Never Forget

“Never forget”1

I woke up in a cold sweat. My eyes frantically searched my bedroom. The corners of the room were dark, I could see shadows in them, and my mind ran over ridiculous situations. Was she hiding in the corners, waiting to get her revenge? Would her faint figure emerge from one of the walls? Would her hands reach out from the dark and wrap around my neck? My thoughts turned, the light of the moon, appearing and disappearing behind clouds, flashed just as the dagger had that night! 2

I dragged my heavy covers away from my sweat-drenched body. I fumbled around in the dark to find the candle my new maid had left in my room. My hands searched the table. They ran over various bits and pieces. Every second I feared her cold hand upon my skin. 3

I heard my windows rattle and the howling of the wind going through them. My heart was pounding in my ears. My hand again began to search for a candle. In my desperation I knocked a bottle, which fell to the carpeted floor with a crash. The sound made me bolt. I saw a movement in the corner nearest to me. A shiver ran down my spine.4

“Never forget” a voice, whispered5

I felt the cold touch of my metal candleholder. The light illuminated the room.6

I checked the corners of the room. I slowly pulled back my curtains, half expecting to see her face, those beady eyes starring back at me. Instead I saw the moon, full and bright. The pounding of my heart subsided. 7

“Never forget”8

I ran to the door, and pulled at it with all my strength. My hands were soaked with sweat and slipped from the handle several times. I glanced behind me in terror. I gave the door a large tug and it flew open. The moons rays covered the room in an eerie white light, as they hit the chandler. 9

“You’ll never sleep” the voice whispered10

I scurried to the open circle railing in the centre of the hall. My hands gripped the railing my knuckles went white. I looked down upon the entrance hall. The stone flooring starring like a chessboard back at me, she could be down there about to coming through the door.11

“Leave me alone” I shrieked.12

“Never ever forget” the voice mocked.13

A scream was trapped in my mouth; my fear would not let it escape. I shook the rail in frustration. “You witch” I began to shout “You demon”. Tears fell from my tired eyes; they ran down my nose and near my mouth. I could taste them. 14

My body slumped to the ground where I sat huddled on the floor leaning part of my body on the railings my hand clucking the bars.15

“Leave me alone, I don’t deserve this”16

“Never forget” the voice echoed.17

This time a scream did leave my mouth; it penetrated the still air like a dart. My body went limp, as if my spirit had left my body. The walls of the hallway began to close in on me, lights came from somewhere, and voices, some sounded concerned others mocking. 18

“Dam you” I yelled19

I wrenched myself up and flew down the hallway, and up the stairs, my white nightdress flying up behind me. I glanced behind me, could I see her shadow casing me? 20

Once I had reached the attic rooms I flung open the door to the roof terrace. Hands grabbed me and pulled at my nightdress. They tugged at me and tried to pull me back. A strong pair of arms wrapped around my shoulders to restrain me. 21

“Unhand me” I jerked my shoulders back and pushed the body away from me. “Never forget”22

I turned to see not the faces of my loyal servants, but her face on their bodies, grinning at me chanting those words “Never forget, never forget”.23

“Leave me be”24

I pulled myself through the door, tearing their hands from me. I slammed and bolted the door. Those on the other side were pulling the door. My eyes darted around. I thought about climbing the roof tiles. I look fearfully around for another escape route. My hands reached out and found the panel to the copula. I flew open in the breeze. My hair danced in front of my face. 25

“Never more” I whispered before I throw my body down.26

As I fell I heard a voice say.27

“Never forget” 28