My October Story

This is an old tale, for what I’m about to tell has never left my lips before so listen close it will happen only once…1

It happened to me on a night not unlike this. It was cold, but the wind did not blow, like some witch’s curse the plants and branches swayed in unison to the unheard song. Trees towered over me, covering my view of the sky. Their branches interlocked to make a sort of canopy, but because of this the trees limbs no longer grew upward instead they grew down, more vine like with sharp points awaiting to stab my neck if I stood straight up. Every step I made sounded like thunder. Wolves came out to watch as I made my way past their den, eyes aglow with hunger.2

I ran up hill. My calves ached, they were ready to give out on me, but still I pushed on.3

I pushed branch after branch out of my way, I could not let him catch me. Never. I could never go back to that horrible place. No, not again. Her black eyes drove a scream into the back of my scull as I noticed she had no mouth, the eerie light of an unseen window on her face illuminating her features, revealing every cut and gash in pale flesh, half crying out as I stumbled, I shook my head. Looking back I glanced at those bright white eyes… following, stalking every move I make. Determined to corner me. I could feel his presence. I had to try. I had to run. I wanted this to be enough, by God it had to be.4

~5

She smelled like spring in the dead of winter, her flesh was warm against my cold. She was perfect in my arms, perfect until she screamed, until she ran. I know that I can catch her; I think she knows this too. But still she wants to run; she has to believe that she has a chance. And that I will let her have for only but a moment, then she will be mine again. The wolves, my sons, they watch me at my hunt wanting me to catch her but she stumbles her foot is caught. My one of young, he’s to eager to kill, he rushes toward her…6

~7

I can’t move. My foot is caught in a crevice, between twisted roots and stone. There is a bark to my left; a wolf jumps out of a line of trees and heads for me. I know he means to kill, I can feel it. He comes closer; the Castles’ tall walls were grey with no widows that I could see. He jumps into the air. Strong hands push me through a doorway. I hear myself scream. “Be quiet and breathe.” An inky pool swallows up the wolf, as he lies dead in front of me. Those same strong hands hold me, “Are you alright, love?” Looking in the direction of the voice my eyes find that familiar face. His skin so pale it drives a scream to the back of my throat and his eyes… those same black eyes smile in a hello. 8

~9

“You found me, my love. You found me- you won’t leave me alone. Your shadow floats on the walls and I stare back at it and wonder how long this will go on.”10