Wicked Forest

by E. J. Bennett

  RUBY HAD THOUGHT HER mother would be happy with the news of her pregnancy. Instead she had noticed the look upon her face.

  She sighed as she made her way through the community to the two bedroom house her and her husband Greg lived in. As usual his car was missing.

  Ruby wasn’t a fool and knew he was out chasing skirt. He wasn’t faithful and never would be. Yet she endured the pain of knowing she wasn’t the only woman in his life.

  Her mother wouldn’t understand and make her keep quiet if she told her. In the end it was better to keep it to herself.

  Biting her nails she sat on the couch. She had hoped her pregnancy would have taken some of the strain and attention away from Crystal. It was never going to happen she could see that now.

  A knock at her door brought her out of her thoughts. Getting up she made her way to the passage. The shock on her face must have been clear.

  “What cant I visit my sister?” Perl said stepping past her.

  “Come in,” Ruby muttered and followed her to the living room. Perl was a woman that Ruby avoided at all cost. She was a seer, she would pick up on Ruby’s secrete. Panic and fear filled her body as she took a seat on the couch facing her older sister.

  “When are you going to tell mother?” to anyone else the question would sound odd. Yet Ruby knew exactly what she meant.

  “It’s none of your business,”

  “If you don’t tell her your dirty secrete I will,” Perl said with a look of disgust.

  “Perfect Ruby. You’re not so perfect anymore,” Ruby felt her body turn to ice. If the coven found out, she would be put on trial and banished.

  Chapter 14

  The next day, Crystal was late. She had spent time in the forest before school tormenting the faceless shadow. When she arrived at school, she was sent to the head teacher’s office, who immediately rang her mother. Crystal shrugged her shoulders the entire time the principle droned on about the importance of punctuality. She didn’t care about school. What good would an education be once married in the upcoming months?

  Inside she was screaming, on the outside she wore a mask, one that painted a different picture.

  In class she acted up, called out and made herself into the class clown. The students would laugh and egg her on. It only encouraged her more. Her screams for help went unnoticed. Yet Crystal knew no one would or could help her. Instead she stopped holding back.

  After school she didn’t return home, rather she went to the game and cheered on Drake. He was the best player on the football team, and captain. He looked hot on the field and when his gaze met hers in the stand her heart melted. When the game was over and Salem Academy had won they went out to celebrate.

  Drake put his arm around Crystal and leaned in. “So, does the winner get a prize?” he asked raising his eyebrows. Crystal smiled and pressed her lips to his. Her stomach fluttered and heat rose on her cheeks. Pulling back she gave him a little smile. She touched her lips where the feel of his kiss still lingered.

  The others who made up the team and cheerleaders whistled and clapped as they kissed. A few days ago it would have made Crystal want to run and hide. But this new version that didn’t care was fine with the attention.

  She basket in it and carried on with her outrageous behavior. Inside she hated the person she had become. Yet she loved the feeling of being spontaneous and outgoing. She felt alive.

  She openly flirted, running her hands down Drake’s chest and feeling his toned muscles under his shirt. All her worries she had let go. By the time she got home it was late. Her house was shrouded in darkness. Not one light was on. Crystal glanced around at the nearby houses. All of them were the same. Where was everyone? Fear trickled its way into Crystal as she made her way to the meeting hall. That too was empty. The streets between the small community were void of life.

  RUBY STOOD FROZEN AS she held the phone. Her mother’s voice seemed louder than usual.

  “We must protect Crystal from the darkness,” Ruby breathed a sigh of relief. She was sure that Perl by now would have ratted her out. She felt her muscles relax.

  One day soon, her time would come and her secret would be exposed. Today she was thankful wasn’t it.

  She changed into her white dress that each of the woman in the coven possessed a dress that never brought good things. She felt her spine turn to ice. She knew what was about to happen, there was nothing she could do to stop it.

  She took her coat from the peg and securely fastened the zip before stepping out into the cold.

  WITH ONLY ONE PLACE left to look Crystal pulled her cardigan closer around herself as she headed to the clearing.

  All the females wore white dresses. All the men whore white pants and t-shirts. She crouched down, wondering what was going on, she had never seen anything like it before. Yet she had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.

  “Tonight we are gathered here to help our daughter find her way through the darkness. To do so we must make a sacrifice to our ancestors. With the sacrifice, it will open a doorway,” Jeanette looked around at her people with an expression that held no emotion. The entire coven was silent. Not even the small children who were up late and over tired made a sound.

  “Not a doorway in which we are able to cross, but a doorway in which they can guide us, help us in our time of need. Tonight we will connect with our ancestors,”

  Everyone cheered.

  “Chosen ones step forward,” Jeanette ordered.

  Three girls walked into the centre and knelt facing the crowd. Jeannette began to chant, the coven chanted along with her. Their voice’s rose in union, each syllable spoken became one.

  Crystal felt sweat drench her skin. Its cold and clammy hands squeezed her chest restricting her breathing. The shrieking screams rang loudly in her ears, while her heart pounded against her painful chest. Crystal’s fingers clenched into fists and her nails dug painfully into the palms of her hands.

  She couldn’t hear her rapid breathing through the ringing in her eyes but she could feel the lack of oxygen entering her body.

  Hesitantly she looked at the dead corpses, the teenagers her mother had just drove a dagger through.

  Straight into their hearts. They didn’t stand a chance. Fear tortured her guts, churning her stomach in painful cramps. She wanted to scream, she wanted to attack the people who had stood by and done nothing. Yet her body was frozen with terror. The fear she felt overwhelmed her body, the lack of oxygen, became too much. Crystal could feel her mind slipping away as gasped for breath. She slipped unconscious.

  Chapter 15

  Crystal bolted upright gasping for breath. Her brain imploded with emotions of panic and distress. Her heart beat was erratic as the images of the night before flooded her mind.

  It was just a dream she told herself. Counting to ten she felt the fear slowly subside, allowing her to breath normally again.

  Getting out of bed she threw on her robe and slippers and padded across the landing. She paused at the top of the stairs when she saw some of the witches waving their hands, causing decorations to appear on the walls and ceilings.

  She dodged floating light after light as she made her way into the kitchen searching for food.

  She got herself a bowl of cereal and made her way into the dining room.

  The table was laden with exotic food. Not a space to spare. Sighing she turned around and went back into the kitchen, sitting at the counter.

  “Great you’re up, Jane and Lilly will be getting you ready today. Once you have eaten do not come down until told to do so,” Crystal pulled a face, at her mother’s retreating back.

  It wasn’t like she wanted to be a part of the ball in the first place. Levi Carmichael was about to get a piece of her mind.

  Once finished she dumped her bowl in the sink. Ruby was arranging flowers at the bottom of the staircase. She had placed them in sliver vases on the two sideboards that sat either side of the grand stairway.

  Ruby had a distant look in her
eyes and she watched as she wiped a stray tear from her eye.

  Crystal wrapped her arms around Ruby’s back and hugged her. Ruby turned with her sweet smile on her face.

  “What was that for?” she asked tucking a stray strand of hair behind Crystal’s ear. Ruby was the mother that Crystal had always wanted.

  “You just looked so sad,” Crystal shrugged.

  “Sorry, I just can’t believe how old you are. No longer that little girl who begged me to sing,” Crystal laughed.

  “You can sing for me any day Ruby,” giving her another hug she reluctantly went back to her room. Alone the nightmare played in her mind.

  Three girls, Jessica, Mandy and Georgia their faces became clear as they walked with their head high to where her mother stood.

  With a slight bow they knelt before Jeanette facing the crowd.

  The chanting began, Crystal tried to understand their words, but she could only translate the odd few, Ancestors, gift, guidance and power. The glint of the sliver dagger made Crystal close her eyes tight. It was no use the scene played out. One by one the three girls fell, all by her mother’s hand, a dagger to their hearts.

  They didn’t struggle. The sound of their agonizing screams pierced her heart. The dagger slowly left their bodies, dripping with their innocent blood.

  “Goodness me Crystal,” Crystal’s snapped her eyes open to be met with Jane’s accusing glare. “It is an engagement party. Most young women are thrilled to have their ball,” Crystal gritted her teeth.

  “Screaming like a mad woman. It is about time you stop causing so much trouble for your mother and start being a respectable young woman,”

  That was it. Crystal felt anger simmer in her veins.

  “Then you marry him,” she spat.

  “I have already got a husband,”

  Jane went to Crystal’s walk in wardrobe and pulled out a cream ball gown.

  “Put it on,” she ordered. Snatching the dress from Jane’s hands she went to march into the bathroom.

  “Wait, you need me to help you with this,” she held up a corset with a sinister grin on her face.

  The next half hour, Jane tugged and pulled on the corset strings. Crystal felt like her insides were being crushed. She could hardly breathe. By this time she’d had enough and yanked herself away.

  “I still need to breath you know,”

  “Yeah but you also need to look attractive with a slim waist,”

  “Are you calling me fat,” Crystal pointed at Jane taking a step closer to her.

  “No, she is not, I will take it from her,” Lilly said as she entered the room and gave Crystal a small smile.

  “Let’s get you ready,” Lilly helped Crystal into her dress and clipped her hair up at the top of her head letting a few strands flow free. She put little make up on her face and grinned.

  “You look beautiful,”

  Turning slowly, Crystal glanced at herself in the mirror. Lilly was right, she looked amazing, older and like a princess.

  “Thank you Lilly,” she whispered.

  “I will let you know when it is time,” All Crystal could do through her nerves was nod.

  The day had come. She would meet the monster that had ruined her life. The man she was expected to spend the rest of her life with.

  Closing her eyes she conjured up the image of Drake. In her mind he was just as perfect as he was in real life.

  Chapter 15

  “You will both be polite. The perfect gentlemen,” his father lectured.

  “Yes sir,” Levi and Drake chorused.

  “Tonight my boy you will be meeting your future bride. When you do I want you to be charming. We both know you can do that after all that is the reason we are in this mess. It will become the reason we get out of it too,”

  “Yes sir,” Levi said biting his tongue. No one was going to let him live it down. One mistake and that was it. Everyone hated him and used it as a weapon against him.

  “Drake you better... why is he coming along?”

  He turned to his wife who put her perfectly manicured hand on his shoulder, giving him a sweet smile.

  “Because he is part of the family, a Carmichael and should join in with family events,” she said in her soft voice.

  “He isn’t even a real Carmichael, but a Danroe,”

  “Now, Seth,”

  “Fine, best behavior any funny business Drake and it will be the end for you,”

  “Yes sir,” Drake replied.

  The four of them left the house and climbed into the back seat of the limousine that waited for them. Levi fidgeted the entire way. He didn’t want to meet the girl, dance with her or attend the engagement party.

  With no choice he sat quietly as the car moved down the winding roads. He watched the trees whiz by and wished he was out in the forest or anywhere other than the backseat of that car. The closer they came to the Hudson’s household, the more he felt like his fate was sealed.

  How different his life had become. One wrong turn and a nightmare were created.

  LILLY POPPED HER HEAD around Crystal’s door. “It’s time,” on shaky legs she made her way to the staircase. With a deep breath she took the steps one at a time.

  Walking slowly, she didn’t look up. She kept her gaze on her feet. She watched her white sandals take each step.

  The entire house was silent. It played havoc on her nerves making her hands shake. They became clammy as she held onto the banister to steady herself.

  When she reached the bottom she was met with stares. Some of awe, some of disgust and anger, it was a mix reception. When she met her parent’s eyes for the first time she saw pride.

  “Levi Carmichael we present to you, Crystal Rose Hudson, Princess of the Starlight Coven,” Jeanette proudly said.

  “Thank you,” A young, man stepped forward and Crystal’s breath caught in her throat. He wasn’t at all what she expected. Black hair that looked like it had been windblown, strong facial features with golden eyes. As her gaze travelled his body she took in his muscled and toned figure. He was handsome, even more than that. He didn’t look like a monster.

  He was tall she guessed over six feet. His arms looked strong. He gave off the impression of a guy that loved the gym.

  Levi extended his hand to her. With a little hesitation she took his hand in hers. He led her through the crowd and into the ball room. As soon as they entered the music began to play. Levi led her to the middle of the dance floor and placed his hands on her hips.

  Heat instantly flooded her body with his touch. Following his lead she placed her hands on his shoulders and let him lead her in a dance.

  Soon others joined them. Neither of them spoke. However the silence didn’t feel uncomfortable.

  She was glad he didn’t try to talk to her. Her words would have most likely come out in a jumbled mess.

  She gazed up at his face. He could have been a model, with his stunning looks. She shook her head to rid herself of the superficial thoughts. His eyes were scanning her, taking her in, under his gaze she felt herself squirming. She wasn’t pretty, nor beautiful she was average and couldn’t compare to him.

  “May I cut in?” Crystal’s heart froze. Drake stood behind Levi with a smile on his face. Levi’s eyes flashed orange as he stepped away from Crystal. It was quick but she could of swore she had seen it.

  “Wh....What are you doing here?” Crystal hissed.

  “Well I couldn’t miss my cousin’s engagement party,” instantly Crystal’s face flooded with heat. He was related to Levi. Her life couldn’t get more complicated.

  Drake put his hands on her hips, she felt a sudden rush of warmth and her heart beat faster.

  She followed his lead moving in time to the music.

  “When were you going to tell me you were engaged?”

  Crystal stopped dancing and took a step back.

  “It wasn’t my choice,” she said in a low voice, somehow he heard her.

  “Then call it off. I like you Crystal, I w
ant to give us a try,” Crystal’s heart danced. She had been crushing on him for so long. It was her dream to be his girlfriend. Even so she knew that she couldn’t stop the wedding.

  “I can’t” Crystal walked away and exited the back door. She needed air.

  “RUBY WE NEED TO TALK. When the guests leave meet me in my office,” Ruby gulped as her mother dug her nails into her arm. To everyone else she was sure her mother looked friendly, yet Ruby could see the disgust and anger in her eyes.

  “Go find Crystal,” Jeannette said coldly.

  She knew. With her head bowed she moved through the house and went into the kitchen, it was the only room deserted. Leaning against the kitchen counter she placed her head in her hands. She needed a minute to compose herself before Crystal saw her.

  What was she going to do?

  Chapter 16

  Crystal was exactly what Drake said she was. Stunning, her beauty was natural and her eyes were memorizing. The instant he had seen her walk down the stairs his heart picked up its pace and his eyes were glued to her body. From the moment she laid eyes on him she made it clear that she wasn’t interested in him. Her body language said it all. Stiff and ridged she stood. Her smile was more of a grimace and it didn’t touch her eyes. She was the first girl he had met that showed no interest in him at all. That only intrigued him more. He wanted to know more about her. Figure out who she was. It was a feeling he had never had before.

  He gazed into her green eyes as they danced, and smiled. She was perfection. He felt someone tap him on his back. He didn’t need to turn around to find out who it was. Drake.

  STARS FILLED THE NIGHT sky their shiny existence the promise of life in the darkness. It was how Crystal felt at that moment, lost to the bleak dark world. The things she had always wanted. To be a normal teenager, walking hand in hand with Drake had finally come within reach. But the cruel hand of fate snatched that chance away from her.