NIGHT CHILDREN: DARK BIRTH
DARK BEGINNINGS SAGA BOOK ONE
by
Scott Bryan
SMASHWORDS EDITION
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PUBLISHED BY:
Scott Bryan and
Amazing Tales Publishing
Night Children: Dark Birth
Copyright © 2011 by Scott Bryan and Amazing Tales Publishing
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. This ebook may not be reprinted without permission. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Annabelle Foresight, Roland Foresight and any other characters or original concepts featured within this story is covered under this copyright. Thank you for respecting the author's work.
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“There is a special virtue in taking a curse and making it a blessing.”
Eliza Pratchet
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Cover photo by Don Phillips
For the knowledge and guidance;
Jeff, Steven L, Willard, Chris, Ian, Jay, Adam, Mike, Daniel, Mr. Peterson, Mr. Warner, Dan M, Claudia, Night Author, Aprilynne, Danielle, Jason, Jesse, Michelle, Kim, Kirk, Liz (RIP), M’liss, Rick, Claire, Anna, Sherry, Antonio, Christy, Garret, Don, Steve D, Cheri, Jennifer, Jimmy III, Laura B., Nicole, Gary, Melanie and two of Mr. Russon’s sixth grade classes.
For the many years of support to your obsessed father;
Laura, Katelyn, Sara and David.
For keeping me focused, even when things were the darkest. My lighthouse,
Janeen.
Chapter One
Arrival
Annabelle was lost. Alone. The hungry woods pressed in on her from all sides, threatening to swallow her up. She couldn’t remember how she got here or why she would have ventured so far into its depths on her own. The rough path stretched out before her, bracketed by dark thickets. The trees crowded inward, blocking her escape.
Where was Mother or Father? Where was Roland, her older brother? Why was she alone? The moonlight reflected off first one pair of glowing eyes in the underbrush, then two.
A scream tore the air, ripping a jagged hole through her heart.
“Mother?”
Annabelle raced forward through the dark, her shoes crunching the twigs and leaves that covered the path. Her mother’s distant voice pleaded for help. So much pain and fear in the familiar tones!
She ran as fast as she could, but the unfamiliar forest stretched on forever. The same trees and bushes seemed to pass in a blur while her mother’s screams always remained just beyond the darkness.
The screaming stopped. So did Annabelle’s heart. Was she too late? She couldn’t bear the thought.
“Mother! Where are you?”
She entered a small clearing. The full moon bathed an awful scene. Father lay face down in the dirt, unmoving. Beside him someone dressed in black hunched over her mother’s inert body.
Annabelle gasped and the man turned. Pointed fangs dripped with her mother’s blood. The monster grinned, his red eyes hungry for more.
Annabelle screamed.
“Shh, wake up, honey. You’re having a bad dream.”
As her eyes struggled open and she fought to sit up, her nightmare gave way to the harsh reality of her real surroundings. A thick stench of excrement, tobacco and vomit burned her nose. The ship’s cargo bay continued its endless rocking. All around her the lantern lights showed barrels of liquor and crates of goods, all tied down so the human cargo wouldn’t be crushed with the sometimes furious rocking of the ship.
The sounds of coughing, snoring and whispering came from all directions. Other families and individuals struggled for sleep as the ship carried them to the New World. Annabelle pursed her lips. The ship’s hold was a nightmare in its own way.
She looked down to find her favorite book, Aaron Hawke’s Guide to Mythical Beasts, still in her lap. She’d fallen asleep reading it. No wonder that make-believe monster had haunted her thoughts.
She cherished this book. Her grandmother was always so proud when Ann helped with her father’s book binding business. The book was her favorite so she chose to bring it when they left London for the New World.
Her mother, Glorianna, wrapped her arms around Annabelle and gave her a squeeze. The warmth felt so good against the harsh cold of their accommodations.
Her family lay huddled around the mid mast, their remaining possessions, several quilts and an old family chest nearby. She was grateful for the quilts but a tiny part of her wished for her other books and the warm house they’d left back in England. London never got this cold or smelly. It felt like they’d already spent an eternity on this horrid ship. At the thought of home she couldn’t hold back her tears.
“Hush, Ann,” her mother soothed. “It’ll be all right. The Captain said we’ll be docking tomorrow.”
“Lady, why don’t you shut that brat up?” A man dressed in filthy rags appeared beside them, his dirty face cracked by a leer that revealed several missing teeth. Annabelle couldn’t believe someone could actually smell worse than the cargo deck. The angry stranger proved her wrong.
“Why don’t you jump in the ocean and take your first bath?”
Annabelle glanced to her left where her brother already half-stood, glaring at the stranger.
“Roland!” Mother chided him.
“I’ll handle this, son.” Their father grabbed the mast and pulled himself up from their makeshift bed. “Please leave my family alone, Mister...?”
“Guardante. Servo Guardante. My master demands my constant service, so I sleep when I can. Your urchin is disturbing my rest. Maybe if I throw her to the fishes we’ll all get some sleep.”
A shiver crept up Annabelle’s spine. The stranger’s fingernails were encrusted with something dark. She couldn’t tell in the swinging lantern light if it was dirt or blood. His large bloodshot eyes seemed hungry for more than food.
“Touch her and regret it!” Roland struggled up again, but Father gently pushed him down.
“Mister Guardante, leave us at once or I’ll inform the Captain.”
Servo barked a fiendish laugh. “What power you must possess, mortal. I could kill all four of you.”
“Causing problems again, Servo?” Mister O’Brian asked. The boatswain, a foot taller than Servo, appeared from the shadows, accompanied by two crew members.
Annabelle liked the man. All throughout their journey he’d check on her family. He missed his children and said Annabelle and her brother reminded him of them.
Clearly outnumbered, the stranger backed away. “No trouble. Just visiting, that’s all.”
“That’s good. Make sure you keep it that way. These people don’t need to smell your stench.” Mister O’Brian turned back to them. “I’m sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Foresight. You may go back to sleep now. I’ll make sure Mister Guardante doesn’t trouble you again.”
If that Guardante person was any indication of the sort of people they’d find in the New World, Annabelle wondered if her family would survive the week.
* * *
“Roland! You’re going to fall overboard and drown!” Annabelle huffed.
With all the noise permeating the ship, her brother obviously couldn’t hear her. Both the captain and the first mate shouted commands to the crew. Men ran about on deck, intent on their jobs. No one needed two foolish children underfoot.
Despite this, her rebellious older brother stood at the bow, clutching the wood until his knuckles went white, his young face beamed. His fiery hair blew with the sea breeze. It’s just like him to disobey orders and stay up top, she thought.
When she grabbed his arm, he nearly jumped out of his skin.
“Why are you ignoring me?” Annabelle pulled with all her might but he was stronger than her. “Please, let’s go below before Father and Mother realize you’re missing.”
“Annabelle, look! We’re finally here it’s the New World!”
Annabelle turned and gasped. The North American coastline stretched before them, an unending sea of forest broken only at one spot by the beginnings of a wooden fort encircling a few houses. Finally, after months at sea, they’d arrived at their new home.
For a moment she forgot everything, as she gazed at the shore, and the breeze whipped her thick red curls around her face. Euphoria swelled her chest. They were finally here.
The shout of a passing sailor brought her back to earth. She tugged on Roland’s arm again. “We’ve got to get below.”
He remained fixed to the ship. “Stop trying to act like an adult. You’re only eleven. Imagine what we’ll see in the New World. Indians, Wolves, Bears!”
Their father’s voice startled Annabelle, “You’d better come down to the cabin. They told the passengers to go below some time ago.” He gently pushed them towards the hatch. “Let’s join your mother and wait until its safe.”
Relief flooded through Annabelle. She could always count on her father to rein in Roland’s more dangerous impulses.
Her brother began a barrage of questions as they followed their father down into the ship. “Will there be Indians? Where will we live?”
Annabelle joined in, “What will lessons be like here?”
“Who cares about lessons?” Roland snapped. “That’s the real frontier out there. We won’t have time to sit and read.” He shot her a scornful glance, then turned back to their father. “Will there be other children?”
“What will we do first?” Annabelle asked.
“What about wolves? Will we see any bears?”
Their father ushered them towards the area near the mid mast that had been their home for the last few months. “There will be time enough for all of that. Now help your mother with the quilts. I’ll carry the chest. It’s almost time to dock.”
Annabelle watched Mother give Father a quick hug. Her parents were nearly as excited as they were, she realized.
She felt a surge of joy. Despite their crammed, stuffy spot below deck, her mother always seemed to make their long trip at sea seem almost like home. Happiness shone through her long, gentle face like the warm sun. Her beautiful red hair rested on her slender shoulders. Some might’ve seen it as unkempt due to the rigors of traveling at sea, but Annabelle thought its beauty still glowed.
“They’re excited again, I see.”
“Yes,” he chuckled. “Can you blame them?”
“No. I believe there’s excitement enough for everyone.” She kissed him. “In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy. Back in London, our lives were so constrained. Out here in the New World, there are so many possibilities.”
Roland shouted, “Father, Mother, we’ve stopped. We’re docking. Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go!”
The excited boy led his family up on deck where they watched the sailors toss heavy ropes over to the wooden jetty. The boatswain shouted for the crew to furl the sails. Annabelle jumped as the heavy anchor chain splashed into the water. She couldn’t believe it. They were finally here.
* * *
“Jorgantown has a lot of growing to do,” Annabelle’s father said as she and her family stood on the dock, staring out across their new town.
A crossroads for settlers embarking on a new life of adventure, the small fishing community seemed temporary, far from the solid buildings of London and Southampton. The houses were mostly one-story log cabins.
The morning sun gently painted the rough roofs orange while the smell of the ocean mixed with the fresh pine of the surrounding forests. Horses trotted by, pulling a couple wagons down the single dirt road that served as the main street. Most of the townsfolk passed the dock on foot. Annabelle marveled at the limited number of carriages and horses. London’s paved roads had been crowded and smelled of soot. Her new home had wide open spaces and smelled as fresh as a country breeze.
When she glanced towards the towering forest, which looked too close for comfort, Annabelle gripped her mother’s dress as if it were a shield. Loud shouts, a mixture of both laughter and anger, filled her ears.
The town teemed with people. Merchants, sailors, excited children and yapping dogs crowded the street. Overhead, seagulls screeched while black crows fluttered down to land on the rough buildings.
Suddenly the strangeness of it all overwhelmed her. There were too many new people, new sounds and smells. Nothing was familiar.
“Anthony, do you see her?” Mother asked as she searched the port. Annabelle noticed the deep worry lines etched in her mother’s brow. Communication wasn’t the best between the Old and New Worlds. She hoped her aunt knew what day they were to arrive.
“Darling, look there she is.” He pointed out into the crowded street. They hadn’t seen Aunt Mabel in years, and Annabelle stood on her tiptoes, straining to get a glimpse of her. Like a splash of cold water to the face, her budding excitement vaporized the minute she saw her aunt’s stiff neck and pinched mouth. Was this the woman whom she’d waited so long to meet?
As Father waved, Annabelle thought she noticed Mabel’s nose rise an inch higher. The woman looked careworn, but from the expression on her face, it was easy to see she held herself above the rest of the crowd. Mabel stepped carefully among the gathered people as if afraid the slightest contact might infect her with some nasty disease.
Roland sighed. All Annabelle’s excitement drained away.
“Well, I see you’re all here. Very good, I suppose. Come along. I’ve prepared rooms for you,” Mabel said. She led them into the teeming crowd of newly arrived immigrants, sailors and dirty dockworkers.
“I haven’t seen you in five years, and that’s the best you can do? How are you?” Glorianna cried, and then picked up her skirts to follow her. Annabelle, Roland and their father hurried after the women. Aunt Mabel elbowed her way through the crowds without slowing her pace and Annabelle wondered how she could possibly miss all the rude looks sent her way. “The last time you saw Annabelle she was five. You don’t have a single thing you’d like to say to her?”
Mabel turned her head and Annabelle bit her lip. She thought she saw a tiny smile in her aunt’s eyes. Sure, it seemed locked behind an iron door, but some warmth existed within her. “I see the children have their mother’s curly red hair. I assume it’s as hard to manage as yours is?”
She resumed her hurried pace and Annabelle’s mother gave a shrug and followed. Annabelle glanced at Roland. He seemed disgusted with this turn of events.
They crossed the street where a wagon and team of horses stood next to a split rail fence in front of a general store. Father lifted their chest into the wagon as Glorianna pulled Annabelle close and confronted her sister with a smile. “Yes, my hair is just as unruly as always. And I’m afraid my daughter takes after me. It’s hard to keep these curls under control.”
She gently combed her fingers through Annabelle’s thick hair.
“That’s always been your problem Glorianna, keeping control,” Mabel snapped. “Your husband pursues his endeavors despite the foolishness--”
Annabelle’s father turned abruptly, his face flushed red.
“What I planned for us is not foolish. Furthermore, we discussed it as a family, and this is the avenue we wish to take.” Without waiting for an answer, he climbed aboard the wagon. Mother gave Mabel a stern look and Mabel sighed expressively.
“Take us to the Standstry cabin,” she commanded the driver after everyone had climbed in. The horses jerked forward. “All I am saying, Anthony, is that uprooting your family and bringing them to this Godforsaken wilderness can’t be in their best interests.”
“You seem to have no problem living here.”
“I followed my husband so he could set up the general store. After his death, I did decide to remain, but I am only one woman while you are four. You’ve brought little children. I don’t know what you were thinking.”
Roland whispered, “We have to live with her? Maybe we’ll get lucky and be eaten by wolves.” Annabelle elbowed him.
Glorianna stepped in. She must’ve felt Father’s temperature rising. “Mabel, we do realize you’ve got our best interests at heart. We’ll keep what you say in mind, but you need to understand this is our chance. We wouldn’t be true to ourselves if we didn’t try to make a better life here.”
As they traveled, Annabelle saw the untamed countryside behind the houses on the outskirts of town. The thick forest shrank and swelled at various points, making the wilderness seem very close.
She and Roland pointed at everything they saw. There were horses, cattle, sheep, cats, and dogs everywhere. Once, they saw a strange creature rummaging through a refuse pile in an alley. It looked like a large squirrel in a mask.
“What’s that?” Annabelle asked.
The driver answered. “It’s called a raccoon, child. You’ll see plenty of them here.”
Annabelle smiled. Then she saw noticed horses in a corral. “Father, will you teach me to ride?”
“Of course, after we’re settled on our own land.” That broadened her smile.
A single black crow drew her attention. Sitting on a fence, its eyes startled her. They seemed almost human as it cocked its head to the side and stared back at her. She tossed the silly thought aside.
Roland nudged her. "Look.”
A family of Indians made their way down the street. The man was bare-chested and held an axe, while his wife was wrapped in leathers and furs. As they passed, she noticed a tiny baby in some sort of cradle strapped to the mother’s back. It looked warm and content.
Annabelle couldn’t imagine such things in crowded London. Father is right, she thought, This land does have a lot to offer.
Chapter Two
Rumors
Night settled in as the family finished their meal. Talk around the wooden table centered on the town and all the hardships involved in setting up a new life here.
"It's not as easy as everyone back in England thinks it is. You all expect this to be a land of ease and plenty. Well, it's not. We suffer for you lot while you sit in London and use our spoils,” Mabel said.
“Now wait a minute.” Annabelle’s father set his fork down and leaned forward.
“Anthony, dear.” Her mother laid a hand on his arm. “Let her finish. We’re guests in her home.”
Mabel continued. “There are all kinds of dangers here none of you understand.”
“What kind of dangers?” Roland asked. "Indians?”
"We've had some troubles with the natives,” Mabel said. “Tensions are high. They can't be trusted, for one thing. They say we steal from them and that makes it all right for them to steal from us. It's a good thing we have guns. Why, a few weeks ago our soldiers had to shoot some of them because they tried to kill the shopkeeper. They claimed he cheated them.”
"I hope the townspeople checked to see if the shopkeeper really had cheated them before they started shooting,” Glorianna said.
"I’ll have you know Arnold is an honest man. He’s always treated me with kindness. Besides,” Mabel frowned, “they're Indians. Savages. Unclean heathens. We'd be better off without them.”
"Weren't they here first?” Father pointed out. Mother gave him a sharp look. They were to live with Aunt Mabel for two months, and Mother clearly didn’t want any more tension.
"But we're here now," Mabel told him. "We’re farming this land. Clearly, we have the right to run off a bunch of savage heathens.”
Frustration flashed through Annabelle. She pushed it down because she knew questioning adults was wrong, no matter how foolish they sounded.
Mother must’ve seen anger in Father’s face because she quickly asked, "What other dangers are there here?”
"Snakes and wolves, to name a few. The trappers keep catching the wretched beasts, but there always seem to be more of them. Watch where you step.”
"Wolves," shuddered Annabelle as she thought of several fairytales. There were no wolves in London.
“Don’t put your mind to it, child.” The way Aunt Mabel said ‘child’ seemed like she was addressing the filth under her shoe. “Deaths from wolf attacks aren’t so common anymore. There’s perhaps one a week.”
Roland leaned in close. “I bet Aunt Mabel scared away quite a few, too.” Annabelle giggled.
“What was that, young man?”
“Nothing, Aunt Mabel.”
“I believe it’s time for Bible reading,” Mother called out. Annabelle breathed a sigh of relief. It was her turn to read, so she began where they had left off the night before on the ship, Isaiah 34:14.
“And the wild-cats shall meet with the jackals, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; yea, the night-monster shall repose there, and shall find her a place of rest.”
Aunt Mabel spoke up. “I am glad to see you’ve kept the nightly bible reading tradition. It has always been my favorite time of the day. John and I used to look forward to it once we settled here.”
“I’m sorry he passed. I know it’s been four years, but it couldn’t have been easy for you,” Glorianna said.
Annabelle couldn’t believe it. A hint of emotion finally glimmered in her aunt’s eyes. She’d never thought about how Uncle Standstry’s death must affect her.
“Thank you, Glorianna. It’s been difficult. John was a wonderful man. You know, children, he built this house himself. He also built the tavern and several of the other homes.”
“You must miss him a lot, Aunt Mabel.”
“Yes, child, I suppose I do.”
Shame washed through Annabelle. She had judged her aunt harshly, and she hadn’t considered how hard it must be now that her uncle was gone.
“I’d best be off to bed,” Mabel said stiffly. “I’ll need to stock more supplies with you lot living here. We’ll go shopping tomorrow.”
“I think we’d better all go to bed.” Anthony got up from his chair.
“Aw, Father, can’t we stay up a little while longer?” Roland pleaded.
“You heard your father,” Mother said. “It’s after sunset and way past your bedtime.”
Annabelle followed Roland up the stairs. Her legs felt like lead, almost too heavy to lift. She couldn’t wait to slip into a nice warm bed after weeks of sleeping on the rough floor of the ship.
She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
* * *
The next morning she woke full of energy and excitement. She and Roland raced to get dressed and rushed through breakfast as fast as they could.
“Mother, Father, we’ll be outside playing,” Roland said the moment the meal was done. Annabelle stood up to follow him, but waited for permission from her parents.
“Don’t go too far. Stay around people. I don’t want you lost.”
“Yes, Mother,” she said, her heart lifting. She grabbed her book of monsters on the way to the door.
Father added, “We’ll meet you at the general store in a few hours.”
“Aw, all right.”
Annabelle glanced at Roland. The way his shoulders slumped, she guessed he’d wanted to walk home.
Outside, she walked beside him, her book held out open before her.
“Why did you bring that old thing? Don’t you want to explore?” Roland said.
Never taking her eyes from the page, she said, “Of course I do. I won’t read it unless we sit down to rest.”
“You’re reading right now.”
She looked up to find Roland glaring at her, and quickly tucked the offending volume under her arm. Walking and reading had long been a habit of hers. She found it very relaxing.
“We come all the way to the New World, and you still have your nose in a book. Girls.” He set off and she hurried to keep up, determined not to give him another reason to shower her with scorn.
As soon as they entered the busier part of the settlement, however, she forgot her book entirely. It teemed with life. There was much to see and so many different kinds of people, she could hardly take it all in.
Roland pointed at a tall man dressed in buckskins driving a loaded wagon. Annabelle could make out the skins of rabbits, raccoons and foxes. They watched as the hunter rode up to the trading post and climbed out to hitch his wagon.
Two Indians dressed in loincloths exited the trading post and passed the hunter as he made his way inside. The Indians were talking to each other while admiring the trinkets hanging from their belts. Annabelle noticed the fear in some of the villagers’ eyes as they passed.
“Look, Indians!” Roland rose up on his toes to watch them.
“Shh. Don’t point,” Annabelle said.
The sounds of men calling to each other drew their attention to the dock. They watched as sailors carried various crates and other items onto the ship they had arrived on just the day before.
“Where do you think they’re going?”
“I’ve no idea. Maybe back to England?”
“That’s fine for them, but I’m glad I’m staying right here in the colonies where the adventure is,” Roland said.
She gave a sigh. “It’s their job. It’s not like they want to stay in England or the New World. They just sail. You know that.”
“If I was a sailor, and I came to this continent, I’d stay.”
She stopped to look at him a moment. “You wouldn’t want to remain a sailor? I would’ve thought you’d love traveling from port to port.”
“Maybe, but look at all this.” He gestured towards the busy villagers passing in and out of the general store, the tavern and the other small buildings which made up the town. He smiled so broadly she thought his face would crack. “This is adventure.”
Annabelle smiled at him as they continued to walk through the village. She felt the excitement, too, but she decided to take it in slowly. For the moment, she just loved the feeling of the warm sun on her face as they explored.
They strolled through the town and soon found some children playing. They were barefoot and seemed to be having fun. The youngest, a girl, looked over at them. The two boys with her were both dressed in worn shirts and ripped pants belted tight to keep them up. Annabelle gathered her courage and approached them.
“Hi. I’m Annabelle, and this is Roland, my brother. Can we play, too?”
“I’m Henry Dunston,” the boy who looked Roland’s age said. “This is my younger brother, Thomas. He’s eleven. Polly is nine. She’s our sister. We’re having a break from our chores, playing hopscotch. Do you know how to play?”
“Of course,” Annabelle replied. “We played it back in London all the time.”
After half an hour of laughing and playing, it seemed as if they’d always been friends. Talk turned to Annabelle and Roland’s recent trip.
Thomas asked, “You came from London, huh?”
“Yes. Father managed a bookbinding business on Threadneedle Street. The company told him to relocate. They paid for the land and our passage.” Annabelle bent down and picked up her book.
“You know how to read? I wish I could.” That caught Annabelle’s attention. Polly’s eyes were wide with wonder. The middle boy looked at Annabelle strangely, too. She couldn’t figure out why.
“It’s not hard. Maybe I’ll teach you sometime.”
Thomas leapt onto the tips of his toes. He raised his right arm into the air and said, “Me, too! I’d love to read.”
Henry rolled his eyes and Polly slugged her brother, “Stop it! Don’t tease me.”
Thomas looked hurt for a moment as he rubbed his arm, then looked back at Annabelle sheepishly. “I wasn’t teasing. I do want to read. Most nights I’m beat from working at the general store, but I could learn on the weekend.”
Annabelle smiled. “You work at the store?”
“Yeah. The shopkeeper is a good friend of our late grandfather.”
Annabelle began to move towards a shady tree. The others followed her. “I bet that’s exciting.”
“Not usually. The shopkeeper doesn’t like children, so most days he just sends me off on deliveries.”
“Sounds like hard work,” Henry mocked and slugged him in the arm.
“Stop it!” Thomas gave his older brother a crusty look and rubbed his arm. He turned back to Ann, “Where do you live?”
“With our aunt. Perhaps you know her? Mabel Standstry?”
“Wait. You’re living with Mrs. Standstry?” Henry asked.
Roland said, “Yes, so?”
“Mean Mabel is your aunt? I’m sorry for you.” Thomas laughed.
Polly tried to explain, “Your aunt is the rudest lady in town. Every time we see her walking, she always has to say something awful.”
Roland shrugged. “The old bat hates us so much, she’ll probably ignore us. We can hope so, anyway.”
“Roland! Don’t talk about adults that way.”
“But it’s true. She hates us.”
“She’s just lonely,” Annabelle said. “Besides, what you called her was very rude.”
“But she is an old bat.”
“It’s wrong to say.”
“Yes, Roland,” Thomas joined in, mimicking Annabelle with a smile. “You need to be nicer… to bats.”
Everyone laughed.
“My brother can’t stand her, but I think she just needs to warm up to us,” Annabelle said. Everyone stared at her like she was daft, so she tried to explain further. “Yes, she’s mean and rude. But I think if we treat her nicely, she’ll be nicer, too. She’s just that way because she lives alone. It’s not like she’s an evil witch who collects souls for the devil.”
Silence. Hard, deep, still silence which made all the hustle and loud noises from the town sound much louder.
“What’s wrong? What did she say?” Roland asked.
Henry cleared his throat. “We don’t joke about witches here.”
The Dunstons glanced at the shadows, their faces suddenly tight and closed.
“What is it?” Roland asked again.
Something had changed. The air felt wrong. The sun seemed to hide behind the grey clouds. A blanket of apprehension covered the children as Henry began to speak. "Massachusetts has a real witch problem. Out here, if our crops and animals die, then we do, too. If we get sick we only have one doctor, and he can’t be everywhere at once. That's why everyone's scared to death of witches. The pastor preaches about it all the time. It’s even worse south of here in Salem.”
“What’s going on there?”
The Dunston children’s faces turned even paler as Henry continued, “Two girls have been possessed by the devil. We just got word that the doctors can’t figure it out. Their bodies shook and they screamed awful things. Reverend Parris is going to conduct prayer services and a community fast.”
Tom added, “The girls are as old as Polly and me. If witches can attack Salem children, why not here in Jorgantown?”
Polly’s big eyes combed the surrounding woods, darting from one dark pathway to the next. Annabelle couldn’t help but notice the girl’s hands as they nervously played with the ribbon in her hair.
The trees covered three horizons, leaving one for the sea. Like a hungry wolf pack that leaves its victims with nowhere to run, the trees seemed to Annabelle to be drawing around them like a trap. She could see why Polly was scared.
She bent closer to the girl. “Polly, are you all right?”
She seemed to be more afraid than the others. She was trembling, pale as a ghost. Goose pimples crept up Annabelle’s spine as she wondered what could cause that much fear.
“Promise you won’t laugh?”
Henry rolled his eyes. “Not this again.”
“Sorry. I’ll...never mind.” Polly slumped her shoulders and looked down at the dusty ground.
“We won’t laugh. Tell us,” Annabelle coaxed.
After a brief silence during which Polly only shook her head, ‘no,’ Tom hesitantly explained, “My sister says she saw shapes in the woods at night. It’s really got her spooked.”
Annabelle put her arm around her new friend. “It’s all right. I believe you.”
“You do?” Polly instantly brightened.
“If you say you saw something, I’m sure you did.”
Her eyes filled with relief. “Thank you. Henry thinks I’m making it up, but I know what I saw.”
Henry shook his head. “There was nothing outside last night. I told you. You were just scared.”
“I was not!” Polly shot back. “I saw something out there. It was dark and scary. There were two of them. A short, hunched one and this tall, very...” the girl struggled to find the right words, “well, it looked terrible. I don’t ever want to see it again.”
Henry shrugged. Thomas looked concerned. Annabelle gave her a tight squeeze and said, “Don’t listen to them. They’re just being mean.”
Polly replied, “I know what I saw.”
“You know as well as I do there’s only one witch around here,” Henry said, then shut his mouth with a snap, as if he’d said more than he meant to.
“There’s a local witch?” Roland asked.
“Never mind.” Henry glanced at the shadows. “Let’s play more hopscotch.”
Annabelle didn’t want to let it rest. She didn’t like big brothers ignoring little sisters. “But don’t you think it might have been this local witch? Why couldn’t it have been her? Maybe she has a witch friend?”
“Witch friend?” Roland smirked at her. Annabelle tensed. She hated it when he looked at her like she was stupid.
Ignoring him, she continued, “Like you said, it was night. How do either of you know?”
From the looks of awe on Polly and Thomas’ faces, Annabelle gathered other children rarely stood up to Henry. Certainly, Polly and Thomas didn’t. She held Henry’s gaze until he looked away. As the oldest child in his family he must be used to ruling the roost. Well, she wasn’t afraid of him.
“I don’t think it was the local witch.” Henry broke off the staring contest and turned to glance into the forest. Was it her imagination or was there fear in his eyes? When he turned back, he had regained his brave face, so Annabelle wasn’t sure. “She hardly ever leaves her cabin.”
He motioned to a spot between two buildings, as if afraid to discuss such things out in the open. They followed him into the darkened alley. Annabelle felt a chill at the sudden quiet.
Henry continued, his voice lowered. “She lives in a boarded up cabin in the woods. No one sees her during the day.”
“Henry, please. Let’s not talk about it anymore,” Polly begged, fidgeting with her hands. The girl’s eyes wouldn’t stop searching the woods. Annabelle thought the slightest whisper would propel her across the town.
“Wait,” Roland jumped in. “If no one ever sees her, how do you know she’s real?”
Annabelle noticed Polly’s moist eyes and regretted bringing it up. She wished her brother would let it go.
“We know, all right?” Polly said quickly.
“Polly,” Tom said.
“We shouldn’t be talking about this.” Henry shook his head.
“They need to know.” Tom looked at Annabelle and Roland. “Henry’s right.”
Henry looked around as if to check that no one was eavesdropping. He gestured for the others to follow him further into the shadowed space behind a stack of crates. Away from prying eyes, he seemed confident enough to continue his story.
“Her name is Eliza Pratchet. She and her husband moved here years ago. Legend says they were never normal folk. Their cabin’s always been boarded up. The curtains are drawn and no one ever comes to the door. Several people tried to visit them when they first arrived, but no one ever answered.”
“They moved in, but you could never see them?” Roland asked. “Are you sure they actually lived there?”
“Well, that’s the thing. As time went on, people weren’t sure what was going on. They said maybe the Pratchets never settled in. Maybe they died before they could move in. No one knew. The town had a meeting and the people decided they were going to take down the cabin, but the night before they were to do it, she appeared, white as a ghost and...well, different than normal folk. She said she and her husband still lived there and demanded they be left alone. Now she comes to town once in awhile to buy goods but everyone stays clear of her.”
“That’s spooky,” Roland said.
Annabelle’s curiosity was piqued again. “How does that make her a witch? I mean, just because they only see her at night, and she wanted to be left alone doesn’t give her supernatural powers. And what about her husband?”
“They say she killed him because no one has seen him in--”
Annabelle interrupted him. “That’s what they say but that doesn’t mean it’s true.”
Henry stumbled for answer. “Her husband disappeared and no one’s seen him. People don’t vanish. She had to have done something.”
“Well that’s not entirely true, Henry. His ghost walks the woods,” Tom said.
Annabelle and Roland looked at each other. She saw disbelief in her brother’s eyes and wondered if this was all a game. She hoped with all her heart that it was.
Henry continued, “The story is she killed him and burned his body for firewood.”
Annabelle’s stomach turned.
“What’s worse...” Henry continued.
“There’s worse?” Roland said.
“Yes. There are the bodies.”
“Bodies?”
“The townspeople figure she’s been making sacrifices.”
A shiver prickled down Annabelle’s spine despite her intention not to believe any of this.
“We can’t prove the bodies were from her,” Thomas interrupted.
“Each of them, animal or human, was found in the woods drained of all their blood.”
Annabelle couldn’t believe what she was hearing. A frightening thought crossed her mind, but she dismissed it. She had been reading her book of monsters too often. There was no way such a thing could be true.
“See why I don’t want my brother to talk about it, Annabelle? It’s too scary, and we don’t know if the witch is listening. I don’t want to wind up possessed like those Salem girls. Come on, let’s go to the store, and look at the treats.” Polly turned and walked toward the main street.
Annabelle squared her shoulders and followed. “Yes, I don’t really want to think about it either.” They left the boys behind and walked toward the general store.
The whole clearing in front of it was crowded with crates. Annabelle recognized some of the cargo from the ship which had brought them across the Atlantic. A fat, angry merchant argued with the ship's purser, and a crowd had gathered to watch the fun. No one noticed the girls.
“There are a lot of people here. I’m surprised,” Annabelle commented.
“What were you expecting?”
“Well, my family is from London so I’m used to lots of people, but I figured it would be just a couple of cabins and some trackers.”
Polly laughed. “That’s funny. Our town is much bigger than that.”
They passed a stack of large pumpkins and Annabelle spied a kitten. She knelt down and picked it up, petting it. “Aw, look at the little one.”
Polly reached over to stroke it. “We have a lot of stray cats and dogs here. Let’s go in.” Annabelle gently placed the kitten down and smiled as it scurried away.
She took a closer look at the store. Various animal furs hung on the outside of the shop while newly arrived crates from overseas sat against the front and sides of the building. A simple wooden sign hung above the front door. The place had a certain rustic appeal.
They entered and walked around to look at all the items for sale. As a general outpost, it was stocked with whatever the townspeople required. Clothing made from various animal skins hung on the walls. Cases of dried foods, dishes, silverware and even toys were on display. She then saw the candy. All the sugared almonds, toffee and liquorish that she could desire waited to be tasted.
As the girls moved in closer to the counter with the many sweets, Annabelle spied a beautiful doll on a shelf. “She’s very pretty,” she said, pointing to it.
“She sure is. They got her last week. The shopkeeper won’t sell her to me, though.”
“Why not?”
“He told me,” she tried to sound gruff and rude like the shopkeeper, “Little urchins like you can’t afford such nice things.”
“How rude!”
“I know. Thomas wants to run this place when he grows up. He says when it’s his store any child will be able to get what they want.”
The shop owner made a rude sound. “Ahem!” The girls turned around. “Where are your parents?”
“They’re at home, sir,” Annabelle said.
“Then leave my store.” He pointed towards the door. “I’ll not have little rats dirtying my merchandise.”
Feeling threatened, they left without a word. As they exited, a wagon pulled up with Annabelle’s father, mother and Aunt Mabel inside it.
“Is that your family waving at you?” Polly asked.
“Yes. We’d better get Roland.”
“I need to find my brothers, anyway. It’s time to get back to our chores. See you around.” Polly turned with a wave.
“Bye.”
Chapter Three
Compassion
“Isn’t she sweet?” Annabelle petted the kitten her mother was holding.
They stood outside of the general store while Father shopped inside with Aunt Mabel and Roland. After a busy day visiting the butcher, the seamstress, the cabinet maker, and various other tradesmen in town, the family had migrated back to the general outpost for the remaining goods on their list. Beginning a new life on the frontier required a lot of preparation.
“Can I bring her home?”
Glorianna put the kitten back on a stack of logs. “Ann, you know what your aunt would say.”
Annabelle made a sour face at the thought of her aunt’s stern expression. Mabel could do the best gargoyle imitation without even trying. “Messy beasts like that should be destroyed,” she said in an attempt to match her aunt’s customary tone.
Mother tried to suppress a smile. “Correct. It’s best if we abide by her rules, at least until our cabin is finished and we have a place of our own.” She smiled as she ran her hand through Annabelle’s thick curls. “I’d love to give you a pet. I’m sorry there’s a lot to get used to here.”
Annabelle looked over the tree line towards the west. The beautiful sun rested just below the tree tops. She marveled at how clean the air was. No smoky buildings obstructed her view of nature. As the sun began its march towards the western horizon, wonderful colors painted the forest and green fields.
“It’s all right. I’ve never seen so many trees before, and everything is new and exciting.”
“That’s my girl.” Mother gave her a hug, “Things will be strange for a few weeks, but it will settle down soon. I’ll even let you have a kitten.”
“Really? Thank you!”
Glorianna laughed. “Now tell me about these children you met.”
“Polly is sweet. She’s the youngest, and I think she needs a big sister to look after her.”
“Doesn’t she have two older brothers?”
Annabelle rolled her eyes. “Mother, they’re boys. I’ll have to check in on Polly every day to make sure she’s all right.”
Glorianna smiled. “You miss Susan, don’t you?”
Annabelle dropped her gaze to the dusty ground. “No, it’s not that. Polly needs a friend.” She didn’t want to think about Susan.
Mother placed an arm around Annabelle. She felt warm and safe at her mother’s touch. “I’m sure there’s a perfectly good reason Susan didn’t say good bye.”
When Annabelle looked back it was hard for her to see through the thick tears in her eyes. “We had a fight. When I told her we were moving to the New World, she got upset. That’s why she didn’t meet us at the dock. Oh, Mother, I wish I could’ve said good bye.”
“I’m sorry, darling. I really am. I wish you could’ve seen her, too. I realize she was upset but that’s because she loves you, and she didn’t want you to leave. If you could see her again, what would you tell her?”
“I’d say I’m sorry, and I’d tell her how much I miss her.” Glorianna wiped the tears away from Annabelle’s cheeks.
“Life can be very hard, Ann. We never know if today is going to be our last day with the people we love.” She gently moved Annabelle’s chin to look into her eyes, “All we can do is live each moment with our loved ones like it’s our last.”
“Yes. I know, but will it stop hurting?”
“Yes, in time.”
The bell above the store entrance jingled and the rest of her family appeared. Roland, as usual, pushed his way to the front.
“Annabelle! Father bought us some treats!”
“You shouldn’t waste your money on them. The children will grow up spoiled,” Aunt Mabel said to Father. She wrapped her shawl tighter about her shoulders and sniffed with displeasure.
“I begin working with the cabinet maker tomorrow,” Father said easily. “I’ll be earning wages soon enough and I have enough after the sale of my business back in London to buy a few candies. Besides, if I can’t spoil my children after such a long time at sea, when can I?”
Roland held onto a new storm lantern that Father must’ve bought at the store. ”Can I light it, Father?”
“Not now, son.”
The Foresight family and their aunt strolled to their wagon on the other side of the small town road. Annabelle admired the many crows that settled in the trees. She couldn’t recall seeing so many in one place before. The New World could be so wild compared to London.
As they walked, the warm comfort Annabelle had felt from being close to her mother began to fade. The sun vanished over the horizon. Shadows crept out of the space between buildings and the forest seemed to swell outward, threatening to swallow the tiny colony. She thought that bears, wolves or worse, witches, could jump out of every dark spot.
She knew her imagination was getting carried away but everything seemed darker in the wilds of America. At least almost everything.
A woman in white with a long black cloak appeared far up the road ahead of them. Her skirt reached to the ground, so she seemed to drift along instead of walking. Annabelle couldn’t take her eyes off the mysterious woman. Other townsfolk walking on the road gave her a wide berth. One woman pulled her children in close when the pale apparition neared.
As Annabelle watched, two burly men and a gangly teenager stepped forward to block the woman’s path. Annabelle tapped her brother and pointed to the strange lady.
He whispered, “It’s the witch. It has to be.”
It was easy for Annabelle to see what had started the ugly rumors.
An unearthly vision, the lady in white came to a graceful halt. Her eyes glared with fiery intensity at the men who challenged her, as if she were some sort of slender predator, but they were also filled with great sorrow. Her long, flowing black hair framed her deathly-pale face. She was beautiful despite her other-worldly appearance.
The ugly men stood in complete contrast. Annabelle could smell their stench already. She could tell they had visited the tavern because they swerved as they walked.
One man spoke up. “Hey, Beufus, isn’t that the witch?”
“Looks like trouble,” Father said. He slowed his pace and the family followed his lead as he began to cross to the other side of the road.
“It’s just Eliza Pratchet, the witch,” Mabel said. “If those men do anything, it’ll be the least her kind deserves.”
“Mabel, that lady doesn’t deserve the sort of trouble those men are up too.”
Annabelle felt proud of her Mother. Her heart was big enough for anyone, no matter how different they seemed.
“Father, should we help?”
“Let’s watch and see if she needs assistance. If she does, I’ll take care of it.”
The other man laughed, revealing a mouth with only a couple of teeth within, both of them yellow. “Yeah, Cletus. I think it is. What you doin’ in town, witchy? The devil won’t do your errands for ya?” The teenager doubled over in a fit of laughter.
The woman regarded him with her sorrowful eyes. Her voice had a soft, ethereal aspect to it. Annabelle imagined if moonlight could have a sound, it would sound like this woman. “I do not ally myself with any devils. I simply wish to purchase something before the merchant closes his shop.”
More loud laughter. “You don’t belong here. We’re supposed to be scared of you but you don’t look so tough.”
“Yeah. We don’t believe in witchcraft,” the other man said. His cautious eyes told a different story. Apparently his brain was too slow to get the warning to his mouth.
“I do not practice witchcraft. The lies people tell about me are wrong. I only wish to be left alone.”
“If you’re just a normal lady, why do you only come out at night?”
“I suffer an allergic reaction to sunlight.” She glanced at Annabelle and Roland as she replied. “It would be...unfortunate for me to travel before sundown.”
Annabelle stood transfixed. She had thought the woman would be scary. Instead of fear, however, she felt concern inside. This woman wasn’t the monster everyone said. She looked scared, lonely, and incredibly shy. Annabelle braved a smile.
The woman smiled back. “Please let me pass.”
“I don’t think so. If you’re not a witch then you’ll make fine entertainment for us.” The first man reached over to touch her.
Always impulsive, Roland darted forward. “Leave her be.” Her brother was often foolish but for once Annabelle agreed with him. She joined in.
“Yes, leave her alone. She’s just a nice lady.”
Mabel snorted. “Control your children, Glorianna. Don’t they know not to interfere in conversations between grownups?”
“Roland, Annabelle! Don’t!” Father quickly moved in front of them.
Beufus spun around, “You got something you wanna say?”
“Yes.” Father didn’t look the least intimidated. “Just move out of this woman’s way. She hasn’t done anything to you.”
“I say she has. She exists and that’s enough for me.”
“You tell ‘em, Beufus,” the teenager added. “We’re sick of livin’ in fear of this hag. Let’s teach her a lesson.”
“Shut up, Charlie. I got this.”
Cletus shook Beufus’ shoulder, “Hey, something’s wrong. I don’t feel right. The witch is casting a spell.”
All three men’s faces turned pale. Cletus, Beufus and Charlie began to relax. Their shoulders slumped and their eyes glazed over.
Eliza’s eyes blazed like fire as she spoke softly to them, “Why are you here? You need rest. So sleep off your drink and leave us alone.”
The men looked confused for a moment, then Beufus replied, “I’m... tired. Let’s go boys. Next time, lady.” They shuffled by and continued up the street.
“Huh. I thought we were up for a fight,” Father said, watching them leave.
Remembering the woman’s name from Henry’s story, Annabelle asked, “Mrs. Pratchet, are you all right?”
“Yes, little girl. I appreciate your service. Not many people would stop to help a stranger.” She turned her gentle black eyes towards Father and Mother and said, “My name is Eliza Pratchet. I’ve never seen your family in town before. Are you new to Jorgantown?”
“Yes, we arrived yesterday.” Father stepped forward and offered his hand. Eliza shook it.
“We’re the Foresights,” he continued. “I’m Anthony; this is my wife Glorianna and our two children Annabelle and Roland.” He turned to introduce Mabel but she stood so far away it seemed she wasn’t with them, and she gave Anthony a warning look that could freeze an ice cube.
“Is there anything we can do for you? It’s so dark out. You’re welcome to come stay the night in my sister’s house.” Mother gave a pleading look towards Mabel.
“No thank you, Mrs. Foresight. I truly should be going. My husband doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
“You’re married? You’re husband is still alive?” Roland said.
“Roland, apologize to her. That is an awful thing to ask.”
“I’m sorry, Father. I heard these stories and I... well I thought...”
Eliza smiled. The soft glow of her ivory face seemed to brighten even more. “It’s all right, Roland. I’m aware of those stories. My husband is not a ghost and I certainly didn’t kill him.”
Father looked shocked. “Is that what they say? That’s horrible!” He added, “Anyone from your home is always welcome in our home.”
A disturbed flicker crossed Eliza’s eyes. Annabelle thought she didn’t like what Father had said. A prickle went down her spine and she had the uncomfortable feeling that someone was watching them, listening in on this conversation. Someone Eliza could sense, but no one else could.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that they were rabbits under the watchful eye of a hungry wolf.
She allowed her senses to guide her and turned, spotting something that instantly chilled her bones. Something was in the woods. Its red eyes seemed to float at least seven feet in the air among the trees across the road.
Annabelle screamed and pointed towards them. Everyone looked, and Eliza flung up her hands in a warding gesture. “No! I didn’t mean... Please I... I must go. It was nice meeting you.”
Without a backward glance, the woman hurried off, not in the direction of town, but into the foreboding woods.
Annabelle gasped. Roland bolted after the woman. “Mrs. Pratchet, it’s not safe there. Come back before a wolf gets you!”
“Roland! Anthony, he’ll get hurt!” Mother cried.
Father didn’t waste time discussing it. He ran after Roland. Annabelle clutched her mother’s arm. “What do we do?”
“Stay put, that’s what,” Mabel snapped. “That witch is up to something.”
“She’s not a witch.” Annabelle replied. “I’m going to see if they’re all right.”
She knew it wasn’t smart but she couldn’t let her father and brother die in the woods. Despite her mother’s protests, she pushed through the scratchy bushes and into the darkness. She could hear Mother’s rushed footsteps right behind her.
Chapter Four
The End of Life
“I wish you would’ve stayed with us, Roland.” Frustration gathered across Father’s brow as he led them through the thick woods. The darkness did nothing to help them find their path.
Roland slumped his shoulders as he walked, “Sorry, Father.”
“You don’t even know Mrs. Pratchet. Maybe her cabin is in this direction.”
“She seemed so scared. I thought she might need help.”
“Don’t be too hard on him, Anthony. He simply wanted to help,” Mother said.
“I know, but now all four of us are lost in these woods. Not a good place to be at night.”
Annabelle held her mother’s hand tightly as they walked along the moonlit path. She’d never been in such darkness. The thick tree branches cast long, pointed shadows on the dirt. Bats fluttered in the black sky. The sad eyes of crows seemed to look into her soul.
She watched her brother walk purposefully beside their father. She knew he was only pretending to be brave. He must be as afraid as she was.
They walked on and Annabelle kept hold of her mother’s arm as it draped over her shoulders. The increasingly cool night air chilled her to the bone. As they traveled through the woods, she felt eyes watching them.
They entered a small clearing surrounded by tall trees. The moon painted the surroundings a bright glowing ivory. A heavy sense of déjà vu came over her.
“I don’t understand it,” Father said as he scratched his head. “The town should be in this direction, but the forest is so dark I can’t even see any lights.”
“What do we have here?” A voice rang out. “It seems a family has become lost in the woods. You should show more caution.”
A radiant man of imposing stature stepped into the clearing. His eyes glowed with veiled menace. He wore a black suit and cloak and like Eliza, his pale face looked captivating.
“Hello, friends,” the man said with a far off accent that Annabelle didn’t recognize. Annabelle imagined if a fox could speak, it would say ‘Hello’ to its prey just like that. “I am Dominic Pratchet. I believe you’ve met my wife.”
“Yes.” Relief washed over Father’s face. “I’m glad you found us. I was starting to think we’d never get out of these woods.”
“Who said you would?” Dominic smiled wickedly as several large wolves padded into the clearing. Their eyes reflected the moonlight while their mouths hung open in a hungry grimace.
Annabelle gasped. She buried her face into her mother’s dress. Glorianna held her tightly, and Annabelle felt her mother’s pulse race faster.
Anthony stepped in front of his family. The torch revealed just how close the wolf pack truly was.
“No quick moves! I’ll hold them back.”
Dominic Pratchet simply stepped forward. He betrayed no fear. His voice dripped with menace. “Will you now?”
Time seemed to stop. They all looked at Dominic, confused and shocked.
His strong, pale face drew Annabelle’s attention. His eyes seemed to glow red like two burning embers in the night. His mouth opened into a fiendish smile.
“Mr. Pratchet, be careful! The wolves are--”
Roland’s words trailed off as the wolf pack paced towards them. He whispered, “Nice doggies. Can we go home, Father?”
Annabelle knew the wolves were too close. She and her family were trapped. Her breath caught as she peeked through her mother’s arms.
Dominic gestured and the beasts stopped in their tracks. Before she could bury her head again, the man attacked. He lifted Father from the ground as easily as if he were a feather and held him in the air.
Anthony flailed wildly, striking the lantern against Dominic’s head. The fiend latched onto it and flung it to the ground.
Roland surged forward, but Mother pulled him close.
Annabelle fought her mother’s tense grip. “Let me go! We have to help!”
“No!” Mother cried, “There’s nothing we can do!”
Mother screamed as Dominic smashed Father into the ground and surged forward to crouch over him. “Stop it! You’re hurting him!”
“Father!” Roland broke free and ran towards Dominic, his fists clenched and his eyes flooded in tears. “I’ll kill you!” Dominic simply swatted the boy to the ground.
“No!”
Annabelle’s veins filled with ice. Roland seemed to be breathing, but he was obviously dazed. Her parents were powerless. Her heart pounded in her ears as her world disintegrated around her.
Dominic looked up. Smiled. Sharp canine teeth glinted in the lantern’s orange glow. Terror squeezed Annabelle’s heart. Mother gasped.
The monster plunged his head down, those terrible fangs tearing at Father’s exposed throat. This couldn’t be real, Annabelle thought. This couldn’t be happening. It was just another dream inspired by her monster book. It had to be.
“Father! Make it stop! It’s just a dream!” she sobbed as Mother’s fingers dug into her arm.
“Is it?” Dominic’s smile, dripping with Father’s blood, chilled her bones.
“No! Get away from us!” Glorianna screamed, stepping backward.
Father was dead and Roland remained dazed. Annabelle had no choice. She swallowed her terror and broke free.
She charged at Dominic’s legs. Punched him hard. “Go away! Go away!”
Dominic flung her aside easily. He seized Mother and lifted her in his arms.