They had traipsed this familiar route countless times on their way back from Marples College but this was altogether different. Under the safety of daylight, there was little to fear. The strong scent of forest pine trees lined a hidden, thick undergrowth beyond to their immediate right. A few scant cars would drive past, heading up the steep hill before disappearing behind one of the many sharp S-bend's further up. At the height of summer, the picturesque vistas took on an idyllic and peaceful setting.
That was in stark contrast to the shrill cry of the wind swirling through the overcast wood. They had never been out this late on their own. The dead of night seemed to excuse an aura of dread and pervasive foreboding. However, for one member of their young company, it only added to a growing excitement and anticipation as to what was to come next.
”Don’t you just love this?” Joey remarked. ”The freedom, right? I mean, it’s late. No parents around. No rules. I think I could get used to this.”
”Mom will kill us if she knew we were out this late.” Said little Kevin, every now and again turning back to peer down the narrow, open road.
”Well it’s a good job she won’t find out then, isn’t it?” The cold, hard stare from Joey caused Kevin to think twice about bringing that particular topic back up. Everywhere appeared deserted. No high beams fading into view from around a hidden bank up front from a casual passerby. Even the usual enthusiastic twitter of birds emanating from the woods beside them had all but gone. Only a swirling mass of blackness pervaded the vicinity like a thick spreading blanket.
Adam and Daryl had kept small talk to a minimum. They both pondered over the dare proposed by Joey. Albeit from opposite ends of the spectrum. Daryl’s rising fear had reached fever pitch, though his ability to mask it from the others was admirable at the very least. He looked around and could have sworn there had been some movement out of the corner of his eye. Near the forest’s edge, by the stump of some wide-based tree. His imaginings wondered further still as he envisaged the twisted, charred witch from the story lurking somewhere in the darkness. She would scuttle on all fours just out of sight, her raw blistered back arching inwards with long yellow fingernail digging into the earth as she moved. He envisioned her eyes as dull, milky white abysses and limbs thin and spindly. She would scavenge for her hapless victims at night and whomever was caught off-guard would be snatched up and dragged into the undergrowth, never to be seen or heard of again. His heart raced as they were nearing the cursed tree after the next corner.
Adam, who was lagging behind somewhat, had other ideas. He saw himself watching on as Daryl ran up to the tree, touched it, then sprinted back as fast as his legs would carry him. The respect and admiration garnered from his peers at school the next day would be worth the risk of getting home a little later than he intended. It was common knowledge for all to avoid that piece of desecrated land for fear of disturbing the vengeful spirit of “The Screaming Hag”. Going there at this late hour was considered sheer insanity. But as he knew well enough, the higher the stakes, the bigger the rewards. And such a perilous escapade may even attract the attentions of Maggie Dreener. Every school boys fantasy come true.
”Almost there now.” Said Joey, lowering his tone as if the witch might hear their soft voices through the gloom beyond. ”Right around this corner.” The doors to The Earl Grey pub were closed, locked and bolted. A squared-off portrait hung over the entrance on a wooden plaque signpost showing a distinguished looking gentlemen wearing 18th century garments and a monocle balanced across one eye. His expression was of total neutrality yet somehow gave off an air of stirring unease beneath. They all looked up at it in unison, realising that the Earl seemed to be watching them as they walked by.
Rounding the corner into Lakesmeed Road, it was almost pitch black. A faint beam of light cast from a lone streetlamp across the road revealed the vague outline of an enormous oak tree a few feet up. It’s huge branches disappeared into the night sky, not dissimilar to a collection of numerous crooked and winding tentacles. Kevin moved over to his brother and hid behind him. They all felt a surge of fright at the unsettling scene before them, but none so as much as Daryl.
”Screw that. I ain’t doing it.” He muttered to the others. ”That thing’s just plain evil incarnate. I’m bailing guys.”
”Like hell you are.” Snarled Joey. ”You’re just looking at a big ass tree with the lights turned out, that’s all. Don’t believe that old crappy legend. Besides, Kevin here needs to see it’s all simply make believe hocus pocus and mumbo jumbo.”
”Listen, I ain’t doing it.” Daryl reaffirmed in a louder voice.
”And my family ain’t waking up in the middle of the night coz Kevin is screaming his head off from bad nightmares!” The others could see Joey was on the edge of losing control. They knew he did not take lightly to people who rescinded on one of “his” deals, especially anything that required some form of physical exertion on his part. The enraged glare said it all. Daryl had run out of options. In the absence of standing his ground, the only choice left was a good old fashioned dose of pleading.
”Joey. Please, man. I’m scared shitless here. Look, I’m sorry. I’ll do anything to make up for it. Look, Kevin is fine. He knows this story is all a crock. Right, little man?”
He clung on to his older brother’s shirt, peeking out at him from the side of Joey’s lean and muscular torso. His look of perpetual fright only worked towards sealing his fate. It was either time to man up or deal with the consequences.
”Just go and touch the damn tree, man.” Adam urged from out of the blue. ”It’ll take like two seconds. Ain’t nothing gonna happen to you. Don’t be a pussy. You’ll gain some serious cred if you go ahead with it. Check it out.” He pulled a dark object from out of his back pocket and waved it about in the air. ”I’ll record the whole thing as proof. Just look at it as an opportunity, like. You know how popular this will make you if you go ahead and do it? Think about it. You're "Iron Balls", remember?”
Even reeling in the depths of despair, Daryl could see his point of view. Reputation was never his strong point and being able to properly engage with others had always been his cross to bear. Carrying out such an audacious and unexpected act of selfless bravery could have the potential to work wonders with his adolescent social life, he thought. A flicker of courage caught hold of him and he seized upon it. For the absolute mediocrity of the task at hand, common sense had eventually prevailed. The time was now. He had little to lose but much to gain.
(To be continued...)
(and Hellbent, hint hint).Cranking up the tension, @ezzy! Your writing is off the charts. I love the way you describe everything, set the pacing, build up tension and the characters in your story. Things are about to go mental, I can just feel it. Really, you should consider releasing your work. Can't you see it's way up there? Lol. But honestly, excellent work. Cannot wait for the next part
Hey there, @myb! Thanks very much! I was at the Steemfest so a little late posting the conclusion to this but the next is most DEFO the final part. Yeah, I love "fleshing" out the characters as well as try to tell the story in my own way. The fact that you say it all comes together in a humbling observation.
Thanks, man! :)
yaaaay!
so cool, as always :)
made popcorns, had a beer, and enjoyed the 3rd part!
well done, mate!:)
waiting for more ;)
Thanks, @lifestyler. :)
Thank's for sharing ,such a blog like this.......
@followed and upvotef
Nice one.
You are very good at what you do, am completely out of words, i just have to check other series @mayowadavid
Much appreciated. :)
I am a photographer. I invite you to visit my photography click here. thank youhi @ezzy, i like your writing. i like the way you write.
Thanks. I will check it out. :)
Ohhh, this is a good one, you have me right on the edge of my seat! I have to admit I was kind of hoping when I saw part three that I was going to be lucky enough to get to read it all in one shot...then again, you are the master of cliffhangers and I also like something to look forward to!!
Hey there, lovely @dreemit!
Hope you are keeping well! I was a little delayed in getting this one out and thought it would have wrapped up in three parts but it turned out a little longer than I expected. Thanks for giving you prestigious "seal of approval", very grateful for that indeed. I'm super pumped about Steemit and intend to become more regular when it comes to posting. :)
Bless you from the bottom of my heart! :)
I can only imagine how pumped you must be after being at steemfest! Now I am like everyone who was around for the first one but didn't make it, knowing that there is nothing that will stop me from being at the next! Our winter business has just begun and we've been blessed with big orders and a significant monetary increase, and combine that with my husband who is extremely gifted at all things crypto, this next year and really years to come we'll be in a position to do things like steemfest wherever it may be on the globe.
In the meantime I am making plans to meet many that are here in the US in the next six months...and I just want to say, should you and your wife find yourself in a position to come to the states, my home would be your home and I would happily be your NY tour guide. Would you like to go the Hamptons? (I remember your wife's birthday, so I know she certainly would ;) I have cousins who live near there and would gladly have us, and from there it is a forty five minute train ride into the heart of Manhattan. And of course the area in which I live has a ton to offer with the added bonus of being just a couple of hours from the Canadian border and Niagara Falls :)
In a short time I will have the honor of celebrating a year's worth of friendship with you darling Ezzy, and what an amazing, incredible year it has been! And don't ever worry when life is hectic and you don't have as much time as you would like to post or comment, when I've connected with someone on the level we have it is a forever thing without conditions, you are firmly in my heart dear friend! And one way or another I know at some point I will get the chance to give you a big hug and it will be as natural as if we have done so a thousand times.
Wow! It's not often you come across someone in your life that has a heart of pure gold as you do. One only had to read about the respect and admiration other steemians (besides our group, such as @surfermarly) have you for. That is a beautiful gesture indeed by you and I'm truly humbled to know you. I honestly mean that and don't make such strong statements on merely a whim. Just my seeing the amazing scenic beauty where you live and you telling me you are located near these incredible locations makes it a tempting offer, @dreemit! Thank you very much.
And I hope you know that those exact same sentiments are echoed tenfold from my side. Central London is considered a tourist destination because of the many places to visit and things to do. I have no doubt in my mind you would have a blast here. And it goes without saying, my home is your home also. We are fortunate enough to have ample rooms free for you to stay so all you guys need worry about in the ticket to get here. Everything else is taken care of. :)
It's crazy, right? A whole year has flown by just like that and I've had one amazing journey on this platform so far. And I can't imagine things being the same without you on here. Always willing to help people, always so high-spirited and joyful. You're one of a kind and I'm honoured to have a made such a solid and endearing friendship with you. I'm over the moon you guys are doing so well! It makes such plans a very real possibility in the near future.
Yes, I believe it's just a matter of time till we meet I'm sure and that will mean the world to me.
Bless, @lovely lovely dreemit. Thanks for that treasured comment. You just made my whole week! :)
My daughter zoe likes to read through my blogs and sometimes snoop through my comments, haha, you should have seen her eyes light up at the prospect of going to London! My kids from our recent visit to the Ithaca brewery-Ethan's thumbs up is for you ;) xxoo
All good, @dreemit! They look adorable and I'm sure they'll love this cool city! Again, there is an open invitation from me to you and the fam. :)
well donot know about the hollowen moslty but i am glad people are having fun in the hollowan
People this side of the world have lots of spooky fun on Halloween. :)
You are working hard to write these amazing chapter i really like to read and learn as well
well done @ezzy