𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓓𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓵'𝓼 𝓑𝓻𝓲𝓭𝓮

It was a dark night. The moon was not in sight, the wolves not howling, and the crickets were not playing their usual melodies. The eeriness of tonight was expected since it's been going on for 3 years on this very day. There was a slight breeze blowing through the village, cool but enough to create goosebumps on my arms. Today was the day everyone in the village dreaded, to be more specific, around the time witching hour starts. The witching hour, 3 am.

This day was when the supernatural tragedies of young girls, ages ranging from 16 and older, would disappear. Every time one girl was taken, we could hear the horrifying screams of the family, realizing their precious daughter was gone. Everyone knew to stay indoors when it was close to the witching hour. Somehow despite the efforts of keeping the young girls indoors with their families, they would still vanish without a trace. It was like they were never there.

It started 3 years ago when the first girl was taken. She was the youngest out of the 3 so far, she was 16. Small and petite, her brown thin hair always braided on her shoulder. Her eyes small like almonds and her smile so wide and bright. I didn't really know her but I always saw her helping her mother at the marketplace. They sold fruit and vegetables that they grew behind their home. She was older than me of course but I always wanted to try and talk to her. It was another regular day and the evening hit as the sun went down, the golden hour ending. I was sleeping in my cotton made bed, when a loud shrill scream rang through village. It woke my parents and myself up. We had all rushed out of our homes, our heads turning to see our neighbors rushing out as well.

There before us in the time square was the girl. Her mother holding onto her daughters hands for dear life. The girl was levitating 7 feet off the ground. The girl screamed for her mother, in desperate cries for help. They were setting up their sales for the morning bustle apparently, before the girl was then dragged by an unknown entity to the middle of the square.

I remember so vividly that night. We stood helpless in fear as the girl then was pulled up into the night sky, the mother pushed to the floor in agony. It happened again the next year and again the year after. It was then called the devil's feeding hour. I honestly don't know why they called it that, for we didn't know what or who was taking the girls. Assuming supernatural meant demons were in play.

The town's leader made an insightful realization. He said that the devil was taking the purest females in the village. My father knowing I had no friends or relationships, decided to lock me away in my home most of the time now. My parents protected me at all costs, I only left when they needed the help at the main square. I never lived a normal life since then, including my birthday were no longer special but a nightmare.

Today I turned 17, the exact day of the devil's feeding. I was still considered pure, untouched, a virgin. All thanks to my parents, they made me a target.

I looked into my parents bedroom, seeing that they were sound asleep. I huffed the hair out of my face as I scurried to the kitchen, grabbing a candle stick and the holder. Grabbing a match and lighting it, I lit my chamberlight. I grabbed it and quickly left the kitchen, heading to the back door. My bare feet walked along the cold wooden floor, my heart racing. I was going to jail break. I couldn't wait another year staying stuck in this house, not being able to go out on my birthday. I held my breath as my hand touched the metal handle on the door. Pulling the latch up, I cranked the door open. I gasped as my face was hit with a refreshing smell dew. As I clutching the light, I slowly put my feet on the wet grass before me. I smiled at the wet and prickly feeling under my feet. I was free.

Leaving the safety of my home, I rushed to the side of my home. There resided my German Shepherd, Millard. My parents never allowed him in the house. He was an animal and animals belong outside and not residing with humans, according to my father. So I rarely saw Millard.

I grinned as I saw Millard laying down, his ears perking up as he heard me approach. He stood up on his feet and greeted me with his tail wagging violently. I knelt down onto my knees and hugged him. His fur tickling my face, his fur smelling of damp moss.

"Millard, today is my birthday." I whispered into his ear. He licked my face in response. "Thanks for the sloppy kiss." I giggled. I carefully put aside my chamberlight and procceeded to play with Milliard.

I wish this life wasn't so dull and fearful.

I played with him until the sound of crunching leaves were heard behind me. I froze, slowly turning my head around. Behind me were the dark woods. My eyes wide and alert, I stared into the darkness, expecting to see someone or some animal. I slowly got off my knees and stepped forward, squinting my eyes to try and see into the darkness before.

"H-Hello?"

Millard started to growl at bark at the trees before me. I looked down at him, his teeth bared and his tail hiding between his legs. My heart to race, as I knew danger was nearby.

"Damn it." I bent down, picking up my chamberlight, and procceeded to run to the back door. Millard stayed put, still barking loudly at whatever was in the woods. I stretched my arm out, the door handle almost in reach. My fingertips touching the metal before I was pulled up 5 feet into the air. I screamed in terror as my body continued to rise until I stopped about 8 feet off the ground. My body dangled, slowly being pulled towards Millard. I panicked, dropping my candlelight below me. It hit the ground near Millard, causing a small fire in the grass. The fire grew bigger, reflecting off my eyes.

"Mom! Dad!" I screamed for help as I helplessly dangled in the air. Tears poured down my cheeks as mentally prayed I didn't fall to my death. My white night gown flowing in all directions as the wind picked up. I felt my body starting to get pulled into the direction of the dark woods. I screamed grabbing nothing but air.

I can't! Not now! Why me?!

As decended into the woods, I could see my parents finally emerging out of the house. Their shouts and screams calling out to me. A wave of sleepiness came over me, my eyes closing against my will. My mind empty, filled with a dark void.

Let me live till morning... please..