regret.

What if this is a bad idea? What if I don't know what I'm dealing with? Do I really want answers this bad? I glance over at the book, my eyes gazing upon the scratched out author on the spine. My mind flashes to the symbols I saw in my dream, still so vivid, so gold, so enticing to my curiosity.

I let out a breath, the last one, to relieve the tension in my body - and I begin to pack everything into the bag. The candles, lighter, small knife, book, and a pen. I then check my phone one last time. 6:17PM. I'm running out of time.

I head out the door, my hood up over my face as I make my way down, it's going to take a few minutes to reach the forest, especially a secluded part in which people won't see me.

The air is slightly colder now, and I find myself constantly checking the time. I have finally arrived at the forest - it's massive tees standing over me, staring at me. I look at the time once again: 6:32Pm. I feel the pressure again. I almost hold my breath as I dive into the woods, navigating and twisting my body past trees and shrubs. I walk until I find a comfortable enough clearing, above me the sun has begun to set, streaking the air with warm pink's and yellows. A direct comparison to the dark woods which encapsulates my body. I'm so small compared to the big world around me.

I take a glance around me, my eyes rove over the trees, and I listen out for any footsteps. Nothing. Alright. I let out the shaky breath I've been holding in and drop to the grassy clearing, opening the bag to bring out all my items. I place them all down, before finding the two remaining papers left to decode and my pen. I take the book, using it to lean on as I take my reference sheet and begin to decode the messages, my hand shaky as I do so.

'Light the candles'

I turn to the box of candles, struggling a bit as I open them, now my heart is really pounding. I manage to get them open. I don't know how many I need, definitely enough to surround me, or create an enclosed shape, obviously not too many. The smell will be horrific.

I settle on three candles. I place one before me and two a little behind me, at my sides, creating a triangle in which I sit. I pray I'm doing this correctly. It's not my fault the instructions are so vague.

I take each and watch as the flame of my lighter enkindles each wick. I place them down. It's not long until I begin to smell the burning stench, so I better work fast. With a shaky hand I pick up the book again and begin to hastily decode the last paper.