Chapter 15- Wicked Forest

Crystal bolted upright gasping for breath. Her brain imploded with emotions of panic and distress. Her heartbeat was erratic as the images of the night before flooded her mind.
It was just a dream she told herself. Counting to ten she felt the fear slowly subside, allowing her to breath normally again.
Getting out of bed she threw on her robe and slippers and padded across the landing. She paused at the top of the stairs when she saw some of the witches waving their hands, causing decorations to appear on the walls and ceilings.
She dodged floating light after light as she made her way into the kitchen searching for food.
She got herself a bowl of cereal and made her way into the dining room.
The table was laden with exotic food. Not a space to spare. Sighing she turned around and went back into the kitchen, sitting at the counter.
“Great you’re up, Jane and Lilly will be getting you ready today. Once you have eaten do not come down until told to do so.” Crystal pulled a face, at her mother’s retreating back.
It wasn’t like she wanted to be a part of the ball in the first place. Levi Carmichael was about to get a piece of her mind.
Once finished she dumped her bowl in the sink. Ruby was arranging flowers at the bottom of the staircase. She had placed them in a sliver vase on top of the two sideboards that sat either side of the grand stairway.
Ruby had a distant look in her eyes, and she watched as she wiped a stray tear from her eye.
Crystal wrapped her arms around Ruby’s back and hugged her. Ruby turned with her sweet smile on her face.
“What was that for?” she asked tucking a stray strand of hair behind Crystal’s ear. Ruby was the mother that Crystal had always wanted.
“You just looked so sad,” Crystal shrugged.
“Sorry, I just can’t believe how old you are. No longer that little girl who begged me to sing,” Crystal laughed.
“You can sing for me any day Ruby,” giving her another hug she reluctantly went back to her room. Alone the nightmare played in her mind.
Three girls, Jessica, Mandy, and Georgia their faces became clear as they walked with their head high to where her mother stood.
With a slight bow they knelt before Jeannette facing the crowd.
The chanting began, Crystal tried to understand their words, but she could only translate the odd few, Ancestors, gift, guidance, and power. The glint of the sliver dagger made Crystal close her eyes tight. It was no use the scene played out. One by one the three girls fell, all by her mother’s hand, a dagger to their hearts.
They didn’t struggle. The sound of their agonizing screams pierced her heart. The dagger slowly left their bodies, dripping with their innocent blood.
“Goodness me Crystal.”
Crystal snapped her eyes open to be met with Jane’s accusing glare.
“It is an engagement party. Most young women are thrilled to have their ball.” Crystal gritted her teeth.
“Screaming like a mad woman? It is about time you stop causing so much trouble for your mother and start being a respectable young woman.”
That was it. Crystal felt anger simmer in her veins.
“Then you marry him,” she spat.
“I have already got a husband.”
Jane went to Crystal’s walk-in wardrobe and pulled out a cream ball gown.
“Put it on,” she ordered. Snatching the dress from Jane’s hands she went to march into the bathroom.
“Wait, you need me to help you with this,” she held up a corset with a sinister grin on her face.
The next half hour, Jane tugged and pulled on the corset strings. Crystal felt like her insides were being crushed. She could hardly breathe. By this time, she’d had enough and yanked herself away.
“I still need to breath you know.”
“Yeah, but you also need to look attractive with a slim waist.”
“Are you calling me fat?” Crystal pointed at Jane taking a step closer to her.
“No, she is not, I will take it from here,” Lilly said as she entered the room and gave Crystal a small smile.
“Let’s get you ready,” Lilly helped Crystal into her dress and clipped her hair up at the top of her head letting a few strands flow free. She put little make up on her face and grinned.
“You look beautiful.”
Turning slowly, Crystal glanced at herself in the mirror. Lilly was right, she looked amazing, older and like a princess.
“Thank you, Lilly,” she whispered.
“I will let you know when it is time.” All Crystal could do through her nerves was nod.
The day had come. She would meet the monster that had ruined her life. The man she was expected to spend the rest of her life with.
Closing her eyes, she conjured up the image of Drake. In her mind he was just as perfect as he was in real life.
She would never stand by Levi, she wasn’t that type of person and couldn’t be like Ruby, turn a blind eye.