The Lit Candle

The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. The town Witch Kari must have been back. No one had ever seen her, but rumors spread that she came back to the cabin in the woods around Halloween. Throughout the year, kids and teenagers would dare each other to touch the door or peer through the windows.

Tonight was one of those nights. Emily, a little girl who lived across the street from the Witch's cabin, watched as a black cat went up to the house, transformed into a short curly-haired brunette, and walked into the house.

Emily was too scared to move; she just sat and watched. The woman walked to the windows and opened them. Kari looked straight at Emily and gave her a wink. Emily jumped up from her spot and ran outside.

She looked both ways before she crossed the street before she ran across. Emily heard voices in the distance and hid behind a bush in the Witch's front yard. Two young boys crept up to the house. They giggled at each other and shoved each other forward.

"Go, Kaleb, you can do it." The blonde one whispered to his friend.

"The girl dared you to look through the window. I'm here for moral support, Nick."

Emily wanted to tell them the Witch was back and not to go in, but another part of her wanted to see what would happen. So, she stayed quiet and watched.

Nick sighed and walked up to the open window to peer inside. He was dragged in and left an echoing scream behind him. Kaleb darted forward from his spot. He stopped halfway, "Nick, are you okay? Tell me this is some joke."

A black cat jumped onto the window and hissed at him. Kaleb jumped back, "Where is my friend? What have you done to him?" The cat paced the window seal as if it was taunting the boy. Kaleb scoffed at the cat and sprinted into the Witch's cabin.

Emily watched the cat transform into Kari the Witch and sat on the window seal. She was so intrigued by the transformation that she overlooked what was happening to the boys. Emily moved closer but remained hidden.

"What do we have here?" Kari flicked her fingers, and Kaleb spun around and faced her. His eyes darted around, but his body didn't move.

"Why can I move?" He said through pierced lips.

"Don't worry about that now, child. Run along, and I'll spare your life. Tell all your little friends to stay away from my home." She flicked her fingers, the door opened, Kaleb went flying out, and the door slammed shut.

"Bye-bye now!" Kari yelled from her window.

The boy stood and looked back at her, "You're a crazy lady! Wait till I tell my parents." He darted off.

Kari snickered aloud.

Emily moved from her spot and peered through the window. Kari didn't seem to notice her. Brooms were sweeping the ground; plastic spoons were stirring the pots, and wash rags were wiping the counters. Yet, no one was holding them. It intrigued Emily.

She walked to the front door and knocked.

"Come in, child."

Emily opened the door and stepped in. The Witch stood there with a smile.

"You finally came to see me, granddaughter?"

"Granddaughter?" Emily shook her head in confusion.

"I see your mom never told you about me; what a shame. She has always been a stubborn one."

Emily stood and stared at Kari. She was wondering if what she said was true. Had her mom lied to her about her grandmother passing all these years, the town Witch was her grandmother.

"Will you tell me the story?"

"Come and sit." Kari patted the seat next to her on the couch. She faced the fireplace.

"It's a long story."

Emily sat next to her grandma, eager to hear what she had to say.

"I'm ready."

Kari smiled at the little girl as her black cat Mischief jumped onto her lap and snuggled her.

"Once upon a time..."

Kari told her granddaughter about her family's history the rest of the night.

As Emily listened she remembered Nick. She looked around the living room and noticed a black whole in the wall.

“Where’s Nick?”

“I don’t know what your talking about?”

“A boy came in here tonight and hasn’t left?”

Kari’s face harden as she looked to her granddaughter.

“I played a joke on his friend and made him go out the back door.”

Emily’s eyes went back to the black hole.

“Okay, I believe you.”

Emily didn’t believe her, but wanted to leave alive. She kept hearing muffled sounds coming from that hole and decided it was best for her to leave.

“I’ll be back tomorrow. We have so much to catch up on. If my parents finding gone I’ll be in trouble.”

“Sounds good dear, run along.”

Emily stood, and walked at normal pace till she got hit the front door. She swung it open and ran home, not looking back.