This week's dreamcast is brought to you by destined-doll.16

Sophie - Thylane Blondeau

Casper - Harry Styles

Luc - Cole Sprouse

Jacques - Zayn Malik

Nico - Robert Patterson

Sally - Barbara Pelvin

Blood - Hritik Roshan

Christie - Emma Watson

Rayne - George Clooney

The Royal Hunting Lodge

Sophie Reese

"Trees?" I repeated the word shakily. "Are you telling me that there are more bodies stuffed inside of trees."

The old woman nodded her head and pointed to a pair of mature oak trees near Christie. They too were covered in strange symbols and black veins of rot that radiated out from the dark hollows in the trunk, across the bark like a black sun.

Christie turned towards one of the trees and cautiously approached it. She picked a stone up from the ground and lifted it to the bark of the tree and carefully scratched away at the symbols. When the last symbol had been rubbed away, the smell of putrefaction filled the air. Christie peered into the dark hollow and stiffened.

"What's wrong?" I asked, secretly not wanting to know the answer.

Christie backed away from the tree, her face now ashen, and replied, "There's another body... I think it's been here a while... There's barely any skin or muscle left on it."

The old woman shook her head, "I think this has been going on for some time. I'm afraid this forest has become a secret graveyard, filled with hidden tombs."

"I don't understand," I replied. "These grounds are supposed to be protected from demons, but somehow one of them was able to get in and murder these girls."

"Perhaps this 'monster' is something else," the old woman mused out loud, "Witches can take demons for familiars."

"What's a familiar?" I asked.

"They are a witch's helper or protector. Normally, they appear in the form of a black cat or some kind of animal, but sometimes they are known to take on an unnatural form."

"Do you think a familiar could have done this?"

"Oh, it's quite possible, especially if they are a demon."

"Last night, I saw countless trees like the ones here. Do you think they are hiding bodies too?"

"I'm afraid so," the old woman said, regretfully.

I swallowed hard and looked back at the trees. There were so many bodies - how long had these sacrifices been going on for? Surely, the staff in the main house must have noticed that dozens of girls were disappearing. How could they have not noticed this was going on, right underneath their noses.

I walked back to the tree and rested my hand against the bark. I almost felt sorry for the forest, that someone could come and violate nature in such a wicked way.

Christie walked up behind me and rested her hand on my shoulder. I could feel her palm trembling through my coat. She was terrified.

"We should call the guards and get them to burn this place to the ground," she said.

"Would that work?" I asked, looking at the old woman.

The old woman shook her head, "Burning the forest will do nothing except inflict more damage to an already piece of wounded land. We cannot undo the evil that has been committed here. The magic was in the act of sacrifice itself and cannot be undone."

"So how do we stop this?"

"You can't," the old woman replied. "Do you see the veins of black creeping up the tree?"

"Yeah, it looks like a disease."

"It's not a disease. It's death."

"Death?"

"Yes, these are cracks between our world and somewhere else... most likely one of the lower realms."

"The lower realms?" I echoed.

"Yes," the old woman replied, "Although, you might know it better as 'Hell'."

Hell?

Oh.

Shit.

I groaned inwardly and dropped my hand from the tree. No wonder this place felt evil. Hell was breaking through into this forest.

"Someone is trying to create a doorway between this world and the lower realms," the old woman continued. "I don't know to what end though. There are much easier ways to get into Hell than this."

"Why is this witch doing this?"

"I'm afraid you'll need to ask her that... although I'd wager it would be to kill you, demon slayer."

"Demon slayer?" I laughed, "I killed one demon, once, so I don't think I qualify for that title, yet."

"It's been a long time since someone in this realm has killed a demon."

"Look, I don't want to be a demon slayer. I just want to understand how to stop all of this - the death, the dying, the sacrificing I get that I'm supposed to be this special Queen, but between you and me, I'm completely out of my depth here and even though I'm trying to find answers, all I'm coming up with is more questions."

"Well, if you're asking me for a starting point, then the only person who truly knows what's going on, is the witch responsible."

"How do I find her?"

"I don't know. But, I should warn you that with each passing day these cracks will continue to grow wider. You don't have much time, I would say days rather than weeks."

I felt my heart sink inside my chest. We had so little time. Everyone was counting on me, especially Mia. I had to figure this out and fix it. I couldn't let Christian go through what I'd gone through. I didn't want that little boy to grow up without his mom and dad.

"Okay," I said out loud, thinking to myself. "The witch is sacrificing girls to open up a doorway into Hell. We don't know why she is doing it, but to do it she has to convince a girl to be a sacrifice. The only girls around here are the serving girls in the main house. I wonder if our witch has been talking to any of them, may be looking for the next sacrifice..."

"I guess, it wouldn't hurt to interview the staff," Christie suggested. "Although, they might not want to talk to the Queen. I could talk to them for you. I already know some of the girls."

"You do?"

"Yeah, we share a common trauma. Rudolph," she groaned. "He has a thing about young women in maid outfits."

"If you could speak to the young women on my behalf, I'd be grateful."

"We don't have much time, so I'll go now," Christie said, excusing herself.

I watched her disappear into the darkness, running towards the main house. Hopefully, Jacques would catch up with her. I imagine that he and Casper will be making their way our lodge to check upon us. Oh boy, were they going to be pissed when they realised that we were gone?

I turned back to the old woman and saw her crouched down over a patch of dead brambles and branches. She was picking through the dead brush and pulling out vines of blackthorns.

"I can't help you find the witch," she muttered, "But, I can help you save the life of your sister-in-law."

"How?"

"This won't be easier and you'll need his help," she said, pointing behind me.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw Jacques standing there, looking like he had just run a marathon. Breathing hard, he snapped, "Where the hell have you been, and where the hell is Christie."

He staggered over to me and as he drew closer I could see the bits of leaves and twigs snagged up in his brown hair.

"Have you been running through the forest?" I asked, stupidly.

His eyes narrowed on me and he replied, "Yes. I've been looking for you. Casper asked me to check up on you. He's going to lose his proverbial shit if he knows you are out here talking to Widow Twanky."

The old woman lifted her head with great indignation and yelled, "What did you call me, young man? I could turn you into a toad for that insult."

Jacques ignored the old woman and focused back on me.

"Did this old bat tell you her name?" He asked.

I shook my head, suddenly feeling extremely rude for never asking for her name.

"She's a witch, witches never give out their names," he growled.

"Well, I know she's a witch, Sally sent her here," I replied in a harsh whisper.

"Oh, Sophie! Witches are bad. You shouldn't be here."

"Cool your jets, cowboy. She's helping me."

"Nico is going to go loco when he finds out about this..."

I ignored Jacques and walked across to the old woman. She was kneeling on the forest floor, weaving what appeared to be a ring of thorns.

"What is that?" I asked.

"A ring of protection. It will allow you to leave this estate for four hours and during this time no demon will be able to sense you, as long as you are carrying the ring in your pocket." She said holding out the ring.

I took the ring and placed it in my pocket.

"Listen to me, child," she continued. "There is a black market of sorts, located one hour's drive west of here. You must go there and find Marie, she always has a stall there but trades under different names. She's a healer who specialises in soul rescues. When you find her, tell her Granny sent you. She will know who I am."

"Will she be able to help Mia?" I asked.

"Yes, she should be able to diagnose the problem... but remember, you only have four hours to find her and get back. I hope your young beau, is a fast driver," she said, looking at Jacques.

I turned back to Jacques and saw conflict in his eyes. He didn't know what to do. Save Mia and risk me, or let her die to keep me safe...

His pocket started vibrating and he muttered a curse under his breath, "Shit, this will be Nico."

He took the cell out of his pocket and stared down at it.

I reached out and touched his arm and whispered, "Please, help me save her."

He stared back at me for a few long seconds and groaned. Pressing the answer button, he lifted the cell to his ear.

"Nico, what do you want?" He spoke into the cell. "Jeez, calm down, snookums. Sophie is with me...yeah, yeah, I'll keep her safe. I was planning on taking her to the games house with Christie and watching a couple of movies...Okay, sure. I'll catch up with you later. Bye."

He ended the call and raked his fingers through his hair.

"I don't know who will kill me first. Casper or Nico?" He sighed.

"Thank you," I smiled.

"Come on, we'll take my bike," he replied, taking my arm.

I went to follow him and paused, looking back at the old lady.

"Thank you," I said, "I'm greatly indebted to you."

The old woman smiled, "I'm sure as the wheel of karma turns, you will repay the kindness I have shown you tonight."

"I hope so," I replied.

Jacques tugged on my sleeve and so I said my final farewell, making sure that the ring of thorns was kept firmly in my pocket.