Page 3 of Cursed Lifeline

Hamlet

1794 | France

One

Esme

Song: Hide and Seek | Klergy & Mindy Jones

The iridescent mistencircles my trembling body and tingles as it blankets my skin in a prickling, crawling premonition. Turning in frantic circles, my mind draws blank at which way is the right path back to the estate. Disoriented, uncertain, my eyes widen as they lock on two glowing spheres in the dense fog and twilight.

My breath comes in rushed, white puffs as I slowly put one foot behind the other and start to back away. The rustling of shrubs underneath my feet signals my retreat, and the luminous eyes move closer. My heart rate spikes. Picking up the pleats in my skirt, I attempt to quiet my abrupt flight, but as I take another shuddering step back, a horde of crows takes flight over my right shoulder and soars hauntingly up towards the dimly-lit full moon. Their collective cawing causes me to instantly stand still as the pair of lustrous eyes conspicuously drift closer.

A form appears through the mist. Animal or human, I can't decipher, as my gaze lands on a wicked smile that hints at all the depraved, sinister things the being has in mind to do to me.

Turning quickly, I take off hastily through the thick fog. The pounding of my heart matches the frantic thumping of my feet hitting the soft earth of the clearing, but echoing through the night louder is the thrashing in the thicket behind me as the swift hammering of the creature thunders closer as it pursues its prey.

Me.

My skirt snags on a broken tree limb, and the predator gains ground, instantly closing the distance between us. A shrill shriek falls from my lips as its icy grip tightens around my wrist. The cool mist mixed with the sweat dampening my skin allows me an advantage, and I slip out of the creature's grasp and quicken my pace towards the tree line.

If I can reach the forest, I'll gain the upper hand. Perchance I could lose the beast. Perhaps I can find a place to hide long enough for someone to realize I'm gone and come to my rescue.

Glancing frantically over my shoulder, the eerie, gleaming eyes flicker with threatening thoughts as I force myself faster, further away from what it's determined to sink its teeth into.

What it's determined to claim.

My life.

Fear rises as I fixate on the monster's gaze and read its evil intent. My body starts to tremble. I trip over my unsteady feet and scream out in horror. The eyes flicker and fill with corrupt, vile determination before delight shines through the immoral irises as I fall to the forest floor.

Scrambling across the damp earth, my breath becomes rapid, lodging in my chest with each sharp intake. I attempt to stand and fall again as my boots slip in a small puddle in the swampy earth beneath me.

A phantom touch reaches for me. Gripping my skirt, it harshly yanks me backward. Flipping over, I kick against its revenant touch just as a deep, croaking noise sounds overhead. A moment later, a musical kraa rings through the mist and causes the devilish creature and me to look up. Diving quickly through the fog, a large black bird sticks out its thick neck as it plummets towards us. Soaring swiftly to its kill, a knife-like peak juts out aggressively from its shaggy throat feathers as it savagely descends toward its prey.

I shield my gaze, preparing for the worst, as the creature with the glowing eyes reaches out for me one last time. But before it can take hold, a horrifying scream falls from its lips. Opening my eyes, my stare lands on the raven who's violently and continually piercing its victim straight through its nightmarish eyes. The predator attempts to retreat, but the raven is dead set on inflicting brutal torture and won't relent.

Scrambling backward through the mud, I eventually rise as the creature withdraws without luck.

The raven soars high before diving ruthlessly back down and drawing more blood. It tears into the creature, inflicting a grotesque, painful penance for every wrongdoing it has ever done. Distressed cries sound through the mist as it calls out for help. Looking from side to side, I notice several more sets of eyes aglow in the ominous fog. But they don't approach. They don't dare challenge the raven who is viciously intent on murdering their friend.

Eventually, the screams of the raven's victim fade as it takes its last damned breath. Panicked, I rise, turn, and start to run, worried I will be next, but instantly stop in my tracks as the moon illuminates the blackbird now sitting and staring at me from a nearby tree branch.

I become very still as the raven bobs its head from side to side and thrusts its neck out a few times as it reverently studies me.

There is spiritual meaning behind a raven.

Some believe they symbolize transformation, wisdom, intelligence, a connection to an unseen world, or messengers between the physical and spiritual realms.

Their scavenging, some say, tends to mark transitions or personal transformations.

Others consider ravens prophetic creatures, signifying important messages or upcoming events, and associate them with the cycle of death and rebirth.

As I stare into the raven's mythical gaze, its beady eyes continue to search mine for a truth I fear I'll never discover.

With a shaky breath, I dimwittedly ask, "What are you trying to tell me, Lucifer?"

The name I chose to call the onyx fowl causes it to fluster its feathers and step back on the branch.

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