Season of The Hunt- Chapter 3

                                                               Taboo 


“I never wanted to come here in the first place!” roared Iris, as she burst into her substitute bedroom in a wild rage, slamming the door behind her with such vigour the fragile cottage seemed to tremor in fear. Tears began to drown her eyes as she leant against the wall. Iris released a pitiful sob as she slid down to the ground; where she sat hugging her legs to her chest, her head buried within her knees. And there Iris cried, all alone, in the dark unfamiliar room.
  
  Iris and her aunt did not get off to the best of starts. Bella’s effectively schizophrenic behaviour can appear uncouth to many, Iris included. At first her aunt appeared nice enough, just an innocent old lady living in a cottage in the woods by herself. But, with a mention of that picture, her façade soon liquefied…
   
   As Bella hauled Iris over her threshold, an assault of flowery aromas bombarded her senses. The concoction seemed spicy, sweet and fresh all at once; the fragrance tickling Iris’s nose as she inhaled the intoxicating air. It was obvious why the atmosphere was so alive with the floral scents, for everywhere Iris looked were plants of all colours and varieties: roses of every colour potted around the tables, vines with purple and yellow flowers crawled their way around the beams of the cottage, large bush like plants were placed in the corners of the room, all species of plant you could imagine occupied the small house. “Wow!” breathed Iris as she surveyed the area. 
    Apart from the dense forest which filled interior, the cottage looked just as cosy on the inside as it did from the out. To Iris’s left was a small living room: a log fire burned at the back of the room, casting its smouldering red light and warmth throughout the base of the cottage. Iris counted three arm chairs and a rocking chair in front of the fireplace, with a well-worn circular rug in the centre. To her right was an equally small kitchen and dining room. A compact wood burning stove was seen to be stationed there, with a few shelves, working counters, sink, cooling cupboard and a dining table with four chairs surrounding it. It was clear that Bella had eluded the technical advances of electricity and heating, but that added to the charm of the property. Installing industrial amenities would have destroyed the comfortable, rural ambiance.       
    Directly opposite Iris was a staircase, cutting through the centre of the cottage, dividing the living room and kitchen. Bella floated over to the stairs and extended her arm out towards the banister. Tanis slipped off Bella’s arm and twisted her way along the wood. “Welcome to my humble home Iris, I hope you like plants as much as I do! Otherwise you might find the next two weeks rather uncomfortable,” chuckled her aunt. “Unfortunately I have no television or phone, but I’m sure you can survive two weeks without them.”
“What! No tele or phone?!” exclaimed Iris, discussed at the notion of being cut off from modern civilisation for two weeks. “How am I supposed to live in this place without some entertainment?”
“I would thank you not to insult my life style if you please,” rebuked Bella. “Society and I do not exactly get on, so why should I grace it by becoming another zombie glued to a screen for hours upon end? People waste their lives in front of the television; they become so blind that reality and fiction become blurred.  The world is a wonderful place Iris; if you just open your eyes for once in your life I am sure you would be surprised at what you will discover. Now, would you like a cup of tea dear?” Bella’s tone seemed to shift from stern to placid in a matter of words. It was as if she was endeavouring to suppress an inner rage buried deep within her.

    Iris walked around the living room, occupying herself while her aunt was making the tea. The red glow of the fire gently kissed the walls of the room, creating fading shadows dripping onto the floor.  The mixture of the heat and low light made Iris sleepy as she inspected the photographs decorating the walls. Every one of the pictures were constructed of black and white film, reflecting their age. Mostly the photographs were of plants or woodland. “The woman is obsessed!” whispered Iris under her breath. 
    As Iris fleetingly glanced at the field of film, one odd picture caught her eye in particular. It was small portrait, rectangular in shape; strangely, the only print to have people as the subject, rather than foliage. Five people posed in the photograph, positioned with two small girls at the front, a man and a woman behind and to the side of either girl, and another woman in the middle at the very back. The image gave the impression of a family portrait; everyone looked happy, with their beaming grins animating the scene. Iris inspected the photograph closer, when she realised who one of subjects were; for the woman placed at the back to the middle resembled her aunt Bella! At shallow exploration, Iris did not detect her aunt in the photograph, as her youth disguised her identity,  but the factor which concreted Iris’s speculation was the snake looped around Bella’s arm. Only her aunt would carry around a snake with her at all times! Her face was smooth and youthful. Life seemed to overflow from her features, with a smile so wide that it drowned out all others.
    Another oddity which Iris spied was that all the other people in the photo seemed to have an animal with them also. The girl in the front left had a small puppy in her arms, the girl next to her -seemingly twins as they looked so alike- had a ferret curled around her shoulders, the woman on the left was cradling a spider, whilst the man on the right had a petit sparrow perched on top of his shoulder. It was indeed an unusual capturing of events! 

    Bella floated silently into the room, laden with a tray containing a tea pot, two cups and some oat biscuits; everywhere Bella walked, she looked as if to glide above the ground with incredible ease, silent as the clouds drifting across the sky. 
    Her features winced at the sight of Iris viewing the peculiar picture. Iris turned around at the sound of her aunt placing the tray down, seemingly unaware of her aunt’s entrance prior. Iris asked, “Aunt Bella, who is in this picture?” Bella continued to prepare the beverage, ostensibly evading the question. 
“Oh that old thing? Just something I found in the attic when I moved in here. It looked nice so I thought I would keep it.”    
“But isn't that you in the picture? I mean, that snake looks like Tanis,” pursued Iris.
“No, don’t be silly! There is many a snake that looks like Tanis. She isn't the only snake of her species in the world!”
Iris could sense her aunt was attempting to conceal something, “But the woman does look like you… Your keeping something from me, aren't you?”
Bella’s face darkened, “There are some things that people do not want to share Iris, it is best not to go on about it-“
“But I want to know! I'm not a little kid any more  Tell me now!” Iris began to revert back to an immature state: she crossed her arms in a defensive position and stamped her feet in the ground. 
“Listen child,” Bella ceased in preparing the tea and drifted over to Iris, her voice deepening with a mixture of annoyance and anger. “If I do not wish to tell you something I won’t. You may think you are old enough to understand the complexities of the world but you are very, very wrong. You may think that you are no longer a child, but you are. And if you think that by throwing a tantrum you will get your own way, you are severely wrong. Now sit down, drink your tea and we will not discuss this topic any longer.” 
Iris’s face flared into a burning red, “How dare you talk to me like that you stupid old woman! No one ever talks to me like that! Now tell me about the picture, now!” Something shattered deep within Bella. The rage she controlled previous was now boiling into an overbearing force, easily defeating the strongest of wills. Her gentle, calm nature was now consumed by pure fury. She raised her hand and slapped Iris around her left cheek; the sound of the contact echoing throughout the cottage. As soon as Bella’s hand met with Iris’s cheek the rage within Bella seemed to dissolve instantly, leaving regret in its wake. “I'm so sorry!” whispered Bella, shocked at her own actions. Iris looked back at her aunt in utter reverence. She never thought that Bella would be capable of such actions! The timid, floaty woman that Iris once knew was no more. Here stood authority and challenge to the immature Juvenal. Iris pushed past her aunt, fleeing upstairs to find sanctuary. “Dear, I'm sorry!” bellowed Bella after Iris. 

    Iris continued her weeping for many minutes. No one- apart from her mother- had ever dared to talk to Iris in such a manner, let alone hit her! Iris felt entirely alone in the cottage. She had attempted to contact Naomi, but her efforts failed when she realised that there was not mobile reception in which to send a message or call. 
    Iris was so engrossed within her misery that she did not even notice the cat which stood on the windowsill. The window to Iris’s room had been left wide open, allowing the animal to enter the cottage with ease. It was probably disturbed by Iris’s din and wanted to see the source of the wailing. 
    It was a majestic creature standing pound upon the windowsill. Its short white fur shimmered in the pale light of the moon. It had a muscular body, with a thin tail that flicked back and forth as if annoyed. Its eyes were spellbinding, glistening yellow; like two candles flickering in the night. But the most prominent feature of the cat was its markings. The creature was almost completely white, apart from the strange black line that commenced in between its ears, and continued in a straight line, discontinuing at its nose. It was like an odd kind of birth mark.   
    The cat stood staring at Iris for a while, as if it was conjuring a plot. After a few minutes, it leapt off the windowsill and landed elegantly upon the bed. It stooped frozen, its tail erect, waiting to see if Iris had detected the cat’s movements. Satisfied that she had not, the cat slickly jumped off the bed, landing next to the crying girl. Again, Iris failed to notice the cat! The animal looked to shake its head in amazement; as if to say: "how can one human be so oblivious!" The cat walked around Iris and brushed its tail along her leg. Iris lifted her head, startled. “Oh! I didn't know Bella had a cat as well! Hello there kitty. You come to keep me company?” The cat did not respond, and just sat on the floor inspecting Iris. “You’re a strange looking thing aren't you? All white then that one streak of black?” Iris stretched out her hand to stroke the cats head. But just like her aunt, the cat seemed to transpire into a fit of anger. Before Iris touched the animal it hissed in displeasure, bearing its sharp fangs. It then scratched Iris’s hand away before leaping off the floor, onto the bed and out of the window, disappearing into the dark. Iris sat bewildered; unsure of the event that just transpired. She looked down at her hand to find her knuckles bleeding from the cat’s assault. It stung greatly as the blood exuded from the wound. 
    Iris arose from the floor and walked over to the window from where the cat made its departure. A slight refreshing breeze nipped at her face as she gazed out into the world: the moon floated brilliantly in the middle of the blackened sky; its silver radiance casting a mystifying spell over the forest below. The expanse was unspoilt be any clouds, allowing the moon to shine unhindered.  To the left of Iris sat New Bud village. A few lights still remained, shining like stars. The village’s serene atmosphere calmed Iris as she shut the window.  

Season of The Hunt- Chapter 2

                          The Aunt with The Snake

    “… And in other news, a woman has been found dead in her home today in the small village of Treston. The woman, who has been named as Sarah Higgins, was found by her close friend Mary Sheller who was scheduled to meet Miss Higgins for breakfast. Miss Higgins was found in her spare room with a singular stab wound to her chest. Strangely, a dead fox was also reported at the murder scene, with similar wounds to that of Miss Higgins. The police are suspecting that this was a failed attempt of a robbery; believing that when Miss Higgins approached the intruders, they attacked her then fled the scene.  Miss Sheller commented to us saying that: Sarah was a charming woman; I have known her for years. It came as a complete shock that such a thing could happen in this small village! Sarah was a good personvthat wouldn’t even hurt a fly! She will be severely missed by all the villagers.

    When asked about the mysterious fox amongst the murder scene, Miss Sheller stated: I have no idea why a fox was in that room. Maybe it got in the house after the robbers entered, and got stabbed in the process? The police are treating the case as suspicious.

    And lastly, a major wild fire broke out last night in the Silent Oak forest. The fire was reported at three in the morning, and has destroyed forty per cent of the area. The fire service is still battling to get the flames under control.

    That is all from us here at the news centre for Live FM, now back to Tony Keller for your drive time music. Thank you for listening, goodbye…”

    “Shame about the forest isn’t it?” commented a woman, attempting to be heard over the whirr of the engine and music from the radio.

“I know!” responded a man. “I remember going there as a kid. What do you think, Iris?”

The man was addressing a girl in the back seat of the car. She gazed longingly into the sky, tracking the passing clouds as they drifted across the blue expanse; seemingly avoidant at the attempt of a conversation. “Hmm…” she contemplated. “Yeah, a shame,” was her half endeavoured reply. Iris retracted herself again from the world, immersing herself within the sky.

    Iris’s attention was finally drawn when she detected a sound from her bag. She retrieved the carrier and withdrew her mobile phone from its interior. Iris scanned the device with her deep ivory eyes, lit with intrigue and excitement.

    Hey hey girlfriend, it read. Cant believe ur gonna b away 4 the whole of the spring hols. Y ur parents wouldnt let u stay round mine I dont no. Ah well, hope u have a gd time. Txt me wen ur back so we can have a gossip of wot appened. Naomi xxxx

    Iris finished reading the message, and then commenced in typing her response:

OMG! I no! Stupid parents! They let me stay round urs all the time, why is dis time anydifferent? And they r making me stay round my aunts house! She is sooooooo weird! Yeah ill txt u wen my parents save me from her lol! Hope u have a gd time without me.  Luv u lots! Irisxxxxxxx

She pressed the send button, transporting the message into virtual space.

    Iris huffed in frustration and placed her mobile phone back into her bag, then continued to stare into the sky, imagining she was anywhere but in a car on her way to her Aunt’s house.

“Why do I have to go to Aunt Bella’s house? Couldn’t I have just stayed at Naomi’s? I’ve stayed over loads of times,” protested Iris.

Her mother turned around with a look of annoyance, it was clear that this was not the first time Iris had disputed against the matter.

    Iris’s mother was a fair woman. Her lengthy blond hair matched that of her daughters; with the exception that Iris left hers straightened and free flowing, while her mother’s hair was secured in a constricted plat. Small wrinkles appeared in the corner of her mother’s eyes, cracking her near blemish free skin; natures grasp beginning to show. Iris’s skin, on the other hand, was smooth and juvenile; her rosy cheeks lightened her face, leaving it with the luminous glow of childhood. Apart from the age difference, Iris and her mother practically mirrored each other. Many a time had they been mistaken for sisters; complementary for her mother, but embarrassing for Iris.

 “How many times do we have to go over this?” her mother’s tone verging on stern. “We have to go to this training holiday; otherwise we may lose our jobs!”

    Iris’s parents were both GPs in their local NHS practice. Their hospital had been receiving multiple complaints over the last six months, regarding poor service and communication. As a result, the managing directors saw fit that they had to travel three hundred and twenty three miles to a training camp for two weeks to improve on their performance. If not, then they would be replaced.

    Her mother continued, “Your father and I do not wish for you to stay with Naomi and her family for three reasons. One, we couldn’t possibly burden Naomi’s parents with looking after the both of you for two weeks; it just isn’t fair on them. Two, you need to study for your GCSEs, and I don’t think that you will while Naomi is around. And three, when was the last time you saw your Great Aunt? She’s the only family member left on my side, and it would be a shame if we lost touch with her-”

“There is a good reason why I haven’t spent time with her!” retorted Iris.

Her father responded this time, sensing his wife’s accumulating rage, “Look honey, we know that she may be a little… unorthodox, but your mother is right. It will be good to spend some time with her. Anyway, it gives you plenty of opportunity to do your revision.” Her father peered into the wing mirror to confirm that Iris was heeding his words. Iris made eye contact for a split second, before turning away to the window in a stroppy fashion.

    Her father, unlike her mother, could not have been more different to his daughter than if she had been adopted! His dazzling blue eyes contrasted with Iris’s deep ivory pupils. His hair was abyss black and cut short, while his skin was wearing and tired. He discontinued his glare of authority at Iris and sustained in driving to their destination, despite Iris’s objection.

    The journey wound on with Iris staging a silent protest for the rest of its duration. Gradually, the vibrant blue sky begun to succumb to night’s eventual arrival, transforming orange with resistance. Clouds began to congregate slowly across the atmosphere; servants to the dark’s empire. The once serene sky now raged with red disobedience; reluctant to surrender to the sinister night. Silhouetted birds flew across the horizon, looking to escape the inevitable seizure of the sun.

    The trio had been driving on the motorway for three hours now without any break, all were agitated and uncomfortable. At last, some relief was found when a sign for New Bud Village appeared at the side of the road. “Not long now,” reassured Iris’s father, as he turned into an off road.

     A few moments later and tarmac turned to gravel as the expedition neared its destination. The concrete, lifeless surroundings seemed to merge with trees and grass until the car was submergedin dense forest. The roar of traffic faded into the distance as they proceeded into the great hall of trees. Steadily, the vehicle decreased in speed, then grounded to a halt adjacent to a winding path, leading into the clutches of nature. Iris looked around puzzled, “Why have we stopped? I can’t see Bella’s house.”

Iris’s mother turned around to face her daughter,“Oh! I forgot that you haven’t been to Bella’s house before! She lives in the outskirts of the New Bud village, just on the fringes of the forest. Unfortunately, we can’t take the car through the forest, the trees are too close together-“

“You mean I have to walk?!” exploded Iris, outraged at the scheme. She sat back in her seat and folded her arms. “There is no way that I am walking through that!”

“Well you have no choice!” Iris’s mother had tolerated her veto for the entirety of the journey; she had just about reached breaking point. “You are getting out of this car this instant and going to your Great Aunt’s house, whether you like it or not. I haven’t got the slightest clue why you have been acting so defiant lately, young lady, but it will not continue! Your father and I work had to put food on our table, clothe you and make sure you are well, and what do you give us in return? Grief! Well I am not taking it any longer, whether your father agrees with me or not. Get out of this car now, and walk down that path until you come to Bella’s house, it should only take fifteen minutes or so. And while you are there you can get a new attitude. Or don’t bother coming back!”

 Iris looked as if someone had slapped her in the face: tears began to collect in the corners her eyes and her face burned red. Before she broke down in front of her parents, she forced open the door, grabbed her bag and ran outside. She slammednshut the door and stood facing her father through the window. He mouthed the words “I’m sorry” with a look of remorse and drove off, leaving a puff of exhaust in their wake.

     Iris had always been a ‘daddy’s girl’. She and her mother had never really seen eye to eye for as long as she could remember. Everything that Iris did never seemed good enough in her mother’s opinion. If Iris came home from school with an A in a test, her mother would look unsatisfied and say, “I want full marks next time.” Even when Iris played the lead role in the school’s Christmas production, her mother would criticise her acting, saying how she could improve. Never a well done or congratulations. Just, “You could do better.” Her father, on the other hand, had a kind and forgiving soul. He would always defend Iris and let her do what she wanted. But what Iris really craved for was her mother’s approval. Just for her to saysomething as little as, “Well done Iris.”

    Iris stood amongst the trees, deserted and enraged. The sound of her parents driving away soon melted into the distance, swallowed by the forest. Night was gaining rapidly upon the earth; soon Iris would be submerged in darkness, alone.

    A cool breeze drifted through the woodland, whispering the trees secret language. Iris wrapped her arms around her body, attempting to warn off the chilling grip. If she had known that she would be trekking through a dense forest, Iris may not have worn a dress and heels. Like a fish in a desert, she felt silly standing there in the inadequate attire. 

    Iris wiped the tears out of her eyes, fixed her hair then picked up her bag. She turned towards the path leading into the maze of foliage and commenced her ramble. Her heels sank into the soggy growth as she walked, making the voyage additionally difficult. As Iris ambled through the forest, the trees seemed to reach out to seize her, bending to the forces of the wind; her dress waved around her legs and hair fluttered around her head.

    Thevbirds commenced in chirping their twilight symphony, saluting the end ofanother day, it was a sorrowful song, as if the birds were pleading for the sunnto remain. The serenity of the forest was unnerving for Iris. She was used to concrete and noise. Not trees and bird song. “I am never going to another forest as long as I live,” Iris murmured to herself.

    Then, slowly out of the corner of her eyesight, something moved. It was like a shadow, slipping in and out of existence for seconds at time. Iris chose to ignore it, after all, she was in a forest and there were bound to be animals living there. She was the intruder in their homes. They have the right to inspect her if they wished. She saw the shadow again. It was too big to be a woodland animal. Iris looked left and right. A wave of panic set upon her. She increased her walking pace;

Bella’s house can’t be far Iris thought. Snap!Something had broken a twig behind her. Iris stopped, her legs froze in terror. Every inch of her being was screaming at her to move, but she could not. Fear had control over Iris, and it refused to release her from its claws. She could feel warm breath upon the back of her neck, heard the sound of heavy breathing. Iris closed her eyes gently, inhaled then pivoted speedily, lashing out her left arm with her hand moulded into a fist.

“Ah!” shouted a boy. “Bloody hell! What did you do that for?!” Iris opened her eyes to find a teenage boy lying on the floor clutching his right cheek.

“I’m so sorry!” Iris apologised. “I thought you were-“

“Were what? A stalker, murderer?”

“Well, yes actually!” The boy chuckled and stood up while patting himself down. He appeared to be about sixteen years of age, and apart from the red mark beginning to spread across his face, he was a good looking lad. His eyes immediately ensnared Iris. Two pools of royal blue occupied his pupils. The colour was mesmerising; look too deep and Iris found herself falling into his gaze, trapped within the blue lustre. The boy had long black hair, fashioned with a fringe finishing just above his brow, which swept across his forehead. His face was spotless, a rarity amongst the teenage society. The youth had a well-defined jaw line, sculpting a handsome face shape.  Iris began to feel her cheeks scorching, and her palms becoming damp with sweat. 

“I’m sorry if I scared you, I saw you walking through the forest and I thought I would see if you were lost. Haven’t seen you around here before. Don’t get many visitors to New Bud village. And I would have remembered a face like yours.” Iris’s face now radiated red. She fixed her fringe, attempting to appear calm and collected; when in reality, she was melting inside.

“Well thank you for your concern. But I’m just on my way to my aunt’s house.”

“Bella by any chance? Well, no one else lives out here. My, you have one… interesting aunt there.”

Iris rolled her eyes, “Tell me about it! Oh, how silly of me! I haven’t even told you my name. I’m Iris, Iris Everhart.”

“Well hello Iris, my name is Keiran Conall, pleased to meet you. I won’t keep you for any longer, looks like it’s about to get dark, and you wouldn’t want to be here at night. And don’t worry about the bruise that’s sure to come, it will go eventually. Anyway, not many people can knock me on the floor like that!” he began to chuckle again. “I’m sure we will meet again.” And with that Keiran turned around and started to walk away. “Oh! By the way! I like the perfume you’re wearing. It’s really nice!” With that he disappeared amongst the trees.

“I'm not wearing any perfume,” breathed Iris, fastened on the spot, swept by awe. The conversation only lasted for a few moments, but to Iris, she felt as if time had stopped when she laid her eyes upon Keiran.

Is this what love at first sight feels like? questioned Iris mentally. She shook her head, struggling to release herself from the romantic trance.

 

  Eventually, Iris continued on her way, occasionally looking behind her to see if Keiran was there.

As she continued through the forest the ever Increasing scent of smoke began to choke the atmosphere, and single white plume could be seen climbing over the tree tops. Iris had been walking for about twenty minutes now, and the sight of human activity supplied a spurt of energy. The trees began to thin out, and soon her aunt’s cottage came into view.

    It was a modest abode which was set in a clearing of the forest, perched on top of a hill overlooking the tiny village of New Bud. The cottage looked like it had been plucked out of a fairy tale. It had a thatched roof placed upon its body, looking barely strong enough to fend off a faint breeze. The amount of windows on the first floor indicated that it had only two bedrooms; and the base looked equally as small. Surrounding the perimeter of the property was a little white fence, with a gate opposite the front door. Within the protection of the fence were patches of plants and what appeared to be vegetables dotted around the land. All in all, the cottage looked cozy and friendly, some what different to what Iris was imagining.

     Outside the front gate stood an elderly woman. Her long white hair was platted and placed over her left shoulder. She seemed to be garbed in a green dress, with an emerald ivy pattern winding up from the base. If she stood still long enough, she could probably have passed for a tree! Her face did not look old, but the wrinkles calved upon her skinvsuggested otherwise; a testament for all the years she has been upon the Earth. The woman looked wise, as if she had many stories to tell about the planet. And there it was… Upon her left arm. The one thing that Iris never understood, or liked about her aunt… That snake. It constricted up her arm, from her wrist to her shoulder. Its colour was most peculiar: it was constructed of both red and purple lines that spiraled up its body; both menacing and beautiful to behold. It had a small head, and beady little black eyes. The serpent flicked its tongue in and out, testing the air. It could sense Iris approaching.

    “My dear! Hello!” hollered Bella cheerfully, while waving over enthusiastically. Iris waved back out of politeness, and attempted not to look too much like she did not want to be there.

    Iris just reached the gate before being pounced upon by her aunt, who imprisoned her in a massive embrace. “It’s been far too long Iris! I’m so glad that you are spending the holidays with me! We have so much to catch up on and do!” Due to the hug, Iris had found herself face to face with the snake. She jumped back in surprise and terror. “Oh don’t mind Tanis! She wouldn’t hurt anyone! Well… Not unless I tell her to!” Bella exploded into a fit of laughter, then ceased abruptly, “Come inside my dear, you must be tired from your long journey. Would you like a cup of tea?” Before iris could respond to the question, Bella was dragging her into the cottage, Iris just about keeping up with her. The door to the home slammed shut, signaling for the birds to continue with their evening concert.   

Season of The Hunt- Chapter 1

                                                             The Season Begins

      Night descended ominously upon the sleepy village, its cold embrace extinguishing all of the early summer warmth from the atmosphere. The street lamps began to flicker to life, warning off the night’s perpetual darkness; pale pools of yellow rained onto the pavement, drenching the cold surface with its warming light.

    The inhabitants of the village began to react to the night’s arrival: one by one, they shut their curtains and turned on their lights. The area was now completely silent and empty, submerged within the black veil. Not a whisper breathed through the air, not a movement disturbed the tranquil setting…

    Time flowed through its never ending cycle; with midnight eventually gracing the world once again. Slowly, a silhouetted figure slipped out from underneath the shadow of a house, as if signalled by midnight’s arrival. It appeared to cautiously survey the area, seeking for any signs of life. With caution, it seeped out from the protection of the shadow and made its advance through the village. The figure did not waver from its path, always walking in a straight line. It was clear that it knew where it was going.

    The body passed under a street lamp, its form revealed for just a short moment. Yet, nothing could be gleaned from the quick unveiling; for the body was draped in a black hooded cloak, concealing its identity. It swiftly moved away from the exposing light, and was once more absorbed into the inky blackness.

    A few moments later, and the figure had reached its destination: a small detached house on the far side of the village. It stopped at the front door, the wooden barrier the only obstacle preventing the body from entering the property. The figure looked up at the building, its face consumed by darkness. Only a faint flickering glow emitted from a second floor window of the house, unlike the other houses; whose harsh artificial lights radiated from behind their curtains. The body produced a hand from underneath its cloak and reached for the door. Unexpectedly, after a gentle push, the door gradually swayed inwards with a soft creak. The figure’s eyes flashed with malice from under its cowl as it glided inside the building, the door shutting behind him leaving the void night once more vacant.

    The house was dark and still. The body’s breathing began to quicken, the thumping of its heart beat filled its ears. The silence was deafening. The darkness overwhelming.

    The body looked up at the flight of stairs leading to the second floor; the soft glow of light gently illuminating the top of the staircase, tickling the darkness that devoured the house with its limitless greed. Then, Bang! The figure turned its head to the direction of the clamour. Someone was in the next room.

    Floating through the adjacent door, the body ventured into the shadowy outlines of what appeared to be a kitchen. It hurried across the room hastily, seeking for the source of the noise. Finding itself alone, the figure advanced through another door, this time leading into a deserted living room.  

    The living room was just as desolate as the kitchen; the only occupancy of the room being the shadows which hung in the dim atmosphere. The figure was about to make its departure when something caught its attention. It stopped in the middle of the area. A soft tiptoe sound could be heard from inside the kitchen.  It started to grow louder. The door of the living room creaked open slowly. It gradually gained upon the figures position. Then, they stopped. Something brushed passed the base of its cloak. Sweat streamed from under its hood as the figures pulse quickened in pace, coursing adrenaline through its veins.  It inhaled deeply. The figure spun round in one fast, liquid motion and pulled out something sharp from under its cloak. Nothing. The body looked around frantically in all directions anticipating an attack. But, nothing. It breathed a sigh of relief, mopping its concealed brow. The body gathered its composure and exited the room, not prepared to wait for what orchestrated the sound.

    Content that the base of the house was empty, the figure returned to the front of the building. It looked up at the stairs again, preparing itself for the accent. With gentle movements, the body reached the landing quickly; attempting not to make the wood creak with agony, signalling its intrusion. A weak light caressed the floor; intensifying the further it travelled to the end of the landing. The figure followed the light and stopped at the slightly ajar door in which the light was leaking from. It took in a deep breath and with a shaking hand, gasped hold of the doorknob.

“You may enter,” commanded a confident, female voice. The figure jumped back in surprise. It clearly was not expecting an invitation. “Do I have to ask you again?” The body did not require another request, and passed through the door into the light.

    The heat and light of candles bombarded the body as it entered the room. It took a while for its eyes to adjust from the darkness it had left behind.

“So, the season has arrived again?” questioned a woman, sitting cross legged in the middle of the room with her back to the door, surrounded by a circle of candles. Her long black hair flowed down her back like a river would flow down the face of a mountain. She wore what appeared to be red robes, with a white sash tied around her waist. Her eyes were closed, as if she was meditating.

“My! How quick the last year has flown!” she said to herself. “I knew that you would be coming for me tonight, hence why the door was left unlocked. No use destroying my house is there? After all, it cost enough!”

“You know I have to kill you, don’t you?” stuttered the newly revealed male.

“Well you didn’t come here to play a game of chess did you?” jested the woman in a sarcastic tone. The male moved away from the door, and carefully made his way around the circle to face his target.

“Let me guess… About twelve I would say?”

“I’m fourteen!” growled the boy.

“Ah! I apologise, guessing age was never my strong suit. Now if you would be so kind, I’d rather see the face of my supposed assassin.”

With her request the boy lifted the hood of his cloak. His face was pale and sickly, maybe from illness, but most likely from fear. His skin was dabbled in a few spots, reflecting his teenage youth. The most striking feature though was his eyes- black and soulless like miniature voids of darkness; it was as if all the life in his being had been drained.

The woman opened her eyes in response, and the two met and were enthralled by each other’s stare. Unlike the boy’s, the woman had dark brown eyes, burning almost as intensely as the candles which enclosed her.

“You don’t have to do this,” the woman argued.

“But I have to. Once I have killed you my initiation will be complete. Then I can go out into the world and hunt your kind to extinction! ”

“By killing me you will only be harming the planet-“

“By killing you I will be saving our planet!” interrupted the boy.

The woman shook her head slowly, and stood up. “I do not agree with harming children, but if I am to defend our world, then so be it! Arm yourself child. Let us see how good your training has been!”

The boy drew out two long knives from under his cloak, the metal shimmering in the candles blazing flare.

“It’s been good enough to kill a monster like you!” Before the boy even finished his sentence, he commenced in charging at the woman, the knives directed towards her chest. He moved swiftly, which came to the woman’s surprise; for he looked scarcely well enough to walk a few feet. But, before the boy could even reach the circle of candles, a dog shaped animal jumped in front of him, preventing admission to the woman.

“Ignis! What time do you call this?” scolded the woman.

“It is called the element of surprise! Do not fret; I have been tracking this pitiful excuse for a hunter ever since he entered the village.” The added voice appeared to come from the direction of the animal!

“Well you are here now, and I would be very grateful for some assistance.”

The animal bared it fangs and claws, “My pleasure.” With a vicious bark the animal leapt at the boy, knocking him onto his back. It stood on his chest, attempting to maul the boy’s throat. Again, the pale faced youth astonished his targets with his speed, and rapidly placed his knives in front of his throat in defence. The animal only managed to succeed in gnawing on the metal weapons. The two struggled on the floor, giving the boy the chance to identify the creature. Its slender shape, bushy tail and orange fur gave the indication that the doggish shaped animal was indeed a fox!

Eventually, the fox released its clamp upon the knives and jumped into the circle of candles, landing next to the woman.

“My turn I think.” The woman closed her eyes and extended one of her arms, her fingers outstretched. The candle in front of her appeared to respond to her action. The flame began to flicker. All of a sudden, the fire started to move! Like a serpent, it slithered off the candle wick and floated towards the woman. It reached her fingers and slipped onto her hand, spiralling up her arm, there it stopped and seemed to rest. She opened her eyes, and a sly smile stretched across her lips. The woman thrust her arm in the direction of the boy. The inferno flew off her body and smashed into the attacker. He catapulted across the room, and landed against the far wall.

“Is that all you got? To be honest, I expected more,” the woman mocked.

“Oh there is more!” The voice came from behind the woman!  She turned around; the boy was standing just outside circle of candles, uninjured!  An expression of fear contorted her face.

“I didn’t expect you to fool for a trick like that!” the boy smirked.

The woman looked back at where the boy had supposedly landed. To her dismay she had only managed to scorch the wall with her assault.   

“I think I underestimated you, to learn a skill at such a young age should be applauded! But be sure, I will not fall for it again!” The woman closed her eyes again and inhaled. She exhaled heavily, and as she did, the flames grew to the height of the ceiling. She drove her arms towards the ground.  All at once, flames were discharged in every direction around the room; the once tranquil house now rampant with the sound of fire ripping through the atmosphere, the air shimmering with the intensity of the heat.  The boy ran around the circle, warping his body to evade the streams of fire. This time he was not fast enough. A surge of heat rippled through his body, his whole being undulating with pain. A torrent of fire had crashed into his back causing him to plummet to the ground, where he lay convulsing with heated agony. This time she was certain it was boy she had struck. The woman strode over to the child, the flames now rotating around the two like a blazing cage.  She knelt down on one knee and whispered into his ear, “I’m sorry I had to do this.” The boy looked up into the woman’s burning eyes, and began to laugh.

“You don’t need to be sorry!” In one fluid motion the boy pushed himself up and threw one of his knives into the direction of the fox, which stood unprotected at the adjacent side of the room. The woman gasped, realising her puerile mistake. The knife slid through the fox’s flesh with incredible ease; with a force so strong that it knocked the animal back, pinning it to the wall. Its limbs wilted as it hung motionless on the wall like a taxidermy prize, blood oozing to the floor. The spiral of flames surrounding the woman and boy dissipated out of existence. The woman collapsed to her knees, clutching her throat, gasping for air. The boy knelt down and whispered into the woman’s ear, “Is that all you got? To be honest, I expected more!” The woman’s eyes widened. Her face drained of all colour. The boy stood back as the woman dropped to the floor with a deathly thud. A knife protruded out of her chest; blood beginning to spread across her red robes.

    The boy stood shaking over the corpse. He let out a terrible laugh which reverberated throughout the house. He had completed his task. He was now one of them…

     The boy knelt over the body and dragged out his knife, wiping the gore onto his cloak. He repeated the action with the fox, the animal’s body plummeting to the floor, landing in its self-produced pool of blood. He went to leave the room, but before he made his exit, the boy turned to admire his achievement:  amber liquid saturated to floor, the stench of blood clogging the air. The walls and roof were charred, and two corpses lay silently upon the ground. With a beaming grin, the boy replaced his hood, and left the yet again dark and still house.