I sat upon the hill side watching the sun set for the day. Its orange and red sunrays fell against the rows of vegetation causing it to glistened. I had been too busy thinking about the least significant situations and not paying attention to the correct ones. "My grandmas dying," I sat there saying. "The tree," i remembered.
The sky was now more purple with hints of royal blue colors twisting into black creating the night sky. I squinted my eyes to see through the rows of corn while walking between them. "Luciooo!!!" I whispered as loud as i was able to. I walked more into the corn field and waited for a response. I stood there in complete silence holding my breathe and closed my eyes. An icy breeze, held me all around causing me to shiver. "Here," He said playfully behind me. I jumped at the sound of his voice but turned around to look at the familiar eyes. "Look," i said pausing. "I need the rose,". "What for?" He said crossing his arms. I crossed my arms back and frowned. "Cant you just take me to it?" I said calmly. "Cant you just tell me please?" He said smiling. I sighed and led out a loud breathe and then inhaled again. I exhaled and said, "i cant tell you, just take me, please?". "Please?" I said again. He looked away and shrugged. "Alright, but im not fighting the devil,".
"Im sorry about earlier i was very upset but mainly confused". Lucio looked at me and then into the fields. "How are you able to see so clearly? Its very dark now," I said trying to see through the darkness. He took my hand and i slowly began gaining visibility. "How did you- oh,right too many questions, sorry," i said. We finally arrived to the last barbed wire and he lifted it up for me to enter. I looked into the empty field containing the lucious green tree in the middle of the dead brittle grass. "Whoa," escaped from my mouth again as i looked up to the leafy tree. He looked up to the tree next to me until he broke the silence. "How about we go somewhere else?" "Go somewhere else?" I asked without removing my sight from the bark. I looked harder and began making out the pink glow growing in and out. "Its not midnight yet, and you need to summon him on the right time," i finally looked from the covered rose to him. "How about we go to a place i was invited to." "Where?" I asked. He led out a loud whistle that rang through the entire empty field followed by fierce but familiar galloping. A large sillhoutte began forming bigger and bigger in the distance creating a black horse's arrival. "Nine!" I said to him as he bowed down to greet me. I laughed at the horses reaction and then it greeted Lucio in the same way. "You hopping on or what?" He said with a chuckle. "Are you going to cause trouble again or what?" I asked without removing my eyes off the horse. "Maybe," he said smiling. "I dont know, you caused awful trouble earlier and i dont think you want to make me mad again,". He laughed and got on the horse then extended his hand to me from above. "I wont," he responded. I nodded and immidietly took his hand to sit behind him. "Ready?" He said turning to look at me. My grip tightened around his waist but i assured him i was ready. Nine took off with much acceleration causing the ground to tremble and crack on his step leaving a deconstructed trail behind us. The breeze blew harder against my face due to Nines speed almost as if we were flying to our destination.
Lucio took a familiar route i somehow recognized through the darkness. We passed several empty plains as we headed north towards the town but stopped at the dimly lit and colorful cementary. "Its here?" I asked Lucio. He got off the horse then extended his arms for me to get off carefully. I slowly slid into his arms as he answered me. "Yup and its gonna be a good time," he smiled and extended his hand towards the entrance signaling for me to walk in. Music was playing in the distance and loud chattering of people began crowding up the space too. I slowly walked in forgetting what i was in for. People sat upon tombstones with drinks in their hand, some with cigarettes, some with a strange herb smell that clouded up the area. "These are my friends Olivia, we all gather here at night," i looked at every face and they all greeted me with polite and excited smiles on their face. Some raised their cups to me, some even offered what they had in their hand to me. Unable to speak, i just smiled,waved and responded as friendliest possible and walked more into the depths of the dead. "Its her," i heard a voice say behind me but i was quickly distracted by Lucio.
"Lets sit here," He signaled to a brown tomb where a young man with curly hair and a brown coat sat. "Lucious," he said inhaling tobacco. He bowed down in respect and Lucio helped him up from the bow. "No need for that Charlie," he said with a smile. "This is Olivia," he said as i waved back to Charlie extending my hand to him. "Very pleased to meet you your highness," he said kissing my hand causing me to blush. "May we sit here?" Lucio asked politely. "Absolutely sire, my tomb is all yours," he said moving off the tomb. "I was about to leave anyway, my sweetheart is probably looking for me too," he said throwing away the last of his cigarette. "See yall later," the curly headed boy said putting his hands into his pocket and walking away. "That boy," Lucio said smiling. "Sire?" I questioned. "Anyway, i brought something you perhaps saw out there," He began pulling out a round crystal bottle from from his pocket. "Okay, how do you that?" I asked. "This here, is demon blood." He smiled and began pouring some into two cups that sat on the tomb. "Is that alcohol?" I asked. "Of course it is, but you will not even taste it." I took the bottle from his hand ignoring the cup. "Hmmm it doesnt smell strong at all," i said placing it to my mouth. I took the first sip and tasted fresh berries with a hint of roses. Immidietly, i drank half of the bottle endulging myself to its sweet nectar. "Whoa, slow down Olivia, this stuff is strong," he said laughing. "Its not strong enough," i said with a giggle. As he took a sip i saw a group of people upon the tombs behind us playing instruments, building a song that sounded like it came from long ago. Couples danced to the melody and for some strange reason i wanted to join. I took a long sip, handed him the bottle back, then pulled him with me towards the dancers. "You like this?" He said smiling. "Yes!" He took my hands and we swayed around and around, dancing through the happy people, and the laughter, everything seemed timeless but the most excellent time ive had in a while. Lucio brought me back to his arms and looked into my eyes. "How are you feeling?" He said lifting up my chin. "This is amazing Lucio, i havent been this happy in a long time!" I said with a smile. "Thats excellent! But look theres someone who wishes to see you too," he pointed to an old man wearing a straw hat who sat on a familiar tomb waving at me. I slowly made my way to the crouched figure as my heart skipped beats. Tears rushed down my cheeks as him and i embraced each other the hardest we were able to and i wished so bad for him to never let go.
"Grandpa," i said through my sobs. "Olive, my little olive," He held me one more time then examined my face with his tired eyes. "You look so much like your mother," "Grandpa, ive missed you so much, too much is going on and i-" "you dont have control of it?" He said cutting me off. "Yes, exactly," "you dont need to have control of it, theres lots of things we cannot control, but try your best to stay strong," "Grandpa, the farm, the farm is drying" The look on his face saddened and then he looked to Lucio who was too busy speaking to a musician. "Grandmas dying," i said through more tears. He wiped my tears and gave me a hug. "Everything will be okay, youre smart and you have everything you need at hand, dont waste it," he said through his embrace. "It will be okay," he said brushing my hair out of my face. "Are you here every night?? Can i come see you again?" I asked holding his rough hands. "You can come anytime you want and i will be here just for you," i wrapped my arms around him and inhaled the smell of my deceased grandpa for the last time.
I tried walking back in a straight line to Lucio but reality tilted left, right, up, down causing me to lose my balance. "Are you okay?" He asked as he held out his hand to help me. "Yes im fine," i said with a lying smile growing on my face. "Lets sit you down, i think thats what you need," he held my hand and walked me into the depths of the cementary. "Where we going?" I asked. "Were gonna sit here," he sat me on top of a low gray tomb and then sat next to me with a cigarette in one hand. "Let me have one," i said. He flipped his little box open and lit one for me as he held it. "Slow inhale now," i did as he said then he followed. I looked at his big brown eyes, then to the little specks of brown on his nose inhaling slowly like he said. I looked at his sable colored hair and how it flowed into waves behind his neck and onto his shoulders. I exhaled slowly and back in again watching him. His lips moved but what he said was now inaudible to me and insignificant. I took his hand in mine and squeezed it. "Slowly," rang through my head. I had the cigarette in one hand and with my free one i started tracing the freckles on his nose. He closed his eyes and never said a thing or stopped my touch. I swallowed down some saliva as dark thoughts began to cloud up my mind. I traced the shape of his mouth and continued my way around his face. My hands couldnt hold back anymore so i took his face in my two hand and planted a soft kiss on his lips. He kissed me back causing my blood to pump harder through my veins as excitement rushed through my body like never ever before. My mouth tasted the tobacco on his breath and the demon blood from minutes ago. I threw my cigarette away and reached for his hair. I ran my fingers through his soft waves then brought my hands to feel his flawless face. My thumb traced his facial hair then his bottom lip then his jawline. His lips danced with mine gently but perfectly bringing me closer and closer to him. My legs shook with fright but i gave in more and more as his tongue blackened my thoughts. I opened my legs and pulled him on top of me. I ate from him with much hunger and pleaded for him to end me in that moment taking the sleeves from my dirty dress off, slowly. I stopped to catch my breathe and looked at him one more time. "Do it," i said to him without removing my hands from him. "Do it right now please,". He nodded and i watched as he undid the buttons on his shirt and revealed a long scar that ran through the middle of his body as he took it off. "What-what happend?" I asked touching the scar. He never said anything and began kissing me again laying me down against the concrete tomb. His petal like lips kissed my jaw, then my neck to my chest and shoulders causing my breathe to exhale louder. I could feel his heavy breathe go in and out of my mouth until he gained composure and stopped. "Olivia this isnt right, why dont we do this when you are sober?" He whispered into my lips. I calmed my breathing and came to realization. I pulled the sleeves of my dress back to their place and sat up feeling my face burn up in embarrassment. I looked at the ground and the spark between my legs disappeared. He pulled his shirt back on and fixed his hair taking deep breathes. "Lets get you home, its late" he led out the usual whistle to call Nine. "But i dont want to go home," i said. "Its late," he assured now changing the tone in his voice. "You need to get home," "No i need to go to the tree,". I can see a frown forming on his face for the first time ever. "Olivia, listen to me please," I looked to the sky one more time and nodded my head as the black horse appeared before us.
Lucio helped me get off the horse and carried me to my bed. "Dont come in with me! Theyre gonna see you!" I whispered to him. "They wont, trust me," he laid me on my bed gently and began fixing the mosquito net that surrounded my bed. "Ill see you tomorow, sleep well," he kissed my forehead, brushed the hair out of my face and disappeared. The whole world spun as i layed in bed and i fell into a blurry,dizzy but profound sleep.
"Hurry Dear! Shes burning up!!!" I said to the man driving the car. He kept looking straight and drove as fast as the car was able to through the strong storm. I looked to the back and saw two little boys sitting. "Will Molly be okay mommy?" "Yes baby shell be fine-" the car swerved violently causing the vehicle to flip over and into a hill. The vehicle rolled down a hill violently and then right into water causing the car to sink. I was barely able to open my eyes let alone move my neck. I slowly turned to look at the two boys in the back again and saw their blood drenched unconscious faces. "Nooooo!!! My children!" And then i turned with immense effort to look at the girl who was in my arms and saw that she was gone. "Molly!!! Molly where are you!!" I looked to the driver side of the car and the man that had been there next to me was gone. "Help me!!! Help me please!!" I looked out the window and saw the water level increase rapidly. I quickly took my seatbelt off and threw myself to the back to rescue my kids who were also mysteriously gone. "Kids!! Where are you!?!?" I looked all around the car and found myself alone inside. I quickly opened the car door and swam up to the shore when i felt a giant hand grab me by my hair causing me to groan. "Where do you think youre going?!" I looked to the man and felt my stomach fall to my feet. He had no face. "Let me go!" He pushed my head back into the swamp and kneeled down. "I never loved you poor bitch," i looked up to him one more time as eyes and lips began forming slowly on his face. "Have fun in limbo, my dear Emilia," he took my hair again and dunked it into the water. I struggled for air and tried to fight the strength holding me down but it was impossible. "My children! My molly, my boys," rang through my head as i gasped the last of my air and drowned.
Endless dirty blue water was all i saw as i sunk deeper and deeper. I gasped for air but no flow came from me. "Am i, dead?" I asked myself. "Come, come closer my child," I looked around and saw no one. "Whos there?" I whispered. "Your savior," the voice said behind me and i turned to look for it. A sudden large shadow swept the waters softly as the voice swam around me. "He did this to you," echoed again. "He? Whos he?" I said looking at the ripples of water around me. "To fullfil his desires, to gain power," I looked around one more time back and forth, when an eye the size of my face, looked straight at me. My heart sunk as i began swimming rapidly to the surface. I saw a bit of sunlight that came from above, almost reaching my destination when i felt something strange wrap around my two ankles then dragged me down. I kicked as hard as i was able to but the beasts tentacles wouldnt release me.
I tried removing the grip off of me but nothing did much and i sunk lower and lower. "Let me go," i gurgguled through the water. I looked to the surface and saw three tiny bodies floating. My kids were dead. "My babies!" I said reaching my hand towards the shadows above me but failed miserably. "You belong to me now," the tentacles whispered to me. "Who-who are you?" I said back. The tentacles released me and everything stood silent. I felt my body go still and only my eyes searching for movement from the tentacled monster. I looked to the pitch black darkness at the bottom of the water as my stomach turned inside out. "Hello?" I said one more time as my voice echoed through the dark. Three giant eyes opened before me; two paired next to each other and the third rested above between the pair. Its giant eyelashes brushed against me as the eyes blink opened and shut then slowly swam up as its waters caressed me. "Im Lucious," i stood quiet to listen. "And that man can no longer do harm to you," Lucious said. "I dont understand anything," i said. Lucious stayed quiet and dragged me with him through the waters and up to the surface. The suction like circles on his tentacles lightly sucked on my skin creating calm. I loosened up a little and let the beast take me to the surface. He swam calmy never saying a word. Closer and closer to the light that hung above us and i wondered was i really dead or alive. Lucious was now seconds from the top, and when we finally reached the surface everything flashed into complete black. I blinked rapidly trying to create clarity through the dark when a dimly lit place began brightening up. About 20 feet away from me, stood the well. I carefully walked towards it, avoiding any trip in the darkness when 2 pairs of green lights appeared around the well. The neon dots began blinking one by one, each following behind the other until we were interrupted by a human voice. "Can you help me find my mommy?" I looked down to the little girl in the overalls with the glowing green eyes and led out a shriek. It was the same little girl i had in my arms earlier except she looked different. My stomach sunk in and i began to walk backwards. "Wheres my mommy?" She said one more time. "Who-whos your mommy?" I said in a shaky voice. "Molly!" A familiar little voice said from within the darkness. "Jaymie! Baby Stay back!" I scram to my niece. "Dont come-dont come near us!" I said once more when we were interrupted by a loud thud followed by a dramatic splash of water landing on the soil. I quickly looked towards the well and saw nothing but pitch black. My entire body was shaking in fright but i managed to stay sane. "Jaymie! Dont come here!" I said unable to see her. "My children," whispered a shaky and raspy voice. Silence stood between the well and i. The wooden lid was completely removed but the waters swayed calmly. I took a deep breathe and looked around for the glowing eyes and Jaymie. Every nerve in my body shook as goosebumps uncontrollably rised. "Jaymie! Jaymie!" I shouted over and over. All the bones in my body shook with fear as i tried my best to remain composed. "Jay-jaymie?" I heard the cracks in my voice sharpen when an icy wind blew my face sending fright through my entire being. I turned slowly to look behind me and froze on the spot unable to move any muscle in my body. Before me, stood a long haired, pale woman with glowing green eyes with Jaymie in her arms and Jaymie holding the ragdoll she shown me days ago. I was unable to open my mouth to scream for help or to say anything at all, even my thoughts froze. I looked at her decayed,pale face awaiting my fate when she led out an animal like shriek, releasing a foul, death like smell right into my face and then took off at the speed of light into the swamps direction with Jaymie in her arms. My knees collapsed against the ground and i felt pebbles and pieces of branches cut into my legs and then my chest and face followed. Still unable to move with my face on the dirt, my eyes searched the area around me but everything began blackening slowly and i was gone again.
My face felt moist and sticky and i was almost unable to open my eyes. I was covered in an exaggerated amount of sweat that ran through my entire body including my hair. It was still dark and i was unable to see but i felt the cold air around me. I slowly opened my eyes and felt the sharp sting on my left eye causing me to groan and roll around in pain. I was laying on the same dry hillside id run out to every night, but i remembered Lucio had walked me into my bed. "I dont understand," i said to myself. The sides of my head pulsed at the thoughts rushing through my head when i suddenly remembered. "Jaymie!" I quickly got up and began sprinting towards the well. "Jaymie!!" I scram with tears in my eyes. I reached the well and turned the only bulb that lit the way on. The lid was completely removed how i had seen it in my nightmare. I looked inside and saw nothing. Nothing seemed troubled and everything stood quiet as i desperately looked around for the green glowing eyes, Jaymie and the woman who ran to the swamp with Jaymie in her arms.
"Goodmorming sleepy head!" Judiths voice giggled as i heard windows opening in our room. "You were out again last night right?" She said with a laugh. I opened my eyes slowly and got up from my bed to look at her. "What time is it?" I asked rubbing the ache on the sides of my head. "Its almost eight thirty," she said walking towards me. "Olivia! Your face!" She said holding her own. "What?" "Your face! Theres a bruise right under your injured eye!" I got up from my bed and bolted towards a mirror. There it was, a dark green spot right under my scratched eye. "It wasnt a nightmare," i whispered into my reflection. "What?" Judith said looking at my reflection in confusion. Without responding, I ran passed Judith leaving her there in her own confusion. "Allisa!" I said almost bumping into her. "Olivia your fac-" "Where's Jaymie!?" I said cutting her off. "Whats going on? Why are you in such a hurry?" I moved Alissa out of the way and entered to see Jaymie fast asleep on her bed. "What is going on Olivia? Have you gone mad?!" She said as i ignored her to watch my neice sound asleep in peace. "What happend to your face Olivia?" She said finally turning me around to get her answer. I looked at her and took a deep breathe. "Nothing, im fine," i said trying to conceal the tears in my eyes and made my way out her door. "What are you getting into Olivia? You are acting very strange lately,". I turned around to look at her and smiled. "Nothing Alissa, just really bad nightmares i think i just need to rest, but ill be fine". I began walking away but saw by the look on her face, she didnt believe a word i said.
"How are you feeling grandmama?" I said clapping my hand against the tortilla in my hand. "Slightly better darling, as a matter of fact, i feel healthier than ever," i smiled at my grandmas response when we were interrupted by Harold who came into the kitchen. "Oh Mr. Mayor hello there," my grandma said putting the spoon in her hand down to greet him. "Lady Kita, i was invited by your granddaughters to dinner," i looked up to Harold and smiled. "Olivia! Your face-" "i am fine Harold," i quickly answered him with a smile. "I was chasing Pandora through the fields, tripped and fell down," He looked confused at my response and shrugged. "Oh Pandora is my cat, the little black cat that wanders the farm,". He smiled back to me and laughed. "Your cat must be a mischievous one," "oh, very youd be surprised," i said as we both laughed. "Will you be attending the town carnival this Friday?" He asked. I had totally forgotten about the town carnival that came once a year that was arranged by the entire village and people who lived in the lines. "Uhm i dont know i will see," i said smiling to him. "Come on, it will be fun," He said. "It will be fun sweetie, you should attend,". I looked at my grandma then to him. "I will see, most likely yes," i said with a smile as he nodded at my response and made his way to the dinner table. Everyone sat down as grandma and i served plates for everyone. We all ate happily except for the little person who sat right across from me. She sat there silently with a frightened look on her face starring off into nothing. "Jaymie, baby whats wrong," when she heard my voice her eyes widened and she looked down to her lap. "Youre not hungry?" I said once more. She never looked up to me but shook her head responding no. I felt a tightening across my throat and i whispered to her in the lowest voice possible. "Did you have a nightmare last night?" My heart sunk as she looked up from her lap wide eyed nodding yes slowly. "Was there-," my voice began cracking through whispers, "a woman?" She just starred at me frightened when i realized Alissa standing behind her with her arms crossed. "Thats enough Olivia," she said in a loud voice. Unable to speak, i looked down to my plate and took a deep breathe. "Sorry Alissa, excuse me everyone,". I got up from my seat and felt all eyes on my back as i made my way to the swamp.
I reached my destination and sat there quietly trying to put together the puzzle scattered in my head. Each painful thought felt like a pinch to my left eye. I placed my palm over my left eye and clenched my teeth due to the growing pain. Over and over, i tried remembering every detail i had seen in the vision like dreams from last night. The man who drowned me, the children, the beast calling himself Lucious, and the woman who took Jaymie to the swamp. "Stay away Emilia or i will take drastic measures!" Lucios voice finally reminded me of where i had seen the woman. I grabbed my hair in struggle due to desperation of answers until i found words crawling out my mouth softly as my guts tangled up with my heart inside my chest. "My children," i whispered through my headache. I had a flashback of my grandma immitating the so called crying lady when we were young as she tucked us in for bed and how the woman roamed our land at night looking to regain her dead kids. "My name is Lucious," Reality hit me hard but i was too afraid to admit it. Scenes and scenes from the last days swept across each other gaining clarity. I could also hear grandmas voice echo through my memory. "OOOOOH! My children", as we laid in bed laughing at the myth. "Shes-" i swallowed the bitterest of saliva down. "If youre not in bed at night shes gonna take you, so dont go out at night," Grandmas voice said kissing us goodnight. i took a deep breathe and finally spoke to truth to myself. "Shes the crying lady," my voice began shaking. "And that, that was Lucio."