The Settlement

CHAPTER 1

Today, I'm going home for the first time in six years. Things will be different. I assured myself. My eyes caught sight of a bar. A beer would be great at the moment.

"So, where are you heading?" The taxi driver asked.

"I'm heading to a little cottage near the Black Wood Forest. I'll show you the way." I told him as I scanned the map of the trivial town of Black Water.

The taxi driver drove on. Soon afterwards he stopped outside the Black Wood forest.

"This forest is haunted..." The
driver started. Not again. I growled inwardly. It was pretty pathetic that no one truly remembered me in this town. I wasn't a tourist. They didn't have to sell me the town legend every ten minutes.

"A person who walks in
will never come out." He ended with

"I don't care for myths." I told the man calmly. Because I know the truth. "So please get going." The driver continued on at a slower pace.

"I...saw a man walk in to those woods..." He said. "That is a forest of death."

"Again, I repeat I do not care." The driver's attention was captured by a black wolf in the distant woods. The appearance of the wolf made the man permantly stop his vehicle. I got out of the automobile and walked to the driver's window. I kept my eyes on the wolf watching as it disappeared.

"Well, go get yourself killed." The taxi driver mocked as soon as he learned that I wasn't going to abide by his warning.

"Screw you." I hissed. It feels good to be home. I told myself sardonically. I walked along the road toward the incoming cottage. I was finally going home. When I neared the humble abode I realized that a figure was standing on the porch.

"Dad." I beamed brightly.

"Son." He smiled, revealing the wrinkles in his aged skin as he took me in a warm embrace.

"It is so very good to see you." He leered.

"You too."

"Come inside." He said persistently. "Tonight is a full moon. We must be inside at this time." He commanded earnestly.

Well, this is good. I sighed inwardly as my eyes took in the dark wooden walls of our home. He hasn't blamed himself in the last moments.

"It's all our fault." My father sighed to himself and I immediately knew that he was talking about it. Something that should not be. There goes the minute.

"No, it isn't our fault." I urged putting a hand on his shoulder.

Why did I come back here? I asked myself. I had a good life in New York, where curses were non-existent. But, I knew why I came back and I wasn't to talk about it. I decided the best thing for us to do was get a drink in the morning. I growled to myself annoyed that I wasn't going to have a beer and gave my dad a nod and went to bed.

《|》

The next morning I drove into to town with my father. The stress of our past was sadly getting to him and alcohol was his only escape.

As soon I met the familiar sight of the local bar I stopped the car and entered with my father. We walked to the counter in silence. My father was always in another world. I ordered a beer for my him and I. While we were waiting my eyes caught sight of a familiar woman and a man to my right. I couldn't face them. Not yet.

"I have to go somewhere." I told my father after the beers had arrived. I finished the beer then headed back to cottage. My eyes caught sight of a girl in front of the dwelling. I walked up to her slowly, not knowing what she wanted.

"Hello. My name is Clare." She leered.

"Christopher."

Since when did people randomly come up to your home and greet you? This town had clearly gotten stranger over the years.

"Anyway, where did you come from?" I demanded looking around to the dark trees that encircled my home.

"Black Water of course."
She beamed.

"Okay."

My father had just arrived.
"Who are you?" He demanded with wide eyes as he literally jumped out of his vehicle. "Get away from my son." He hissed.

"Dad, calm down." I said calmly. My father's eyes were then struck with realization. "Is this your girlfriend?"

"Dad, I just came back from New York how would this woman that I've never seen be my girlfriend?" I demanded to the old man. I then turned to the woman. " Come in for some coffee." I decided. If she believed that I was important enough for her to walk all this way, I guess I should give her a chance.

I went in to the cottage and the girl and my father followed. By chance my always wandering eyes caught sight of a window in the kitchen to my right. I was met with familiar glowing animalistic cerulean eyes. The creature knew that I was back.