The Witch in the Woods

No matter how skeptical you might be, Friday the 13th always carries an undeniable chill. On a windy evening in mid-December, the atmosphere of the symbolic date becomes even more somber. There’s always a feeling that something unexpected might happen.

As afternoon gave way to twilight, Lua stepped out of the cabin onto the porch, holding a glass filled with a golden liquid. She had prepared her special protection potion, meticulously crafted to shield her from recent attempts by dark energies to invade her space. What better moment to perform this simple, yet powerful ritual than on Friday the 13th?

Inside, the cabin was warm and comforting, infused with the lingering scent of sage and the gentle crackle of the fireplace. Lua had dedicated her day to cleansing the space—both physically and spiritually—to ensure she maintained her clarity and purpose despite the unexpected distractions and challenges that kept arising.

She took a final, deep breath, letting the fresh, brisk evening air enter her lungs, releasing any residual frustrations. Ready to settle in, she turned toward the cabin door. The wind howled through the trees, whipping branches in every direction. As she tried to shut the door behind her, she felt resistance and assumed it was just the wind. But when she glanced back, her heart skipped a beat: standing in the doorway was a towering figure holding the door open.

Lua, not easily intimidated—or at least unwilling to show it—lifted her eyes confidently to meet the intense gaze of the man in front of her and offered a polite smile.

“Hello, Justin. I’ve been expecting your visit,” she said calmly, stepping aside to allow him entry. His expression was difficult to decipher, his demeanor imposing enough to keep Lua on high alert.

“You and I have much to discuss, Lua,” he said firmly, eyes scanning the interior of the cabin, noting details he’d previously overlooked. Justin had been inside this cabin countless times before, but knowing what he now knew, everything looked and felt starkly different. Lua stayed quiet, gracefully moving toward the couch and sitting, signaling for him to follow.

After a tense moment, Justin finally broke the silence, his voice hesitant yet pointed: “…Or should I call you Loyalty?”

Determined to remain composed, Lua responded softly, almost flirtatiously, “You can call me whatever you prefer.” Justin wondered briefly if this was a deliberate tactic, yet he couldn’t deny the unexpected spark that ignited between them.

“I’m the last person to judge anyone for being involved with the Dark Oath,” Justin began, his voice unwavering yet tinged with anxiety. “And I wouldn’t even bring this up or confront you at all if it weren’t for—”

Lua stood abruptly, cutting him off. “The curses,” she finished for him, locking her gaze deeply onto his clear blue eyes. “You’re wondering if I’m responsible for the five curses. If the ritual is tied somehow to what happened to the University and Dean Gallanti. Is that what’s troubling you?”

Justin rose quickly, closing the gap between them. “I need to understand what I’ve gotten myself into. I’ve always been okay with not knowing every detail about these rituals, but things have changed.”

“What difference would knowing make now? What’s done is done.”

Justin grew visibly frustrated. “Why won’t you just answer clearly? Are the curses connected to the Dark Oath or not?”

---

The cold, howling wind clawed its way through the trees and buildings of Lake Laura, rattling windows, tearing at loose branches, and spreading a feeling of unease wherever it went. Far from the safety of the cabin, that same eerie energy seemed to wrap itself around Kelly as she slipped quietly out of the abandoned chapel, where an unofficial end-of-semester, Friday the 13th-themed party was in full swing.

She pulled her thick jacket tighter around her body, bracing against the biting wind that cut through her like glass. Each step into the night felt heavier, colder, lonelier.

“Kell? Are you leaving?” Alinda’s voice echoed from behind, the chapel door creaking open as she called out. The thump of bass from the party music spilled into the street.

“Yeah. Sorry, I couldn’t find you to say goodbye,” Kelly replied, waving back with a forced smile, silently praying that would be the end of it. That Ali would take the hint and let her go.

But of course, Kelly knew her friend better than that.

“Okay, just wait one second, I’ll get Evelyn. We’re coming with you. Don’t go anywhere!”

Kelly gave a nod, watching Ali disappear inside—then immediately turned and started walking as fast as she could in the opposite direction, her boots hitting the frozen pavement with urgent rhythm.

Ali meant well, but there wasn’t a chance in the world she could be around anyone right now. Her head was clouded. Her chest was tight. The recent days had been heavier than most, and tonight her depression had finally grabbed her by the throat.

She weaved through smaller streets and alleyways, zigzagging deliberately to avoid being found. Her eyes stung with tears—some from the wind, most from the tangled knot of embarrassment, rage, shame, and hopelessness building inside her.

Once she was sure no one could find her anymore, she slowed her pace. And then, at last, she let go.

Her breath came in sharp, shallow bursts as heavy tears spilled down her cheeks, instantly chilled by the cold. Her mind was racing, but not with clear thoughts. She couldn’t pinpoint a single moment that had triggered the collapse—there were too many. It was everything. All of it.

Maybe if she walked far enough, pushed her body hard enough, the sting in her legs would distract her from the ache in her soul. Maybe the physical strain and the winter air would pull her out of the dark place she’d fallen into.

But with every step she took, she felt worse.

The image of Peter at his father’s funeral kept flashing in her mind. The devastation on his face. The unbearable grief in his eyes. It haunted her. And then there was her own father—cold, distant, unreachable. The contrast made her feel even more alone. Her mother was halfway across the world in Singapore. Should she fly to see her? No. Absolutely not. Her mother couldn’t see her like this. She’d be disappointed. She’d see what everyone else saw: a girl too fragile, too broken, too sad. Too much.

The closer she got to the Lake Laura bridge, the more unsteady she felt. Her boots crunched on the icy path, her vision blurred by tears, her heart pounding out of rhythm. The world spun around her like it was losing gravity. She reached the edge of the bridge, gripping the railing, trying to breathe—but the panic was overtaking her.

Then—something. A sound behind her. Footsteps? Voices?

Wasn’t the bridge empty?

Suddenly, she wasn’t alone.

Shapes began to move around her, shadows closing in. Her vision distorted as the figures surrounding her became more sinister, more surreal. Less human. More like… something else.

Dark entities. Evil. Watching her. Coming closer.

Her fear exploded into full-blown panic, pushing out every ounce of sadness that had consumed her before. Her thoughts turned frantic.

The only way out is to jump.

She spun around, eyes wide, desperate. The figures were almost upon her.

They’re too close. I can’t escape. I need to jump. Now.

But her body refused to move. Frozen. Powerless. Her limbs wouldn’t respond. She suddenly lifted herself onto the guardrail—she could stand on her feet any longer. Everything around her was spinning at a speed that made her nauseous. Her vision faded.

And then—

Darkness.

---

Back at the cabin, the tension was palpable. Lua felt herself losing control, irritation slipping into her voice. “Justin, why are you interrogating me? You live in the same house as everyone involved in organizing this ritual!”

“If there’s anything I recognize in this world, it’s darkness. I know a dark soul when I see one,” Justin countered, his voice low and intense. “That’s what I see in you. You’re the real mastermind behind the Dark Oath. You manipulated my friends into thinking it was their idea, but it was you pulling the strings. I don’t know your reasons yet, but I will find out. I just know there’s evil at play here.”

They were standing so close now, Lua could feel the heat radiating from his body. She remained expressionless, choosing silence, careful not to say or do something she’d later regret.

“And what would be my purpose for doing all this?” she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Justin glared at her, his frustration evident. “I swear to God, if you answer with another question—”

“You’ll do what?” Her voice was gentle yet challenging. “Will you hurt me, Justin? After you’ve bowed down and pledged allegiance to me? Would you break your oath?” Lua slowly placed her hand gently against his cheek. “You would never do that.”

Justin hesitated, trapped between the urge to kiss her and the overwhelming impulse to burst into tears. Instead, he stepped back, turning toward the door.

As he prepared to leave, Lua spoke quietly but firmly from behind him: “Keep my secret, and I’ll keep yours.”

Kelly opened her eyes slowly, her mind struggling to register where she was and what had happened. The familiar blur of Alinda’s face began to form in front of her, and sounds started trickling into her ears.

“Dios te salve María, llena eres de gracia, el Señor es contigo, bendita tú eres entre las mujeres…” Ali was praying in Spanish at what seemed like superhuman speed, holding Kelly’s face in her trembling hands.

“Ali?” Kelly murmured, her voice barely audible.

“Oh, thank goodness.” Alinda made the sign of the cross, wiping the tears from her face. Without wasting another second, she helped Kelly up as her friend began showing signs of lucidity. “Let’s get out of this disgusting bridge,” Alinda said, guiding her away.

About an hour later, they were back at Alinda’s apartment. Kelly was curled up on the couch while Ali prepared tea in the kitchen. They’d taken a cab home, but the ride had been tense—Kelly drifting in and out of consciousness until they finally reached the safety of Alinda’s place. Now, at last, she was calm enough to speak.

“Did you see the creatures too?” Kelly asked, her voice hoarse and her head pounding as Ali walked into the living room, balancing two cups of tea.

“What creatures? What are you talking about?” Alinda replied, crouching to check Kelly’s forehead for a fever.

“At the bridge… there were so many of them. And they were… coming at me.” Kelly’s voice shook with confusion and fear. She knew how it sounded. She could see the concern—bordering on disbelief—in Alinda’s eyes.

“Did you… take anything at the party?” Alinda asked cautiously, already regretting the words as they left her mouth.

Kelly began to stand, shoulders tensing. “I’m going home. Thank you for helping me tonight, but I just need to rest. My head’s a mess. I’m probably just… confused.”

Ali stood up quickly. “No, Kell. Come on. Tell me about the creatures. I’m sorry I came off condescending. I’m here for you. Please—just talk to me.”

“Thanks, Al. I know you mean well, but… this is all so weird. And honestly, it’s embarrassing. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” Kelly said, slipping on her jacket and heading for the door.

“You’re not going ANYWHERE,” Alinda snapped, loud enough that her cat darted from the room. “If you want to talk about monsters, I’ll listen. If you want to tell me what’s been upsetting you, I’m here. And if you want to tell me what the hell you were doing alone on that bridge in the middle of the night—I’ll stay up with you all night long. No judgment. But you are not leaving my sight tonight.”

Kelly stopped. Slowly, she turned around, shrugged off her coat, and sank back into the couch beside her friend. She felt defeated—but also safe. Supported. Loved.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“Always,” Alinda replied gently.

After a pause, Kelly finally asked, “How did you know I was at the bridge?”

“I didn’t,” Alinda admitted. “I just… I know you haven’t been taking your meds. I panicked and ran that way. I don’t even want to know why it was the first place that came to mind.” Her eyes welled with tears. “What happened, Kell? What did you see?”

Kelly took a deep breath and began to recount what she remembered from the bridge. Much of it was hazy, a blur of sensations and shadowy figures, but she spoke as clearly as she could. Alinda listened, wide-eyed, occasionally interjecting with questions for more details.

Eventually, Kelly reached into her purse and pulled out a small bottle.

“You’re right. I haven’t been taking my meds consistently,” she admitted, handing it over. “But I’ve been using this. Lua gave it to me. It’s a tincture of St. John’s Wort. It’s been really helpful.”

Alinda took the bottle and squinted at the label. “St. John’s Wort? Kelly… you’re replacing your prescribed medication with a flower extract? Do you have any idea what kind of side effects this stuff can have?”

“You said you wouldn’t judge.” Kelly snatched the bottle back. “Besides, Lua wouldn’t give me anything that could hurt me.”

“Not on purpose,” Alinda replied, her tone steady but serious. “I hope she wouldn’t. But—” she paused, already pulling out her phone “—according to Google, ChatGPT, and literally every medical source on the internet, this can cause hallucinations. That could’ve gotten you killed tonight. This is serious, Kell. Why would Lua even suggest this?”

“Don’t blame her,” Kelly said, her voice softer now. “I asked for something—anything—that could help me. She told me it was risky to take without medical guidance. I insisted.”

Alinda sighed. “Well… you’re flying to Finland for the holidays. I’m going to my parents’. Maybe a little time apart will do us good. We’ll reconnect in the new year, and hopefully things will settle.”

“Hopefully,” Kelly echoed, leaning her head back on the cushion. Within minutes, she was fast asleep, the exhaustion finally winning.