Games

Akena's heart raced as she stood before the witch, her instincts screaming at her to flee. The air felt electric, thick with an ancient magic that pulsed with every breath. The witch's eyes glimmered, sharp and probing, like knives cutting through the darkness. The witch invited Akena inside with the kindest smile she could fake. Despite Akena's awareness about the sinister beings and shadows that followed her every step she accepted the invite, confident in her faith while her faith remained fake, she was too immersed in the witch's words to realize the truth. Overconfident in her fleeting faith. It was only too late until she had realized her mistake.

The door shut on it's own with a soft creak."You've come to play, haven't you?" the witch crooned, her voice smooth yet laced with an unsettling edge. "You seem nervous, dear. There's no need for fear. I only want to know you better."

Akena swallowed hard, her throat dry. "Play what? I—I'm not here to play anything," she stammered, feeling trapped by the witch's gaze.

"Oh, but you are." The witch stepped closer, the shadows swirling around her like smoke. "Tell me, Akena, do you know about the children? The ones who live just outside this forest at the border of it beyond the fence?"

Akena's mind raced. "What do you mean?" she asked, cautious. "What children?" "Beyond the fence.."- she gulped as she thought to herself at the only implication it could lead to.

"Twenty lost souls," the witch replied, a twisted smile creeping across her face. "All adopted by a single family. They came seeking warmth, but they found only darkness. Now, they play my games."

A chill ran down Akena's spine. The century old tales she had heard whispered around campfires flickered in her mind: children who had wandered into the woods, only to vanish without a trace. "W-what do you mean? what exactly are these..games?" she dared to ask, her voice trembling as her fist still clenched onto the rosary.

The witch tilted her head, her eyes narrowing. "They linger, my dear. Some find solace here, while others remain trapped in the shadows, lost forever." She leaned in, her breath cold against Akena's face, her eyes wide as she openly stared right into Akena's eyes as if she knew of every secret of hers before Akena could even speak about it. "Do you wish to spend the night with me? You might learn a thing or two about survival."

Akena hesitated, the weight of her predicament pressing down on her. She had nowhere to go—her mother had thrown her out, banishing her for opening that forbidden door. The memory of that confrontation haunted her, her mother's screams laced with fury and fear etched on her face. Akena had been lost ever since.

"Stay here, and perhaps you will get a chance to become one of my children! excited isn't it?" the witch continued, her tone silky, almost inviting.

Before Akena could respond, the witch turned and glided toward the kitchen area of her crooked house. Akena watched, the creaking floorboards echoing in the silence. She caught a glimpse of dark, bubbling pots, and a savory aroma wafted through the air, heavy and rich.

The witch returned with a plate of food—stew, thick and steaming, its aroma oddly enticing. "Eat, dear. It's dinner time! I cook delicious meals i must add haha," the witch coaxed, holding the plate out with an unsettling grin.

Akena's stomach twisted. She hadn't asked for food, but the witch's insistence sent unease racing through her. "...I'm not hungry," Akena said, her voice steady despite the dread pooling in her gut.

The witch's smile faltered for a moment, and Akena saw something dark flicker in her eyes. "You should eat, child. The night is long and hungry."

Akena could feel the weight of the witch's gaze, pressing down like a heavy blanket. "I really don't want any,...." she insisted, stepping back as a chill enveloped her.

The witch's expression hardened, and in a swift motion, she flung the food into the bushes, the bowl clattering against the ground. "Very well," she hissed, her tone frigid. "But remember, when you turn down the game, the game can turn on you."

Akena's breath quickened as she processed the witch's words. The mention of the twenty lost children hung heavily in the air, each moment stretching out like a drawn-out scream. She realized she was caught in a snare she could hardly comprehend.

As night fell, the darkness enveloped the clearing, the last slivers of light snuffed out like candles blown by a sudden gust. Akena felt the weight of dread settle over her. "What if I stay the night?" she asked hesitantly, her heart racing at the thought of the witch's answer.

"Ah, but the night is never truly safe," the witch replied, her voice thick with dark amusement. "You may stay… but understand the rules."

"What rules?" Akena pressed, desperate for clarity.

"Rules of the game, of course," the witch replied, her grin returning, revealing teeth that seemed sharper than any human's. "You must remain quiet. The shadows come alive at night, and they do not take kindly to noisy guests and...if you stay the night you must visit my home every two days since i become responsible for you", a cunning smile played at the witch's lips. But Akena felt strangely drugged by the air she coudn't take it anymore and agreed to the witch's demand barely being able to understand her words and dossed on a bed as she blinked, struggling to see the figure which no longer seemed like the witch.

Akena closed her eyes, exhaustion creeping in. The witch's words faded, replaced by a comforting darkness that enveloped her.

When she next opened her eyes, she felt the dampness of the earth beneath her. A wave of confusion washed over her. As she blinked into the dim light, she realized she was sprawled on the cold, leafy ground of the forest. The witch's house was gone, and the last memory of its crooked silhouette faded like smoke. Panic surged through her as she scrambled to her feet.

Surrounded by towering trees, Akena looked around, disoriented and afraid. The weight of dread returned, and with it, the realization that she had no idea where to go. Was she still trapped in the witch's game?

Determined to find her way, she took a deep breath and steeled herself for what lay ahead.