Trick or trick

2:59 PM

Never could I have ever made more fun discoveries during my time alive. Turns out, witches do exist. Though here, they prefer the term ‘enchanter’. Don't see the difference, but hey; if the lady wants to be called that, Ima do it. After all, she is helping me. I left her kiosk with a precious pendant in hand and will be using it soon. When the sun sets and darkness falls. After they’ve buried what was left of my physical form. They’ll lay on my fresh sheets, feeling safe in the comfort of my house. I’ll come knocking on the doors like for trick or treat. 

Except, I won’t ask.

9:32 PM

Something uncomfortable rushes in my nose, the moment I wear the pendant. My free hand flies up to cover it but the new crushing feeling in my chest makes me wince. A weird shaking takes hold of my shoulders, making me squirm in my skin. It’s like roaches were walking inside me. They go down my chest, sink in my belly then spread on my arms and legs. I want to scream, but it doesn't come out. What’s going on? Did she lie to me? That wretched witch! 

My head is thumping. Hard. It blurs my vision. Balance leaves me and I collapse to my knees. Bent in two, clutching my stomach and fighting for… air? My eyes widen and slowly, I free my nose. The realisation comes late—I am breathing. I feel myself existing. I can feel my body, touch it. I have substances. I stare at the centre of my chest where the pendent rests. The charm that was dull and banal is glowing now. A gleam of indigo and gold.

Getting up in the dim-lit pantry, I reach

out for a random can just to be sure I can hold it. The moment my fingers clutch around the cold tin, a broad smile curves my lips. 

I’m back.

10:15 PM

Knock, knock, knock

Junior has always been the type to sleep dead sound the second he touches the bed. I don't expect him to be up, but it’s polite to knock. I step in but find a surprise waiting. 

“Junior,” I say, quietly closing the door behind me. It would be bad if someone came to disturb us. From the bed, half tucked under the blanket, Junior stares at me as if he has seen a ghost. I trot forward, the soles of my feet barely touching the floor. When I hop on the mattress I try to hug him, but my brother dodges away leaving me with arms stretched out like a fool. 

“Not nice.”

I frown, crossing back my arms. He’s merely a year older but even when we were kids it’s always been this way. He never liked to play with me! Always something more important to do. What’s his excuse now?

“I didn't want to believe it.”

His statement comes out in a choked whisper. The faint light cast shadows across the side of his face, making him look like the perfect fit for a horror movie.

“Believe what?” I say, tilting my head to the side.

“That…that you were here,” he replies, sitting straighter in his already straight posture.

I’m aware of the small O shape my mouth takes. But I wasn't aware that Junior ever knew anything of the paranormal world. He is a man of science, where is this coming from?

“Sam… Sam told me she sensed your spirit, at the cemetery.” 

Oh, that makes more sense.

“But I thought…” he quickly runs a hand under his nose. “I thought…”

“You thought Sam was coo-coo like we all do,” I say with a smile and Junior gives a jerky nod.

The object he is desperately clutching catches my attention. I’m really not trying to be mean but it’s hard to hide my laugh. “And yet you came to sleep with a hammer.” 

He looks down before having a sudden back movement. Junior scowls at the weapon as if he had never seen it before. After a short moment, he shakes his head and focuses on me again.

“Elena, I…”

“The thing about us Luke.” My mention of his given name makes him frown. “Is that we’ve always been so much alike.” 

I hug my knees to my chest, resting my chin on them. “You don't agree?” I ask, rocking myself back and forth. 

“Su…Yes. Yes of course I agree.”

I shake my head at his hasty reply. I think something might be making it hard for him to speak.

“We were the shy ones, Always so giddy about the things we like,” I say, shrugging at the memories. “And usually cast apart.”

My finger runs over my cheek but it finds the skin rugged and dry. Resigned, I get up, not missing the weary growing in Junior’s eyes.

“But most importantly, we are very skinny.” 

I giggle at what used to be an insecurity before I started making money from it. 

“I mean look at us, flesh on bones. Where is the strength?”

I could sware, I saw him gulping hard from here. Pressing his back against the headboard, he keeps trying to get further away from me. I plant my hands on my hips while a sigh escape my lips.

“Lena, I didn't think he was going to do it. Ok? When I came in, it was too late. I…” 

His sloppy excuse dies when he edges so far and falls off the bed. A high-pitched shattering noise accompanies the thud as the table lamp is brought on the fall. Before he tries to get up, I jump on him. Landing my knees on his thorax. He lets out a screech. 

“Don’t be so loud,” I whisper in his ear. Obscurity has wrapped around us like creepy shadows leaving only the glimmer of the necklace. Sweet, I got first row to the spectacle.

“Elena, get off me,” he tells me, through clenched teeth. Junior moves under me. Pushing up on his elbows and fighting me off, little problem I don't budge. 

“Are you looking for the hammer?” I ask, my tone inching up in delight when his hand starts groping around the floor. “You want to play with me?”

“Shit, Lena!” 

His neck bends as he looks towards the door. Junior reaches for the bed leg and grabs at it. I watch him grit his teeth, trying to pull himself. He stops just to catch his breath then goes again. But the struggle doesn't get him far and the realisation dwells. Letting go of the leg, he shuts his eyes, releasing a growl.

“You’re done?” I ask him, as my fingers dance around his collar.

The moment a loud shriek fills the room, my body flinches and I almost fall off his chest. 

Son of a bitch!

I clench my fists, then land it hard on him. The cracking noise of his jaw is followed by Junior’s immediate holler. He coughs before spitting out on the side.

“Please, please Lena.” his now raspy voice utters in a plea. “Let me go. Please.”

“We are not alike anymore you know,” I tell him, adjusting my hands until finding the perfect grip around his throat. “You betrayed me, and I got a source of strength.”

The pressure I apply is immediate. Urgent. So is his reaction. I press. Hard against the floor. Tight between my hands. He struggles under me. More aggressively. He hits me. Pulls on my clothes. Scratches on my skin. He is restless like a worm. The image makes me giggle. 

His mouth opens, gasping for air and I clench harder. His face goes completely livid. I feel a sense of thrill spread in my inert veins. This is what I wanted to see. Junior’s eyes entirely widen and flip back into his head. Leaving only a hauntingly white appearance. A deep chuckle comes from my chest as life comes out of him. 

The last muscle spasms vibrate under me. Slowly, his body goes limp then,

Crack

I sigh. My shoulders relax.

Next one.