I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. I'd never been happy on my birthday, and today was no exception. It seemed like something always ruined the day. That's why I never bothered celebrating or even remembering it.
I lay down on my bed, wrapping myself in a duvet. I could hear Bella calling my name, but I didn't respond.
******
"Let's continue our game," Stacy said, her voice persuasive. "I don't think I want to play anymore," I replied, hugging a pillow.
"I'm going to tell you a story," Stacy said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "A story? Oh, I love stories," I thought to myself. "Okay, I'm coming," I said, jumping out of bed and heading to the living room.
"So, you like stories?" Stacy asked, a smile on her face. "Yeah, I really do," I replied, settling in to listen.
"Okay, here's a story," Stacy began. "In a land shrouded in darkness, there lived a wicked witch with a heart blacker than coal. She was notorious for her evil deeds, striking fear into the hearts of all who crossed her path. Her malevolent powers knew no bounds, and her cruelty was matched only by her cunning.
"They say she was once a beautiful woman, consumed by her own ambition and desire for power. She made a pact with dark forces, trading her soul for unimaginable power and knowledge. But with every spell she cast, with every life she took, her heart grew darker, her soul more twisted.
"She preyed on the innocent, using her powers to manipulate and control. She would lure them in with promises of love and protection, only to strike when they least expected it. And when she was done with them, she would discard them like trash, leaving behind a trail of broken lives and shattered dreams.
"But her greatest pleasure was in the darkness. She would sneak into villages under the cover of night, snatching children from their beds and dragging them back to her lair. There, she would perform her twisted rituals, using their innocence and fear to fuel her powers.
"As the years went by, the people began to notice. They would whisper stories of a witch who lived in the shadows, a monster who preyed on the young and the innocent. And they would tremble with fear, knowing that they were powerless to stop her.
"But, as with all evil, her own darkness consumed her. She met a tragic end, a victim of her own malevolent ways. Yet, even in death, she vowed to return, to continue her evil works and spread darkness and despair throughout the land.
"Some say that on certain nights, when the moon is full and the shadows are long, you can still feel her malevolent presence, watching and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Others claim to have seen her, a shadowy figure lurking in the darkness, her eyes glowing with an otherworldly light."
I shivered, despite myself, as Stacy's words conjured up a vivid image in my mind. The story was both captivating and unsettling, leaving me with a sense of unease that lingered long after she finished speaking. It felt like something I've seen or experienced before, perhaps a dream.
"Guys, I have no idea who's up for this," Oppra said, her eyes fixed on her phone. "I just searched the story Stacy told us, and can you believe the town actually exists just a few kilometers outside the city?" Her voice was laced with excitement.
Bella's eyes widened. "Wow, that would be an epic adventure!" she exclaimed.
Stacy's expression turned cautious. "Guys, I don't think it's a good idea. I know the evil lady's soul still lingers around that area. I'm not sure we should go there."
Her words did little to deter us. "Let's go this evening," I suggested, flashing a persuasive smile. "It sounds like a thrilling experience, doesn't it?"
"Who's in?" Bella asked, her eyes scanning the group.
"We're all in," Kelvin replied, his voice filled with enthusiasm.
"Alright, let's do this," I said, and we all nodded in agreement.
We packed some refreshments and a backpacking tent, and Kelvin borrowed a car from his friend. Bella took the wheel, and we set off at 8:30 PM. As we drove down the long, winding road, the surroundings grew increasingly ominous. The trees seemed to close in around us, casting long, sinister shadows on the ground.
*****
After what felt like an eternity, we turned into a dark and foreboding town. Every house was shrouded in darkness, their windows like empty eyes staring back at us. The air was heavy with an eerie silence, and the only sound was the soft crunch of gravel beneath our tires.
As we ventured deeper into the town, the atmosphere grew more oppressive. The houses seemed to loom over us, their peeling facades and overgrown gardens exuding a sense of neglect and decay. The wind rustled through the trees, causing the branches to creak and sway like skeletal fingers.
We eventually found ourselves at the edge of the woods, where the trees towered above us like sentinels. The darkness seemed to press in around us, making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead.