HellScape

“Why are we here?” I ask looking from the old run down house to my best friends, Lassie and Carlee.

“We are ghost hunting!” Lassie giggles as she pulls out a video camera. I turn my gaze back to the house and a shiver runs down my spin.

“You guys have fun with that.” I say as I give them a salute and turn to walk away.

“Oh no you don’t, Serenity!” Carlee yells as she grabs the back of my shirt and pulls me into the house.

“But…I have to…go…” I finish lamely.

“No you don’t. Your free till tomorrow night.” Lassie says pointing an accusing finger at me as she follows behind us making sure I don’t make a run for it.

“Plus, we need you to read something.” Carlee adds as she stops and turns me around, shoving an old, worn out book into my stomach. I cough slightly at the force, but hold the book up.

“‘Spells and Incantations’.” I read aloud frowning as I looking at it.

“And I have to read this because…?” I ask.

“Because your the best at reading aloud and because your scared. Ghosts feed off the feeling of fear.” Carlee explains as she gives me one of her evil smiles. I feel the color drain from my face. Why couldn’t I have normal friends? Carlee takes my hand and pulls me into an abandon room and motions for me to sit on the floor. I sink to my knees and sigh. Why do I always have to be the one that tries to make people happy? I wonder to myself.

“What one am I reading?” I ask, flipping through pages.

“Pick one.” Carlee says happily knowing that I gave in. Lassie giggles and sets the camera on the floor in front of me and walks out the door.

“I’ll wait in the hallway.” she calls as she walks out.

“Just pick one, read the whole thing. Then come get us when your finished. And then we’ll go over what we got on camera.” Carlee tells me smiling as she steps out of the room and closes the door behind her. I take a shaky breath as I close my eyes, flipping through the pages. I stop flipping when I feel like it’s the right page. I open my eyes to look over the spell, well, as long as it makes them happy…

“Well…here goes nothing.” I mumble to myself before taking in a deep breath and read the spell.

“A lonely night

A haunting soul

Bound between it all

stuck in the between

Untie this binding

Make me free

let it be done

Let me see…”

I glance quickly at my hands gripping the book tightly. On each hand there’s a set of three lines making a star shape. I frown slightly for not noticing but don’t stop reading.

“Unseen wonders

To my eyes

Unbind this tie

Let me see…”

A shadowy figure appears before me holding what looks like a golden bow an arrow. With gleaming gold eyes glaring at me. The thing makes a hissing sound before drawing back the bow. I faultier slightly, but whisper out the last lines, staring at the shadow.

“you are free

So mote it be.”

It growls at me and let’s go of the arrow. I let out an ear piercing scream and close my eyes, waiting for the pain, but only hear metal collide with metal. I open my eyes slowly, only to come face to face a lynx a few inches away. My breath catches in my throat, as I feel it’s warm breath on my face.

“Murder. Suicide. Get this girl out of here.” someone growls. My eyes flicker to were the noise came from, but I only catch the glimpse of a sword before being pushed and pulled towards the door. Standing, a lynx pulls on my sleeve and one pushing into the back of my legs.

“Don’t just stand there, run!” the figure yells at me. I hitch the book up under my arm and start running leaving my shocked friends standing with there mouths hanging open.

“I swear I’ll call you later! Just get out of here now!” I yell to them over my shoulder.

The lynxes-Murder and Suicide-following on either side of me.

I fling the door open and take off in a dead sprint towards my house.

What have I gotten myself into?