The Truth About The Flame

The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. As was often the case, Elizabeth was observing the cabin from a safe distance. She wasn't sure how long she stood breathless and motionless, but when she regained her faculties, she considered running. Instead, she called Bako and Akilah and asked them to meet her.

Bako arrived first. He and Elizabeth embraced and stared at the light for a few minutes. Except for the vocalizations of a nearby crow, all was silent.

Elizabeth spoke first. “You see it too, right?”

“I see it. It's going to be okay. Do you want me to take you home?” Bako said.

“I want to know, Bako. I want to march to that cabin right now and find out, but I'm....”

“It's okay to be afraid.”

“It's more than that. It's like something is gnawing inside me. Something is pushing me to go back to the cabin, but part of me is screaming to be left alone.” Elizabeth rested her head on Bako's chest. She squeezed his thick shoulders. She leaned into his well-muscled frame and sniffed his neck.

“I'm here for you.” Bako hugged Elizabeth, and she squeezed him so hard that she adjusted his spine.

Light from the waxing moon outlined the two figures that merged into one as one as they held one another. The two continued their embrace as they returned their attention to the candlelight emanating from the old cabin.

“Where is Akilah?” Elizabeth asked.

“She'll be here any minute with Fen.”

“Did you have to bring Fen?”

Bako smiled. “We were playing soccer when you called. He wanted to stop at his parent's house to get a knife, and Akilah drove him.”

“I'm not sure I trust Fen with a knife.” Elizabeth said.

The sound of rapid footsteps on the damp trail startled the two. Akilah and Fen emerged from the darkness. Both were breathing hard and Fen chuckled. Fen had moved from Chengyang two years ago, and he and Bako made fast friends. Fen wasn't as stocky as Bako, but his swimmer sinew rippled through his Care Bears t-shirt.

“I brought my knife.” Fen declared.

“You're not supposed to run with that.” Bako replied.

“I think that's scissors.” Fen sheathed his blade.

“It should be both.” Akilah said. Her voice was more stern than usual. Akilah had lived in the area since she was three. She had proven to be a loyal and supportive friend to Elizabeth. Akilah was a head shorter than the rest of the group. She had lush, shoulder-blade-length ebony hair, and she was perspiring from running. The sweat formed a sheen on her caramel skin and gleamed in the moonlight.

“Let's go.” Fen said.

“Wait.” Bako replied.

“Why?” Fen raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“I don't know if I want to go.” Elizabeth said.

“Then why are we here?” Fen was incredulous.

“Look, I just wanted witnesses.” Elizabeth sighed.

“Huh?” Was all Fen could muster.

“I just wanted...” Elizabeth's voice trailed off

Akilah placed her hand on Elizabeth's shoulder, “You wanted to know if anyone else could see it. You wanted to know if you imagined it.”

Elizabeth bowed her head.

Bako took Elizabeth's hand. “It's your decision.”

Elizabeth patted Bako's chest and looked toward the candle still burning in the distance. “I just don't know.”

“After all the stories about that cabin, and now there's a light coming from it. You can't bring us here to see that and expect us to turn and leave.” Fen insisted.

Bako turned toward Fen. “Settle.”

“Okay. Geez.”

Bako turned back to Elizabeth. He held her shoulders. Elizabeth's hazel eyes sparkled as they met Bako's deep brown eyes. “We've known each other for a long time, right?”

“Yes.” Elizabeth's voice was breathy.

“I know how you've been this past year. This is your chance.” He said.

“Her chance for what?” Akilah said.

Bako kept his eyes fixed on Elizabeth. “This is your chance to face your fear. And you can do it with your friends by your side.”

“You're right.” Elizabeth said holding Bako's gaze.

“I'll support any decision you make, but I think we should go solve this mystery.”

“I knew you'd say that.” Elizabeth said, but she didn't know what Bako would say, and she didn't understand why she said that she did, but she grabbed the back of Bako's neck and pressed her lips hard on his. Bako, although surprised by her forcefulness, matched her passion.

“How about you make out after we figure out what's going on?” Fen said.

“I'm begrudgingly siding with Fen on that subject.” Akilah crossed her arms.

Elizabeth kissed Bako's nose with a wry grin. “Let's go solve this mystery.”

Fen laughed. “Alright!”

“Are you sure?” Akilah asked.

Elizabeth nodded. “I'm tired of being afraid.”

“I also brought a two flashlights!” Fen said and handed one to Akilah.

The group started toward the cabin. From this point, the trail was less traveled, and they stepped with care as their feet sometimes sunk into the soft earth. Moss covered much of the base of the trees around them. A shape flew past the group and landed on a nearby branch. Akilah found it with her beam. It was a crow.

The crow rocked back and forth. “GaGaGaGaGa.”

“Is that bird laughing at us?” Fen asked.

“I wouldn't blame it.” Akilah said with an exaggerated lilt.

“It's just one of their calls. It's called a rattle.” Elizabeth said.

Fen Scratched his head. “I know we just agreed to four musketeer our way thought the woods and all, but you were in the cabin already, though, right? On a dare? A year ago?”

Akilah poked Fen's ribs. “Just keep your flashlight on and your knife in your pants.”

Fen continued. “I heard you went with Andy Townshend. What did you two see?”

“I don't remember. We woke up outside. We ran home.” Elizabeth's eyes remained straight ahead.

“What does Andy have to say about it?” Fen asked.

Akilah shook her head. “Andy's family moved away the following weekend. We haven't heard from them since.”

“How rude.” Fen was trying not to stumble.

The group walked in silence for about half a mile, focused on keeping their footing and each keeping an eye in the direction of the candle guiding them to the cabin.

Fen broke the silence. “You know, my knife is pure silver. It will kill vampires and other stuff like that. The guy who sold it to my uncle on eBay said he melted down American Eagle silver dollars to make it, so as to ensure its purity.”

Bako chuckled. “How do you know that's true?”

“It has a certificate of authenticity.” Fen responded.

“Hmmm...” Was Bako's only reply.

The group walked quietly again for approximately a quarter mile before Fen spoke up again.

Fen said. “I just thought...”

“Are you sure?” Akilah smirked.

“Haha.” Fen rolled his eyes. “I just thought that we should all go to the same college next year. We can cheat together.”

“They'll have to have a good soccer team.” Bako declared.

“Are you uncomfortable with silence?” Akilah asked.

“I'm perfectly comfortable.” Fen cupped his right hand around his ear. “In fact, I'm so comfortable with silence that I didn't hear your question.”

A sound came from somewhere behind the group. It was barely audible but sounded like a heavy growl. All four stopped in their tracks.

“What was that?” Akilah whispered.

“I don't know. Let's listen.” Bako continued to stand as still as he could manage.

All was silent until Fen hiccuped.

“It's quiet. Too quiet.” Fen said.

“What are we waiting for!?” Elizabeth snapped. She placed her face in her hands and sighed. “I'm sorry. I don't know why I said that. I must be nervous.”

“It's okay.” Bako ran his fingers through Elizabeth's auburn hair. “Still, we should pick up the pace.”

The four friends trudged forward. The path featured small hills, but the general direction was a slope downward. As a result, they slipped here and there but kept a brisk pace.

As Bako stepped on top of one of the slopes, he pointed. “We're almost there.”

The cabin was in full view. The candle blazed in the right, front window. There was no one visible, no activity in front of the cabin. No noise came from it.

“You've been quiet, Elizabeth. Are you okay?” Bako asked.

Elizabeth's mouth smiled, but her eyes glared. Her voice was intense. “I'm fine. Stay with me, honey.”

“Stay with me, honey! Oooooohhhh!” Fen laughed.

Akilah shook her head. “Fen, I know you're a teenager, but can you be a little less adolescent?”

“We're the same age.”

“Not my point.” Akilah sighed.

Bako kept his focus on Elizabeth. She eyeballed him as if she were scrutinizing a math problem for several seconds then looked away.

“We should keep moving.” She said.

A crow flew by again, this time landing close to the group on a nearby moss-covered rock. It flittered and cocked its head at them.

“Is that the same crow?” Fen pointed.

“I think so.” Elizabeth moved toward it. She was almost able to touch it when it launched itself into the air.

The sound of brush moving and branches snapping turned the heads of the group. With a thud, a figure landed on the path. It was tall, maybe seven and a half feet. It was covered in chestnut fur. Its arms and legs bulged with muscle. Drool dripped from its long snout as it snarled and bore its four- inch canines. Its eyes flickered as it growled.

“What the actual fuck!?” Fen yelled.

No one moved for ten breaths. Only the snorting of the creature gave evidence that the woods were not empty.

The thing charged.

Everyone was still frozen except Bako who stepped between the creature and Elizabeth. It swung at him. Bako tried to dodge but slipped, and the thing's right forearm walloped him. Bako could hear a snap come from his own midsection as he sailed through the air. Still, he managed to roll when he hit the ground.

Fen ran at the thing. It turned just in time for Fen to plunge his knife into its chest. The creature howled and elbowed Fen sending him back several feet. It pulled the knife out of its chest with its left claw and flung the knife unto the bushes.

“Lying ass eBay motherfuckers!” Fen was clamoring to his feet.

Akilah sprinted with a yell and kidney-punched the creature with a solid right hook. It stuttered backward, more out of surprise than pain. The young woman kicked the creature in the groin. It backhanded her, and she toppled.

Fen leaped to Akilah's aid only to run headlong into the jaws of the beast. It clamped on his neck and blood gushed. It took chunks of meat from the young man before dropping him.

Bako and Akilah screamed. The creature turned to Elizabeth, who had not moved. It eyed her and sniffed her hair. Elizabeth remained rigid. The thing moved its snout within half an inch of her neck and watched as her carotid artery pulsed. A guttural laugh filled its throat. It hung there, it's jaws twitching, and its nostrils flaring. Bako and Akilah wanted to help, to do something, but both hesitated for fear that their attempt might provoke the beast. It snorted and looked back at Bako. It jumped over the nearby bushes and out of sight.

Bako and Akilah both called out Fen's name. He didn't answer. He couldn't. They grabbed him. They rubbed him and begged him to stay with them, but he lay deaf to their pleas. His blood was on the leaves and moss. Too much of his body was taken by the jaws of the monster. Whether the universe was empty of caring or filled with indifference was irrelevant for there was no power that heard or cared about their pain or their cries. Their friend was gone and nothing would bring him back.

“Why didn't you help!?” Akilah shrieked at Elizabeth. “You just stood there! Why did you just stand there!?”

“I-I don't know.” Elizabeth still had not moved.

“We're here because of you! Did you forget!?”

Bako stepped in front of Akilah. “Akilah! Fen was my friend too. He would want us to get away from that thing. It's likely to come back at any moment, and we're next.”

“I think we should go to the cabin.” Elizabeth's voice was matter-of-fact.

“What?” Akilah sobbed.

“It's shelter. It's our only chance until we figure something out.” Elizabeth took a deep breath.

“Okay, Elizabeth. That's what we'll do.” Bako reached out to her. Elizabeth still did not move. “We'll go there. We'll figure this out, we'll get out of here, and we'll honor Fen.” Bako looked to Akilah. “Plan?”

“Plan.” Akilah wiped her eyes.

With his right hand on his broken rib, Bako grabbed Elizabeth with his left hand and shook her her. “You have to move!”

Elizabeth nodded her head.

The trio sprinted for the cabin.

Bako had a chilling thought. “What if the cabin is locked?” As they approached, however, he could see that the door was open.

The door creaked as Bako slammed it shut behind them. A metallic clunk filled the cabin as Bako turned the antique lock. The room was around fifteen feet by twenty feet, and a doorway led to adjoining rooms. The candle in the window provided the only light. A chair lie broken near the window with the candle, and an old couch covered in leaves and mildew adorned the middle of the room. The crow on the perch in the left hand corner of the room cawed.

“You got my message, I see.” A baritone voice announced from the next room.

“That's him!' Elizabeth was out of breath.

“Who?” Bako asked.

“I don't know.” Elizabeth shook her head.

“What the hell?” Akilah peered into the darkness.

A tall, gaunt man with shoulder-length ashen hair emerged from the doorway. He walked slowly, purposefully, and straight-backed. His arms were folded and his chin held high, and he was stiff as if he were posing for a nineteenth century photograph. His eyes were unnatural, as if someone has shoved burning coals into his sockets. The blood around his mouth highlighted his ivory teeth when he smiled.

“Orlaith, you arrived so quickly. You must have been looking for a sign.” His voice penetrated the group's ears like knives, and his presence was palpable. He gave the impression of great power and ferocity being held at bay by the force of an insurmountable will.

Despite her pounding heart and rubbery legs, Akilah glowered at the man and yelled. “You better tell us what the hell is going on!”

The man cocked his head and regarded Akilah for a moment. “You are strong. It will not save you.”

“Who's gonna save you?” Akilah's voice wavered, but she stood her ground.

“Who are you?” Bako asked.

“Some call me Roisin. Orlaith can tell you more about me.” The man looked at Elizabeth. “It's wonderful to see you again, Orlaith. Did you miss me?”

“Of course I did.” Elizabeth replied. “Why'd I say that?” She looked at Bako; her face filled with panic.

“It's okay.” Bako said. “We'll get you out of here.”

Elizabeth turned to the man and hissed. She stepped toward him and convulsed.

“Elizabeth! Elizabeth! Are you okay? Talk to me?” Bako grabbed and tried to hold onto the young woman. It proved difficult as the woman's body thrashed and jerked. “Stop whatever you're doing to her!”

“I'm doing nothing, young man.” Roisin's low-toned voice sneered. “Orlaith is just waking up.”

“Who the hell is Orlaith?” Bako demanded.

“You'll meet her soon enough.” The man clapped his hands.

Bako guided Elizabeth toward the door. He reached for the knob, but Elizabeth's left hand grabbed his wrist. Instinctively, he tried to pull away but could not break her grip.

“Elizabeth! We need to go!” Bako shouted.

Roisin started toward the two.

Akilah stepped between the man and his quarry with gritted teeth and clenched fists. “Stay away from them!”

The man's right hand elongated in the blink of an eye. Before Akilah could react, bony fingers with six inch claws slashed her throat. Akilah's body thudded on the floor of the cabin, and the man leaped on her like a leopard.

The auburn haired woman in Bako's arms flailed and wheezed. Her hazel eyes were now eldritch pits. Her smile revealed saw-like teeth.

“Elizabeth! I'll get us out of here!” Bako tried to reassure the woman.

“I'm sorry. Elizabeth is unavailable. Please leave a message, and she'll get back to you when Hell freezes over!” Orlaith snarled and plunged her fangs into Bako's throat. Bako's eyes flashed with the horrible realization of lethal betrayal before they softened into the blank stare that sees nothing.

For several minutes, the man and Orlaith chomped and slurped.

The man looked up from his meal. “I'm sorry you had to hide for so long, darling. I returned as soon as I could.”

“That's okay, Roisin, my love. Coming back is so sweet.” Orlaith smirked as blood ran down her chin.

The ashen-haired man rushed to Orlaith, and the two embraced. The flickering candlelight outlined their bodies as they nuzzled. The two continued to hold one another as they looked to the candlelight then back to one another. His coal-fired eyes glimmered as he held her eyes of pitch.

“It looks like an ordinary candle, but it is really a divine messenger that has brought us back together.”

“Where we belong.” Orlaith kissed a breathy whisper in Roisin's ear.

Roisin ran his fingers through her auburn hair. “This one has lovely locks.”

“Pretty enough for now.” Orlaith said and returned to Bako The pair held hands as Orlaith chewed and gulped.

The man's thundering guffaw filled the cabin.

The crow bobbed its head, ““GaGaGaGaGa.”