I was on edge for the day. Brian’s word replayed in my mind. I thought of my family, my brother back home. One mistake and their lives could be in danger. Thousands of miles away and they could be affected by my actions here in Ireland. Marco tried to lift the mood of the group.

“Look on the bright side, I could be the owner of a super yacht company in the morning.”

Caleb broke out into laughter that shook his very core. A bellowing guffaw that caught most of us off guard. Caleb was a quiet, serious man so to see him like this lifted the mood of everyone, even me. Caleb was a mysterious individual. He was unassuming and introverted but from what I seen during the encounter with the wendigo, he was brave and well accustomed to these creatures of legend. I made a mental note to make an effort to sit down with him if we made it through tonight..

As darkness began to swallow the evening glow, activity erupted throughout the castle keep.

“Right then, let’s get down to brass tax.” Crane said readying his pack. We’ll need to split into two groups. One at the house and one circling the area. The group outside will need to try and force her in the direction of the house where the others can rush her with the blades. With a bit of luck we can take her out with no casualties, just remember, her scream is deadly but she also will be dangerous up close. Banshee’s have a nasty set of nails that will cut through you like a hot knife through butter. Be on your toes, and for the love of god keep your earplugs in at all times” He put emphasis on the last part. The group nodded in agreement, a sense of unrest evident in most faces.

The groups were decided, Crane, Caleb, Antonio and the two Williams’ would head out and surround the Banshee. Each one fitted with an earpiece that could receive communications from the transmitter here in the house. The rest of us would feed them information on where she appears tonight. I’m not ashamed to admit it but the relieve that washed over me when Crane said I was to stay at the house was overwhelming. I was already scared senseless and didn’t fancy being on the frontlines for this encounter. Lola seemed to have the same feeling. She visibly relaxed when the decision was made. Marco made a show of letting everyone know how disappointed he was at staying behind. I knew it was all bravado. The only one foolish enough to want to be out there was J.J. He was like a kid at Christmas.

“Oh we’re gonna get her good.” He was talking to himself as he tightened the straps on his rucksack.

“Usually, a banishing spell would be used to get rid of a Banshee for a period of time but tonight we’re doing the opposite.” Crane gathered the party at the door. “Once you give me her position I’ll get to work on the trapping spell. Old Celtic stuff but it works just as good. Once that’s in place things will get a bit ugly. She’ll fight like the devil to get free but we will force her back with some fire.” He gestured to the wooden torches dosed in fuel. “They won’t burn forever so be ready to rush her from behind.

The night wore on with little to no activity. Lola had volunteered to wear the last remaining ear piece to ensure transmission came through clearly. It was Michael's turn to be on watch and he was standing on the front porch looking out across the moonlit land.

“I can’t see anything out of the ordinary. It’s a clear night so I would expect to notice her by now.”

Brian and Emily were seated at the kitchen table. Emily seemed to be saying silent prayers with her rosary beads in hand. Brian took her hand and gave her a warm smile.

“It will all be over soon.” He said reassuringly. She smiled back at him but her face contorted into one full of terror. Brian turned to look at us.

“She’s here.”

I didn’t need Brian to tell me what the shivers down my spine had already known. If my earplugs weren’t in place I would be hearing the wailing of a woman in the distance. Death was on the prowl tonight.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Michael was scanning the landscape from the window of the kitchen. Marco accompanied with a compass in hand. Waiting to give Lola the direction for the party outside.

“I see her!” Michael nearly dropped the binoculars. “She’s perched at the base of a tree at the top of that hill. He pointed to Marco to check the compass. Lola relayed the info to Crane and the hunt was on. We waited in silence, for the signal torch to be lit. I released the breath I didn’t know I was holding. The tension was insufferable, I felt helpless but also anxious about the part I had yet to play. All of a sudden the goosebumps intensified, almost painful. My body was shaking as I tried to figure out what was going on. Cranes binding spell must have been effective, the banshee was in survival mode. Lola seemed to be in agony, clutching her head and screaming soundlessly to my muted hearing. She reached for the earpiece and ripped it out, tossing it across the room. Before it struck the wall, the realisation of what she had done overcame her. Marco rushed over to comfort her as she heaved from the sobbing. Tears were running down her cheeks as he wiped them away.

In the commotion we had taken our eyes off of the events outside. Michael grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the door. As we exited the house I could see the banshee being forced towards us by Caleb and a flaming torch. I headed straight for the creature brandishing my golden blade. Due to my lack of hearing I wasn’t aware of how loud my footsteps were, as they pounded through the recently ploughed field. The Banshee was well aware though, as I closed the distance to the last few feet she twisted to face me with an inhuman speed. I lunged at her with everything I had, looking to drive the point of my blade through her chest. She knocked the blade out of my hands, sending it flying across the ground. Her next swipe was aimed at my head, I raised my arm to block the incoming blow and her talons tore deep into my arm. I screamed in pain as the wound burned like acid tearing into my flesh. The force of the blow knocked me to the ground. She stood over me, eyes full of hatred, ready to claim her prey.

J.J swung his torch into the creature's face. She screamed in anger evident by the shockwaves running over my skin. She retreated away from me but J.J smelt victory. He pushed the burning stick at her again but this time she met it with her own assault. The torch fell to the ground along with a couple of his fingers.

“No!” Joshua screamed, his voice full of pain. He flung his blade at the Banshee, hitting its mark true. The creature began to smoulder as she tried to finish off the bleeding J.J. A fresh wound opened across his chest as she disintegrated into embers of ash, floating off in the night sky.

“What happened back there ? Where are the others ?” Crane demanded.

Michael explained what happened back in the house. He also was able to tell us, Lola had recently lost her father last year. Her one remaining family member. The realisation dawned on Caleb before any of us could understand the significance.

“So it will take Marco then.” He said solemnly. Antonio looked as if he had seen a ghost. He went pale and dropped to his knees. He was taking the loss of his friend's life hard even before it had come to pass.

That night, we drank with the O’Connors. A strange mix of celebration and mourning. Marco had resigned to his fate and made it his mission to drink the family dry of whatever spirits they had in the cupboards. I found it very strange, emotions running wild like that of a wedding and a funeral all at once. Lola was inconsolable, rocking back and forward with her knees pulled up to her chest. Marco and Michael were giving their rendition of “Bella Ciao” at full volume. Antonio just sat there, frozen in thought. We settled Marco into one of the spare beds, one last night of comfort. The next morning we all awoke except one.

Lola screams woke all of us in a flurry of dazed and hungover heads, popping up from sleeping bags and couches alike. She would have given the Banshee a run for her money as she shook the lifeless corpse beside her. There was a crash as the doors to the bedroom slammed open.

“Lola, what’s the matter?” Marco asked, still drunk from the night before. He looked down on the body of his best friend, Antonio.

“Antonio!” Marco was shaking his body furiously. “Wake up man!”

Lola’s shrieking was escalating the situation. Marco had stop shaking and had resorting to punching Antonio’s lifeless corpse. Tears filled his eyes.

“I always knew it.” He said looking at Lola. “You never loved me at all.” He stood up and left through the back door, striking the wall with his fist. The dull crack as bone met cement.

I had to step out after that, emotions were sky high and my body was still recovering from the ordeal that was our encounter here in Ireland. I would have thought my tolerance to the supernatural entities of this world would have increased but I was petrified for what lay ahead. Crane was already outside puffing away on his morning cigarette. He lit one for me as I approached. I thanked him and took a deep drag.

“And then there were six.” I said as I exhaled the cloud of smoke off into the fresh, icy morning