CHAPTER 4

　　Hayley heard the car pull out a minute before the backdoor slammed violently against the wall downstairs. She pulled herself up to go check, she was very sure her siblings had just left. She found after a path of blood splats Earnestine sitting at the dining table taking deep breaths as she clutched a gash in her side.

　　“Oh my God!” Hayley exclaimed. She ran up casting a spell to stop the bleeding and heal her while she got her a glass of water.

　　“What happened? Why did they hurt you? “They got your friend,” Earnestine gasped.

　　“I tried to stop them but-.” Hayley felt the blood rush out of her face.

　　“Wendy.” She muttered then ground her teeth.

　　“Those bitches! Can you walk?”

　　“I wouldn’t be your older sister if I couldn’t help you out now, would I?” She said with a smirk.

　　“Let’s go.” Hayley said racing outside and towards the Weston Hill woods. No matter how far her sisters had gotten she'd find them. Hayley had just met Wendy hours ago and now she was on the brink of death because of it. They made out smoke rising some way off and Hayley felt a chill down her spine. The ritual had started.

　　The Michael rituals

　　“You must observe the rituals. No matter what happens. It will keep you, and your sisters together.” Freya's mother cautioned her. Freya was seventeen years old when her mother introduced her to the Michael rituals.

　　“I promise to keep our family together.” Freya said, staring at her mother. She was too young, but she had to do it. They were both in the woods, and the bright rays of the moonlight struck the surface of the earth. It lit the woods up brightening and almost making the darkness of the night disappear. They took each other's arms, both heaved a sigh of relief shutting their eyes, and permitting their dark magical energy to flow through them. Freya could perceive her mother's strength, she was certainly a powerful dark witch.

　　“Please...” The man muttered, he could only see glimpses of the two figures standing around him. Freya wanted to hesitate, tears dropped from her eyes, as she felt tenderness. Her mother understood this, it was her first time, but it won't be her last.

　　“I'm so sorry.” Freya mumbled.

　　“I have a family. Please!” He continued imploring. Freya looked away, she had hardened that heart that just felt sympathy. She followed her mother's chant, as their magic strangled the half-conscious man up. The man screamed as blood trickled down his eye and nose. He lost his breath, choking until his life was no more. From that day onwards, she grew stronger, and after her mother's demise, she took it upon herself to lead her sisters responsibly.

　　Present Day.

　　Hayley and Earnestine were getting close to where the blue unquenchable flames were burning, it made the forest look more like a village green, Hayley could feel the warmth of the fire though she was not too close to it. They could see Sabrina standing chanting with her hands up in the air, they could feel their magic, having fewer hopes of saving Wendy Cooper. Hayley trudged towards the fire, all she could think of was to save her friend. Earnestine said an offensive spell interrupting them from the chant, they lost control. Hayley was quick enough to attack, her spell sent the three sisters stumbling down the woods while Earnestine helped Wendy who was half awake. Wendy was yet to admit what she was doing in such dark uncanny woods. It was midnight, the rituals was ought to be held by midnight. The moon had suddenly disappeared, and the tiny shimmering stars were gone, lightning flashed, and thunder rumbled. It told them that something horrible was going to happen. Earnestine was leading Wendy out of the forest, she didn't forget to use her witch powers to wipe the vague memories of what just happened to her. Earnestine heaved a sigh of relief when she saw that Wendy had wandered of out the woods. She was about to get back to her sisters when she felt her head pound so hard, a wail escaped her lips, she wasn't the only one, as they couldn't hold back the pain of what was happening to them. They saw the darkness and emptiness, but still, they could not recognize what they were glimpsing. Next, they saw the world in flames, people fleeing to save their life, witches strangling and taking the lives of humans with their magic. It was the most formidable thing they had ever seen. They had broken flashes of their father, the world was in an apocalypse. Everything went black.

　　The sun rays lit the room up when Sabrina opened the curtains, they were all surprised at what happened the previous night. Their mother warned them to always observe the ritual unfailingly. Hayley strived to see through the room, the rays of the sunlight were falling directly on her face, almost taking her sight. Wait! Is that the sun or is this torture? Hayley asked herself. She mumbled a spell, and the curtains closed immediately, she noticed Earnestine was beside her, and they were both tied up in chains. They both struggled to get each other, but all to no avail.

　　“It's what would keep us together as a family.” Freya told them. She was standing at the edge of the basement staring at Hayley and Earnestine.

　　“I couldn't watch you kill my friend.” Hayley interrupted.

　　“Who cares about your friend?” Sabrina said from behind them, arms akimbo. Hayley turned to her, scoffing, as she removed her gaze. Sabrina raised an eyebrow and scowled taking a stroll around them.

　　“I do.” Hayley said with her eyes wide open still struggling to get off the chains.

　　“I'm beginning to have a life here in Weston Hills, and all you could do is to strive to take away the source of my little joy.”

　　“Who cares about your joy?” Sabrina derided.

　　“This family is more significant than you can infer.” Janeka added, but with a less harsh tone.

　　“We want the best for you.” Freya said softly, all she wanted was for Hayley to understand that the ritual would become a big part of their lives.