#salem witch trails | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

sweetestofchaos · 3 months

Text

Run From Me - Four | K.TH

p. vampire!taehyung x vampire hunter!reader

g. soulmates - enemies to lovers - reincarnation

r. 18+

w. flashback - blood drinking - illusions to sex - murder - witch hunts

wc. 5.2k

an. divider and support banner made by @benkeibear. betaed by the lovely @theharrowing.

fic masterlist

previous | next

Spring of 1692…

If one were to believe in luck then Taehyung (who certainly did not believe) would have at the very moment his foot touched the soil of The New World. There was a pull at his heart, a rope wrapped around the muscle and tugged him in one direction. He had no choice but to follow as his mind conjured up different scenarios of meeting his fated after all this time.

Would you remember him? Would you fall into his arms weeping and begging for him to never leave your side? Have you looked for him too?

Taehyung, in his frenzy to find you, left a trail of bodies. He had wanted to look his best, a picture perfect image of his past self with a few modifications. His hair that was always kept long was now shortened to frame his face and hung in his eyes. Gone were the grandiose fabrics, jewels and homes. Now he wore the clothing of laborers to avoid unwanted attention and slept beside the common folk.

He played the part of a simple man, a man of strong faith and sound mind. He kept his funds and higher quality clothing stashed away in different locations and investments. Taehyung made sure that no matter what, you would never go without once he found you.

As he followed the invisible line that led to you, he came to Salem Village. A fairly sizable village in the state of Massachusetts that was run by Reverend Matthews and a few others on his council. As Taehyung had come to town with a small group of travelers looking for work, he was easily accepted into the town. Taehyung was given a room in old man Peck’s home. The older man had lost his wife and son to a fever in the winter, so he offered his home with melancholy eyes and a kindly smile.

Taehyung had yet to see you but his heart ached, clenched in his chest tighter and tighter. You were so close, he could smell your creamy sandalwood and cardamom spice. If he focused hard enough, green citrus would tickle his nose and burn the back of his throat. He searched for you, from sunrise to sunset. He followed that all too familiar scent and yet, you were always out of reach. The sun to his moon, destined to never hold each other again. Taehyung wondered if he had finally lost his mind. The longing in his heart had led him here but where were you? Couldn’t you feel him nearby? Had he mistaken his own feelings?

It was in the evening when he first saw you. He had been chatting with Reverend Matthews about the next church service when your summer scent wrapped around him in a fine mist. His words trailed off as he saw you three cabin’s down holding the hands of two young girls. Reverend Matthews offered up your information without any prompting and Taehyung committed every word to memory.

“Did you fetch the water like I asked?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good. Fill the wash bin and call the girls to supper.”

You bowed your head and spun on your heels to leave the cabin of Reverend Matthews. Outside the air was crisp with the promise of a new beginning, spring was finally here. Gravel crunched beneath your shoes as you followed the beaten path to the field of flowers where all the young girls played. Ella and Pagie, Reverend Matthews’ daughters, were sitting in a circle with a few of the other girls creating daisy chains. You smiled at the sight and walked over, while humming a song.

Paige, who was the younger of the sisters spotted you first and nudged Ella’s arm. You beckoned them to come along and Paige pouted while Ella just shook her head.

“Just a little longer, please?” Ella whined and held up her bracelet. “We’re almost finished.”

“Supper is ready and your father is waiting.” The girls both started to whine and you tisked at them lightly. “Come on girls. You can finish your project once you have had your meal.”

“You promise?” Paige sulked, her eyes watery and you nodded your head holding out your pinkie finger.

The girls jumped to their feet and ran over to you, linking your fingers together while giggling. They said goodbye to their friends and followed you back to the cabin where you helped them wash their hands and face. At the head of the table, Reverend Matthews sat and waited while you placed their meals before them. He held his arm out, palms face upward and the girls placed their hands in his.

“Let us say grace before we eat this wonderful meal.”

You stood nearby and silently watched as the family of three blessed the food together. Once the prayer was over, you scooped some stew into your own bowl and bowed your head.

“Enjoy your meal.”

You excused yourself to your room in the back of the cabin and sat alone at the table in the corner. You gave thanks to God and a chill ran down your spin. You looked at the window of your room and frowned; it was open. You liked to sleep with your window open at night but you always closed it during the day. Maybe you forgot? You stared at the tree line that acted as a barrier around the town and shivered.

As the days grew warmer, you spent more time outside of the cabin with the young girls in the town. Mayar often helped you with the children since her charges were among the young ladies. The two of you taught them girls how to braid, how to stop the bleeding of a minor cut, and a fun rhyme to sing while they danced around with each other.

While you spent your time outdoors, the chill in your bones never seemed to go away. Even with the warmth of the sun, goosebumps would randomly appear on your body. There was news of a newcomer to the town but you had yet to see the young man around. He and a few other men had apparently been looking for work and Reverend Matthews was more than willing to hire him. You heard that the young man, Taehyung, stayed with old man Peck and you prayed that this newcomer's presence would pull the old man from his grief.

“Ella be careful on that tree!” You called as the girl continued to climb the large apple tree with another of the girls. They were having a race to the top and you knew that Ella would most likely be the victor. You would often find Ella lost in the tree tops since she liked to watch the town from up above. It made you worry for her safety all the time, but Ella was a natural. She knew falling from such a height would surely break a bone or two.

You could see the ripe apples at the top from your place in the grass as you sat with Paige in your lap. One of her braids had come undone and she had begged you to fix it for her. Ella and the other girl, Mary were arguing about cheating as they climbed and you shouted another warning to be careful.

A shiver crept down your spin and you turned your head towards the forest. Your eyes darted over the tree line but you saw no one. A scream grabbed your attention and you watched in horror as Ella’s foot slipped and she went crashing to the ground.

You jumped to your feet and rushed to her side with Mayar and the other girls behind you. Ella wailed in pain and you shushed her, seeing the ugly way her arm bent at the elbow. You knew something had broken, and as you looked over the rest of her body, you saw her leg was bent oddly as well.

“Get the doctor!” You ordered and one of the older girls ran off.

Mary came down the tree shortly after but you paid her no mind as Ella cried louder.

“Mayar take the girls home and-”

“I heard crying…is everything okay?”

A voice cut into your words and your mind went fuzzy quiet. Your words were stuck on your tongue as you blinked up at the man. The sun casted a warm halo around him and you swore you had heard his voice before.

Warm brown eyes stared down at you in worry and you shook your head, your thoughts scattered and piercing together as you looked away. Mayar and the other girls were nowhere to be round, only the young man stood before you and Paige.

“P-Please help! Ella fell and I-I don’t want to-”

“Easy now, dear one.” The man spoke with such a firm reassurance that put your worry at ease. He knelt down beside you and ran a hand over Ella’s brow before he started to hum, a tune so deep and low. He scooped Ella from the ground and she whined as he clung to him. “Lead the way.”

You scrambled to your feet, not caring for the dirt on your skirt and led the man into town with Paige hanging close. Reverend Matthews and the doctor were rushing towards you, worry twisted on their faces as they took in the state of Ella.

“What happened?” Reverend Matthews demanded as he stared at the blood and weird angle of his daughter’s limbs..

“S-She fell from the apple tree, Sir.” You explain with Paige hidden behind your skirt.

“Get her inside,” the Reverend motioned for the young man to follow the doctor before he turned his attention back to you. “I’ll deal with you later.” His voice left no room for argument and you ducked your head low, staring at the ground. Reverend Matthews hurried after his daughter and Paige cried into your skirts.

“Hush now child,” You squatted down and patted the girl’s head. “Ella will be okay.”

“S-She didn’t fall!” Paige cried and you wrapped your arms around her. “She was pushed, Mary pushed her!”

You hushed Paige once more and carried her to the cabin where you then sat in the rocking chair and sang until she calmed down. You saw Mary with your own eyes, she was nowhere near Ella and couldn’t have pushed her from the tree. Your gut turned and a sour taste sat in the back of your throat as you thought over Paige’s words.

Two days had passed since Ella fell from the apple tree and the girl had yet to wake up. You kept a close eye on her along with Paige, but Reverend Matthews was worried. The doctor couldn’t explain why she had not woken up…that was until Paige told her father what she saw. You tried to tell him that Paige had seen it wrong, you knew Mary didn’t push Ella but he wouldn’t hear it.

“If you say that she was not near, and yet my daughter saw her, then what? No one can be in two places at once!”

“Sir, please-”

“I will speak to the other girls and see what happened.”

You told Pagie to sit with her sister and hurried out of the cabin to try and stop the Reverend, but he was out of sight. Someone nearby cleared their throat and you saw the young man from before. You bowed your head and he walked over, standing two feet in front of you.

“Forgive me for not introducing myself, and thank you for helping us.”

“I wished to have meant you under better circumstances, but I am relieved to see that you are unharmed.”

“Unharmed?” The Reverend’s words echoed in your head about ‘dealing with you later’ and you quickly shook your head. “Oh, you misunderstood. Reverend Matthews would never.”

The man smiled, his lips pressed into a tight line before he bowed deeply to you, “I’m Taehyung and it is a pleasure to finally meet you.”

It started with Paige’s accusation of Mary pushing Ella from the tree. Next it was Paige waking up with night terrors claiming that Mary had threatened to kill her for telling on her. The last straw was Paige being unable to eat anything. Everything made her vomit, and whispers of witches began lingering all around town.

Mary’s whole family had been put on trail, and the grandmother was found guilty of being a witch. Days later, the old woman was hanged in front of the whole town.

That very night, Ella woke up and Mary’s family was chased out of town. Things settled down for a while and you were able to spend more time outside now that Ella was awake. You ran into Taehyung often when you went out for errands, and you were always polite. The young man was indeed very handsome, his midnight hair often became a curtain for his piercing whisky eyes that always seemed to find you.

You found yourself dreaming of Taehyung late at night, and a few times you woke yourself up, moaning his name. He made it a point to visit you in the evening for a walk around town, which you accepted after Reverend Matthews gave you this blessing. Being with Taehyung felt like playing with fire, his very being burned your soul. His voice caressed your mind and his eyes opened a door in your heart that you never knew was there.

Women and men alike started to appear in town wearing more layers than they should be. When questioned, they all said they were coming down with something. The doctor was in over his head and sent for help. So many people were cold and Reverend Matthews grew concerned. Did he have an epidemic on his hands or something more sinister?

He shadowed the doctor in his exams and every person who fell sick had small cuts along their neck and inner arms, along the main veins. The cuts were no longer than two inches and thin enough to think nothing of. Once the doctor confirmed that every patient had the marks, Matthews knew some ill-omened and foul had plagued the village.

The first time Taehyung touched you, you worried that he had come down with the sickness that had spread within the village. His skin was cold, much too cold for the summer heat that had rolled in. He hadn’t meant to touch you, the two of you were walking side by side in the fields and your ankle rolled over a rock. Taehyung had grabbed your arm and steadied you before you could fall. He forced you to sit on the side of the road as he removed your shoes and checked your ankle.

His fingers were so cold but they felt wonderful on your burning skin. Heat coursed through your body as he examined your exposed ankles. It was improper and he apologized for his forwardness, but he had to make sure you were okay. As he looked over your ankle, Taehyung assured you that he was fine and that he always ran cold no matter what time of the season it was. He explained that he was born with low iron, so his blood didn’t run as hot.

Your ankle was fine and Taehyung offered to walk you back to the cabin to rest in case your ankle started to hurt later on. You agreed and Taehyung offered his arm to which you linked elbows. Heat seemed to permanently warm your face, and you leaned into the coolness of Taehyung’s body. It was heavenly in the summer heat.

At the gate out front of the cabin, Taehyung parted from you, holding your hand in his. He bent slightly at the waist and raised your hand to his lips.

Your stomach flipped and tumbled as his lips touched the skin of your knuckles. Even his breath was cool and you stuttered over your words as you bid Taehyung farewell. You hurried into the cabin and Revend Matthews raised an eyebrow at your flustered state before he turned his attention back to the book in his lap.

“I am holding a council meeting once the new doctor arrives in the morning. Please keep an eye on the girls and keep them close.”

“Is everything okay, Sir?”

Matthews sighed and rubbed at his temples, “There is an evil swallowing this village and I will bring it to light by the grace of the lord.”

You nodded your head in understanding and made the cross over your body. “By the grace of the lord.”

The warmth of your body weighed deeply on Taehyung’s mind. He could still smell you on his clothes and a flame simmered deep in his stomach.

He needed to feed. He could not wait any longer, consequences be damned. Your very being called to him, and Taehyung knew better. He would not put you in harm's way, not if he could help it.

Finding his next meal was easy enough. Taehyung was a walking temptation and he used that to his advantage. He had the names and faces of those who looked at him memorized. It was to lure them in with sweet words and an even sweeter touch. He picked his targets and followed them early enough in the evening for no one to question his motives. He would request a meeting and they would make a show of visiting old man Peck, offering their condolences and baskets filled with sweet breads, jams and smoked meats.

Old man Peck was sickly himself, often bedridden as his health steadily declined. Taehyung had such luck when he moved into the old man’s home. The village people were so trusting of his handsome face, and that is where Taehyung took advantage. He had his victims cut themselves with a sewing needle and he did the rest. The venom in his saliva acted as a blood thinner and the flow came faster, easier as he sucked at the broken skin. He never bit anyone, that would have left proof of his existence, after all.

In the comfort of his room, Taehyung seduced widow Melody and ravaged her body. The warmth of her skin, the pounding of her heart, and the soft sounds she made as he rocked against her were dizzying.

Taehyung’s fangs ached, and in a fit of pleasure he rolled their bodies, so that Melody was now on top. His hands grabbed her hips and he bounced her in his lap. The woman threw her head back and Taehyung could smell the sweet tang of her blood. His gums pulsed and he tightened his grip on her hips. His fingers dug into the skin hard enough to bruise, and as her fingers tangled into his hair, Melody pulled his face to her skin.

“Mark me, make me yours!” She begged, and Taehyung lost himself. His fangs pierced the tender flesh of her throat and blood flowed into his mouth quickly. It was messy as Taehyung was a little out of practice.

Blood spilled down the side of Melody’s neck to the front of her bare chest and made her all the more slippery as it mixed with their body sweat. Melody’s voice sang Taehyung’s name as she succumbed to the pleasure, and Taehyung felt her walls tighten around him. He ripped his mouth away from her neck and moaned loudly as he came, his grip so tight that it broke the skin and nearly pressed the bones into dust.

Melody had started to cry but Taehyung was quick to shush her as fear widened the pupils of her eyes. Her body shook and Taehyung dove back into her neck, a new place where his fangs had not touched before. He slurped and gulped loudly, moaning even more at the taste as he sucked the life from Melody’s veins.

Pulling away once more, Taehyung gasped, his face flushed and body warm from the nice meal he enjoyed. Melody’s head dropped backwards and Taehyung shoved her body off his lap. It fell to the side of the bed, lifeless, and Taehyung ran a hand through his messy hair.

He wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand and licked his lips. A knock at the door caught his attention and before he could cover up, old man Peck stood in the doorway. The smile on his face was gone in an instant the moment he saw the blood all over Taehyung. Taehyung sighed and frowned deeply at the old man. In the heat of his meal, he forgot to keep his control on Peck’s mind. A grave mistake.

Taehyung rushed from the bed and slapped at hand over Peck’s mouth and apologized to the old man before he sunk his fangs into his neck. He never liked the taste of older blood, so he ripped the old man’s throat out and helped him fall to the floor. As the old man gurgled and choked on his own blood, Taehyung groaned and looked at Melody’s dead body on his bed. A grave mistake, indeed.

Taehyung felt tired, the adrenaline and sweet high that came from drinking blood had vanished from his body the moment he murdered his kind host. A knock at the front door made Taehyung wince. He had no time to clean up his mess and needed to get out of the cabin. Quickly, he pulled on a fresh set of clothes and wiped himself off as best he could.

He had to take you with him. He couldn’t leave you here in this crazy village.

The front door opened and footsteps echoed through the air. “Peck! Taehyung!”

It was Reverend Matthews and Taehyung cursed. If that man was in the cabin, that meant that you were home alone with his daughters. As the footfalls grew closer, Taehyung groaned. He needed to leave, now.

Ducking out of the window, Taehyung bowed his head and hurried out towards the forest where the rest of the villagers refused to go. He kept close to the treeline and rounded over to your cabin. Your window was closed and Taehyung glanced around. No one was in sight, so he sprinted to your window and peeked inside. You sat in a chair in the corner reading a book. You were a portrait of peace and beauty.

Taehyung knocked on the window and you jumped, the book in your hands tumbled to the ground. You looked at the window and smiled when you saw Taehyung. You opened the window without a second thought, and Taehyung grabbed your face with his hands.

“I have to go now, dear one. Come with me?”

“W-What? What are you saying Taehyung?”

“I don’t have time to explain. Please? Come with me!”

A metallic scent came from Taehyung’s mouth as he spoke and his hands were so much warmer than they had ever been. His eyes seemed brighter and his skin was flushed. He looked like he had been kissed by God.

“T-Taehyung…”

Voices shouted from outside and you tried to turn your head, but Taehyung wouldn’t let go of your face.

“Dear one, please?”

“I-I cannot go with you Taehyung-”

The voices were closer now, and Taehyung’s eyes flickered in a swirl of emotions that you couldn’t unwind in time before they fell dull. Taehyung licked his lips and rested his forehead against yours as he spoke.

“Forgive me, dear one. I will find you again.”

His lips were petal soft and oven warm, a heat like never before scorched your very soul and you gasped into the kiss. You could taste something unwelcome on his tongue as it slipped into your mouth, but it didn’t deter you from seeking more of Taehyung’s lips.

“I swear I will find you again.”

Taehyung’s words were muffled as he spoke into your mouth and you nodded your head, your mind foggy as he slipped from your view and melted into the treeline. Shouts grew louder yet, and you made your way to the front of the cabin where the girls were peeking out the window.

“What has happened?” You questioned and the girls turned towards you, their eyes widened in terror.

“Witch!”

“Devil’s whore!”

The girls screamed at you and your heart froze. What was the meaning of their words? Witch? Never.

The front door was kicked in and a mob of people flooded the home. You screamed as men grabbed your arms and dragged you out of the house. You called for Reverend Matthews with tears in your eyes. The grip on your arms was too tight, you could feel their fingers digging into your bones. Everyone around you spit at the ground by your feet and sneered as you were dragged away towards the lake.

What was the meaning of this? What had you done to deserve such treatment?

At the lake, you saw Reverend Matthews, the two doctors, and the rest of the town. Reverend Matthews’ eyes were narrowed, darkend in disgust as he opened the bible in his hands. You were thrown to the Reverend's feet and your arms were tied tightly behind your back.

“You are accused of witchcraft and summoning a demon to our village. How do you plead?” Reverend Matthews stared down at you and you shook your head. His words did not make any sense in your mind. Witchcraft?

“The laborer Taehyung has murdered the widow Melody and Old Man Peck in cold blood! What say you?”

“H-He would never!”

“I have seen it with my own eyes! And now those who have fallen sick, have come forward with clear memories of Taehyung seducing them in the night. He forced their own hands to harm themselves before he fed off their life’s essence.”

You didn’t believe the Reverend's words. Taehyung wasn’t a demon, he was just a man. He was being blamed for something that was utterly preposterous.

“You were seen in town with the demon Taehyung. Do you deny this claim?”

You stared at the ground before you. You knew that no matter what you said, the Revered would not listen.

“Taehyung had courted you, isn’t that so? You were in love with the demon?”

“He is not a demon!” You shouted, unable to hear such slander. “T-Taehyung is a good man! He would not harm anyone in this village! Nor would I, sir! I have raised your children when they were just babes! H-how can you accuse me of such horrors?”

“Enough!” Reverend Matthews cleared his throat and opened the bible in his hand. “My child, you have been led astray from God’s graces. You have welcomed the devil into your heart and summoned a devil to our village. Our people have been attacked and plagued by unseeable nightmares…”

You tried to pull your arms free of the ropes but it was no use, they were tied tightly.

“You harmed my children and all of the children in this village. I cannot forgive such crimes, nor look past the vile evil that has tempted you into its arms.” The Reverend ducked his head and started to read from the bible. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Tears rolled down your face as the men lifted you from the ground and sat you in a wooden chair. Your legs were tied down and your arms secured to the back before they carried you to the edge of the dock.

All around, the village people screamed and cried as they threw rocks your way. A jagged rock slammed into your temple and you cried as you felt the throbbing pain spread along the back of your head. The broken skin bleed freely like your tears, and you shook your head once more.

“Reverend please! I-I have committed no crime!”

“You would defend that demon even in your last moments of life?”

You thought over the Reverend's words and your last moments with Taehyung in your room. He had been panicked and so very, very warm. The late night walks, the sweet touches…the dreams. Your heart quickened its pace as you fought to discern the truth from the lies.

Was Taehyung a demon? Had he tricked you into falling in love with him?

“Admit your sins and the All Mighty above will grant you forgiveness.”

“...I am sorry, Sir.” You whispered, unable to lie to everyone for their own piece of mind. “Drown me if that will put your hearts at ease but know that I speak the truth. I have never given into the temptation of the devil and I will pray that God has mercy on your misguided souls.”

“Kill the witch!”

“Die!”

“Harlot!”

Voices screamed around you, and as you looked at the village people, you thought for a moment that Taehyung was hidden in the crowd.

“Taehyung?” You tried to clear your vision as it started to blur from the pain in your head. “Taehyung…”

“Kill her!”

“She calls for her demon lover!”

“Kill the witch!”

The chair jostled as the men lifted it up and you inhaled a shaky breath as you looked at Reverend Matthews for the last time. His face was void of all emotion but his eyes were filled with conflicting emotions.

“Admit your sins.”

“Is it a sin to love someone?”

Reverend Matthews pressed his lips into a firm line and gave one single nod. Tears streamed down your face as you were thrown into the air and gravity pulled you quickly into the lake.

You were sinking, deeper and deeper. Your lungs flooded with water as you inhaled against your better judgment. One single name fell from your lips and it fell on deaf ears, drowned by the water. No one would listen to what you had said. Fear was a dangerous emotion that created so many deaths in the village. The images of the people above started to distort and the light dimmed. You cried as the chair you were tied to hit the bottom of the lake.

Cold.

You felt the icy fingers of the grim reaper wrap around your wrists. You wanted to pull away, you wanted to swim to shore and run far, far away. At the bottom of the lake, your eyes burned but you couldn’t look away from the fish picked bones that surrounded you. You were going to die. You were going to die and no one cared. You screamed and screamed, repeatedly, but no one came to your aid. The last of the air in your lungs pushed out and replaced by the cold dark water.

Darkness coiled in your heart, the tender touch of his embrace meant nothing now. You were alone, drowning at the bottom of the lake for loving him.

Where had he run off to? Doubt started to cloud your mind as memories of Taehyung flickered behind your eyes. Did he plan this? Were you merely a plaything to pass the time before you became his scapegoat? Your eyes grew heavy, weighed down by the water.

From above, the air bubbles that frantically rose to the surface slowly came far and few in between until no one broke the water. The silence stretched on as Reverend Matthews inhaled deeply before he sighed.

“May God have mercy on her soul.”

#taehyung fic #taehyung angst #taehyung x reader #vampire!taehyung #fic: run from me #soc taehyung

23 notes · View notes

madman479r · 7 months

Text

Out in the dark landscape of the Evernight, where Grimm roamed freely and no sunlight ever graced the ground, stood Salem as she looked down into a small crater.

Inside the caved-in black earthly ground was Jaune, beaten, bruised and bloodied. Rocks and pebble debris lay atop of him as smoke trailed off his body. His still and motionless body told Salem all she needed.

The Grimm Queen smiled softly. "You poor soul. Another pawn in Ozma's game lost. I'll give you this, little knight, you certainly put up a fight." Salem complimented and turned her back onto the fallen warrior. Now she had to find Ozma and his little silver eyed warrior.

"... Don't you turn your back on me... freak." A rough voice came from behind Salem, making her pause in her stride, her face bewildered.

Salem turned to the crater and saw a armoured hand grip the edge as a body bullet itself up with great struggle.

It was Jaune, with blood still running down his face, though his teeth with gritted and face focused as he heaved himself up and out of the earth.

Salem fully turned to see it for herself. This... this human was getting up again, even after one of her most powerful blasts to the face!

Jaune got to his feet, swaying slightly as he gripped his left arm which was hanging limply at his side, his armour a crumpled mess and clothes practically tatters. He glared up at Salem, meeting her shocked gaze with his heated, determined glare.

"Wh- what are you gawking at?" He spat out and stepped toward Salem.

A step that made Salem, the Grimm Queen, the witch that demanded from the Gods, step back.

"What did you think?!" Jaune growled. "That I was gonna role over and die from an attack like that?!" Even as his body trembled, not out of fear but out of sheer effort from standing, his bones rattled and organs aching, he still stood against Salem.

Salem felt something in her chest, something she had not felt for millennia. Fear. The same fear she felt when her father locked her in a tower all those centuries ago, the same fear when Ozma was sick and the same fear when the Brother of Darkness easily erased her army.

And with that fear came a tsunami of rage. She was Queen Salem! Ruler of the Grimm! Immortal Witch! She had nothing to be afraid of! Not Ozma, the silver eyes, the Brother Gods and certainly not this little, insignificant, worthless human!

Jaune was unfazed by the look of fury that graced Salem's features.

"You're nothing, just a trickster. I am a warrior! The Rusted Knight!" Jaune roared as he forced his Aura to surface, coating him in a faint golden glow.

#rwby #jaune arc #salem #rwby salem #source: Dragon ball z #inspired by vegeta vs kid buu

35 notes · View notes

roadkillremi · 1 year

Text

Therefore I do not fear the devil... (1)

Eddie Munson x AFAB!Witch!Reader

MasterList (two out now)

Warnings : MINORS DNI, Sexist Comments, Discrimination of Witches, Masterbation, Eddie Fantasies Reader, Reader Claims to not believe in God, Mentions Church rules like a government, Mentions Death, Drinking, Smoking of Tobacco, Eddie watches reader change, Eddie imagines degrading the reader.

Summary : In 1684 in a village a bit like Salem strange things started to happen. Especially when Y/N starts to visit more. Eddie quickly falls in love with Y/N not realizing what he's getting himself into.

"Anything to say, before we burn you?!" The priest yelled. The wind blew roughly causing you to shiver.

"The witch stays silent-" He began to light his torch on fire. You close your eyes tightly to prepare yourself for the pain.

"I KNOW WHERE THE TRUE WITCH LIVES!" a rough voice yelled. You opened your eyes to find Eddie standing on a wooden crate. His long curls are going crazy in the wind. The priest turned to him, "Very well lead us there."

2 months Earlier

Eddie noticed you in the village time after time. Your long skirt with a loose chain belt hugging your hips. He knew it was a sin to look at someone with such lust. But he couldn't help it. Dried flowers rested in your hair, a flowy long sleeve top that curved with your figure. How you'd stop to tell the children stories.

But at night is when you go into the tavern. By day the old men wanted nothing to do with you. But by night is when they try to invite you to a bed. Eddie would watch you from across the tavern. You would talk to, Joyce one of the Tavern workers.

"Boy! Entertain us!" One of the older men fussed. Eddie snapped out of his trance.

"I can tell you a story." He offered. The men grunted with approval, Eddie went to the end of the table to begin.

"There's a village not from here. The only way it's connected to land is bridges. Other than that it is completely in the water." Some of the men leaned forward. Eddie took a giant gulp of beer before continuing.

"One day, one of the boys woke up the dragon. In a nearby cave, He hollered back to the village. But they all laughed at the boy. So he put together a team to fight off the dragon. But they weren't smart, the bridges burnt down. People tried swimming to shore but drowned. The dragon now lays there on that island as a nest."

A laugh burst through the tavern. Eddie looked up to see you laughing.

"What's so funny, my lady?" He straightened up his posture. You walked towards the other end of the table placing your hands down loudly.

"Dragons are not real, my friend. But witches and werewolves are!"

Men burst with laughter but you kept your eyes on him. He kept eye contact wanting you to continue. When the laughter died down you continued with a smile.

"In England before we settled here. There were werewolf trails. Sheep and people were torn in the middle of the night!" You raised your voice before standing up all the way.

"Soon the men that were questioned for being a werewolf, started to blame the witches. They cried, 'The witch! The witch did it! I slept with her and she took my dignity?'. Thus began the witch hunt." You smiled at Eddie before walking towards the door.

"Your name?!" He called. You put a long coat on covering your skirt.

"Y/N, yours?"

"Eddie.. I plan to see you at the market tomorrow?"

"That is if you're not a werewolf." You smiled before leaving. The tavern was silent before men erupted with laughter again. They threw food at Eddie for being ridiculous. He tried to dodge it before grabbing a broom.

"You freak! You really think you could get a girl like that?!" One man yelled.

"You offer no money, No proper house!"

"Yes but your wife somehow keeps returning to my bed." Eddie smiled. The man cringed before leaving. The crowd died down leaving Eddie alone in the tavern.

After he cleaned the place he returned to his home. His uncle fast asleep in the nearby room. He softly played his lute thinking of you. Your wicked smile and how you kept eye contact with him at all times. How when the men interrupted you kept your eyes on him. He put his lute up before taking his pipe stuffing tabaco in it. He took a match lighting the end to smoke it.

All he could think of was you. The church would punish him for his thoughts. How he wants to push up your skirt. To have you, all of you. His free hand drifted towards his trousers. His bulge begging for attention, he managed to pull himself free of clothes. He gently stroke himself imagining your hand instead of his.

He wondered if you were still a virgin. If you'd gone against the church's orders before like him. Or if you were innocent and never had a man touch you in such a way. The idea of him being your first drove him wild. His hand pumped himself faster his mind going wild. He let out soft moans, he wanted you to take him. To commit adultery with him, to make you promise not to tell. Then to do it all again, calling you a filthy whore. He couldn't handle himself releasing his warm seed. He collected his breath trying to calm down his thoughts. He finished smoking before laying down thinking of you.

The morning air smelled refreshing due to the market. The herbs, foods, paints, anything someone could make. Eddie waited patiently with a sad little flower. He picked it up hoping you would like it. Now it just wilted in his hand. He spotted you by one of the stalls. You were looking at feathered ink pens. The man laughed at you shooing you away. Eddie practically ran to your aid.

"I beg your pardon?!" You fussed.

"There is no way a woman knows how to write! Now scram unless there's a real reason you're here!"

"I'll purchase it." Eddie said startling you. You looked at him, his head blocked the sun from your eyes. You gave him a small smile, "Eddie, you don't have to.".

"Don't worry about it. Here I have..." Eddie searched through his pockets. He patted down his leather vest. He pulled a necklace from his pocket.

"A necklace."

The vendor gave him a questioning look. He sighed before grabbing it, "Fine, take one, son.". Eddie gently grabbed the one you wanted before handing it to you.

"Thank you." You took it gently placing it in your saccule. You stepped away from the stall to not anger the old man. Eddie pushed his hand forward with the flower.

"I found this this morning. It reminded me of you. Well, that was before it wilted." He smiled. You took it from his hand, somehow it seemed the flower healed as you grasped it.

"It's beautiful, Eddie! I believe it's an GilliFlower." You gently placed it in your hair. You walked around to see the stalls, "Why don't I see you in the village much?" Eddie asked.

"I live in the forest by the creek. I usually have everything I need. But it gets...lonely"

"I can understand that."

He watched you buy bread and butter from one of the women. He watched you talk to people, you always seemed to charm them. You jogged to Eddie quickly, "Taste this!" You shoved a muffin in his face. He took a bite, the sweet taste filled his mouth.

"That's delicious." He groaned.

You smiled, "Yes, she gifted it to me. Why do you work at the tavern? Usually men of your age are seeking marriage and land for farming.". Eddie was silent at first, "Not that it's a bad thing! Sorry!" You quickly added.

"No! Don't apologize! I was just thinking. I guess I don't wanna follow the sheep of society." He said. You nodded, "That's why I live away from society.". You took another bite of your muffin before handing it to Eddie. He gratefully took a bite of the sweet treat.

"The sheep! The sheep!" A farm hand ran in yelling. He stood at the top of the stairs, "The sheep have been slaughtered last night!". A crowd of people quickly gathered, Eddie gently placed his hand on your back. The crowd murmured amongst themselves.

"It could've been a werewolf!" One man yelled. Some people laughed, you backed up afraid of what was going to happen.

"No! A witch! A lady told us all about it at the tavern!" The crowd was shocked. You started walking away quickly, your bag held tightly close to you.

"Wait!" Eddie called out going after you.

"I have to go!" You kept walking away from him.

"When will I see you again?"

"For your sake, Never."

Eddie grabbed your forearm dragging you to a side of a house. You attempted to yank your arm back but his grip was to tight.

"Let me go."

"Why are you leaving?"

"You tell a story and they laugh. I tell a story and I'm a witch!" You fussed. Eddie stared down at you, "Where can I find you?".

"Follow a creek! Now let me go." You struggled to get your arm back.

"Take me with you." His big brown doe eyes looked down at you. You sighed, "Fine, we must be quick.". Eddie nodded letting go of your arm, you took off heading away from the village. He steadily ran behind you, you approached the woods and he stopped. You heard the lack of footsteps and turned to look at him.

"What's wrong?"

"The church says the devil lives in these woods.." he looked at the tall trees.

"I don't believe in God. Therefore I do not fear the devil." You offered out your hand to him. He looked at you, his giant calloused hand grabbing your small soft one. You lead him through the woods, ducking and hopping over obstacles.

You stopped at the beginning of the path to your house. You looked at him, "Here it is.". There was a creek near the house, and bushes with berries. The garden bed and flowers are growing lively. You started walking towards the cottage. You took your shoes off by the front door. Eddie followed you and did the same. Once he walked in a wave of calmness washed over him.

A fireplace was gently going, a wooden table in the middle. A small kitchen area in one corner. While a seating area and bookshelf in the other.

"This is it." You presented, you started emptying your bag.

"you can stay as long as you want. You can sleep by the seating area. I have spare blankets, and if you need to wash up the creek is nice. I have a bar of soap too and some spare clothes."

"Really?" Eddie asked taking it all in.

"Of course! You're my guest." You smiled, beginning to prep a meal. Eddie looked at the collection of books in awe. These must've been from England he assumed.

"I'll go wash up."

You looked up at him, "There's soap in the washroom. I'll go get some spare clothes!". You went into a small extra room digging through an old trunk. You grabbed clothes going back to the main room.

"Here, they might be a bit big on you." You handed them over. He thanked you and went outside, he causally undressed and went into the creek with a small shiver.

Eddie knew exactly what he was doing. You would glance up through your window to see him. You tried to focus on your cooking by putting the fish over the fire. Once the meal was down you peaked out through the door.

"Um, Eddie!" You called out. He turned towards you his glistening torso facing you. His wild curls framing his face perfectly.

"Foods Ready!" You yelled before closing the door. You sat at the table trying to calm yourself down. Eddie walked in sitting at the table, his shirt unlace around his chest. You tried to keep your eyes on your plate.

"Thank you for this. It's delicious." Eddie said whole chewing his food. You nodded glancing up at him, he smiled at you once you made eye contact.

Eddie knew what he was doing.

After the meal, Eddie told you stories about mythical creatures. You sat next to him and listened. He moved his hands when he talked causing you to follow them. Your eyes grew tired and his voice was too soothing. You drifted off, "Are you asleep?" He sounded partially offended. Your eyes shot open, "Sorry!". He chuckled, "It's fine, go get some sleep. Thank you for your kindness. It's been truly wonderful.". You smiled, "Of course!", You stood up to go into your room.

"Night, Eddie."

"Goodnight. I'll be leaving early in the morning. So, I wish to see you again." He smiled.

"I hope to see you again also." You cracked your bedroom door.

Eddie laid back covering himself with a lavender blanket you lent him. The fire was still going to keep the house warm. He would look towards your room. Between the crack of the door he saw you change. You bare back towards him, he gulped watching you closely. You slid a night gown on and blew out your candle going to bed.

As he said, in the morning he was gone. The blanket he used was folded neatly. Your heart dropped hoping he would stay. You planned on returning to him.

80 notes · View notes

kimbap-r0ll · 1 year

Note

Hello, do you think you could do some headcanons of characters such as Riddle, Vil, Deuce and Malleus react to a Mc that is actually from the Salem witch trails, and what about to be executed for “Witchcraft” but got transported to Twisted wonderland

Omg wait this is a really interesting idea! Imagine if they weren't magical though 😭

Riddle, Vil, Deuce, Malleus react to MC being from the Salem Witch Trials but being human

Riddle

He feels horrible that you had to go through so much in so many years. From people stalking you, family members disappearing from you when you needed someone to talk to, etc.

Even if you aren't magical, he will still hope that you remain in NRC. Besides, if you were able to help him un-overblot and learn to appreciate himself more, you definitely have some kind of magic in you

Will probably still wonder if you did have magic and it just isn't showing up yet because of the trials putting such a burden on you. He might ask you to try flying on a broom with him one day just to see if you like it haha

Overall know that he's really grateful to have met you and admires you for being brave to face all of the people that tried to harm you and even kill you.

Vil

Didn't know such things could happen because he's so used to magic. It's shocking, but he can't believe you had to go through all of those horrible things and at first just says that he's sorry to hear

He will check up on you once in a while to make sure that the stress you got from the trials isn't continuing to haunt you. If you ever need someone to talk to, though he can seem cold, he will listen.

He knows what it's like to feel shunned (villain roles did something to his reputation) but Vil knows that it's nothing like what you faced. All Vil can do is try to understand you using his personal experience

Similar to Riddle, he's happy that you're in Twisted Wonderland, even if you may be magicless. He hopes that you won't think of going back to Salem after all that's happened tbh

Deuce

He's surprised things like that could happen. Though it's completely possible, in Twisted Wonderland the only reason why witch trials aren't a thing is because magic is so widely used it would be a world issue

Deuce wants you to know that he thinks the people in Salem can screw over because you definitely didn't deserve any of the ill treatment you got. If you ever need someone, he'll be there for you!

It's an interesting fact to Deuce however that you're better than him in some magic classes. Even if you say that you have no magic, it's amazing that you can understand the subjects in it really well. You should be proud!

Overall he's glad that you weren't executed that day in the trials and hopes that you stay in Twisted Wonderland mainly for your own safety and health. Also he's always going to make sure you're safe now haha

Malleus

The concept of the trials itself is so confusing to this fae. Magic has always been so essential in his kingdom and childhood that being shunned or even killed by using it sounds like a nightmare

He tells you that he admires your bravery for facing all of the people and events that came with the witch accusations. Malleus says that even if you aren't a magic user, he hopes you will find yourself at home in Twisted Wonderland because yeah no he doesn't want you to ever go back to Salem

Will ask you things about your experiences however, even if they aren't witch related. How was it like growing up in your town for example? He's just interested in learning new things, so you two end up spending a lot of time just talking and strolling around

Malleus will always be there if you ever find yourself distressed about the memories from Salem. He doesn't want to see you get hurt especially after all that you already went through, and he'll do his best to make sure of that

#twst #twisted wonderland #twst imagines #twst scenarios #twst headcanons #twst x reader #fem!reader #twst riddle #twst riddle rosehearts #twst riddle x reader #twst deuce #twst deuce spade #twst deuce x reader #twst vil #twst vil schoenheit #twst vil x reader #twst malleus #twst malleus draconia #twst malleus x reader

300 notes · View notes

houseofpunk · 3 days

Note

yesterday i was thinking about how Julia as a child would be one of those weird (affectionate) kids that play with bugs at recess like it’s dolls but its just a dead horned beetle 😭

she would! she would be the weird morbid child who was obsessed with the black plague and the salem witch trails and death. she would be the angry little girl who screamed and threw herself into the dirt and ran wild but was scolded for it so as a way of conforming to norms she pivoted hard and hid that dark part of herself by over performing feminine things like cheerleading and pretend to be made of only soft and gentle edges while deep below the surface that darkness still festered so when malakai misted her he simply brought that darkness and rage to the surface and helped her re embrace it

#thanks for the ask this made me think about baby julia and how much i love her #asks #julia hart

8 notes · View notes

yourlocaldisneyvillain · 6 months

Note

Okay so according to you anyone who doesn't like your fanfictions is a Puritan. Does that mean I am the equivalent to a morden day Columbus? Because that's technically what it means. Puritans were people who harmed Native Americans, people who burned witches during the Salem with trails. Hell, you can even classify Christians who force Christianity on you as Puritans. Id personally use a different word, because that makes no sense.

this is comedy gold i couldn't come up with this if i tried

#i got an ask!

27 notes · View notes

celestialspecial · 8 months

Text

Vibrantly Hidden

Synopsis: Lydia has been forced to return home to live with her sisters. The well of magick runs deep in her family, despite her best efforts to avoid that aspect of herself. But strange things are afoot in the town of Crystal Falls and in order to figure out these bizarre happenings she must work alongside her enemy from a rival coven-Billy Russo.

Authors Notes: This story has been my passion project as of late and something that I maybe hope to turn into something real and tangible one day. As a special thanks for all your support I want to share it with you first :) The title is still in the works as I explore other options- input is very welcome on it!

Warnings: 18+, Witchcraft and Magick, Some horror elements, graphic descriptions, smut (use your own discernment)

Chapter One: Click your heels together three times

There were few things I’m certain of in life.

Never conjure when angry or when the moon is waning.

River spirits never forget a bargain spurned.

The Russo Coven couldn’t be trusted.

It was the near end of august, September rode in on the back of a cool breeze and yellow tinged leaves.

Sipping a slightly-too salty margarita on a wine bar patio, the glass sweating despite the soft breeze.

While most people were excited about autumn and all the treats the “-Ber months brought I couldn’t help but feel a pit of sadness at the thought of summer ending.

Ignoring reality had been my personal goal for the season and I’d done it so well. Books by the pool, painting sessions on the beach(with all the retired folks), hikes along trails covered in moss and jagged stones.

Sipping cocktails on patios like this, savoring the complex flavors and picking at charcuterie boards with cheeses whos names I butchered while ordering.

I was living the life. But with each passing day I knew I couldn’t ignore it for much longer.

After budget cuts, my position at the local art museum was no longer “essential”. Having a background in art history left one wanting for jobs in a bad way.

I should be grateful for the job posting my older sister Elizabeth had sent but when I saw it conveniently was at the local college back home I couldn’t conceal the anxiety taking root in my chest.

I’d applied haphazardly, fully anticipating another, “thank you for your interest- we’ve decided to move ahead with other candidates.”

But when I saw the “we’d love to have you come on board!” Intro line I knew my fate had been sealed.

I needed this job.

It wouldn’t be so bad living back at home for a little while until another opportunity came along, right?

My younger sister Emily was ecstatic. It almost broke my heart a little to imagine telling her I didn’t quite feel the same amount of eagerness.

I’d moved away because I wanted to feel free, to see what my life could be outside of the confines of my hometown. Outside of what I was.

I had needed space. Space in the form of multiple hundreds of miles away.

Most people grow up playing on swing sets and eating peanut butter sandwiches. Growing up in a family of witches, is something entirely different.

When you’re young and impressionable the idea of having powers, knowing there’s more to life than what most others know. It can feel feel empowering.

To me it was daunting. Exhausting. It’s not all hocus pocus and fun spellbooks or brewing potions.

I didn’t want to be me. I wanted something else.

Something normal.

The Dawson name was well known and revered in the town of Crystal Falls. We’d been here since the town was christened along with a few other families.

There’d been a Dawson Mayor, Head of the newspaper, a few doctors, even a sheriff.

If only the upstanding community was aware that the Dawson name was a coven. Not just your run of the mill one, but powerful witches, dating back centuries.

The town today had no idea that witches had laid claim to this land so many years ago.

It’s not something one can post on social media. After the debacle in Salem all the smart actual witches branched off. Some migrated to the Midwest, others searched for the west coast.

The Dawson’s had gone upwards along the east coast, becoming almost nomadic in nature until settling into a small village, close to the ocean but gently tucked into a blanket of forest.

A river cut through town giving a grand display of multiple waterfalls that ended at the nearby beach.

If you caught one of the large celestial events of comets or a grandiose full moon the river and falls seemed to glimmer and glow, taking on an ethereal hue.

Hence the name- Crystal Falls.

Our family had helped imbue protective barriers around the town alongside the Russo coven. Another family of warlocks that had also managed to stumble upon this area.

It was beautiful and charged with an uncontained wild nature that must’ve called to our ancestors in some way. And above all else- it was home.

Me and my sisters had been raised by our aunt and grandmother after our parents died when we were young.

It had been labeled an accident. Driving through the mountainous terrain to reach town was dangerous even during the brightest of days.

But there had been signs, too many for our families liking, to chalk it up to merely an accident. There were too many “magickal” elements at play to ignore.

The brand new car losing control, the large tree having conveniently fallen, after the too conspicuous lightning strike and torrential storm appearing on an otherwise clear meteorological prediction.

I tried not to think of it too long, for fear of losing myself in the grief. Too afraid of falling into the whirlpool of those feelings and drowning, never to be seen again.

“Would you like another?” The waitress asked, taking away my now empty margarita glass.

“Yes please, actually do you have anything remaining from the seasonal menu?”

“Sorry, we just finished the last of the summer sangria but we do have our fall menu out! Fig spritzer with sugared thyme and a pumpkin spice bourbon.”

Another nail in the coffin. Summer was over and I needed to face the reality of my impending trip back home. Whether I liked it or not.

Picking some random Chardonnay off the menu in silent rebellion to their fall drinks I feel a tingle in my left pinkie.

I recognize that feeling. It appears when I’m sad. Or stressed. Or angry. Sometimes when I’m happy.

I’ll be watching a Netflix show and laughing so hard on my sofa and then I feel the tingling sensation in my fingertips.

Like dipping my fingers into super icy water then immediately into hot boiling water. I catch it and breathe into the feeling.

Willing it to stop.

Some tries take longer than others. Over the years I’ve managed to muffle that part of me that yearns to escape.

A rabid dog locked in a basement waiting for the caretaker to get sloppy, lazy. Bursting past the seam of the door and bounding freely into the night.

Not today. One day perhaps. I shudder thinking about it. Or maybe it’s just the breeze, goose bumps break out along my arms and chest.

Eventually after some practiced breathing I feel the tiny reverberations cease. Returning from whence they came.

Boy how I am not looking forward to going home.

The drive back home was a scenic four hour trek through mountains and forestry that could make any camper or hiking enthusiast’s mouth water.

I’d lost count over the years how many scenic overlooks dotted the area and if there was a drinking game involving shots every time a quaint picturesque New England type village popped up on google maps one would quickly die of alcohol poisoning.

“What do you want for dinner?” Elizabeth’s text pinged on my phone that was propped on the dash hastily.

“So excited!!!!” Emily responded not two seconds later. The age dynamics were far too apparent.

I couldn’t help but grin, I loved my sisters I really do, but it’s been so long since I’d lived with them.

Elizabeth came into her magic first- understandably so, being the oldest. Grandma was so proud, seeing Lizzy carry on the Dawson legacy.

“Easy Em”

“Sorry! Sorry! Drive safe!”

I rolled my eyes, chuckling a little as I turned onto another mountain path. This added time to my trip but I just …couldn’t bring myself to take the other route. Not yet.

After another hour or so of driving I finally saw the sign for Crystal Falls, keep right for 30 miles.

A crusted slab of wood with paint peeling off of it. Emerald green and white swirls of paint beckoning any passerby to stop.

It didn’t pass my notice that a handful of trees had leaves tinged in orange, a few scattered red bursts.

Traitors.

It would be beautiful. The kiss of death to summer and its green tinged warmth. I’d even miss the bugs.

Turning down the Main Street there was a constant stream of activity. People walking in and out of shops, visitors milling around the welcome center, campers clearly here for the upcoming fall foliage unfurling comically large maps of the cave systems.

There was a gazebo at the town center, a la Gilmore girls Stars Hollow that was always decorated according to season.

I said a silent prayer of thanks seeing the sunflowers still adorning it and not hay bales and pumpkins.

Festive mums sat in fat glazed pots in front of the stores. I rolled my windows down to inhale the smell of home.

Wondering if it’d smell like how I remembered. Fresh flowers, sweet honeysuckle and that tell tale pinch of chill.

Tree branches swayed overhead with the seasonal breeze. Yellowed leaves broke off of a nearby oak and scattered into the street.

I watched as a gaggle of school girls walked over them, crunching them into the pavement without a thought.

Turning off the main causeway and into the more scenic countryside where a few vineyards with their adjoining wineries sat.

Moon Brew Farm with their delicious peach wine. Cats Tail Vineyard that created a bubbly moscato with hints of fresh blackberry.

I could feel my mouth water just imagining it, that full mouth feel. Fizzing bubbles popping on my tongue and chasing it with a panini whose sides runneth over in pale cheese.

My stomach gurgled, begging for food. I had only stopped at a Wendy’s on the way since the McDonald’s drive through had a line longer than I cared to sit in.

The remnants of a devoured chicken sandwich rested on my center console. The paper still flecked with grease and a loose pickle that somehow managed to escape my mouth.

I passed a large estate off to the left. A high arched gate cutting the drive off at the main road. The stone pillar at the end read, “Russo.” Engraved into a black marble plaque.

I drove by, right hand on the wheel, left out the window in an honorary “one finger salute ” at the disgusting excuse for a castle marring our town.

Dirt billowed behind my rickety Subaru as I finally ambled onto a gravel driveway. The popping sound of rocks being shot out from underneath my tires like rapid shrapnel alerted the ladies inside.

“Lydia!” Emily was the first to run out, screen door slamming shut into Elizabeth’s face as she jumped the porch steps completely.

Lizzy scowled, pushing the screen door out of her way like it owed her money.

“Em, what the hell?”

I tossed my car in park just in time to see Emily’s grinning face and fists tapping at my window like a madwoman.

“Can you give me like a second?” I managed a laugh, popping the door open only to be tackled in a rib cage smushing embrace.

“I missed you! So-o-o-o-o much!” Each ‘o’ was accompanied by a sway of our bodies back and forth.

Elizabeth finally reached us, pushing a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

“Bet you missed this.” She joked, gesturing to Emily who had wedged her face into my shoulder.

“Shuff-Upf” came Emily’s muffled response as she refused to let go. Maybe she was afraid I’d disintegrate, that I was some clever illusion instead of actually being here in the flesh.

“Missed you-“ I gave a genuine, albeit weary smile to my older sister, somehow untangling a limb to motion her into the bear hug going on.

“So glad to see you.” She relented, easing into the sister shuffle.

It felt nice. I hadn’t stopped so much to reminisce on these things when I was away. I did miss them. I did miss home. I just didn’t miss what home had meant to me for so long.

Eventually Emily peeled herself off of me and dragged me into the house, not pausing even when I nearly tripped on the porch steps.

“Luggage can wait for later!” She had stated. Dinner was ready and honestly I just wanted to unwind and zone out into a pile of amazing food.

Elizabeth and Emily got the cooking gene from our mother. I got my fathers gene of enjoying said cooking.

Chicken pot pie with a flaky crust, yams coated in golden butter, green beans sautéed with almonds and pepper and a peach cobbler with succulent fruit from the local farmers market.

“I still can’t believe you’re home and not just for a vacation but like, for good.” Emily twisted her fork into the leftover cobbler morsels, licking a crumb from her thumb.

“Not for good, just…for now.”

Elizabeth nodded sagely, catching my hesitation and being kind enough to change the subject.

“How was the drive?”

“Not bad.” I spooned a piece of chicken coated in sauce onto my plate as Elizabeth took another bite of green beans. “I see tons of campers are already here. Don’t they know it’ll be weeks until fall foliage actually appears?”

“The mayor has been trying to push for more summer into fall events to draw in the crowds.”

“Yeah Elizabeth’s boyfriend has really been overhauling the event planning thing.”

“He is NOT my boyfriend.” Her cheeks turned almost as red as her hair. “It’s about time we had a member of the council actually give a shit about our town and its livelihood.”

Emily dramatically sighed, bringing the back of her hand to her forehead and fluttered her eyelashes. “Yes whatever would we do without dear Sebastyan.”

“The crab?” I smirked, reaching my fork towards another yam. Lizzy pulled the plate away giving me that older sister, raised eyebrow look. It spelled out “watch it” clear enough for me to relent.

“Don’t you start with me.”

Dinner wraps up with each of us carrying a Handful of dirty dishes into the kitchen. Piled high into the sink with an unspoken agreement to get to them tomorrow.

I watch the two of them joke and share inside info about their planned week ahead. Things I’d know if I lived here. Schedules that would make sense to me but are now new and unknown.

The two of them continue their conversation as I teeter my messy plate on top of an empty glass that once contained a milkshake. It feels weird to hear their voices in person again. The last time I was home was maybe two years ago? For Christmas?

Elizabeth is just as elegant as I remember. Tall, long red hair swept up into a modest pony tail. Barely a smudge of makeup on her but soft pale skin with a dash of freckles across her high cheekbones.

I remember standing on my tippy toes when we were little, getting measured against the doorframe, hoping and praying I’d grow as tall as my older sister.

Fate didn’t pay attention to my pleas. My body threw in the towel the minute I struck 5’3”. Cruel, if I’m being honest. She whisks about the kitchen making a funny face at something Emily said.

It feels like I’m in a fishbowl, hearing noises, knowing someone is speaking but it just sounds muffled and foreign to me. Like I’m not really here.

Emily makes another comment that pulls a laugh from Elizabeth. Emily has always been a lightning bolt. Even when she was a child. Her hair is cut into a blunt bob with thick heavy bangs. It’s dyed a dark brown that almost matches her hot chocolate colored eyes.

She’s maybe an inch shorter than me, a rarity in our family that the oldest sibling is actually the tallest. My younger sister however has a face full of makeup. It never looks to be too much, always tastefully done and complimenting her features.

They’ve changed so much and not at all from when I last saw them. From the pictures I’d had hanging in my apartment that now sit in a storage facility.

I feel the bubbling tightness in my chest and I’m yanked from my misty eyed staring. Being around them, their energy, I can feel parts of me clawing to get out. Like taking a spray bottle to a pesky cat, I shove it down.

Emily turned in first, working at a bakery requires her to be up before the sun. She gives me a quick hug once more.

“I really am excited you’re home…for however long.” Before starting up the stairs, sounds of the shower turning on and soft lilting singing to some show tune carries throughout the halls.

“Wine?” Elizabeth holds a glass up with a bottle of cherry wine, the deep scarlet liquid looks intoxicating.

“Please.”

We retreat to the porch as the last rays of sunset disappear behind the trees leaving that unsettling light blue that comes before navy then black.

The old rocking chairs groan as we take our seats. The sound the cork popping makes echoes throughout the woods surrounding the house.

I never forgot how quiet it gets. The crickets had just started their nightly serenade and a few owl hoots call out from a distance.

She pours me a hefty glass of the wine, handing it to me as we both delicately lean forward in our rickety chairs, balancing bottle and glasses.

Dozens of long shadows climb out from all around us. Reaching towards the front steps and skittering along the warped floorboards.

If I close my eyes it feels like I can even hear them calling out to me. Where have you been? Why have you been gone so long?

Every leaf, branch, blade of grass blending together to create large charcoal swaths against the forest floor. It both chills and excites me.

“It is nice, ya know? To have you home for more than four days at a time.”

I feel myself shaken from my stupor. Mind slowly drifting back to where it’s supposed to be in the present. On the porch. With my sister.

For the first time in years.

“You say that now since I’ve only been here for a few hours.” I take a long sip of the wine and let the fruity flavors dance on my tongue.

“I’m serious.” I hear her rocker stop creaking, her eyes focused on me. Like burning sapphires. I’d always been jealous of her eyes. “I think this…this will be good for all of us.”

I watch her take a drink before continuing, “We have a lot to catch up on.”

I ponder in silence, running my fingertip along the wine glass’ lip. For a little there’s only the sound of our rockers moving back and forth.

Occasionally I’ll hear the sounds of Emily getting ready for bed upstairs. A single car drives past on the road, far enough we can’t make it out save for the headlights.

The vibrant ripples of yellow cutting through the trees then fading into the distance. The trees gobble up the remaining light.

“How’s work been?”

Elizabeth smiles, pouring a little more wine into her cup. I notice as she sips deeply, letting her eyelids drift shut, pondering how to respond.

“It’s been good. I travel a little for work more now than usual but it’s ok. Rewarding.”

“I couldn’t do it. Be a midwife.” She nodded thoughtfully at my comment, staring off into the ever darkening tree line.

The moon is out, but I watch as it quickly becomes obscured by passing clouds.

“It can be tough, but I have this gift. It feels selfish to not use it. At least in a way that brings purpose to my life.”

I found myself nodding and staring off as well. Elizabeth is a healer, ever since she was little she had a knack for it. Never getting colds, being able to concoct awful tasting potions that somehow worked and cured a multitude of things.

Every witch can do basic magic but more often than not, there’s a specialty. A gift that is unique to that person.

Some people get lucky with theirs. Others not so much.

“You can go on the road with it. Really explore your options.”

“I do have over a hundred 5 star yelp reviews.” She grinned toasting her glass to the air.

“Elizabeth Dawson-“ I held my hand in front of me, punctuating gestures as if reading a headline, “Midwife To The Stars!”

We both giggled and took another sip after sloppily ‘cheers-ing’.

“Ahhhh I don’t know if California or New York is for me.” She chuckled, twisting a strand of her dark red hair held by her ponytail.

I settle back into my seat, rocking back and forth, pushing with my heels and feeling the entirety of my foot flatten then pitch back.

“Soooo Sebastyan?”

“Don’t start with me already.” Liz smirked at me, dipping her fingers in the wine glass and flicking a few drops in my direction.

Maybe this was ok. Maybe this would be ok.

How silly and naïve I was.

After half an hour of sitting on the porch and enjoying the entire bottle of wine, the sky had fully morphed from navy to inky black. The local owl continued to hoot, a rhythmic sound that I could feel myself drifting off too.

Elizabeth had already placed her glass on the counter by the sink, turning in for the night. Flipping the porch light off and only on occasion would the motion sensor light by the back door turn on.

Squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons maybe even a coyote or two always liked to wander up by the back door and sniff around our trash bins. I sat up reading in the living room a while longer, not quite ready to face my old room.

Instead choosing to inspect the first floor, wondering what new things I could pick out from the décor. A small painting of Emily’s rabbit, Artimus that was clearly done on a wine and paint night.

Large bookshelves lined the backwall surrounding the TV, so many books from Elizabeth’s studies, health magazines spread along the coffee table.

A wreath with some greenery bearing white berries and red bow, a few old coffee tins and tea containers holding either flowers or some assortment of pens and paintbrushes.

So much was the same and yet I still felt like an outsider.

Surrendering to the reality I did need to go to bed I gathered my phone, book and flicked off the last of the remaining lamps to ascend the stairs.

Our gallery wall floated along the steps. Photos of almost every generation of our family lay plastered against the drywall that desperately needed repainted.

Our parents wedding day, their smiling faces. Moms bright blue eyes and Dads goofy grin in his tuxedo which was so chic in the eighties. Then came photos of Grandma and Aunt Cora.

I quickly shuffled past them. I had weeks, no, months, to look at these and let the waves of guilt wash over me. Not tonight. Not before bed anyways.

Padding across the plush carpet to my bedroom, the door ajar and bedside lamp on. No doubt from Elizabeth. It didn’t escape my notice the bundle of lavender and dill laid on my pillowcase.

For protection. I hold the small bundle in my lap a moment, searching my mind for the exact spells its used for. My grandmother would have a fit if she knew it was taking me this long.

What can I say? I’ve been living life as a normal human for the past ten years to the best of my ability. Ignoring anything magickal or otherwise. I’d even avoided palm readers at the local county fairs I’d gone to.

I wanted little to nothing to do with magick. Regardless of how deep it ran in our family. I lay the bundle down on the end table right next to my phone.

Please protect me from bad dating app messages.

A stack of clean towels and beauty products rested on the toilet seat in the bathroom. I pulled my hair back into a low bun, splashing water onto my face and rubbing some milky cleanser that I knew had to be Emily’s onto my skin.

It smelled fragrant, like lemons and a sweet sugary after scent. Glancing up to survey the damage from the long day on my face, expecting to see dark circles, dull dry skin, but instead I looked fine. I looked normal.

Turning the cleanser over in my hands wondering if it had some “extra” properties in it that I wasn’t aware of but my younger glamorous sister did. I couldn’t see anything outside the ordinary.

I didn’t sense anything off.

Shrugging and placing it back on the counter, before returning back to my bedroom. Allowing myself to fall heavily against the mattress, a comical ‘huff’ escaping my lips. This was it. I was here.

For however long I needed to be. My fingertips ran up along the hem of the quit on my bed. Feeling the bumps of stitches along the pads of my fingers, the different textured fabrics. My eyes felt heavy.

Sleep called to me, sweet and deep. The edges of my vision blurred and darkened. With the last of my remaining alertness I turned the lamp off. I felt that deep heaviness fall over me.

In the far-off distance I could hear the owl once more. Then it was truly silent.

The back-sensor light came on. I whined as my room was immediately filled with a bright fluorescent light.

“What the hell...” I rubbed at my eyes, still not adjusted to such a bright searing light all of a sudden. Then I heard something knock against the garage. It didn’t sound like a skunk, or a raccoon.

Unless it was a huge raccoon.

Doubtful.

Pushing off of the bed I crouched down, making my way to the window. The curtains were sheer and the blinds were up. Peering around the side I craned my neck to see what was out there.

It was quiet. So startlingly quiet. No fauna chirping or calling out into an otherwise peaceful night.

The light was still on, but there was nothing in the yard. No animals, no creeps. Nothing.

I felt the hair on the back of my neck perk up. A green spark tickled the end of my fingertips and I didn’t even attempt to shove it away. My body knew there was something out there.

We’re so used to being the predator, never the prey. My eyes continued to scan back and forth, wondering if I needed to let one of my sisters know something was up.

Maybe this was normal? Did the light just randomly turn on from time to time? Ya know- technology? So efficient.

If that was the case why did I feel so…off? Something, isn’t right. Then I see it.

A flicker so fast that I’m half certain my mind made it up. Back in the tree line by the back of the garage, a different kind of darkness.

Not the shadows I had seen earlier from the trees on the porch. This is more opaque. It seems to undulate as it moves along the back of the yard. It doesn’t glide but rather jerks.

I feel my heart begin to race.

Its pace is slow, unseemly. Shadow against shadow and yet I can see it clear as day. Blackness that swallows the night whole. It’s form shivers and writhes against a large oak.

I must be dreaming. Yes. I’d fallen asleep and now I am dreaming something up that isn’t there. What a funny story I’ll have to tell my sisters in the morning.

But to be sure…

I grab my phone, sliding my finger across the screen to bring up the camera, pointing it out the back window. Somehow in the few moments it took me to grab my phone its gone.

The shadow isn’t where I last saw it. I am dreaming. I set my phone back down and then I see it. Or rather, it sees me.

It sees me, seeing it. And my body goes rigid.

Black malformed nothingness creeping along the garage and staring at me. Its featureless, save for cold pinpricks of red where eyes should be.

Red and beady, almost like light reflecting against an animals eyes.

It glows, but maybe anything would look glow-y against such a stark backdrop. The blood in my body runs like ice. The goose bumps have moved to my arms as well.

I don’t know how long we stare at each other. Maybe three seconds, maybe five minutes. I blink for the first time in I don’t know how long and when I stare back its gone.

Really gone this time.

I must have scanned the backyard and the fence and the woods and the garage multiple times for over ten minutes. I see nothing. My head feels fuzzy. Like I’d taken a large sleeping pill and have been fighting the effects for too long.

I hoist myself back into bed, because I am too afraid to go out there and check. Too tired to wake my sisters. It feels like my limbs have been replaced with sacks of flour.

Heavy, soft, the weight bringing me down. Pushing me against the mattress. I’m exhausted and alert and my body doesn’t know which to indulge more.

Eventually sleep wins and I drift off into a fitful night filled with dreams of sharp shadows following me. And one with red eyes leading the chase.

#billy russo #ben barnes #the punisher #billy russo x reader #billy russo x female reader #billy russo fanfic #ben barnes character #the punisher fanfiction #the punisher au #fantasy fic #witch #witchy fic #spooky season #ben barnes fic #marvel au #marvel fanfic series #warlock!billyrusso #witch!mc

47 notes · View notes