MYSTERY BEYONDS
1237 Words
The old van rumbled along the narrow dirt road, headlights slicing through the endless darkness. Baba Alex’s hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his eyes fixed on the winding path ahead. The engine groaned with every climb, every dip, as though the machine itself resisted the journey.
Inside, his family tried to pass the long drive with laughter, whispers, and quiet distractions.
In the backseat, Lily leaned against the window, her face lit faintly by the moon. Next to her, Max tapped on his phone, pretending not to care that she kept glancing at him.
> Lily (teasing): “So, Max, tell me… who’s this girl you’ve been talking to online?”
Max (rolling his eyes): “You don’t know her. And anyway, why do you care?”
Lily (smiling): “Because I don’t want my brother falling for a ghost.”
Max (grinning): “Better a ghost than someone as bossy as you.”
They both laughed, their voices filling the van with a warmth that briefly cut through the unease of the night.
On the other side, Ethan, the youngest, sat on his brother Alex’s lap. He held a tiny toy car in his hands, rolling it across Alex’s arm.
> Alex (softly): “Easy, Ethan… careful. If you drive too fast, it’ll crash.”
Ethan (giggling): “Then you hold it. You’re the best driver.”
Alex chuckled, hugging his little brother close.
Meanwhile, Lucas, quiet and serious, had buried himself in a thick book. His glasses slid down his nose as he turned each page slowly, ignoring the noise around him.
At the front, Isabella leaned toward her husband. Her eyes studied his face in the dim glow of the dashboard.
> Isabella: “You haven’t said a word for miles. What’s troubling you?”
Baba Alex (without looking at her): “It’s just the road. I need to focus.”
Isabella (pressing): “No… it’s something else. Your hands are shaking.”
Baba Alex (quietly): “This place… it holds too many memories.”
Before she could ask more, the forest thickened around them. Strange golden glows flickered between the trees, like distant fireflies moving in patterns. The van grew silent as everyone noticed.
When they finally arrived, the village looked frozen in time. Houses of stone and wood lined the narrow paths. Lanterns flickered in the wind. And the people… they stopped everything they were doing to watch the newcomers.
Their eyes were sharp, suspicious, as if the family didn’t belong. Children peered from behind their mothers’ skirts. Men whispered among themselves.
From the crowd stepped Mzee Van, tall and aged, his beard silver, his eyes carrying both warmth and sorrow.
> Mzee Van (with a strained smile): “Welcome back, Baba Alex. Welcome home.”
The family exchanged nervous glances.
> Max (whispering to Lily): “Why are they staring like that?”
Lily (quietly): “Like we’ve already done something wrong.”
That evening, after a modest meal, Baba Alex sat outside with Mzee Van and his younger brother. The fire burned low, sparks rising into the starless sky. For a while, none of them spoke. Then, finally, Mzee Van broke the silence.
> Mzee Van (gravely): “Alex… your turn has come. Tonight, the circle awaits you.”
Baba Alex’s chest tightened.
> Baba Alex: “My… turn? I don’t understand.”
Mzee Van (sternly): “You will. And you must accept it.”
The words sat heavy in the air, leaving Baba Alex both confused and unsettled.
Long after midnight, Baba Alex awoke suddenly. His chest was tight, his heart racing. Something felt wrong.
He rose quietly, checking on his children. One by one, he saw them sleeping soundly — except for Lily’s bed, which was empty.
His throat tightened. He searched the house, calling her name, his voice rising with every room. But she was gone.
He rushed outside and nearly collided with his younger brother, standing pale under the lantern light.
> Baba Alex (shouting): “Where is she? Where’s my daughter?!”
Brother (hesitant, eyes down): “They’ve taken her… to the Forest of Life.”
Without another word, Baba Alex sprinted into the darkness.
Branches clawed at his arms as he fought his way through the forest. The night air grew thick, pressing against him. The deeper he went, the louder he heard chanting — low, rhythmic, haunting.
The trees opened into a clearing. Torches lined the circle. Shadows danced across the ground.
There, on a stone altar, stood Lily. She wore a white robe, crowned with flowers. Her eyes shimmered with terror as hooded villagers chanted around her.
> Baba Alex (roaring): “LILY!”
He lunged forward, shoving through the circle, striking anyone in his way. Lily stretched her hand out toward him, her voice breaking with fear.
> Lily (screaming): “Dad! Help me!”
He grabbed her hand, but a villager yanked him back.
> Villager (snarling): “She belongs to the sacrifice!”
The mob surged forward. And then — Alex appeared from the shadows, clutching Ethan.
> Alex (urgent): “Dad! It’s not safe — we have to go now!”
Baba Alex pulled Lily free, and the family ran. Torches flared behind them. The chanting turned into furious shouts.
The forest became a blur of shadows and firelight. Feet pounded, branches snapped, hearts thundered.
Then — whish!
An arrow cut through the air and struck Alex in the side. He cried out, stumbling. Ethan screamed as Alex pushed him forward.
> Alex (weakly, clutching his wound): “Dad… take them. Go!”
The mob closed in, dragging Alex back toward the altar. His cries echoed, swallowed by the chanting once more.
Baba Alex clutched Lily and Ethan, pulling them into the night. His heart broke with every step.
Three Years Later
The village lived in uneasy silence. Then one night, a storm rose from the Forest of Life. Winds howled, tearing roofs apart. Darkness spilled into the village like a living wave.
People screamed as unseen shadows dragged them into the void. Blood stained the earth.
Mzee Van, now frail and desperate, turned to his younger brother.
> Mzee Van (terrified): “We were wrong. We sacrificed the wrong one. Tell Baba Alex… tell him they are coming.”
Before he could flee, a monstrous shape lunged from the darkness and slashed him across the chest. Bleeding, he crawled into a van, driving wildly into the night.
He reached Baba Alex’s home hours later.
The engine died. The door creaked open. Mzee Van staggered out, clutching his wound. His hand smeared blood across the front door as he pounded desperately.
Inside, Lucas dropped his book, startled. Ethan hid behind Lily, who pulled him close, whispering not to move. Isabella rushed to the door, but Baba Alex reached it first.
He opened it — and caught Mzee Van as he collapsed into his arms.
> Mzee Van (choking, blood spilling): “They’re coming… for her… for Lily.”
His eyes rolled back. His body went limp.
The house fell into silence.
Outside, the wind rose again, rattling the windows. Shadows stretched across the walls, reaching.
Lily trembled, tears streaming down her cheeks.
> Lily (whispering, then louder, terrified): “Dad… they’re coming… for me!”
The door shuddered violently, as though something immense pressed against it from outside.
The family froze. The night was no longer safe
- Writer
