The Edge of Darkness

There once was this girl who lived alone. She made her home between the edge of a cliff and the woods. She was able to garden for her fruits and vegetables and go into the woods for food. She led a simple life and she was happy.

One day there was gossip filling the small town just below the trees. There were 4 people found dead within the woods. Murder was on everyone’s lips. Who would do such a thing?

Bethy walked through the town with her cloak wrapped tight and her hood pulled up. The whispers filled her ears. “How did she survive? She’s out there all alone.” She quickened her pace until she was safely inside.

“Bethy? Is that you,” her brother called. He rounded the corner and embraced her in a hug. He was happy to see her alive, he was deathly afraid something had happened to his little sister. “I’m fine,” she said with a tear drop sliding down her cheek.

He pulled back from her, his hands still resting on her arms. “What’s wrong?” She sniffled, “There’s rumors going around town. I lived while others died.” Her brother shook his head, “Don’t listen to them. They just want someone to blame.” Bethy gave her best smile, wishing this would all be over soon.

The sun began to set and Bethy slipped into her cloak. “Here,” her brother said as he placed 3 golden coins into her hands. “Use this to get yourself some food. I’d rather you stay the night, but I know you won’t.” She smiled up at her brother, he was so good to her. “Thank you,” she smiled. “You always did take care of me.” He chuckled, “If it weren’t for me, who would? It’s about time you married you know.” Bethy snorted in reply, “Me? What about you? Your older than I am.”

Bethy set out into the woods with a pack of salted pork under her arm, she was going to cook it as soon as she got home. As she tracked through the woods, the sun dove into the cliff. It became pitch dark, why so quickly? She moved carefully through the trees until she saw a shadowy figure on the trail. She stopped dead in her tracks as a large creature came into view. It raised its head to its full height and turned its eyes on her. As she made eye contact, time stood still. It was her, and this creature. There was no escaping.

Hoping to distract the animal, she tossed her salted pork to the beast. It moved slowly towards the meal, sniffed it and ate it in one bite. Is this the creature that killed the others? Was Bethy next? Fear took over her body. The shadowy figure turned its attention on her once again, slowly approaching her.

It sniffed the air around Bethy. What it was looking for, she had no idea. Suddenly it walked up to her and rubbed its muzzle against her. She looked into his eyes and saw a gleam reflect from his head, there was a horn protruding from its forehead. A unicorn? But he was black, not white like most would think.

He nudged her to his side, unsure of what he wanted. Bethy grabbed onto his hair and pulled herself up onto his bare back. Suddenly, she began to transform. Underneath her cloak, lace wound around and down her arms. It felt as if vines were weaving around her entire body. Her vision changed to nocturnal and she could see everything, dispite it being pitch black. She noticed a sword attached to her hip and she unsheathed it. She could see her reflection on the blade, and she was shocked by her appearance. She looked like nothing she had seen before. She was now the killer, the imposter.