Every weekend, my siblings and I love going to the beach in front of my house. I always swam in the shimmering sea water and built sandcastles on the pearly white sand. But one particular day was rather strange.
As usual, I held Em's hands and carried my baby brother on my back wrapped in a loincloth. Em was always jumping around whenever we went to the beach.
As we booked a spot on the beach, Em bolted towards the wave, and splashed around. I unwrapped my loincloth as I carried Carter towards the water. My brother loved playing in the water. He looked forward every time we went to the beach. Em walked towards me and showed me a seashell.
"Can I keep it?" she asked, smiling.
"No, put it back," I said. "Taking it will only harm the ecosystem."
Em groaned. "Fine, but can I at least carry Carter?"
I nodded as Em lifted Carter from my grasp. As they were both playing with each other, I held my breath and sunk underwater. The view underwater was mesmerizing. Schools of fish greeted me as I swam. The corals underneath me watched as I noticed a bunch of spiky sea urchins, defending itself from nasty predators and unsuspecting fools.
Then, I heard a sweet, singing voice from the shore. It can't be Em and Carter, I thought. So I got up from the water and walked towards the shore, only to find it was empty. I called out Em and Carter's names, but there was no answer.
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
That singing voice. Where was it coming from? I searched around the beach and heard it again, this time near the forest.
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
I decided to follow the singing into the forest, hoping to find Em and Carter. The sound of crickets playing and the singing became louder with every step I took. As I continued walking, the ray of sunlight was slowly vanishing as the soil became ice-cold. I shivered as I wrapped my arms with my bare hands. That's strange. Isn't it supposed to be summer?
"Em,” My teeth rattled. "Carter, where are you?"
The forest became quiet. Not a single sound at all, not even from the crickets. I tightened my lips. Forests aren't usually quiet. I don't like this at all. I kept on walking, and walking, and walking, until I saw something.
A yellow light, glowing from afar. Maybe Em and Carter are there. I ran as fast as I could. The lights were getting brighter and brighter, revealing a shabby hut. I knocked on the door. "Is anyone in there?"
The door opened, revealing a young woman with sandy blonde hair and rosy cheeks. "May I help you?" she smiled sweetly.
"My apologies, miss, but have you seen my brother and sister? Their names are Em and Carter."
She shook her head. "I have not seen anyone, but you can come inside. You look cold."
I walked inside and sat on the woolen mat, with my legs crossed. She brewed a cup of Earl Grey tea and sat in front of me. I took a sip of tea and sighed with relief. She even covered my body with a toasty blanket. I thanked her for her hospitality. "You could stay here for the night," she said in a soft tone. "The woods is no place for a child like you."
I felt uneasy. There's something fishy about her. "It's alright," I declined her offer. "My mother's probably worried sick."
"I insist.” She grabbed my arms. "After all, I haven't eaten a child for eternity," her voice became raspy.
I was hyperventilating as I tried to pull away from her.
"Where are you going, brat?"
She cackled as her fingernails grew longer and her skin began to rot away. I panicked and bit her arms as I dashed away from the hut. I turned my head around and saw her floating towards me.
"You can't run forever, brat!"
I hid myself behind the tree, hoping she wouldn't see me. My heart palpitated as I clasped both my hands and whispered a short prayer. "Oh Lord, protect me from the wrath of evil."
Out of the blue, I heard her scratching the bark of the tree behind me. I sprinted my way through the darkness, only for her to appear right in front of me, with her bloodshot eyes. "There you are," she hissed.
I screamed my lungs out as I ran the other way, hoping to find the beach. I sensed she was flying behind me, ready to eat me.
In a moment, I saw the beach. Finally, I can go back inside the water. Just as my feet touched the seawater, she grabbed me by my hair. "Let me go!” I shouted.
“You won't have to run away from me ever again."
I stared at her, feeling nauseous. Maggots popped from her face as her long fingernails were nailed into my forearms. I yelled and stomped on her foot. She yelped in pain.
As quick as thunder, I splashed into the water and swam further away from the shore. She stood there, growling like a vulture.
"As long as you live, you will suffer in pain," she cursed. "And no power can undo the curse."
She kneeled and the forest was consumed with fire. Blood flowed on the seawater as she melted like a candle. I dunked my head underwater, and found the remains of the witch, sinking.
Then, I felt a tug underwater. I got up, and found Em, who was carrying Carter. "Bugsy, you were in there for so long," she expressed her worries. "I thought you were dead."
I glanced around and walked towards our spot. That's strange. I could swear the beach was empty. "Hey, did you hear someone singing?" I asked.
Em shook her head. "No, I didn't."
I froze in horror. If Em didn't hear anything, then what the hell did I just encounter?
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