Madeline's Insanity

The Memories Remain

The final evenings spent in the quiet embrace of the forest were a balm to her soul, a chance to heal and rejuvenate. She took her time, slowly building up her strength by foraging for what food she could find. The clear streams offered up fresh fish, while her clever traps yielded rabbits to add to her meals. She also gathered nonpoisonous plants, delicate flowers, and juicy berries that she carefully inspected before consuming. Though still frail and weakened from her recent trials, her magic had managed to restore some vitality to her body, allowing her to forage without the need to rest every few minutes. Her strength was returning, she was ready to leave this forest and find her forever home.

But before bidding farewell to this peaceful haven, she needed to stock up on supplies and preserve as much meat as possible for the journey ahead. The forest offers an abundance of resources, giving an abundance of opportunities for nourishment and survival.

With the sun steadily setting on her final day in this warm, safe place, she worked tirelessly until the last rays of light disappeared behind the horizon. Grateful for the opportunity to spend one more night here, she took a moment to admire the golden hues that bathed the landscape. As the last task was completed and nothing else could be done, she made her way to her favorite spot beneath the stars. The night sky was adorned with millions of twinkling lights, like diamonds scattered across a velvet canvas. The full moon shone brightly, casting a gentle glow over everything below. In that moment, as she lay there looking up at the vastness of the starry night, she felt both insignificant and connected to it all. Day by day, she had felt her magic slowly returning, reawakening the feelings of wonder and awe that she had long forgotten since Mother found her so many years ago.

As she lay there, her mind was consumed with conflicting thoughts and emotions. Memories of the abuse and pain she had endured just days ago clashed with the peacefulness she now felt under the moon's glow. She couldn't help but wonder how her life could have taken such a drastic turn, and yet in this moment, she felt more alive and connected to the world around her than ever before. It was a confusing and overwhelming mix of feelings, but she couldn't deny the sense of freedom that came with it.

She comes to the realization that in the grand scheme of things, she is just a small, insignificant speck. However, she holds onto the belief that she has a purpose, a place to hide her Witch identity among humans. All she truly desires is peace - no longer does she want to constantly fight for her existence, just peace and to just simply exist.

Madeline inhales deeply and shuts her eyes, basking in a sense of pure contentment. The warm atmosphere envelops her body, easing her into a state of relaxation and weightlessness that lulls her into a peaceful slumber. She dares to dream of the future, hoping it will be just as serene as this moment.

~~~

The overpowering scent of smoke and charred flesh engulfed her as she found herself surrounded by a chaotic inferno. Her Coven leader quickly ushered her into the hollow trunk of a nearby tree, hidden behind a dense thicket of wolfsbane. "Stay here, Pebble," she instructed as she tightly wrapped Madeline in a protective blanket.

Madeline's voice quivered with fear and a sadness too strong for such a small child as she desperately clung to Hannah's bloodstained sleeve. Tears cascaded down her face, leaving wet trails on her cheeks as she pleaded, "Please, don't go." Her grip tightened, fingers digging into the fabric as if it were her only lifeline. The metallic scent of blood hung heavy in the air, and Madeline could feel her heart pounding in her chest. It was a moment frozen in time, etched forever in her memory.

Hannah's serene smile was etched on her face as she tenderly brushed her fingertips against Madeline's cheek, leaving behind a trail of warmth and reassurance. "I will come back for you, I promise." But before Madeline could protest, Hannah had disappeared in the blink of an eye. The grass beneath her feet was soaked with blood, each crimson droplet a painful reminder of the havoc that surrounded her. The agonizing screams and pleas of her fellow Coven sisters’ echoed through the darkness, mingling with the guttural growls and howls of the Werewolves who ravaged and slaughtered them without mercy. Madeline's heart raced with terror at the sight of their brutal attacks, unable to tear her gaze away from the gruesome scene before her.

Madeline crouched behind the thicket of wolfsbane, her eyes wide with terror as she watched the decimation unfold before her. Her body shook with sobs, but she dared not make a sound for fear of being discovered. The familiar faces of her teachers, friends, and even the young children she used to babysit were now twisted into unrecognizable horrors. She desperately searched for Hannah in the chaos, wondering how this tragedy could be happening. What had they done to deserve such hatred?

A guttural, feral growl yanks her out of her thoughts. It reverberates through her bones like an earthquake, sending tremors of fear down her spine. She bites down on her fist hard enough to draw blood, desperate to stifle the scream rising in her throat. Tears stream down her face as she notices the sound getting closer and closer, each footstep like a death knell inching towards her hiding spot.

A blood-curdling scream pierced the night, ripping through the air like a banshee's cry. The werewolf's head snapped towards the source, its hunger-filled eyes locking onto Hannah. She met its gaze in terror, her heart pounding as she screamed for Madeline to run. "Get out of here!" she yelled, fear and desperation lacing her voice.

Madeline was paralyzed with fear, unable to move as the Werewolf crept closer to Hannah, baring its teeth in a snarl. In a desperate attempt to save her friend, Hannah called out, “Pebble, I promise I’ll be right behind you!” Her green eyes filled with panic as she looked at Madeline, pleading for her to listen and run for her life.

Madeline mustered up all her courage and crawled out of the safety of the hollow tree before sprinting into the dense forest, the horrifying sound of flesh being torn still ringing in her ears.

With a sharp gasp, she jolted awake from her nightmare. The darkness of the forest enveloped her as she trembled and shook, overwhelmed by the intense memories of her traumatic past that flooded her mind. Her body convulsed with sobs as she tried to catch her breath, feeling the weight of her experiences crush down on her like an unrelenting storm. “No more,” she quietly pleaded to herself as she curled herself into a ball on the grass beneath her. “No more blood, no more death.”

~~~

The rising sun bathed the forest in a warm glow, beckoning her to bask in its tranquil beauty. Even though her nightmare - or rather, memories - were still fresh in her mind, she couldn't help but be drawn in by the peacefulness that surrounded her, a sharp contrast to the violent life she had left behind. The gentle breeze caressed her skin, tempting her to stay and lose herself in this serene paradise.

Despite her overwhelming desire for a reprieve from horrors of her past, she was aware that this idyllic setting could not be her permanent home. The tranquil peace that enveloped her now would eventually give way to the reality she left behind, and she couldn't escape it forever.

She took in a deep breath, calming the anxiety swirling in her chest. She had to move on. Madeline stood, gingerly stretching the stiffness out of her body from the awful sleep. “Not a great start,” she mumbled to herself as she began to gather what little belongings she had.

The safety of a town with people called to her, yet she also feared what awaited her there. Memories of betrayal and persecution still haunted her, making it hard to trust anyone or anything. Perhaps an abandoned cottage on the outskirts of town would provide the seclusion and protection she needed. Though the thought of solitude was comforting, the idea of being completely isolated also filled her with unease. And then there were the dangers lurking within these woods - creatures both real and mythical that posed a threat to witches like herself. As she continued on her journey, torn between longing for peace and fear of the unknown, she couldn't help but wonder if she would ever find a place where she truly belonged.

The dirt trail was soft beneath her feet, cushioned by layers of fallen leaves and moss. As she walked, her fingers brushed against the soft petals of wildflowers, and she could feel the cool, smooth bark of the trees as she continued through the forest, the soft earth cushioned her steps and cool, silky ferns brushed against her legs. The occasional spider web clung to her skin, a reminder of the creatures that lived in the underbrush. Branches and leaves brushed against her skin, leaving a tingling sensation in their wake. The soil beneath her feet was soft and slightly damp, making each step slightly more difficult. But she followed this path, eagerly gathering any plants, flowers, and herbs that crossed her path.

The hours went on as she followed this path, resting occasionally to eat while listening to the forest creatures - the insects, the foxes, rabbits, deer - all of them living as they should. She wondered what it was like to live like that, but remembering what predators they had, maybe that wasn’t an easy life either.

The sun began its descent, casting long shadows and bathing the forest in golden light. As the last rays disappeared behind the horizon, Madeline continued on the path through the woods. The dense canopy of trees blocked most of the moon's glow, but clusters of fireflies lit up the darkness, creating a magical trail for her to follow. Her feet sunk into the soft ground, cushioned by a thick layer of moss and fallen leaves. She searched for a safe place to rest for the night, her body begging for rest. Finally, she found a hidden nook between two trees, surrounded by bushes and hanging ferns.

She laid down on her makeshift bed of moss and old crunchy leaves and closed her eyes, feeling the exhaustion that finally hit her. Soon, without any warning, she had drifted asleep where yet another nightmare awaited her.