The Aftermath

Written by Emily Suter

Steal a book; a simple request, yet I shook like I was standing on a moving fault line. Stealing was wrong. That was implanted in my brain since youth. Yet, the spirit commanded me, so it will be done. As I ran out of the dense forest into the night, I tried to devise a plan. Stealing from a house was a line I would not yet cross. So, I decided to steal from the public library. They might not even notice the book is missing, I said, trying to convince myself. Wishful thinking. The Council would soon enough notice my crimes. My heart hammered against my chest as I ran.

Day by day, the spirit asked chores from me. Yesterday was to steal a broom from my work. Today was to steal a book. Perhaps this was all some test, leading up to some grand event. For now, I simply obeyed. Besides, my deeds hadn’t been terrible. Just simple tasks.

My train of thought ended as I rounded the corner, facing the library. I ran to one of the side walls, placed my right hand on the cold cement, and concentrated. I forced myself to think of the insides of the library, imaging every little detail...

Suddenly, I felt the familiar sensation of being jolted through eternal darkness, being swept away by some unknown force. Then, my feet hit solid ground. I opened my eyes and found myself in the library.

Hastily, I felt my way through the darkness, grasping for something solid. My hands rested on a bookshelf. My fingers followed the grooves in the wood until I slid them to the right, finally feeling a book. I exhaled, pulling the novel from its shelf, and slowly made my way to a wall. I imagined the outside, and seconds later, was pulled to my destination.

I stood outside the public library, its lights completely off. I immediately glanced down at my hands. The novel, titled The History of World War Three, was safely grasped in my fingers and has survived the travel in one piece. I turned around, once again heading for the woods.

---

The spirit was waiting for me like it always did. Tonight, it took the form of a wolf.

“Juno,” my rough voice startled me. “I’ve brought you a book.” The wolf’s expression was hard to read. The purple smoke that drifted from its eyes was distracting.

“Good.” Despite its form, the voice remained the same. A cold, metallic sound, like a fork scraping against a plate. “Rest for now, child. Your greatest task comes tomorrow.”

My heart skipped a beat. “My what?”

The wolf narrowed its eyes. “You shall prove your worth tomorrow.”

I was done asking questions. Instead, I simply nodded and backed away, eager to leave the forest.

---

The next night, with the moon high in the sky, I made my descent into the forest. The path was implanted in my brain, impossible to forget. My hands brushed the oak trees as I walked, enjoying the peaceful night, the cicadas filling the silence of the forest. I entered the clearing.

The spirit remained as the wolf, its eyes still foaming purple. It looked at me expectantly.

“You came,”

“Of course,” I tried to smile, although my nerves seemed to overpower me. I only felt fear. “What's tonight’s task?”

The wolf eyed me and I suddenly became self-conscious. After a ten-count, it finally spoke.

“Bring a councilman to this clearing before sunrise,”

I felt like throwing up. My mouth tasted dry and clammy as if I drank a whole glass of saltwater.

“Alive?” I asked, my voice barely audible. The wolf nodded. I felt my shoulders relax, but the panic only subsided, still bubbling and festering inside of me. I turned around and ran.

---

I had to obey. No doubt if I was caught, I would be executed, but the spirit had power over me. Its words seemed to flow through me like a cleansing river. Despite my panic, something inside of me told me this was a good idea. My eyes felt glazed, but it clearly made sense. I should kidnap a councilman, but which one.

---

I knocked on the red door. It was late at night, but something assured me that he would answer. After a minute or so, an old man appeared, his grey hair messy from slumber. He was oddly in his work robe.

He squinted his eyes at me. “Mr. Bloren?”

I said nothing. Instead, I concentrated on his eyes. I focused on his pupils, still dilated from sleep; the green tint he had in the lower parts of his iris. Once I felt in control of him, I thought of one, simple word.

Sleep.

The man’s eyes rolled backward, his knees buckling. I caught him and, with great difficulty, tossed him over my shoulder. I closed the dwelling’s door and headed for the forest.

---

The going was slow. The man was light, yes, but I was a street cleaner, not an army veteran. Eventually, though, I got to the clearing. The wolf was waiting patiently, watching my every move. I laid the man down, standing a few paces away from the spirit. The wolf said nothing. Only silence, it’s purple eyes fixed on my every movement.

“Well?” I asked, my voice higher than usual.

“You’ve obeyed,” The spirit said it as more of a command than a statement. “I’ve deemed you worthy.” I swallowed hard as the wolf stood.

“For years, I’ve searched for a human that simply obeys. Completes the tasks that are asked of them. You’re the first to get this far.” The wolf circling me made me uneasy. It looked like an animal closing in on its prey.

I tried to change the subject. “The townsfolk will notice that one of the Councilmen is gone.”

“My dear boy,” the spirit sneered, “Blame is the key. Unlock the door and place it with someone,”

“Who should I blame for the Councilman’s kidnapping?”

“You still don’t understand?” The spirit started glowing. My instincts told me to look away. I fixed my gaze on a tree behind me as the purple light increased. It died down and I saw a wolf scamper away into the woods. My heart beat in my chest. That wolf was the spirit’s vessel. And now…

I slowly turned, seeing a purple shape that resembled a smoky human. It sneered, it’s sharp teeth even whiter in the moonlight. It flew towards me, engulfing me in its purple aura. I knew no more.