The Legend Within Elfin Forest

by bb8isgreat

This was done for a theater class. I DO NOT TAKE FULL CREDIT FOR THIS. A close friend in the group helped me write the script and did a lot of the editing of said script, and the other people in our group also helped with the story and sound effects. Most of us also voiced characters. This radio drama is based on a local ghost story that is a bit of an urban legend in my area.

The Legend Within Elfin Forest

Cast

Riley(16): A friendly teenager that accepts every dare they're given. (A Friend voiced this character)

The Black Witch(Ageless): Spirit of a witch who practiced magic.

Was chased out of the forest by local now haunts the forest, and is said to ride a black horse.(I voiced this character)

Chicken: Tortured victim of the witch's ghost.(Sound effect)

Teen(16): The person who dares Riley to enter the forest. (That Same Friend who voiced Riley voiced this character as well)

Narrator: Voices the paragraph in the beginning and any others that are specified. (Someone else who was in the group)

Narrator:

*One night a long time ago in Elfin Forest, there was a group of magical chicken torturers. (chicken noises begin and slowly fade out) The nearby village was tired of the witches stealing their chickens, so the angry peasants raided the (angry villager noises) witches hut and chased them out of the village, but not before a curse was laid on the entire forest. The villagers were never heard from again. (silence) (pause) One day, many, many years later…..

(Opens with the sound of a car moving closer, and then suddenly stopping* digital) . A car door slams and footsteps are heard crunching on gravel.)

TEEN

See? I told you it was haunted.

(The sound of a slight breeze can be heard foly), along with some wildlife digital), but other than that all is silent.)

RILEY

I´m not so sure. The stories all sound kind of made up to me.

TEEN

Then go into that forest and prove it.

RILEY

Bro, there are few reasons I would go into some random forest after dark JUST to prove it's not haunted.

TEEN

Then I triple dog dare you.

RILEY

Dang, skipping to the triple? Guess that's gonna have to be one of the reasons.

But you owe me coffee.

NARRATOR

Riley headed out towards the entrance of the woods. This was a bad idea.

(Riley´s footsteps can be heard, softly stepping over the beaten hiking trail, as they carefully click on a flashlight. The forest is silent, except for the occasional rustling of leaves.)

RILEY(Whispering to herself)

I don't get why people are so scared of this place. It's pretty.

(Suddenly, a strange noise startles Riley and the teen turns, as strange rustling noises can be heard in the distance.)

(Then from out of thin air, the faint sound of screaming can be heard, as well as angry cries)

RILEY

What?! I thought no one was out here. Oh my god, are they okay?

(More voices can be heard, still faint and in the distance. Riley takes a few steps forward, revealing a creaking old wooden swing, with faint green paint on it. )

RILEY

An abandoned swing set in the middle of the woods. Huh.

NARRATOR

Riley approached the swing, put her bag down and sat. Another bad idea. No matter how hard they tried, Riley couldn't get the swing to budge.

(She moves forward, and, placing her bag on the ground with a loud Thump, she sits in the swing, which makes a loud creaking noise and refuses to move, even when it is aggressively pushed.)((sounds are thump, creak, grunt))

RILEY

*nervous chuckle* okay, well, this is not normal. I'm gonna leave it alone.

NARRATOR

Ah, Riley's first good idea all night. But in trying to stand, the swing wouldn't let go. And then, they heard something from the distance. A.. a horse?

(She attempts to get up, but finds she cannot, and starts panicking. Again, out of thin air, as if from the past, hoofbeats are heard trotting towards Riley,as if someone still travels the worn path, looking for someone, or, something.)

(The hoofbeats again get louder, and move closer as Riley continues to struggle on the swing. A faint whisper can be heard, and we once again hear faint screams and cries somewhere in the distance.)

NARRATOR

A woman draped in black robes appeared behind Riley. Her sunken eyes and harsh scowl are highlighted by the moonlight.

THE BLACK WITCH(Threatening, but quiet)

Get, Out.

NARRATOR

Fear and confusion ran through Rileys chest, but being polite was the top priority, I guess.

(Riley turns her head, scared for their life, and remains frozen, unable to flee the sight before her.)

RILEY

H- hel- hello, miss..

THE BLACK WITCH

My family died because of you.

RILEY

Wait. I didn't kill anyone!

NARRATOR

It's true. They didn't. I can vouch.

THE BLACK WITCH

A price needs to be paid in blood.

RILEY

M- Miss, what happened?

THE BLACK WITCH

MY family was murdered in cold blood by those who feared us, and hated those who were different from their narrow ways.

RILEY

I… I'm so sorry.

THE BLACK WITCH

I don't care. This persecution ends now.

RILEY

I think.. I think it ended a long time ago, miss. I had nothing to do with your family's death.

THE BLACK WITCH

The death of one of your kind will avenge the others in my village who were murdered in cold blood. But first...Any last words?

RILEY

What's your name?

THE BLACK WITCH

You don't deserve to even hear my name. Now, prepare to die.

NARRATOR

A name long forgotten is impossible to be shared, after all.

RILEY

Well I'm not so sure I deserve to die either. My guess is neither did you.

THE BLACK WITCH

Then who else can die in your place? One must die.

RILEY

I.. Well I don't exactly have anyone in mind. Why does someone need to die? It won't bring anyone back.

THE BLACK WITCH

Revenge is all I know. Ever since I cursed this place, anyone who steps foot here at night must die. The swing is a trap, cursed by that same spell.

RILEY

Is that when they raided? In the night? I've heard the legends. But, I don't think there's anyone left to take revenge on. They're all gone by now.

THE BLACK WITCH

If I cannot convince you with my words, then maybe the past itself will show you why.

RILEY

Okay.

NARRATOR

With that, the scenery began to twist and change. Burning huts, the ghosts of raging townsmen, headless chickens with singed feathers running ramped! A horrifying sight.

(The sound of cries and screams get louder, and the sound of an angry mob can be heard. THe screaming gets louder and more intense, untail, it stops, but loud wailing can be heard once the screaming fades.)

THE BLACK WITCH

They attacked at night. There was no warning, and before we knew, most of us were dead. We were no match for men with guns and nooses.

RILEY

Well, you have every right to be angry. That's a terrible thing to happen.

THE BLACK WITCH(Stunned and unsure)

Yes, wait what? Since when do I want to agree with you?

RILEY

I understand that you want someone to pay but I don't know that it should be me. I have a family of my own to get back to. I need to help my little sister with a project tonight so I need to get going soon.

THE BLACK WITCH(Still unsure, but less harsh)

Very well. I'm.. I'm glad to finally meet someone who listens.

RILEY

Would you mind if I visited some time? These woods are beautiful.

THE BLACK WITCH(Still Unsure)

I suppose I wouldn't mind. You may return whenever you like.

RILEY

I look forward to seeing you again. Maybe someday I'll earn the right to know your name. Mine's Riley, by the way.

THE BLACK WITCH(Not as harsh)

Goodbye, Riley.

(The sound of horse hooves start to retreat, and the woods become silent once again.)

Narrator:

And there we have it. A neutral ending. Maybe someday they'll reach a happy one. But that wouldn't be any of our business, now would it?