Chapter 1: The Demon's Place
1778 Words
The air nestled through the dense forest creating a howling sound. The trees bend with the force of the wind, ready to break and fall. In the middle of the forest was a slight clearing, enough for holding a picnic. The night sky, the deep forest and the sounds of various creatures was enough to scare people away. They avoided it and called it ‘The Demon’s Place’.
In the past, there were incidents wherein people lost their lives mysteriously by an unknown creature. This forest has claimed thousands of lives wiping away the entire population of the Guadeloupe. After a decade, humans started habituating it again. The life started and so did the other activities like agriculture, livestock and people even started clearing the woods to make roads and tree products.
The people started going missing and it was noticed that whoever was close to the forest were never coming back alive. Those who entered it to search for their loved ones were heard screaming from afar but never returned. It created havoc and within the natives was a hundred years old lady who claimed to know the cure. She is said to be the goddess of fate who along with a witch, killed the creature and sealed the woods to prohibit other’s entry.
According to her, the coven of the dead will be back to avenge him and they (the natives) shouldn’t ever go there if they needn’t awaken the evil power.
It was prohibited and no one dared to go there except the two defiant children who considered it to be a perfect place for their practice.
“Aaahhh… (Humph)” the younger one was sweating even in this breezy evening.
With slouched shoulders, eyeing the other who was resting on a bent branch of tree.
“Again…! Try again” The elder one, lazily encouraged.
“Huh. AaaaaAaaaa…” Feeling dejected yet determined to follow whatever the elder says, the younger one tried again.
“Yes, yes it’s happening.” A small fire formed between the palms of the younger child.
“AaaAAHHHHH…” The fire was now full blown one with the exerted force as the elder one stared in amazement from few feet away.
“Diminish it!” He ordered stuttering the younger one.
“B-But… How?”
The fire still burned on the palm of the younger one as the elder just shrugged.
“I already told you.” Disappointment was evident in his voice.
The younger just nodded focusing on the fire again. In the mind; the fire was confined in a closed container. It shut the oxygen supply, slowing down the fire and then a ‘cheer’ cut down the concentration.
“Why you disturbed me, Yuri?” The younger ran and hit his chest hard, making him fall on the ground.
Yuri kept laughing before embracing the younger one.
“That’s because I couldn’t restrain myself, Tasha.” He stated frankly before pulling her in for a hug.
“No! You ruined it.” The younger Tasha whined stomping her feet on the ground.
Her lower lip protruded out burying the upper one a little as she glared at him.
Few tears rolled down her chubby cheeks out of anger. The tear drops turned into ice and then ice-flakes before finally touching the land covered with grass.
Yuri watched the tears take beautiful shape and his eyes shone with happiness.
“Tasha look… it’s a snowflake.” He told her excitedly and it helped her divert the mind to elsewhere.
Both were equally astonished.
It was her first time watching snowflake. It was the most beautiful thing for her. She bent on her little legs and picked it up and placed it on her palm. The palm which was already warm due to the fire melted it and her lips quivered as she stared at her brother Yuri.
Yuri watched her and shook his head.
“There’s nothing to cry about Tasha. That’s how long a snow can live.” He tried to console her but she wanted to cherish it.
He sighed and watched her cry again.
She was chubby and cute with her muddy-brown eyes and short brown hair. This five year old was innocent but a huge trouble. He knows how Edward was handling her.
He quickly lowered and placed his hand below her face to collect her tears which turned into snowflakes and offered her. She was delighted and hoped around in circle before hugging him tightly. He was sure, he will be dead someday. She isn't aware of her strength and squeezes him like he is a lemon.
“Ta-sha!” he called her and she quickly let him go gladly accepting her snowflake.
He watched the sun set and quickly ran after her to take her home. He would be in trouble if Edward founds out that they were strolling around in the woods.
Tashaaa…
A voice called her and she turned to find no one.
“What?” Yuri stopped and watched her but she shrugged.
They raced back home as he pushed her inside through the kitchen window, avoiding the front door.
“Where were you?” Edward’s voice startled them and she slipped her legs falling out.
She landed on her butt meeting Yuri’s face, hitting him with her legs.
Yuri cried in pain feeling his nose turn hot and checking for any blood. Luckily, there wasn’t any.
Edward rushed to the window and regretted but watching the two smartasses, he let out a hearty laugh.
Emma was already running outside, hearing the chaos and helping them to stand. Little Tasha was already glaring at Edward who restrained his laughter.
“Bad Daddy!” She shouted at him and he watched her pretty face scowl reminding him of his Tasha.
Suddenly, his mockery died and he cleared his throat to leave them to be.
“Here, it’s okay. It is okay if people laugh at you.” Emma was dusting off her clothes as she checked on Yuri as well.
“No it’s not.” Tasha whined ready to spill her tears due to insult she heard just now.
For her, it was a bad thing if people laughed at you. She knows that means that they are mocking you and she didn’t like a bit of it.
“Stupid! Laughing is a good thing. Not always a person mocks if they laugh. At times, it’s because they found it cute which is a good thing.” Yuri explained trying his best to not laugh and provoke her.
She turned to face the seventeen year old boy who was lovingly watching her. She nodded uncertainly but everything he said was meant to be true for her. She knows that Yuri can never lie to her.
“Thanks a lot, Yuri.” Emma sighed in relief and Yuri finally laughed only to receive a punch from Tasha.
“Hey! What was that for?” He asked rubbing his thigh but she was already landing another punch making him yelp in surprise.
He turned to run but was pulled back to her automatically. Emma was stunned to see this. Tasha didn’t even touch him or grip him and he was dragged back to her like she was the centre of gravitation and he was just a satellite revolving around it.
“Princess no!” Edward ran to her and yanked her up in his arms as she struggled to free herself.
“No… No… He laughed at me.” She complained with all the hair falling on her face.
His fear grew watching her, she needs a haircut.
“I never did. Ask Emma. I was laughing on her not on you.” Yuri explained himself but she just glared at him.
Edward turned her to face him and kissed her forehead.
“Let it go, princess.” He breathed on it and she automatically calmed down clinging to his neck.
“That’s like my baby monkey.” Emma cooed and Yuri snorted at her comment watching Tasha grin widely.
***
In the night, Tasha awoke with a sudden jolt. She was sweating and scared. Her thoughts revolved around the dreams she had every single night. It was the same dream wherein she watched a woman die in a fire and a man sobbing helplessly for her. Another one, appeared to be maniac collecting her ashes.
She doesn’t remember any of their faces but the vague memory of them. She wonders who they were and why it bothers her.
The little girl rolls over the crib and stood beside her window staring at the full moon that looked fascinated.
Somehow, she felt weirdly empty and sad. Unable to discover her emotions she gazed at the moon praying for the happiness of the man who was crying and mental peace for the other. She prayed to the god to bring the woman back so that the two men can be happy as her.
She suddenly remembered the man in the bar back few weeks ago. Her mind switched and she longed to be with him. Her longing was so strong that she felt the moon blur and saw the same man kneeling on the ground and crying.
The scene was so much familiar to her; the same as in her dreams. Her little heart ached watching him helpless and whispered-
“Come and get me, Damien.”
He startled and she watched him search around but he was unable to see her. Her little eyebrows furrowed together.
“I am waiting for you…”
She said again only to see him close his eyes. He seemed disturbed and a bit scared which saddened her.
Am I going crazy?
She heard him ask himself and titled her little head to understand how he spoke without moving his lips.
The moon came to her sight again and drifted when she saw him sitting in his car with widened eyes. He slammed on his breaks and his car hit her.
She screamed in fear shutting her eyes close and heard the door open before being pulled into a warm hug.
The fast heartbeats telling her she was safe followed by the soothing voice she loves so much.
“Dad…” she muffled in his shirt as Edward caressed her back.
- Writer
