Note: Sorry, the prologue is long and rocky. I swear it get's better as the story progresses.
Prologue:
Clutching the small box of teeth tightly, Nona watched her memories unfold...
A chilly blast of air autumn air whipped past her as she continued her brisk walk through the woods. Peering from beneath her hood she gazed up at the surrounding forest. The trees stood tall, illuminated by the faint glow of the moon, their twisted limbs clutching at the last of their leaves.
'Spooky...' she thought with a smile.
Glancing back to ensure her Clydesdale was tied securely, she trudged onward as the wind howled louder.
'Of all the nerve' she thought bitterly.
If it weren't for some local boys invading her sanctuary, she wouldn't need to be here in the first place.
Her sanctuary was an old abandoned house she'd stumbled upon during one of her walks; it was an eerie place to say the least. The siding was bleak, faded by the wear and tear of years long past, while everything inside remained pristine.
It was the ideal portrait of a haunted house, and ever since she found the place, she'd felt compelled to protect it.
She paused briefly, listened to the whoops and hollers a short distance ahead. Turning her gaze to the full moon she smiled deviously; it was payback time.
Dashing into the shadows, the young lady hid herself amongst the trees, watching patiently as the boys snuck along the porch. There were only about five of them; but upon close inspections she recognized one of them as her younger cousin whom she'd brought to the house earlier in the week.
That young boy was an adventurous child with an insatiable curiosity, and she thought showing him a real 'haunted' house might satisfy his appetite. But now he had brought others along with him and it was her fault they were in danger.
At present, it was late All Hallows Eve and she knew that children shouldn't be out wandering the local forests. Just then the wind picked up and the trees moaned in protest. A storm was brewing and she knew they had to leave.
Quietly she snuck around to the far side of the house just out of sight.
'If it's a fright they're looking for they won't be disappointed!' she thought, laughing to herself.
As if on cue thunder began to rumble in the distance. Gathering the folds of her cloak into her hands, she leapt onto the porch releasing the best blood curdling scream she could manage.
Their expressions were priceless.
Clutching her stomach she laughed near hysterics as she watched the boys scatter off towards town. But another roll of thunder spoiled her good mood.
With a sigh she straightened herself up, before walking off the porch.
Glancing back over her shoulder she stared at the house with a frown. Her prank would most certainly lead to more curious 'invaders'. Of course she enjoyed people's company, but sometimes she just needed an escape, and what could be better than an abandoned house? It was ideal.
Her sanctuary was a place where she could be alone and let her imagination run wild; she could be anyone she wanted, anywhere she wanted, with whomever she wanted.
It was why she loved Halloween.
The holiday gave her a chance to become something she wasn't; a time when others would share in her excitement and enthusiasm for all things terrifying and spooky, like local legends and ghost stories.
Even the Boogieman.
But it was these moments when she was reminded of how alone she really was. She was just too different and it scared people. In fact, it seemed like all she did anymore was hide.
"An escapist with an over active imagination." she mumbled to herself gloomily.
Just then more shouts echoed in the distance. Quickly surveying the area she spotted her horse, and with a quick sprint, she mounted him before heading off towards the racket.
A short distance ahead she could see group of young men tormenting the children. This was not going to be tolerated.
Gathering her cloak folds once more, she flicked the reins and charged ahead. Coincidently, a loud crash of thunder roared in the distance causing her Clydesdale to rear up on his hind legs as he brayed loudly into the night.
It was like something out of a nightmare, and she couldn't help but laugh at their screams of terror as they scrambled towards town. But, just when she started to follow after them, a bolt of lightning flashed through the night sky.
Without warning, her horse bucked, tossing her to the ground as a nearby tree was struck.
In an instant she felt a blinding, crushing pain; and with her last bit of strength, she watched the full moon disappear behind the storm clouds before everything went black.