Chapter 19- Wicked Forest

He was worried about Crystal. How could she go into those woods after everything they had been told? Hugo had a feeling that it was a trap. It screamed in his head. He liked Crystal, even though many of the other coven members didn’t, he couldn’t help but like her.
She was the sort of person you knew where you stood with. She didn’t beat around the bush; she would come right out and tell people what she thought or what was on her mind. She was honest and different, not in a strange way. Rather unlike many of the coven she had her own mind.
She wasn’t a sheep that followed or was herded by the leader. She was her own person and couldn’t care fewer what others thought of her. Crystal was the type of person that he wanted to be, however since she had started hanging around Drake, she had changed. She had become like the rest of them. Perhaps she always was, and he just didn’t notice. Deep inside, he knew there was more to the girl. Shallow wasn’t one of them.
He sat in his room, the music shook his windows and when he looked out, he could see the lights from the forest. The moon was full and that only spiked is nerves more. Nothing good ever came from a full moon on Halloween. Isn’t that what most horror films were based on? Then there was the Carmichael’s and their curse. They came out to play on a full moon and those teens were just sitting ducks, easy prey. He could see the night turning into a massacre. What could he do? Nothing but sit back and await what the night would bring. Like a coward he would sit tucked up in his room away from whatever the forest held.
***
Crystal dressed into a black witch dress that had a purple netted underskirt which reached her knees. The bodice had a purple lace which gave the top part of the dress a corset look. She wore her hair down and went all out with her makeup. Painting her lips, a deep red and putting bright purple eye shadow on.
She placed the hat on her head and pulled on her knee-high boots. When she looked in the mirror, she whistled at herself. The costume had done wonders for her, and she laughed. She had transformed herself into a sexy witch. It wasn’t a look she had ever sported, yet she liked it. The feeling being sexy and hot, it was one head she wanted to turn, that of Drake’s. She may not be able to have him. But it wouldn’t stop her from trying.
Crystal walked down the stairs, scared and excited at the same time. She was scared of what was out there in the forest but excited to be spending time with Drake. Plus, her outfit surely would help win him over.
If only her parents would listen to her.
“Do you really think it is a good idea?” Jeannette asked biting her nails.
“Mother we have been through this. Seth Carmichael is the one that as offered up the forest for our school dance. How can I refuse to go? After all you are the one forcing me to marry his son and all. How would it look?” Jeannette nodded.
“You’re right, have fun.”
“Thanks,” Crystal smiled heading outside. She had asked Drake to meet her at the dance. Her mother would throw a fit if she found out she had a date.
She could see lights hanging from the trees. As she got closer, she saw that they were in shapes of bats and spiders. Drake had gone all out to give it a creepy look.
Toilet paper had been thrown over the bare branches. She could smell charred smoke of a fire and hear the rock music playing. She followed the sound, passing her favourited spot. She walked deeper than she ever had before. The trees became closer together and she found herself tripping up with each step. Finally, the trees began to thin out and the music became louder.
Within minutes of the trees becoming sparser she could see the campfire and the shadows of students already milling around. When she entered the large clearing, it had huge fallen logs that looked to have been placed at the outside of the clearing, which was used for seating. Her nerves died down as she watched the carefree teens.
A D.J stood off to the side, playing music with a large generator. The music was loud and made Crystal’s skin tingle. The bass thumped in time with her heartbeat. Over the roar of the music a distant hazy chatter could be heard. Although Crystal couldn’t make out what was being said. Laughter rang in her ears. She felt like she had no choice but to join the crowd of students as the music pumped through her body.
She jumped up and down, moving her body to the music. All the fears of the forest had vanished as she let herself go. She got lost, within the sense of happiness. The joy of seeing others having a good time, seemed to rub off on her.
The shield that she always carried melted away as she mingled with the other teens. She laughed and joked, joined in with a number of conversations. For a brief time, she felt normal and accepted amongst her peers. It was a rare feeling and one she could easily get used too.
Arms wrapped around her from behind. They pulled her close to a hard chest. Turning around she came face to face with Drake.
“Glad you came,” he whispered in her ear, and handed her a plastic cup. She took a big gulp. It could have been water, but it wasn’t. Its vile taste burned her throat and warmed her chest. She grimaced as the last of the liquid slid down her throat.
“Thanks,” Crystal coughed. She took in his appearance. He was wearing a pirate outfit with his face painted as if he had been burned.
Holding the cup, she swirled the last of the drink around. “Let’s dance,” Drake grabbed her hand and pulled her forward. Crystal gulped the rest of the alcohol and dropped the cup on the floor. She moved and swayed her hips seductively as she danced with Drake. Heat flushed her cheeks when he placed his hands on her hips, moving in rhythm with her, their bodies only separated by the clothing they wore.
By ten o’clock she had drunk a hand full of cups of alcohol. She was struggling to keep her balance and kept bumping into people.
The ground around her felt like it was moving. Her vision had become blurry. She had lost Drake within the crowd and her stomach swirled with nausea. Crystal rushed into the nearby trees to empty the contents of her stomach.
She fell to her knees heaving. When she had finished, Crystal wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and slowly got to her feet. She felt a little better. The scenery around her wasn’t spinning as much.
Turning in the direction of the party she caught a flash of orange. She was in a part of the forest that was covered by a vast of darkness. Void of the Halloween lights and shrouded in eeriness of the night.
Her rasping breath steamed in the moonlight and her throat was parched from thirst. Focusing, her still blurry eyes, Crystal saw the source.
It could have easily been a stray dog, but dogs didn’t move with the stealthies of wolves. From the shadows she watched the wolf approach with its head low to the ground. The wolf stalked her. Its head low and its pearly white teeth were on display, letting out a low growl.
Crystal stood still, as she watched the wolf slowly creep forward. Slaver dripped from its mouth while its eyes glowed an abnormal orange, almost yellow as the light from the full moon reflected of them. An immense fear filled her being, she was alone.