They had traipsed this familiar route countless times on their way back from Marples College but this was altogether different. Under the safety of daylight, there was little to fear. The strong scent of forest pine trees lined a hidden, thick undergrowth beyond to their immediate right. A few scant cars would drive past, heading up the steep hill before disappearing behind one of the many sharp S-bend's further up. At the height of summer, the picturesque vistas took on an idyllic and peaceful setting.
That was in stark contrast to the shrill cry of the wind swirling through the overcast wood. They had never been out this late on their own. The dead of night seemed to excuse an aura of dread and pervasive foreboding. However, for one member of their young company, it only added to a growing excitement and anticipation as to what was to come next.
”Don’t you just love this?” Joey remarked. ”The freedom, right? I mean, it’s late. No parents around. No rules. I think I could get used to this.”
”Mom will kill us if she knew we were out this late.” Said little Kevin, every now and again turning back to peer down the narrow, open road.
”Well it’s a good job she won’t find out then, isn’t it?” The cold, hard stare from Joey caused Kevin to think twice about bringing that particular topic back up. Everywhere appeared deserted. No high beams fading into view from around a hidden bank up front from a casual passerby. Even the usual enthusiastic twitter of birds emanating from the woods beside them had all but gone. Only a swirling mass of blackness pervaded the vicinity like a thick spreading blanket.
Adam and Daryl had kept small talk to a minimum. They both pondered over the dare proposed by Joey. Albeit from opposite ends of the spectrum. Daryl’s rising fear had reached fever pitch, though his ability to mask it from the others was admirable at the very least. He looked around and could have sworn there had been some movement out of the corner of his eye. Near the forest’s edge, by the stump of some wide-based tree. His imaginings wondered further still as he envisaged the twisted, charred witch from the story lurking somewhere in the darkness. She would scuttle on all fours just out of sight, her raw blistered back arching inwards with long yellow fingernail digging into the earth as she moved. He envisioned her eyes as dull, milky white abysses and limbs thin and spindly. She would scavenge for her hapless victims at night and whomever was caught off-guard would be snatched up and dragged into the undergrowth, never to be seen or heard of again. His heart raced as they were nearing the cursed tree after the next corner.
Adam, who was lagging behind somewhat, had other ideas. He saw himself watching on as Daryl ran up to the tree, touched it, then sprinted back as fast as his legs would carry him. The respect and admiration garnered from his peers at school the next day would be worth the risk of getting home a little later than he intended. It was common knowledge for all to avoid that piece of desecrated land for fear of disturbing the vengeful spirit of “The Screaming Hag”. Going there at this late hour was considered sheer insanity. But as he knew well enough, the higher the stakes, the bigger the rewards. And such a perilous escapade may even attract the attentions of Maggie Dreener. Every school boys fantasy come true.
”Almost there now.” Said Joey, lowering his tone as if the witch might hear their soft voices through the gloom beyond. ”Right around this corner.” The doors to The Earl Grey pub were closed, locked and bolted. A squared-off portrait hung over the entrance on a wooden plaque signpost showing a distinguished looking gentlemen wearing 18th century garments and a monocle balanced across one eye. His expression was of total neutrality yet somehow gave off an air of stirring unease beneath. They all looked up at it in unison, realising that the Earl seemed to be watching them as they walked by.
Rounding the corner into Lakesmeed Road, it was almost pitch black. A faint beam of light cast from a lone streetlamp across the road revealed the vague outline of an enormous oak tree a few feet up. It’s huge branches disappeared into the night sky, not dissimilar to a collection of numerous crooked and winding tentacles. Kevin moved over to his brother and hid behind him. They all felt a surge of fright at the unsettling scene before them, but none so as much as Daryl.
”Screw that. I ain’t doing it.” He muttered to the others. ”That thing’s just plain evil incarnate. I’m bailing guys.”
”Like hell you are.” Snarled Joey. ”You’re just looking at a big ass tree with the lights turned out, that’s all. Don’t believe that old crappy legend. Besides, Kevin here needs to see it’s all simply make believe hocus pocus and mumbo jumbo.”
”Listen, I ain’t doing it.” Daryl reaffirmed in a louder voice.
”And my family ain’t waking up in the middle of the night coz Kevin is screaming his head off from bad nightmares!” The others could see Joey was on the edge of losing control. They knew he did not take lightly to people who rescinded on one of “his” deals, especially anything that required some form of physical exertion on his part. The enraged glare said it all. Daryl had run out of options. In the absence of standing his ground, the only choice left was a good old fashioned dose of pleading.
”Joey. Please, man. I’m scared shitless here. Look, I’m sorry. I’ll do anything to make up for it. Look, Kevin is fine. He knows this story is all a crock. Right, little man?”
He clung on to his older brother’s shirt, peeking out at him from the side of Joey’s lean and muscular torso. His look of perpetual fright only worked towards sealing his fate. It was either time to man up or deal with the consequences.
”Just go and touch the damn tree, man.” Adam urged from out of the blue. ”It’ll take like two seconds. Ain’t nothing gonna happen to you. Don’t be a pussy. You’ll gain some serious cred if you go ahead with it. Check it out.” He pulled a dark object from out of his back pocket and waved it about in the air. ”I’ll record the whole thing as proof. Just look at it as an opportunity, like. You know how popular this will make you if you go ahead and do it? Think about it. You're "Iron Balls", remember?”
