A LIFE UNSEEN

THE DARKNESS

The forbidden forest was terrifying, just as Annabelle had heard and imagined.

The trees seemed to be staring and watching her every move.

Annabelle walked quietly in fear, her heart racing with every step.

The shadows of the forest were intimidating, and she held onto each breath she took, trying to stay steady.

The stories she had heard and the people who had never returned when banished into the forest echoed in her mind.

She wasn't sure she would survive, but she was determined to continue, as she vowed never to return to Gassel until she was ready for justice.

Gracie's cruelty and Rufus's betrayal had made her desperate and inconsiderate of her well-being.

She continued deeper into the forest, and the darkness seemed to swallow her whole.

She got distracted by her thoughts and missed a step.

She became unconscious of what was before her and stumbled into a hole.

Annabelle regained consciousness, realising she was trapped.

A bad smell filled the air, and she turned around to see human skeletons.

She was scared and panicked, but she tried to stay calm.

She could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

The walls of the hole were slippery, making it difficult to climb out without aid.

She searched around for anything that could help but found nothing.

She gave up, realising the human bones were in the hole because the people never found a way out.

She sobbed quietly, awaiting her death.

"It's better I died in the forbidden forest than in Gracie's hands," she thought, tears streaming down her face.

"I'm sorry, Father; I'll have to join you."

Suddenly, she heard voices from above and had a little hope.

She screamed for help, not concerned about the harm she may encounter.

Instead of getting a response, she overheard laughter.

The voices were mocking her, and she realised the forest was indeed alive.

The trees kept laughing and mocking her voice, repeatedly screaming like her.

Annabelle became even more scared and terrified.

She covered her ears with her hands to limit the voices, but the laughter persisted.

She pressed herself against the wall and trembled.

One of the skeletons became alive and started dancing.

She couldn't endure any longer, and before she could realise what was happening, she fainted.

Then, the roots from one of the trees began to move, sneaking their way into the hole.

They wrapped around her legs and body, lifting her out of the hole.

********†*******†************†

“ Mother, where did you go?” Amira asked, as Gracie walked into the house. Gracie didn't look happy, she returned her coat to its hanger and sat on the wooden chair.

Amira got even worried at her silence and said, “ Are you thinking of Annabelle? She must be facing her doom right now. Please let's stay happy, this is what I've always wanted. You don’t have to be a sad mother, because your daughter is happy now.” she said, desperate to lift her mother's spirit.

Gracie looked at Amira with a weary expression. “ Amira, I really don't know how to tell you this.” Gracie said, with her voice lighter than usual. Amira's excitement dimed.

The suspense was getting the best of her. She held her mother by the hands and gave the assuring look, that she would take any information she shared without hurt.

“ There's something about Annabelle, we can't change and she may survive the forest. I just returned from my visit to the witch. She spoke about her destiny.” Gracie said, confused.

Amira frowned, as she still couldn't get happiness from Annabelle's departure. “ I started all this mother, trust me, Annabelle won't make it out. She's gone forever.” Amira said.

Gracie shook her head slowly and said. “ You still underestimate her, Amira, if Annabelle survives, she'll be strong and may come back to challenge us. Gracie said.

Amira's confidence wavered. “ Mother, I know you better than anyone, you always find a way. Please rest, and in the morning, we'll get things right.” Amira said.

Gracie's eyes hardened, she gained confidence in Amira's words. “ You're right Amira, by the time she returns, we will be prepared for her. It doesn't matter what the witch says, we always find a way. I'm happy and proud to have a smart girl like you, my child. I can never regret the day you were born. You're special to me Amira and I just want you to be happy” Gracie said, feeling relieved.

Emotions made the atmosphere thick as Amira was touched by her mother's words. She moved closer to Gracie and leaned on her shoulders, with a smile.

“ I'm lucky to have a mother like you too, thank you for everything.”Amira said, holding her mother's hands. “ You should go to bed, it's late.” Gracie replied.

She let go of Amira’s hands and assured she didn't doubt their strength. “Before or when Annabelle returns, she shall meet her doom.” Gracie said.

She got up from the chair and moved into her bed and watched Amira help tuck her in.

Once Gracie was relaxed and ready to sleep, Amira walked out of the room. Her heart mixed with fear and rage as she refused to believe her mother's words.

‘ we'll be ready, when she comes.’ she thought.

She walked downstairs to shut the window, as they no longer had servants and Gracie had left it open. While about to shut the windows, she noticed a faint looking figure outside the house, it was shapeless and without a face. Amira got frightened and immediately closed the door.

‘It's just my imagination.' she thought.

she leaned on the door, trying to do away with the sudden fear.

She quietly locked the door and tiptoed back to her mother's room. She met Gracie sleeping peacefully and refused to disturb her.

‘ I can't sleep alone right now nor can I disturb my mother, I'm so scared. I know I saw something out there. She thought.

*********†********†*********

“How am I still alive?” Annabelle asked herself as she woke up.

She looked around; it was already day.

The trees stood calm and innocent, as if they had never come to life.

“Why are you pretending? Why didn’t you kill me? I know you guys can hear me!” Annabelle screamed.

She suddenly saw a reflection coming from a particular direction.

She walked closer; the light throbbed gently, as though it were alive, with a shadow at its centre.

The image was undefined; it seemed to be there and yet wasn’t there.

She trembled.

A voice called out in a soft and almost comforting tone.

“Annabelle! Annabelle!”

Annabelle was frightened; she fell to her knees and cried out.

“Why all this torment? Why don’t you kill me at once? It’s too much; I can’t bear this torture.”

She buried her face in the ground, trying to shield herself from whatever was in front of her.

“Get up, child; I am your friend,” the voice said.

Annabelle sobbed and looked up to see who had called out to her.

She saw a fair and beautiful lady before her.

The lady’s sharp blue eyes locked onto Annabelle’s, and a cunning smile spread across her face.

“Who are you?” Annabelle asked.

“I am Medea, spirit of vengeance and mistress of darkness,” she declared, her voice dripping with spite.

Annabelle shivered, sensing the coldness and darkness emanating from Medea.

Yet, a spark within her echoed with the lady’s words.

She went further to ask what Medea wanted from her.

“I’m only a young girl whose life, once a fairytale, turned into b*****e. I have nothing to offer you.”

Medea extended her slender hand, adorned with black rings and shining diamonds.

“Take my hand, Annabelle; I shall grant you the power of evil. I will help you seek the vengeance you deserve.

You will have the power to defeat anyone before you and bring them to your feet.

I will dwell in you, and you in me; together, we form an alliance.”

Annabelle hesitated, consumed with fear of such powers.

But the memories of losing her father and Gracie’s cruelty won out.

She placed her hand in Medea’s, feeling a rush of dark energy run through her veins.

As their hands touched, the air grew thick with a creepy, throbbing mist.

Annabelle felt her heart become colder, filled with an insatiable desire for vengeance and power.

Medea smiled.

“Now, go forth and unleash your powers in that very town you fled.

Burn those who wronged you; let them tremble before you and know that you are no longer who you used to be.And after that, you shall rule them, because you are the queen of darkness.”

Annabelle rose to her feet, feeling the strength streaming through her.

Her eyes blazed with malice, ready to conquer.

Medea assured her, “I am with you,” and disappeared.