Tolu found her self in a dark and shadowy forest with the ground littered with feathers.
"Imole" she said. Then a sphere of light appeared.
It flickered immediately and died.
As Tolu walked deeper into the forest it began to rain black feathers. And the sound of flapping wings grew louder.
"Who's there?" Tolu yelled. There was silence .suddenly, a murder of crows burst from the shadows, their glowing purple eyes fixated on Tolu , they dive towards her like arrows,screeching.
Tolu rose her hand instinctively. "Idinà" she muttered under her breath.then a golden barrier formed around her. She sighed , feeling relieved.
But then the crows began to hit the barrier repeatedly ,trying to break it .
" Stay back!" Tolu said panicking. She stumbled and fell to the ground . The crows surrounding her , their caws getting louder , until it stopped abruptly.the forest fell silent.
"Hello there, Tolu " something called out to her as it began to emerge into view. It was tall and regal, draped in black feathers .It eyes glowed same ominous purple as the crows. But it's face was seemingly familiar as it wore the face of Tolu.
"No ….you're not me , who are you ?" Tolu said.
It smiled , a cold and predatory expression."oh,but I am , I'm a part of you the book awakened."
Tolu stood up , her legs still shaking in fear." I don't know who the hell you think you are . But you are most definitely not me "
It tilted it's head mockingly." Awwwn , sweet Tolu doesn't know what she got her self into.I am you , you are me ,and ,we are both linked to the book . But the book needs a favor from us."
" I didn't ask for this ! I didn't ask for any this. Tolu said angrily.
" Well, There just might be a way, you've got two choices. Either you kill someone , spill their blood willing and you'll break the link or it'll kill someone's you love in other to break the link . Either way someone dies." it said as it laughed ,a chilling sound that echoed through the forest.
Tolu eyes widened in shock." No…. You can't do this, there…there as to be another way" Tolu said.
" There's isn't , you'll see" it said . Then the ground beneath Tolu crumbled and she fell into a dark void. As she fell crows surrounded her . Deafening her with there caws.
Tolu jolted awake, her heart hammering in her chest , her body drenched in cold sweat.she immediately felt a sharp pain in her hand and she glanced at it and saw the scar in her hands and spread. Tendrils of dark , inky lines reaching further up her arms.
The school courtyard was bustling with activities , as the students gather for an excursion to a forest reserve . Buses lined up and their engines rumbling softly. Teachers moved through the crowd ticking names of lists , ensuring everyone was accounted for.
Sunmi stood off the side , adjusting her bag as she watched the chaos. Eamon leaned against the bus , munching on a chocolate bar.
" I don't know why everyone's so excited. I mean it's just a forest. Trees, birds, bugs ….and maybe Bigfoot." Eamon said teasingly.
Sunmi smiled ." Some of us actually like nature. And besides , it's better than sitting in class."
Eamon chuckled. But Sunmi's gaze shifted towards Tolu , who looked troubled.
Later that day....
Soon after the buses arrived at the forest reserve, and the students rushed out. Chattering excitedly . The teachers gathered the students for a quick briefing about safety and then assigned them to their dorms .
The teachers organized a small party to keep the students entertained. There were loud music and plenty of snacks.
Mirabel being an introvert, decided to leave the party and take a walk through the forest. Hoping to be back before the party's over.
As Mirabel walked through the forest , she felt as if someone was following her. She turned back, looking around " whose there?" She asked . Her voice trembling.
There was no response . So she continued walking . The clouds were getting dark . And it started to drizzle . Mirabel decided to head back when she noticed someone following her . She quickened her pace . And so to did the person .
The drizzle became a heavy downpour making it difficult for Mirabel to navigate her way . Leading her to the edge of a cliff . She stopped and turned back . Hoping she had lost the person, but then she saw the person slowly walking towards her. Their face were covered with a mask . So she couldn't make sense of the person. She quickly checked her pocket and brought out a small knife she carried for self defense. " Stop walking , stay back , I'm warning you ! Don't lemme use the knife ." She said. Hoping to scare whoever it was away. But the figure kept walking towards her .
She swung the knife without thinking , making a slight cut on the figures arm. Making the figure back off a bit , clutching their arm.Mirabel looked at the turbulent water below her and the mysterious figure in front of her . She knew she had to make a choice . It was matter of life and death. The figure finally regained it self and ran towards her trying to grab her. Left with no other choice She jumped into the water.
She knew she wasn't a strong swimmer .but it was either she jumped or the mysterious figure would have gotten her.
She river tossed mirabel , she tried to hold on to something so she wouldn't sink but the current was too strong.Carrying her with it . she struggled and struggled for a while then she blacked out .
Tolu jolted awake in her dorm room. her head pounding and her body aching. Her surroundings felt disoriented.
" how…how did I get here" she whispered to herself.
Her gaze fell on her arm and she noticed the mark was gone.
Suddenly flashes of Emeka's face , pale and stricken with pain . Flooded her mind.
"Emeka" she gasped.
Her chest tightened as memories of the event crashed over her. The forest , the possession,Emeka's body on the floor.
Tolu immediately sprang from her bed. And ran towards the forest . Her heart racing and her breath labored. As she got closer to the spot.
There were broken trees all over and a clearing in the middle of the trees. But Emeka's body was gone. " No…no,no,no." He was here, right here."
She searched frantically, hoping to find him . But there was no trace of his body .
"Emeka where are you?" Tolu screamed. Her voice echoed through the forest.
Tolu returned back to the hostel. Her face pale , her movements frantic. She began to ask students if they've seen Emeka.
" Have you seen Emeka." She asked .but students shook head in confusion.
" wasn't he suppose to meet you " a random student spoke .
The realization that Emeka was missing spread quickly and the students organized a search party. Looking for him.
Tolu returned back to the place of the event and began her search from there. " No…no , Emeka can't be dead, it can't be " she said , her voice laced with guilt.
" Well he is. Because you killed him." A voice called out from behind. Tolu turned and she saw Christopher behind her.
" I always knew something was off with you, but a witch. That's something I would have never figured." Christopher said .
" Wait, how do you know Emeka is dead." Tolu said .
" I was outside, taking a break from all you children , when I saw Emeka walking into the forest. I followed him then I saw you going all witchy- witchy . Killing Emeka. I tried calling for help but he told me not to ,but to carry you to your dorm instead and he made me swear to protect you . Then … I came back and now I can't find his body! Hope you're happy Tolu!" Christopher said. His voice laced with anger.
Tolu dropped to her knees,sobbing . " I can't believe I killed him"
" You better stop crying, cause we have bigger fish to fry. Emeka's body is no where to be found . Which means, his body could be literally anywhere. So , I need you to get off your witchy sad ass and do a locator spell." Christopher said . Trying to pull Tolu up.
Tolu shot Christopher a surprise look. " And how do you know what a locator spell is ?"
"That's a story I'm not ready to share right now . So you're doing it or what ?" Christopher shot back.
"If you really knew what a locator spell was, you would know you can't locate a dead person."
Tolu said.
Christopher slapped his head in frustration. " I obviously know that you dumb ass. We aren't tracking his body but we are trying to trace the magic you used to kill him. So imma need you to concentrate and try finding him before someone stumbles upon his dead body."
Tolu closed her eyes, focusing on the memory of the magic she used on Emeka. She reached into her self , letting the book energy take control of her. She had no choice but to trust it , as it seemed to be the only thing able to help.
A faint purple glow emanated from her, then expended outwards. Like a vein made of pure energy , snarking it's way into the forest.it moved among the ground , and began to rise into the air , taking the shape of a crow.
The crow immediately took flight into the deeper part of the forest, with Christopher and Tolu hot on it's trail. It flew for a while ,then it exploded . Leaving a rain of blood and feathers.
" what was that ?" Tolu asked . As she removed feathers from her hair.
" well, if I have to take a guess I'll say, Emeka's body isn't missing someone or something took it. And whoever took it ,knows we are looking for Emeka , and they just put up an anti- magic barrier hence the bird piñata." Christopher said .looking around for a clue.
" You know what? This is very sus. How do you know do much about magic ?" Tolu asked Christopher . Giving him suspicious look.
"My knowledge of magic doesn't matter right now. All you need to do is figure out a way to counter the anti-magic barrier before it's too late" Christopher shot back in defense .
Meanwhile away from Tolu and Christopher were the search party looking for Emeka.
Eamon looked around and made sure no one was looking before slipping away from the group.
He went towards the cliff and looked down at the river which was now calm.
Then he began to descend, following a narrow path that leads down to the river bank. At the river edge , he stopped . His attention was drawn to a figure lying prone to the water, soaking wet.
"Mirabel? What the hell ?" He said as he ran towards her . He helped her up , but something was wrong . She wasn't wearing the school uniform but an old white attire that looked like it belonged to another era.
"Who are you ? Where am I?" She asked. Looking confused.
Eamon looked at Mirabel, confused." What do you mean? It's me Eamon , you know ,Your friend Sunmi's boyfriend. You went M.I.A and so as Emeka .in the process of looking for him I found you."
She coughed , trying to get the water out of her system ." I don't know any of those names you just mentioned."
" oh shit" Eamon said. As he tried taking Mirabel up the cliff ." You know what ,I'll take you back to the dorm and let the adults fix this."