The next day came and went faster than expected. Or perhaps I was so into the research I was doing on dead people that might want to help us that I didn't notice anything else aside from the occasional plate of food which mysteriously appeared on my bed beside me.

In hindsight, spending an entire day researching dead people was a stupid idea. No one can know everything about everyone who is dead. There are too many people, most of who have been lost to history. Poor souls. We're all headed there. Sorry, that got a little too deep. Moving on.

Sunset arrived and we quickly discovered we had no idea what to do. We had a few small spells ready to go but, overall, it was obvious they wouldn't be that useful. Still, they were all we had. While Arthur went to put the bag containing said spells in the car, I pulled Lydia aside to show her the idea I had.

"No."

"Why not?" I asked.

She waved her hands in a frustrated gesture. "Because it is insane. Even for you."

"We won't know unless I try," I said.

"No," she repeated firmly. Lydia moved until we were face-to-face. "You could be sucked in and trapped forever."

"That could happen either way!" I lowered my voice as Arthur came back inside. "I'm doing this."

Lydia threw her hands in the air and floated to the other side of the room.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

My cousin looked between us. "I'm almost afraid to ask."

"She doesn't approve of my idea," I put simply, stuffing a satchel with papers, candles, herbs, and crystals.

"What is your idea?" I gave him a piece of paper. He read over it. "Hell no!"

I sighed. "Not you, too . . ."

He handed back the piece of paper, making no move to stop me putting it in the satchel. "I love you, Aurora. You know that. But there is no way you're doing that."

I pulled the bag over my shoulder. "You got any better ideas?"

"No?"

"Exactly." I took his hand. "This is the best idea we've got."

He let out a defeated sigh. "Yeah. All right. But I'm so asking for that to be put on your tombstone if this fails."

"Fair enough. Ready to set up camp?" He groaned. I slapped his shoulder. "Good on ya."

* * * * * * * *

The sun had almost completely set when a strong wind picked up. Trees shook, twisters of leaves flew around. A chill was in the air. You could feel something bad was going to happen tonight. It was in the air, in the energy surrounding everything. Honestly, it was cliche.

Something cracked in the forest. I raised a finger to my lips, peaking around a tree at the sound of someone approaching, Arthur and Lydia watching from behind me.

That woman, Naiomie, was racing through the forest, glancing over her shoulder every so often, camera around her neck. Her skirts fluttered wildly as she ran, jumping rocks and roots as she raced to the clearing. We followed close behind.

She stopped in the centre of the clearing. I didn't need to see her face to see she was smiling. It was written all over her body.

"Should we do something?" I asked.

"Do what?" Arthur fixed me with his 'don't be stupid' look. "It's not like we can stop her from being here. The moon's about to rise."

"I just have this feeling things are gonna go really bad for her."

"Of course things are gonna go back for her! She's the bad guy!"

I frowned. "Is she really?"

Arthur sighed. "Aurora, I love you. I do. But sometimes I think you're way too much of a good person."

"Geez, thanks."

The moon rose over the horizon. The feel of the air shifted again. Then, it tore open.