The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

The Ritual
by Mandy DeGeit

She pants heavily behind the mask of bone. Sweat drips from her chin, the droplets disappearing into the murky water beneath her.

The sharp bedrock of the stream cuts into her knees, but she doesn’t feel the pain, nor does she notice the blood mingling with the running water. This only makes her stronger.

The setting sun in the distance, bids farewell to light’s end, bringing with it darkness and the creatures that live within it.

The monsters that come from the depths of shadows are close, so close she can smell the rot. Their putridity is strong, but not unwelcome. The stifling sweetness burns deep into her nostrils. .

She stands slowly, as the creatures from the darkness mingle around her, gathering, worshiping, and waiting for the next command.

As she basks in the residual light, water droplets glistening on her skin, she is once again powerful. Her army of minions congregates behind, snarling, snapping, and breathing as one.

As she takes a step towards the lights of the village, her power, and hatred, grows.

She smiles in the moonlight, her toothy grin reflecting pure evil.

She is woman, and she is witch.

Never again will they break her down.

Fiction © Copyright Mandy DeGeit
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

Works by Mandy DeGeit can be found listed in her bibliography!
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