Celeste

Chapter 3: Six Feet Under

   It was a very cold, stormy night. I tossed and turned but at least Cynthia could rest, that's all that mattered. During the night something strange happened.

   I sat up as I wiggle out of Cynthia's grasp trying to not wake her. As I rub my eyes, I look off into the distance to only notice a shadow in the woods.

   I force myself up, "Hello?" I ask.

   "Follow." The shadow responded as it turned and walked deeper into the woods.

   I look down at Cynthia then at the shadow. I couldn't just let this person come back... and hurt Cynthia. I need to know who it is.

   I sigh and run into the woods. "Wait!"

   I hurried after the shadow, tripping over sticks and jumping over fallen trees. The grass was long and thick. The ground was wet from the rainfall.

   I fall to the ground as my foot got caught under an old piece of lumber from a house. My cheek got cut by a tree branch on the way down. Blood slowly oozed out of the cut. I cupped my cheeked and looked up to see if the shadow was still there or if it was gone.

   "Hurry." It said, waiting for me from a distance.

   I kick my foot out of the small gap and scurry up and after it.

   I chased it for at least a couple of minutes. As I passed by trees, I noticed something strange. It was a weird symbol carved in the trunks. The carving was a swirl with a star in the background. Where was this shadow taking me?

   Soon the shadow dissapeared. My feet slowed into a slow walk as I entered a huge clearing in the woods. As I approach, buildings come into focus. I soon stood on a dirt road and those buildings on the sides of it. People roamed the streets, women wore a loose dress with a colored ribbon tied around the waist as many carried a silk purse. The men wore a fancy, tight suit. I glanced down and noticed I was dressed just like the women. I pulled on the skirt of the dress confused.

   "What's a young girl like yourself doing all by her lonesome?" A mans voice asked behind me.

   I turn slowly, "Huh?" I ask. "Oh...? Uh... hello?"

   His head tilted slightly. "You lost?"

   He wore a red and black suit. He had brown hair and stunning green eyes. His skin was as white as the snowfall in December.

   I nod as I cross my arms slowly, "Yeah..." I respond, shyly.

   "Well, where you off to?"

   "I uh... was following my mother." I make up a lie. I didn't want to sound crazy.

   "Well... let me help you." He paused. "Follow me, little one."

   We walked down the one, dirt road. People passed by on horses and on their two feet. We made it to a huge circle in the road, it looked like a dead end.

   I glance around, "Well...? What is this place?" I ask him.

   He looked down at me as one eyebrow raised. "Where are you coming from, little one? You're not from around here, are you?"

   I shake my head. "From... a couple towns over..."

   He looks forward. "Well then, this is the town square."

   I start forward once again and see something hanging on a cross in the very center. I make my way towards it and it soon came into focus. A burnt body was tied to it, I gasp as I cover my mouth.