15 minute read
Creative Writing
MALEFICAE
They met at night. Three maleficae, ‘witches’ as the mud men called them, huddled close to each other, their indigo cloaks shrouding themselves, and their intentions. Vanessa grinned at the others, a conspiratorial baring of teeth; red eyes glinting with intent; her malachite hair clashing unabashedly with her cloak. Belladonna said nothing, her acorn hair falling in front of her face, concealing her painted black lips and her indifference to the world around her.
Ursula was about to explode. Her fair hands were clasped in front of her face and her blonde pixie cut bobbed up and down with excitement. Sapphire eyes shined in the dark.
“Are you ready?”
Ursula almost squealed with anticipation. A twitch of black lips from Belladonna and Vanessa swept her cloak over the three maleficae.
Dark.
The usually elegant Belladonna managed to land, albeit awkwardly, on her feet. Ursula did not have the same ability. She screamed as she plunged towards the charcoal soil, colliding with Belladonna, who at last lost her balance and tumbled to the spongy earth. As they lay there, Ursula howling with laughter, Belladonna stared knowingly at the grey sky.
Vanessa flew: her cloak billowing, hair streaming behind her like living water, she circled them. She’d always been able to travel to In-Between. It was what made her so valuable among maleficae. She howled, an unfettered spirit. Belladonna often worried about that spirit. Worried how much leash the High Maleficae would give Vanessa. Until they regained their country, Portentum, Vanessa was essential for opening portals to the In-Between. But Vanessa’s life was under threat, and only Belladonna, born mute, seemed to understand this.
A flash of azure hailed the arrival of another coven. Ursula wound her arm around Belladonna.
“Let’s go - my aunt will strike me if I’m late.”
Ursula’s aunt was a High Malefica, one of thirteen blessed with potentia – power. Ursula was lucky that her aunt had taken her in after her mother abandoned her to live with a mud man. She was a half breed – she had mud running through her veins. Vanessa disappeared, and Ursula, having hugged her best friend tight, practically skipped to take her place at her aunt’s left side. It was degrading, a reminder of her blood, but Ursula bore the disgrace quietly. Belladonna felt a twinge in her dark heart and pushed it away.
Ursula had never seen a Chronos Incanta before. Bella wished she could celebrate with her best friend when the sky lit up…
Vanessa appeared once more, grinning. And why not? This was one of the few times that being a malefica was beautiful.
Ursula’s aunt, Adamina, stood, smiling, her lips crimson. Her hair rippled, a sheet of silver flowing down her back. She was ageless.
Belladonna could see Ursula on her wooden stool and smiled slightly at the thought of the girl squirming in her seat with excitement.
High Malefica Adamina rose silently, her smile razor sharp, as she surveyed the blood tribes present.
“Friends,”
She swept her arm towards the assembly, the universal gesture of amity among maleficae.
“We are gathered here to reclaim what is ours. Stars, hide your fires”
And one by one, the pinpricks of light, scattered across the ashy ceiling of this world, began to wink out. Murmurs arose. Vanessa started.
Ursula’s aunt mumbled something to herself, as the congregation stared at the sky in awe. Vanessa could not read the words, but Belladonna could.
“Let not light see my black and deep desires”
Belladonna elbowed past the witches in front of her, grabbing Vanessa’s arm to pull her closer to the site of the incanta, apprehension pooling in her gut. She could see Adamina’s hand tightly gripped around Ursula’s arm, nails cutting into her skin.
She never blinked, but suddenly Ursula was encircled by the silver ward stones, her expression no longer docile, but openly fearful, eyes widened, fixed on her aunt. Adamina splayed her fingers and Ursula was forced to the earth, crumpling as she let out a barely concealed yelp of pain.
Adamina bared her sharpened teeth, her lips pulled back in some twisted expression of triumph. She raised her hand and Ursula hovered, her body limp with terror.
“If we are to regain our homeland from the evil that has infested it, we must first destroy the evil within.”
No. Belladonna’s mind stopped working. No, no she couldn’t possibly say that Ursula -
“Blood will have blood,” Ursula’s aunt said slowly, her fingers curling into a fist.
Ursula fell, crying out at some pain, some demon that Belladonna could not see. Adamina spread both her palms out to the sky and, faster than Bellas’ eye could track, invisible daggers flew and tore into Ursula’s flesh. Blood soaked into the grey soil. Vanessa stumbled into the arms of the maleficae behind her, unconscious.
Belladonna, silent since birth, screamed: a primal scream of rage that echoed through the In-Between. She sprinted, leaping over stones and hillocks. She just had to reach Ursula - perhaps it wasn’t too late, she knew some healing incantas, Ursula could still live… Belladonna reached the body.
“Ursula.”
Her voice was as weak as a new-born. Ursula smiled, her sapphire eyes opening one last time to gaze at her best friend. Her hands clasped Belladonna’s, and Ursula understood everything and regretted nothing.
How was she so peaceful? How, when Belladonna’s world had collapsed at her feet, could Ursula die happy? Eighteen years old and she had died not on the planes of Portentum but in a half world, full of shadows, that would fade away once they departed.
And still Adamina smiled.
“What’s done is done. Be bloody bold and resolute and we’ll not fail.”
The maleficae vanished.
Vanessa knelt down next to Belladonna and removed her indigo cloak, the sigil of her people. Belladonna did the same.
Together, they shrouded the body as starlight filled the sky once more.
Charlotte Holliday
CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION – SENIOR WINNER
Gothic
Icy water engulfed the rotten wood as it slowly began to descend deeper into the grey, perilous, death-defying ocean. Submerging, sinking, drowning. I was stranded in the middle of an infinite ocean with no land in sight. Hopeless. Too distant to swim for lack of direction, moreover in fear of drowning from exhaustion by forcing myself to push through each arctic surge of water that would take my breath from my practically collapsing lungs.
Darkness was overcoming the scenery, swamping what was remaining of my vision. I was alone. Stranded, vulnerable, scared. The immense ship would take scarce hours before it was entirely beneath water, smothered like an avalanche of fatal snow, with me alongside it.
The heavens were lit by the moon, sending emissions of light across the glistening ocean, igniting a radiant, dazzling outcome, where each ray leaped off one another to light the grey sky. Yet in spite of this numinous sensation, something caught my eye in the depths of the cold, unknowing ocean. A grave fear began to take a hold of me. My body began to numb, my heart began to pound and strike at my chest, as if it wanted to crack my ribs open and bound out. The vessel sunk lower into the waves. The creature progressed again, but closer. Closer. Closer. What monster could be lurking in the pits of this strange and unfamiliar surrounding? Prowling, stalking, waiting. Waiting for my ship to plunge down into the black waters, leaving me no choice but to swim, swim into its trap.
The predator began to rise above the water before diving below surface again. The being had obscure, black scale-like skin that sliced through the water like a piercingly sharp blade. My own skin was worn and ghostly from sitting in the bitter cold wind that enwrapped me in a blanket of ice; my tresses were immovable upon my face. I was trembling from terror, my teeth chattered together at a remarkable speed, as if it were mirroring my heartbeat. I was still hoisted upon the damp timber, my ankles fully submerged in the deathly sea. The creature’s figure lay beneath the surface, yet its black long shadow was visible. It was circling me. Colliding into my ship, with its large impressive form. Every blow made my boat sink quicker, till I was knee deep. Waist deep. Then, I was floating in its territory.
I was paralyzed by fear, yet my body instinctively tried to swim away from my grave yard. I thrashed my body around, panicking and screaming, hoping somebody would overhear my desperate pleas in the middle of this black hole. My head sunk below the horizon as I agonizingly opened my withering eyes in the salt infested water. Merely 30 meters away, prowled the briny creature, glaring at me. It had devilish penetrating bloodshot eyes that seemed to mock me, as if it sensed my repulsion and horror and licked its lips to it. Human like. The only way to describe this deathly, life abolishing monster was its uncanny resemblance to a human. I stared upon its great human physique, its elongated slimy arms, the powerful yet inhuman legs, the striking body which seemed to camouflage against the black water, if it weren’t for his satanic eyes, and its cold, cruel, unyielding head. I remained shocked by the encrusted shadowy coating of scales, which lay upon every ounce of flesh I saw, like armour, preparing it for battle. My head flew above sea level to gasp for breath before plummeting back under. 15 meters away floated the creature. Its long black fingers curling by its side. Its serpent like nostrils pulsated like it were breathing, perhaps it was. Its wrinkled bloody mouth opened to expose rows of yellow saw-like teeth, thousands of them. A shrill ear splitting noise escaped from the monster and its arms extended forward, reaching, grabbing and longing for my paralysed, defenceless body and the entire time its red snake eyes remained fused to mine.
Farah Mackenzie Du Lieu
VICTORIAN GOTHIC
The child lay limp in her shaking arms. Faint beats protruded her skin as the baby coughed itself into life. Blood, thick and vibrant, like wine, seeped down its face and painted its jaundice cheeks. A few breaths then silence. Silence. The child fell to the floor.
She scrambled down, desperately trying to revive the fallen babe. Short pulses onto the child’s breast saw it convulse into the air, only to fall back down again, a lifeless lump. The efforts were for nothing, the child had no chance of diminishing its unconscious state. The woman cradled the child helplessly, whilst moving closer to the hearth to eradicate the chill that had assembled on her spine. Once the chill was relieved she departed the room, too repulsed to witness another second of the inanimate body which lay collapsed next to the roaring fire that burned so brilliantly red.
Through the window a sharp beam of life penetrated the baby’s body, causing it to slowly gyrate on the floor slick with its entrails. Movements in its chest began to appear, up down, up down, until its whole body was shaking through the sheer force of its breaths. The eyelids vibrated, twitching into spasms until they awakened, unveiling the crimson eyes that glared into the light.
The woman lay in her bed, slick with sweat that had accumulated throughout the night. The heavily hung, deep velvet curtains banished any scope of moonlight that attempted to seep inside. The candle wick was at its end, leaving only a faint amber flame which flowed slowly, like the travelling thoughts which swanned inside her head.
Tears dripped out of her eyes and into the palms of her hands which were clasped together tightly. The salty water speckled her nightgown, mixing with her child’s blood, forming a rosy hue that stained the ivory linen.
Polly Brown
SHOWER CAP
I like shower caps They look silly and don’t flatter my head Like the women in the films.
I was given a shower cap For Christmas last year- flowery and pretty For no one to see but me.
When I wear my shower cap I shut my eyes and hold my head under the torrent And all I can hear is the Thunder.
Within my shower cap My hair stays dry while my brain is soaked through I can empty my mind.
If I lose my shower cap, I’ll be fine it’s just an accessory I’ll find another Thin Place to find the Thunder.
Rosie McLeish
SOLO
Within my core begin ripples of fear They writhe and reach to choke my throat and heart Thundering as the stage stands free and clearThe abandoned canvas to take my part.
The audience are now clapping my way, To me shaky and jerky appearing. The merest upper curling of your lips say, “Show them you are more than just endearing.”
The mellifluous sounds of Mozart ring Though trapped in a liminal space I hear Some other lucky creature of earth singEngulfed under those waves I disappear.
Rosie McLeish
The more I get closer to her locker, the more my heart slides up my throat. Making my breaths short and my head inflate into a balloon. I gulp down my fear and my heart crashes back into place, rattling my bones and confidence. I couldn’t do it, so many things can go wrong: What if I freeze up? Faint? Or even worse, what if she rejects me?! There’s too much of an emotional risk to that. I’ve spent so long without her and managed happily, why do I need more? There’s no logical reason as to why I’m doing this.
But what if things didn’t go wrong...
The thought of that was enough to make me step closer. I take one last breath, and close my eyes as a wave of water crashes over me and fills the hall. All noise is submerged by my amplified heart beats. I reach a shaky hand towards her. It takes an eternity to push through the water but I finally do it. I tap her shoulder. Slowly, she turns around. Her eyes glitter and she flashes me a polite smile. She opens her mouth but it comes out garbled and bubbles cover her mouth. I blink in confusion and I suddenly realise I haven’t breathed in a while. I begin to cough and splutter uncontrollably, as the pressure of the water closes in on me. I needed to do it, otherwise I’ll drown in my own emotions.
My vision begins to blur, my head throbs ready to explode. I’m beginning to wish I hadn’t tried to do this. I bang my fists against my chest, trying to force the words out.
Then my heart leaps out my mouth and onto the floor.
The water recedes and everything is silent. I still can’t breathe, I stare in shock as a puddle of blood forms around my beating heart.
My crush, my lover, my obsession stares at it blankly. Her gaze is confused and baffled. She blinks a few times, calculating a response whilst my heart still lies on the floor throbbing away nervously.
Finally, she looks up but doesn’t smile. Suddenly an alarm screams in the hallway and red lights flash around me. She’s oblivious though, unaware of my panicked state. Then she begins to cough. She covers her mouth politely, trying to disguise her words but I already know what’s happening. I take a deep breath as the world begins to shake harshly. Lockers crash and windows shatter as I wait for the message. I look at her and she sighs sadly as she finishes coughing. She then pulls a dagger out of her throat and I close my eyes.
She gets on her knees and stabs my heart.
Only once however, she isn’t a mean person which only makes me love her more. Even as I look at her pressing the dagger deeper in I still can’t help but gaze in affection. She steps up unsteadily, guilty fishes swimming in her watery eyes. The hall suddenly becomes coated in snow. Icicles cling to me and my tears freeze on my snow powdered cheeks. She presses my heart into my hands which shake in the cold. I feel numb from the icy rejection yet I know I’m being silly. It could’ve been worse, but she had given my her sympathy.
I stare at the bleeding organ in my hands, it’s gonna take a while for it to heal but it will eventually. She throws her arms around my shivering body. At first I remain rigid from shock but eventually I hug her back. My muscles relax and heart begins to stop bleeding. She eventually lets go and walks off and the school hall goes back to normal.
I watch her walk off and then I look down at my heart. I could take the dagger out and pretend that nothing happens but I don’t.
It’s a part of me now, I’m kind of glad it is.
Niamh Machin
STRIX ALUCO
Born of the gloam, the owlet flutters forth While vigilant hen hoots as harbingerBeware! My son, my love, my screeching joy No harm shall come on my twilight watch.
The touch of summer love- the golden grass swaysSwish of the stream- glittery glows Apollo’s gaze Over owl hen’s luxurious haze (with her life time mate) The owlet is without a home.
Her son has surpassed! Flutters of his youth Are gone, this owl soars (he struts the sky) Beware! Feathered debutantes, his love, Of his tawny musk in the settling dusk.
The Owl and his Wife must now wait For the gift owed to those who mate Their daughter, their love, their screeching joy No harm shall come on their twilight watch.
The silent predator swoops on the attacking giant But she’s prepared. Plastic helmet against maternal claws A fair fight? The plunder is won but for no viceWith scarlet ring owlet comes home.
Owlet gone, leaves fall twice, The Owl hunts with his team Some dawn he alights upon his branch The last time, to sleep, to sleep- perchance to dream.
Rosie McLeish
WHOSE HILL
I ask who does this hill belong? It’s carved by sheep: tracks all along Yet not a man to greet each morn So on my own I hear birdsong.
The rugged sod is iced and worn Glassy leaves are cracked and torn The frost is thick and all around The shadows pass, the break of dawn.
Each day I tread this frozen mound I never tire of this cold ground Despite the sting of frigid air Despite the branches bare and browned.
Here now comes up the golden stare. To thaw the crystal ice all bare To mark the end of this my stroll And set the morning right for prayer.
Still I ask who owns this hill? Who sweeps the leaves, who braves the chill? For all I ask, I still don’t know But still I step in His fresh snow.
Flora McDonald-Wilson
