Chapter 2
We had been in Inverness for no more than a week. Claire and Frank had been off at the reverend's house almost constantly while I ambled around the countryside exploring. It was mid-morning when there was a knock on my door.
"Evie sweet heart?" Claire said through the door.
"Yes Claire, you can come in." She swung open the door and took a seat on the bed. I was slouched in the chair reading a novel I had found in the bookshelf downstairs.
"I was wondering if you'd made it up to the standing stones upon Craigh na Dun, in your little exploring?" She asked me.
"No, I had intended to borrow a bicycle from someone but I haven't managed it yet. It's a little far to walk." I answered.
"Would you like to accompany me? Frank has gone off to the reverend's again, more research." She sighed. "We went to Craigh na Dun this morning and watched a druid ritual before sunrise. I saw a flower that I would like to collect a sample of. Come please, I have the car, and we have hardly spent any time together this week."
Not my fault you thought. In truth, your ramblings about the countryside had more to do with trying to ignore the rusty bed spring noises from the room next door, Claire and Frank's renewed attempt to start a family you gathered.
"And why aren't you accompanying him today?" You asked. "And what's this about druids?"
"There's only so much one can hear about Captain Jonathan Randall. Come on, I'll tell you about the druids along the way."
On the drive, Claire regaled you with the fantastic story of what they had witnessed that morning. I could hardly believe that there were still women practicing the pagan ceremonies of their ancestors in this century, though you supposed it did explain several of the things you had seen around town and Frank had said they were quite a superstitious lot.
"...and the reverend's house keeper Mrs Graham leads the circle. She reads palms and tea leaves too."
"Wait she works in the reverends household and she's a witch you say?" I exclaimed.
"Here we are." Claire said as she pulled the car over. I got out of the car and gazed around. "It's just up here a little way."
I followed her through the trees and brush to the bottom of a small hill. Atop the hill were large pillars of stone forming a rough circle, with the largest pillar in the centre.
"Well it certainly is an impressive sight. How do you think such things came to be here?" I asked. I noticed there was a slight buzzing noise coming from somewhere near. Claire walked over to one of the stones forming the outer circle and bent down to examine some small purple blooms at the base.
"Frank said they were carried here by…" She trailed off. A sudden burst of wind came upon us ruffling our hair and skirts. "Can you hear that?"
We were both drawn to the almost deafening buzzing noise which appeared to be emanating from the central pillar. The noise was frightening but at the same time drew you in. I suddenly found myself standing next to Claire in front of the central pillar, I hadn't intended to walk towards it but somehow my feet had carried me of their own accord, just as I was now unable to stop my hand from rising to touch the stone. I was just able to clasp onto my sister's hand as I felt the sensation of cold stone under my palm. The noise increased exponentially to the point where it was completely overwhelming. The stones were screaming. It felt as if my body had taken complete leave of all other senses so overwhelmed it was by the deafening noise. I suddenly felt as if I were falling but at the same time I was aware I was standing still. I don't know how long it continued for or when or if I had lost consciousness, I just gradually became aware that I was lying on the ground in front of the stone. I sat up and hastily scooted myself backwards until I felt as I were a safe distance from the stone. I gazed around, everything appeared to be the same. Claire, I thought suddenly and looked around for my sister. I heard a groan and saw her standing herself up from near the central stone.
"Claire, get away from there." I cried, scared for her. I slowly stood myself up, my head spinning, I felt nauseated.
"Evelyn, are you all right?" She came running over to me and took my face in her hands checking me over for any sign of injury. "What the bloody hell was that?"
"I have no idea, but let's never do it again!" I exclaimed, I wanted to be as far away from this place as possible. I never wanted to experience such a thing again.
We tried to gain our bearings and then headed in the direction of the car. The foliage of the woods was thick and kept snagging my skirts and scratching my legs. We paused when nothing seemed familiar and then began in a different direction. The bloody car had to be here somewhere. We were wandering around lost, nothing here looked the same as before, I could find no familiar landmarks. Surely, we should have found the car by now, or at least come to the road, or had some view of Inverness to lead us in the right direction, even if we did have to walk. We had just changed direction again when the sound of a gunshot rang out through the woods.
Please review, pretty please. I can see I have a few people following this story but I really would like a few comments on what you think so far. Not much to go on yet I know but at least to let me know your interested.
