The Amity-Ville Horror part 2
The door creaked as Emira slid back into her sister's room. Four of the five witches were sitting huddled on Amity's bed while Boscha was back sitting in the chair by the window. She had her arms crossed and a vacant look on her face. She barely glanced up as Emira sat down.
Emira draw a circle in the air and several small balls of fire materialized around her, once again coating the walls in flickering shadows. She drew a deep breath and continued.
"Everything was quiet for a month on the Martin farm; Edward and Michelle tried to remain vigilant for anything out of the ordinary or concerning, but they soon stopped as the days grew shorter and colder."
"Nina Martin had a boyfriend named Nathaniel; although he still lived in the city, he would come over to visit whenever he had a free weekend. During one such visit, Nina and Nathaniel decided to talk a stroll in the woods. Both of their Palismen were carved into the shape of animals that would normally be at home in a forest similar to the one covering most of their property."
"As they started across the field, Nina and Nathaniel kept their Palismen on their staffs, reasoning that the would let them free once they got into the woods. As they entered the woods, they both reached up and released their Palismen, who ran off ahead of the couple."
"Now, Nina was very aware of what her father and brother had experienced out in this area of the woods a month before. She had discussed it with Nathaniel and they both agreed that whatever had been stalking Edward and Seamus that night surely had moved on. They also reasoned that they were both adult witches with fierce Palismen."
"As they made their way through the trees, Nina and Nathaniel joked and laughed about what area of magic they wanted to specialize in. This was years before Emperor Belos introduced the Coven System; all witches were still free to practice wild magic. Of course, there had been rumors of towns up north, closer to the Head that had been drained of their magic, their occupants lying soulless and unmoving."
"As the two walked, they both keep a careful ear out for the sounds of their Palismen running ahead. Both animals made a rather unique pitter-patter sound as they ran and both witches knew the sound of their Palismen's breathing."
"As they moved deeper into the forest, the coupe began to notice changes in their surroundings; the trees were beginning to appear gnarled and twisted, the normally thick undergrowth gave way to bare ground, and a thick mist was beginning to form all around them. Although it was late winter, the temperature had already began to rise; as they got deeper into the forest, they noticed they would see their breath."
"The couple made their way around a particularly thick tree trunk and found both of their Palismen halted in front of what appeared to be a mound in the middle of a clearing. The two apprehensively walked closer and realized that it was mound of dirt, really a small hill, that had been pilled up around a large hole in the ground. In fact, they would see deep gouges on either side where the earth had been dug up and moved onto the mound."
"While they were investing, they began to notice a deep rushing sound, like something large and unseen was blowing on a campfire, trying to keep it alive. Against his better judgement, Nathaniel moved closer to the opening. As he approached, the rushing sound got faster and he could faintly make out clouds of dust swirling around the edges of the hole. Suddenly, a low growl came rumbling out of the hole, startling Nathaniel, and causing him to jump backwards, colliding with Nina."
"In a blind panic, the two clawed at the ground and each other as they struggled to regain their feet. They knew without saying anything that they had to run, they had to get away. With their Palismen leading them, they scrambled in the direction of home. Nathaniel glanced back over his shoulder – something was stirring from the inky blackness of the hole."
Emira paused – allowing the ambient noise of the rain, wind, and flickering flames to build the atmosphere in the dark room. Across from her, four witches sat clutching each other, eyes wide and reflecting the dancing firelight. Boscha sat with her head down, her eyes shut tight.
Knock knock knock!
Emira jumped slightly at the gentle tapping at the door. She rose to her feet and crossed the room, grabbing the handle and pulling the door open. Edric stuck his head through.
"Hey. Uh, is everything alright in here?"
"We're fine, Ed." said Emira, flashing her brother a charming smile. "I'm telling them a spooooooky story!"
She laughed menacingly. Edric laughed.
"Well, I guess dad almost got his wish." He leaned around his sister to address Amity and her friends.
"Listen, I'm glad you guys are having fun, but I have a test tomorrow and all the stuff hitting my window is kinda distracting."
The girls exchanged nervous looks.
"Ed, who would possibly be throwing things at your window?" Said Emira; she smirked at her twin. "Are you sure you're not just imagining it? I mean, you are kinda a scaredy-cat."
A few snickers echoed around the room.
"Oh ha ha, Em. Look, whoever is doing it, however you're doing it, just stop, ok? I'm already freaked out by this storm." Said Edric, already turning towards the door. He opened it and disappeared into the dark hallway, leaving the door ajar.
Emira got up and walked to the door. She peered out onto the landing before carefully shutting the door.
"What is it?" asked Amity, her voice wavering. Emira turned and treated her sister to a reassuring grin.
"Just making sure he actually goes back to his room and isn't waiting to jump out at us."
She sat back down in the center of the room, took a deep breath, and asked:
"You guys aren't doing anything to his window, right?"
All five witches shook their heads. Emira beamed.
"Great! Let's keep going."
She took a deep breath.
"Another month when by without incident; although none of the Martin family ventured into the woods after hearing about Nina and Nathaniel's encounter. Edward and Michelle were sitting on the front porch, discussing the upcoming harvest season – something that Edward and Seamus usually took care of as Michelle was working longer and longer hours as a healer in town."
"During a break in the conversation, Edward begins to feel uneasy. He mentions to his wife 'hey, do you feel like something is watching us?'. Michelle nods her head. Suddenly, the birds that were so cheerfully singing fall silent. Instantly, a feeling of dread washes over Edward. He stands up and tells his wife 'we need to get inside, right now!'. Now Michelle, is creeped out but also a little curious, so she tries to peer out into the gloom but she can't see anything."
"Once again, Edward is overtaken by this absolute feeling of danger, so he grabs Michelle's arm and tries to pull her out of the chair. Suddenly, she puts her hand on his. 'Did you hear that?' she asks."
"Luckily, Edward has his staff with him, he fumbles for it but manages to grab it. He waves his hand in front of it and his Palismen's eyes begin to glow, sending this beam of light out into the field. Edward begins to slowly pivot his staff back and forth – ahhhhh!"
Emira let out a scream as the door to Amity's room flew open. Edric walked in, an angry look on his face.
"Guys, I've had enough. Stop throwing things at my window, stop with the spooky sounds. I need to study."
"Ed! We aren't doing anything!" said Emira, her voice low. Edric shook his head.
"You're the only other ones in the house!"
A sob broke out; six pairs of eyes turned and focused on Skara. The small girl was shaking and huddled as close to Cat and Amity as should could get. She opened her mouth, her voice a whisper.
"You heard it to?"
Edric gave her a sour look.
"Don't try to scare me, Skara. You're the only one here who uses bard magic. For all I know, it's you."
He turned around and walked out the open door, his last angry statement hanging in the air.
"Seriously, just knock it off."
For the second time that night, Emira grabbed the door and swung it closed. With her hand still on the handle, she spoke to Skara.
"Skara, what did you hear?"
Skara only shook her head, her eyes wide.
'Wow, she is really freaked out' Emira thought to herself. 'Well, Ed should be bursting through that door any time to scare them and we'll come clean about this being a prank.'
She looked at each of the other girls in turn; Amity was holding Skara close, their cheeks touching; Cat had her hands cupped over her chin, her eyes wide and watery; Amelia was clutching a pillow so tightly to her chest that it looked about to pop.
Boscha was a different story. She had moved from the chair and was now pressing herself as snugly as she could into the corner of the room. All three of her eyes were squeezed shut and she looked like she was holding her breath.
Emira crept up to Boscha and placed a hand on her shoulder. Boscha gave a mighty twitch and grabbed Emira's hand with her own. Emira spoke, her voice kind.
"Hey, we can stop here if you're getting too scared."
Boscha let out a laugh. "Scared?" she said. "I'm so not scared, Blight." Her voice dropped an octave. "But you can sit next to me, if you want."
Emira drew in a long breath and nodded. She sat down next to Boscha, placing a comforting hand around her shoulders. Despite her posturing, Boscha did not remove it.
"When Ed..." she faltered and started again 'Edward began to shine his staff across the fields. He's scanning the field and as the light reaches the area directly out in front of them, he stops. Because right in the middle of the field are these three….three creatures." She felt Boscha give another jerk. "These three, massive creatures with long snouts and eyes that shown in the dark. And they were just staring at Edward and Michelle."
"Edward is so startled that he doesn't notice the two other creatures until they are standing right beside the other three. He sees hair raising up on their backs and suddenly all five starting running towards the house. Edward is so taken aback that he drops his staff and they lose sight of the creatures in the darkness, but they can hear them growling and howling. Edward fumbles at this feet for his staff and, without looking, he and Michelle rush into the house and bolt their door."
"They run up the stairs as they hear the creatures jump onto their porch. They hear claws scratching at the wood as they make it to the second floor. Both of them are expecting the creatures to come through the door at any time…and they wait, and wait, and wait. Finally, Edward lead Michelle to one of their upstairs bedrooms. They raises the corner of one of their curtains ever so slightly and peek out. Standing out in front of their house are those five creatures. None of them are moving; they were just staring at the house, waiting for the Martins to come back outside – AHHHH! ED!"
Edric slipped through the bedroom door; he swiftly crossed the room to the window and nudged the curtain aside with one finger. He peered out into the Blight's backyard before kneeling down and speaking in a quiet but urgent voice.
"Em, I need you lock this window and stay here with the girls."
Emira felt a rush of panic – Edric was never this serious unless something was really, really wrong. She gulped.
Maybe he's trying to improvise a bit before we jump them. Guess I'll play along.
"What's going on, Ed?"
Edric put his hand on her shoulder.
"Just stay up here with the girls. I'll be right back."
Edric stood back up, walked back across the room, and pulled open the door. Because of the layout of Amity's room, Boscha and, if she had been looking, Emira were positioned perfectly in line with the door and the hallway immediately beyond. Boscha kept he eyes on Edric as he pulled the door open and lit a ball of light in his hand. He turned to give the girls a wave.
In the second before he pulled the door closed, Boscha was able to make out a shape in darkness behind him. She saw a long snort, eyes that glowed white in the semidarkness of the hall, and a flash of teeth. Boscha opened her mouth and screamed as the door clicked shut.
Five other screams shattered the silence in the room; Boscha was the first to run out of breath and began sobbing. Emira grabbed Boscha's face in her hands.
"Boscha! Boscha, what's wrong?"
Boscha pointed towards the door.
"I saw it, Emira!" She put her hands over her eyes and continued to sob. "I….saw…it!"
Boscha screamed again as the door cracked open; Edric stuck his head in.
"I heard screaming. What happened?"
Emira had her arms around Boscha; she ran one hand through Boscha's purple hair, trying to calm her.
"Boscha thought she saw something."
"I did see something!" Boscha sobbed. "There was something out in the hall with you, dumbass!"
Edric opened the door fully; his extended his ball of light so that it illuminated most of the hallway beyond him.
"Boscha, there isn't anything out here. Now, I want you guys to stay up here. I need to lock the front door."
Emira extricated herself from Boscha as gently as she could. She stood up and walked to the window. She took a breath to steel herself and slowly pulled the curtain back a fraction. She felt her breath catch in her throat as she gasped.
Standing outside in the mist, she could make out four large creatures. They each stood on four legs with humped backs and long snouts; as she watched, a fifth creature came trotting from around the house.
She let the curtain fall back into place as she backed away. She took a few panicked breaths.
"Em? What's out there, what did you see?"
Emira shook her head. It was just a stupid ghost story. Hearing movement from the bed, Emira looked over.
Skara slide off the bed and, with shaking, wobbly steps, crossed to the window. She pulled the curtain back as far as Emira did; Skara raised a hand to her mouth to stifle a scream. She dropped the curtain and crouched down so fast Emira thought she had fainted.
"Skara?" Cat asked. Skara shook her head.
"I see them out there. The things from Emira's story. They're watching for us!"
Emira looked right at her brother and nodded.
"We need to lock the doors downstairs." She began to walk towards the door. Edric returned her nod and walked back out into the hallway.
"Edric!"
Emira spoke to herself "Something isn't right here..." To the girls "I'm going downstairs to help Ed."
Amity shot off the bed and grabbed her sister's arm.
"Emira! No, don't go! Please stay here!" she pleaded, her voice thick and high pitched. She had tears in her eyes.
"I just need to go down and help Ed." said Emira. "I'll come back as soon as I'm done, ok?"
Amity squeezed her hand.
"Straight back! You have to come straight back!"
Emira smiled.
"Promise!"
Emira reached the bottom of the stairs. She paused to listen for movement before slowly crossing to the large door at the front of the house. She checked the bolt. It was already locked. Emira smiled.
"Good job, Ed!"
A loud THUMP made Emira jump. She crouched down and looked from side to side, trying to spot her brother. He breath caught in her throat as she saw the outline of a large four-legged shape pass in front of one of the large bay windows; luckily, the curtains were already drawn.
Shit shit shit!
Emira backed herself until she passed through the open doorway that led into the large dining area. She knew that the bottom floor had a total of three doors that led to the outside. One of them was locked, meaning she had to reach and lock the other two doors.
Emira gulped and headed through the dining area to the kitchen. She made a beeline for a door on the far side of the room, trying to move fast and silent. She reached the door and slammed the bolt home.
Two down, one to go.
Emira crossed back through the kitchen and dining room; this time, she turned and crept down a second hallway to another large room. This was the room that held the door to the backyard – it was meant as a room for the Blight siblings to change their shoes before entering the house proper, so not to get Odalia's precious floors dirty.
Emira froze as a sudden sound reached her ears. She heard the scritch-scratch of claws on wood. Beyond the door was a large porch before the large backyard began. Emira took a deep breath and crawled forward. After what seemed like an eternity, she reached the door, reached up, and locked it.
Emira breathed a sign of relieve and leaned her back against the door. Which proved to be a mistake. Her heard jumped into her throat as she heard a growling yelp and felt the door shake as something smashed into it.
Emira screamed and jumped to her feet. She ran from the room and almost collided with Amity as she entered the main hall. The two girls grabbed on to each other; Emira could see the rest of Amity's friends behind her, with Boscha still halfway down the stairs.
"Where's Ed?" Emira gasped out.
"He's not with you?" Amity squealed back.
Suddenly, the front door gave a mighty BOOM! The six witches started at the sudden noise. A strangled snarl came from something just on the other side. Emira pushed Amity behind her and shouted for the rest of the girls to run back upstairs. She drew a circle and lit a ball of fire in her hand.
"SURPRISE!"
The lights suddenly blazed on; Emira squeezed her eyes shut against the sudden brightness.
Even as her brain struggled to put the pieces together, she heard someone laughing and something in her just knew…
'No! No No No he wouldn't….'
Emira opened her eyes and looked around. The shadowy form of the creature was gone. Edric stood next to the hallway leading to the back of the house. And he was laughing.
Emira saw red for a second. She started in a jog towards her brother.
"You fucking asshole!" She shouted. She reached him and, without thinking, slapped him full across the face.
"You complete fucking…asshole!" she shouted again.
Edric grabbed his cheek; Emira saw the expression on his face change from triumphant, to confused, then, surprisingly, to anger.
"What the hell, Em? You're going to slap me just because my prank was better than yours?"
Skara was the first of the group to recover. She stood up and ran to Emira, wrapping her arms around the older girl. She buried her face in Emira's shoulder. The two held each other before Skara raised her head to glare at Edric over Emira's shoulder.
"What do you mean 'prank'?" She removed herself from Emira and pointed an accusing finger at her "And what does he mean by 'your prank'?"
With a clamoring of feet, Amity and the rest of her friends ran over to Emira and Skara.
Amity was in disbelief; she looked from her brother to her sister. "This was all a prank?"
Edric crossed his arms and laughed.
"Yep! Admit it, we got you guys good!" He said.
But Emira did not feel the same way. "We agreed we were only going to throw sticks and rocks at the window and make some scary sounds! What were you thinking, taking it this far? No one is laughing, Ed! Our sister was crying up there! She was terrified! We all were!"
Edric felt his stomach bottom out.
"Em – "
"No! Look at them, Ed! Do they look like they are having fun?"
Edric looked over at the five younger witches. Amity and Skara looked mad, Cat looked hurt, and Amelia was glaring at him, her arm wrapped around Boscha, who was still crying.
A loud KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK sounded at the front door. Emira jumped and Boscha let out another scream. Edric's heart fell. He knew who was at the door.
"Edric? Ed, did we freak them out?"
Emira out her hands on her hips.
"Oh no. Don't you tell me Julian Marsh is out there."
Edric slowly nodded. Emira gave a scoff. She nodded, her eyes beginning to mist.
"Yeah, I guess that explains the creatures, right?" Her voice wobbled as she berated her brother.
Julian knocked at the door again.
"Ed? Let me in, man."
Emira crossed to the door, pulled back the bolt, and threw open the door. A witch about her and Edric's age stood on the front porch. He was half a head taller than Edric, with skin that was a few shades tanner than the twins. Emira grabbed Julian by the overcoat and pulled him into the house.
Julian stumbled after Emira let him go but quickly caught himself before he fell over. He took a glance around the room, instantly reading the mood. He looked over at Edric.
"Um, I was expecting scared, but not...Oh shit." He let out a whistle and leaned in close to Edric. "Emira looks pissed." He whispered.
"Oh, you think?" said Emira, glaring at him. "Well, what do you two have to say for yourselves?"
Edric and Julian glanced at each other before looking down at the floor.
"Em, getting Julian to help was all my idea," said Edric. "After you told me your plan, I thought 'yeah, it's a solid prank', but I also thought I could make it so much better."
"And this was all your idea, Em?" Amity asked, her voice soft. Emira's angry expression instantly turned to guilt. She turned to her sister.
"Mittens, I didn't know Edric was going to take it so far."
Amity's eyes misted up.
"All I wanted was a nice night with my friends. Just one night where you two didn't mess with me."
"Amity, it was supposed to be a stupid prank – "
"But it wasn't, Em! I was scared shitless!"
"This is probably the worst prank you've pulled on us." said Cat.
"Ed, Em, you took this one way too far." said Amelia.
"Normally I live for scary stuff, but this?" said Skara. "This wasn't fun."
Boscha muttered something. Skara walked over and Boscha whispered in her ear. Skara hugged her.
"I know. I know." She said, patting Boscha on the back. She turned and walked over to Edric.
"Well?"
Edric took a deep breath.
"Fine. You know why I did this? You all -" he pointed at Skara, Boscha, Cat, and Amelia " – have been making fun of me for as long as I can remember." He raised his voice in a falsetto, clearing mocking on of the girls. "Oh Amity, your brother is so dumb." "Oh Emira, you're the coolest twin" He spoke with his normal voice.
"So yeah, I wanted to teach you a lesson, and when Emira came to me with her idea for a prank, I decided to take it up a notch – "
"You decided to take it up A NOTCH!?" Boscha shouted. She stomped up to Edric, who shrunk back just a little bit.
"This was not just A NOTCH, Blight! I cried in front of everyone! I NEVER cry!" she shouted.
"And now you and Em and your creepy friend are going to tell everyone at school that I cried and I'm going to lose all my friends and…and I'm going to get kicked off the grudgby team and…and…"
Boscha began to hyperventilate, breathing faster and faster as she gasped for air. Emira and Amity ran over and grabbed her underneath her arms. Luckily, the Blights did keep some benches in their foyer, which Emira and Amity walked Boscha over to. Cat, Skara, and Amelia were close behind them.
Skara spoke to Emira under her breath as they sat Boscha down.
"Em, Boscha is afraid of the dark. Like, really afraid. I know your brother didn't mean to, but I think he may have traumatized her."
Emira nodded her head sadly as Cat led Boscha in a breathing technique, helping to calm her down.
By the door, Julian poked Edric in the bicep.
"Psst, Edric!"
Edric looked over at his friend.
"Listen, I need to get home. I'm going to stir the pot and get out of here."
Edric nodded. Julian flashed a grin and stepped forward.
"Hey!"
Six pairs of eyes turned to him.
"Listen, I'm sorry this got kinda crazy, but to be honest, I think y'all deserved it."
Amity shot a glare at her brother, who kept his eyes focused on a spot 2 feet in front of his feet.
"Just lay off of Ed."
Julian turned on his heel. He held out his fist – Edric bumped it as he walked past. He waved over his shoulder as he opened the door.
"Oh, and I don't even go to your school."
"Nice to see you, Emira."
The next day, Luz, Willow, and Gus were eating breakfast at the Owl House. Outside the window, Hooty was watching and trying futilely to apologize.
"I said I was soooooorry, Luz! Can join the fun now, Hoot Hoot?"
Luz glared at the house demon.
"Hooty, normally I can overlook it when you vomit up the odd vole or shrew, but you ate one of my little angels!"
On the floor was a possum skeleton. Hooty glanced down at it.
"I always thought I was your little angel, Hoot!"
Luz shuddered and turned away. Hooty let out a cry.
"I can't do anything right!"
Willow was scrolling (har) through Penstagram, trying to find a recipe she had spotted the night before.
"Hey Luz, Gus, Boscha posted a video!"
The three gathered around to watch it. Luz narrowed her eyes at "owl nerds" but brightened when Skara frozen the water in the bottle.
"Ahhh, looks like she learned a new spell. And did you hear Boscha? She was actually supportive!"
Gus looked thoughtful.
"I wonder if they had just as fun of a night as we did!"
