Chapter Text
The fog rolled in over the town of Haven, enveloping the area in a cold dense cloud. Despite the gloom, the citizens stirred to life as the norm. The locals were used to the temperamental weather that creeped down from the forest.
Lilian stretched and groaned as she pushed the door open to the Safe Haven Paranormal and Cryptozoology Society, eyeing the few straggling tourists that were lined up in its window’s glow.
“Welcome to Haven, home of mystery and the unexplainable.” She mumbled, recalling the script her father used to give each morning. “Everything around this town is a mystery, from the forest to the sea. Watch your step, for you it may be your last.” Her hands danced lazily as she gestured for them to enter.
People visiting the town for its cursed nature wasn’t new. Her parents had always made a grand profit off the mythos of their home but in the age of technology and internet, people would rather google the mysteries than experience them on their own.
It was such a waste.
The tourists scrambled about, grabbing maps and pamphlets as they whispered amongst themselves. A young woman approached Lilian and tapped her gingerly on the shoulder, snapping Lily out of her thoughts. She turned to smile at the woman who was pointing at the warning on the cryptid locales map.
“What does this mean? You must leave a gift for the spirit of the forest to pass. “
Lily led her to a bowl on the counter full of baubles, bones and other Knick knacks.
“The cryptid that guards the forest has always demanded tribute for people to pass.” She picked up a handful from the bowl and dropped it, listening to the clanking of the objects. “Bone of her clan, metals of her enemy or trinkets. You leave it on the stone altar at the mouth of the trail before wandering into its depths.”
A man approached them after playfully shoving his friend. “But that’s just like a myth right?” The two jovially giggled at the thought of supernatural beings requiring tribute.
A voice boomed from behind them.
“If you want to go missing and end up in one of our local wanted posters, sure-It’s just a myth.”
The group jumped and spun around to see a tall dark haired man standing in the doorway.
“Mr. Jean!” Lilian shrieked, her eyes widened in shock.She blushed as his eyes drifted to her and he shook his head. “Hahaha.Let’s not scare them off.”
She turned back to the stunned group and held her hands up. “This is Jean. He lives up near the forest and can tell you anything about it. He’s quite the cryptid enthusiast, I think both our families are full of them. Right?” She glanced over to Jean pleading with her eyes for him to validate her words.
“Oh yeah. Right.” He looked up lazily and nodded, running his hand through his hair.He let out a brief sigh as he realized that the group was staring at him. “Yeah, my whole family has been devoted to the daughter of the forest. She’s got an insatiable appetite, so don’t tempt her. Just leave the offerings.”
He sauntered back to the counter and started peeking through the artifacts leaving Lilian with several shocked tourists.
“His family has always been weird. Don’t mind him, he’s got a good heart. Really.” She ushered them back to looking at the shop’s wares before she walked up to him. She inhaled sharply. His black ringlets danced around his face, and his green eyes stared intently on the photographs. Her heart raced as she watched him thumb through the images.
“It’s rude to stare Lily.”He said, his gaze never leaving the photos.
She snapped to attention and started to stutter, his eyes turned to her face and she felt as if they pierced her very soul. “I was just….I...wanted to know...Uhm...since our families…” she stopped to breathe and closed her eyes to collect her composure. “Since our families have always worked together, maybe we can grab coffee. Talk cryptids and maybe some ideas for tour plans to upgrade the shop.”
Jean narrowed his eyes and looked over her face, she blushed and chewed on her lip in embarrassment. He always had a way of making her heart race like it would near rush out of her chest rather than remain confined in the prison of her current embarrassment.
“Sure. I’ll tell the folks and we can grab coffee tonight.”
She smiled and escorted him to the door, a little flutter of butterflies in her stomach as she watched him disappear into the fog. She turned back to her customers and daydreamed of the tall brooding gentleman that consumed her thoughts.
~*~
That girl would be the death of him. He wiped a hand over his face as he stalked up the trail to the trees. He knew better than to entertain such attention but he had to keep up appearances in the town. He’d watched her grow up from the wide eyed curious child in love with cryptozoology to the moody unamused adult she had become. Her intentions were no secret to him, she made it quite obvious. He would have to think of something to deter her after all.
The girl is persistent.
He stopped in his tracks and winced. A heavy familiar touch weighed on his mind
“Yeah she is. I was coming back to talk to you about going to grab coffee later, but I see you tagged along for the morning.”
Did not tag along…I was already there.
Of course, He cursed under his breath as he recalled the dense fog in the town streets. He should have known that wasn’t a normal occurrence.
“You rolled in the fog, didn’t you. What are you looking for today?”
Silence. It would have been eerie to the normal traveler, but he knew these woods.
I want another one of those glass water balls. The green ones with the net.
He smiled. “An old glass float? They’re kinda rare these days but I’ll see if I can find one tonight. Please stay out of sight. You know what will happen if they see you.”
I remember.
His heart sank as his mind was bombarded by memories of pain and agony. Death. Things he had hoped would remain buried and forgotten in the past.
“You’re still with me. I’d rather not recall those days.”
Sorry.
He felt a presence leave him and sighed before turning back around to walk towards the town, no sense in walking all the way to his cabin now. A group of tourists from the shop passed him on the way, their arms full of gear and satchels of offerings. A smile crossed his face.
Jean meandered through the streets, checking out the stores for antiques and just took in the sights. The town never really changed with the times and stayed its same cozy self for decades. Consistency. He particularly enjoyed that.
By the time he had made it to the coffee shop, the sun was starting to set in the horizon. The waves splashed against the pier and it branched off as Jean tossed a coin into its rough waters.
“Jean!” He heard from behind him and turned to see Lilian jogging over to him. He bit back a cringe. She had changed, this is definitely not a meeting for discussing cryptids. Her thin frame was hugged by tight jeans and a very low cut blouse. The whole outfit left very little to the imagination, she was definitely persistent.
“Hey Lily.” He replied, urging himself to respond as he took a seat at a small table.
•
Lily sat across from him and propped herself up on her arms. Her eyes danced across his figure and she smiled. He shifted and grumbled as he ran his hand through his hair. He tried to avert his eyes and not look at her too much. He didn’t want to give her the wrong idea of what his intentions were.
A server walked by and brought them two cups of coffee, the smell caressed the air and hung between them. Jean could feel her eyes on him as he took a swig of the black coffee. The intensity started to make him uncomfortable.
“So what ideas did you have about a tour?” He mumbled, avoiding eye contact as he looked out over the water.
Lily assumed it was nerves, after all she was nervous as well. “I think having guided tours through the path of dedication would be a fun start. Have them walk the path of the old village. They can see the old altar and experience what the villagers used to do. You know, deciding on whether they would marry or be chosen to hold the temple of the old one.”
Jean’s eyes darted up at her as he held up a hand, He waited patiently for her to stop and pay attention to him.
“There is no deciding what they wanted to do. They were chosen. That’s not a safe thing to mimic for fun. You could get people hurt, Lily. And I’m not going to tarnish a cultural practice for money.”
“The villagers wouldn’t mind. I’ve spoken to some of them when they come down to the market.”
Jean grinded his teeth and then inhaled slowly. “Lily, this isn’t a joke. It’s offensive and I won’t be a part of it.”
Lily poked out her lip and feigned a pout. “Well fine then. What about guided tours along the old exchange path? You can tell them stories of the village of stone and the village of blood. How they married only each other for generations and the faiths of the two.”
Jean stared at her, his eyes dark. “Yeah I can do that. I can’t take more than 5 at a time though. It’s harder to keep track of people on that trail nowadays.”
“Deal.” She confidently said. “I hope you will rethink the other idea. I think it’ll really sell and bring on traffic to our dying town.”
“I don’t need to rethink it. I won’t take part in that.”
Lily smiled meekly and reached a hand across the table, touching his arm. “It could be something fun we do together. Like we used to remember? Back when my parents were around...you were always up to travel into the forest with us.”
The fog started rolling in, thick and cold mist drenched the market like a smothering blanket. The gooseflesh crawled up her arms causing her to shiver. Jean stood up and excused himself, his eyes heavy.
“No. I won’t do that. I’ll help this town in any way that I can, but I won’t make a mockery of sacred traditions for cash.”
He pushed himself past her and walked towards the darkening hillside. Lily watched him disappear into the fog and groaned.
The server walked back by and watched him leave.
“That's an odd guy.”
“Jess. He’s just eccentric.” Lily said as she propped her head up on her fist, looking at her friend, the two had grown up together and Jess knew everything about Lily.
“Of all the guys to pick, you had to pick him. Doesn’t seem like he’s interested.”
Lily snapped her eyes to glare at her friend. “He likes me just fine. He’s just awkward. I just need to tear through the walls he’s built up around himself. He can’t keep me out forever.”
“Whatever girl.Your tits practically jump out of that shirt,you’ve got all the other men here drooling” Jess said as she gathered the cups. “You do you but that man was clearly not the slightest bit affected by it.”
“You don’t understand Jess. He’s different from most guys so of course this wouldn’t have worked on him. I don’t even know why I asked you for help.” She covered her chest with her arms and stood up to leave.
Jess rolled her eyes and shrugged, she knew her friend wasn’t going to stop until she was well and done. “Do you, Lily. But don’t come crawling to us when you get your heart broken.”
•••
The fog enveloped Jean as he slid in the muddy path towards his cabin.
Sorry.
“Are you though? Are you sorry? You never trust me. Have I ever done anything to you for you to follow me all the time?” He barked through his teeth. His face darkened, he had everything under control. Everything. Nothing would have happened that he didn’t want to happen.
Careful. Don’t change.
Jean stopped and inhaled. A familiar touch pressed into his mind and he rolled his eyes.
“You don’t have to follow me around. You know I’m always coming back.”
I was robbed of time. I don’t want to share it.
“You come off like a jealous insecure girlfriend.” He grumbled as he pushed on, climbing the hillside. “Whatever happened to the hikers”
Tribute left.
“So you left them alone.”
Yes. Mostly.
He chuckled to himself. He didn’t dare ask what mostly meant but he was quite sure it was all theatrics. People wanted to see things in the forest, they paid to leave questioning reality.
“You have to stop following me. I’m not leaving you and again, I always come back.”
Suddenly, a flash of images plagued his mind. Visions of a torn corpse before him, his agonizing screams and pain.Fire. The fire danced across his flesh and then darkness.
You didn’t come back once.
“That was different. This is now. And if I don’t maintain appearances…That will happen again. You have unlimited time with me. They have mere seconds.”
Then go. Leave.
The presence left him as the fog receded slowly back into the forest. He cursed and ran up the trail. His feet slipped underneath him as he struggled to catch up to it.
“No, I’m sorry. Please. No. Dammit. Listen to me. I am sorry.”
He stood in the mouth of the twisted trail and sighed; the silence had never been this heavy.
He pushed through the undergrowth to his cabin. Inside, it was modest but it was home. The chill from the night air clung to him as he trudged in and dropped in his armchair. “You really did it this time, Jean.” He grumbled to himself as he ran his hands through his hair. He’d have to make amends for what he’d done as soon as possible but for now, he just wanted to rest.
•••
Lily walked up the hill at first light, the path was slick but she knew the safe patches to walk on. She’d made the journey countless times. The villagers walked down towards the town and waved as they passed. They were quite accustomed to her making the trek.
As she breached the village, she walked towards the old decaying temple. Several men stood outside repairing the logs that had fallen from their place.
“Mama Keirna.” She said as she knocked on the door. “It’s Lilian. I’ve come for more supplies.”
An elderly woman pushed open the door, her cheeks were round and pink. She pushed a tendril of hair behind her ear revealing a simple leather eye patch with a flower embroidered into its center. Lilian recalled many days where she’d play with her long white hair and learn stories of the village. The wisewoman embraced her and smiled. “Ah, Little flower. How are you today?”
She ushered the girl inside and started working around the fire. Lily sat down amongst the creaking furniture and smiled.
“I’ve been better. I had a little date with Jean last night. Could have gone better but I’m making progress.”
The elder stopped abruptly, she turned and eyed the girl. “You shouldn’t be messing with that boy.”
“Come on Mama, he’s not a bad guy. He’s just misunderstood.”
The elder laughed coldly, her hands gripping a tea kettle tightly as she slowly crept to the pew. The disapproval was no secret on her face.“Misunderstood is an understatement.” She placed a hand to her forehead. “He’s trouble. Just promise me, you’ll be careful. I promised your father that I’d keep you out of trouble but it’s so darn hard when you just want to throw yourself into the center of it all.”
The elder offered her a cup of tea and sat down beside her.
“I promise I will try to be careful.” Lily said as she feigned scouts' honor,causing the elder to shake her head. As stubborn as Lilian was, Keirna couldn’t help but love her. She’d been a part of her village since her parents brought her around many years ago. Keirna could recall every moment of the young woman’s life and she was so proud of the woman she was becoming. When her parent’s had their accident, Keirna stepped in and promised them that she’d fulfill their last wishes. She’d keep Lilian out of trouble as best as she could.
That was obviously before she knew about the ridiculous infatuation the girl had with Jean.
“What will I do with you, girl.”
Lilian snuck out the door when the sun had started to set. The dark twisted trees loomed over her as she ventured towards the path. A chill tore through her.
“Lilian…” A voice called from the fog.
She stopped in her tracks, her heart racing in her chest. Mother Keirna was back in her cabin in the village, wisps of smoke could be seen rising from her chimney. She was too absorbed by her novels to be wandering in the forest at night.
“Liiiillllyyyy”
The voice echoed again, this time sending a chill up her spine. She slowly turned to look at the mouth of the trail, the fog parting to show the heart of the forest. She slowly crept towards it and peered in. The moon’s glow illuminated a path that looked almost like it came out of a fairy tale. The stones glimmered in the moonlight and fireflies danced whimsically as if beckoning her into the forest’s depths.
“Come home child.”
She picked a foot up to take a step when a sturdy hand caught her from behind and jerked her back. She fell crashing to the ground and the breath in her lungs escaped with a loud oomph as she looked up,Jean and another man stood over her. She gasped and tried to catch her breath before sitting up.
“Lucky we caught you there, little miss.” The man said as he reached out to help her. “Forest isn’t safe right now, you could have found yourself in some trouble.
“Thanks Chase.I owe you one.” Jean said as he pushed his ringlets back under his hat.He offered a hand to the him and Chase grabbed it firmly, pulling him into a hug.
“Awww Hell, Jean. Call it Even. You’ve helped me out more times than I can count.” He tipped his cap to them and turned to walk back to the village.
Jean pulled Lilian to her feet and started steering her towards the hillside path. She looked up at him and chewed her lip. He was angry, something was bothering him. She’d never seen his face this way before. His normal dark broody features were replaced by furrowed brow and a scowl.
“Are you okay? You seem a bit upset.” She asked as she tried to keep up with his pace.
He looked down at her and grumbled, maintaining his speed as he pulled her along behind him.
“I’ll be alright.” He growled out and then went silent. The two walked down to the town in silence and he stopped. The fog rolled in around them.
“NOT TODAY. I am NOT in the mood.” He yelled, startling Lily as he abruptly stopped.
She shivered. It was freezing. And an unnerving silence hung in the air. She noticed an expression of anger changed to one of fear on his face as he looked down at her.
“Lily, Run home.” He turned and glared at her. “NOW.”
She jerked her arm free and looked up at him. “Jean, what is going on? Whatever you’re about to do, I can help. I’m not lea…”
He cut her off with a push towards the town.
“Go now. I will come to the shop in the morning.”
He shoved her aside and stormed off into the fog. It was so dense that she could barely make out the lights from the town as she sprinted towards it.
She reached the streets of the town and turned to look back. The fog had swallowed the forest and was starting to creep towards them.
She threw open her shop’s door and slammed it behind her, sliding down to hide at the bottom of the door. Something wasn’t right and she knew it. She shivered as the fog clouded the window in front of her shop, she scooted further from the view and covered her mouth. It was almost like she could hear claws dragging over the glass. Her heart raced as she looked over to the glass. Two glowing eyes peered into the window and glanced around the empty shop. The sharp squeal of nails on glass echoed in the air as she kept hidden from view. She trembled and squeezed her hand tighter over her mouth to stifle the sob.
•••
Jean stalked into the fog.
“Where are you? What is the meaning of this?”
Tribute. Tribute.Tribute. Tribute. Tribute.
The word echoed in the air and cut him to the bone.
“What...What tribute? No one has entered the forest.”He snapped, he kept pushing into the fog along the trail. “No one has done anything, you’re just acting cra…”
He stopped as he looked up at the sky and saw the moon peeking through the trees. It was nearly full. The eerie glow of a green tinted ring started to form around the heavenly body. His heart stopped in his chest.
“SHIT. No. Not now. You have to stop. Fight it.”
Silence. Heavy silence clung in the air as a soft soothing hum drifted out of the forest. It sounded almost like a mother soothing her children with a lullaby. He closed his eyes and felt the caress of the wind exerting from the mouth of the trail, crawling up his skin like the touch of a lover. The hum grew more prominent, and he turned to run down the path.
He had to find Keirna and he had to find her before this went any further than it already had.
He bolted up the trail to the village, pushing past the old gate as he ran to the old chapel. His fists impacted against the old wooden door as he tried to alert the old wisewoman.
Keirna pushed open the door slowly and squinted up at him. Her face contorted into disgust as she realized who stood before her.
“What do you want, boy.”
Jean breathed heavily as he tried to catch his breath and pointed to the sky, the moon in clear view. Keirna stopped, stunned by the sight. It was beautiful yet left the woman horrified. Keirna opened her mouth and no sound escaped, her white braids shimmered in the moonlight as she stepped out the door into its glow.
“We have a problem.” He muttered, trying to catch his breath.
“This can’t be. This wasn’t supposed to happen. This...this is bad.” She looked down towards the town. “This is very bad. Why?”
“You’re telling me. I can’t stop it. You’re all she has left. The pull would be stronger this time to find more.”
Keirna held up her hand. “I have been damn good to her for my lifetime. She should be fine with just me for a bit longer.” She turned to walk back to the temple but stopped as she felt Jean’s hand grap her arm. Her eyes cut into him with disgust.
“Keirna...we barely stopped Lily from entering the trail earlier. The call is going to reach even more of the youth soon and it’s going to be near impossible to stop them all. She can’t control it. The spirits know you won’t make it to the next cycle.”
Keirna pushed him aside and walked to the forest.
“Is this what you want from me? To take my children from me?” She shouted into the darkness. “I haven’t asked for much in my lifetime of servitude. Please. Spare them.”
Jean looked over at the old woman.
He closed his eyes and groaned; the life he had worked so hard to keep. The life he had built was hanging by a thread. This could undo everything he had achieved and make it to where he could never come back.
Keirna walked back to him, her eyes red and her skin was clammy. She raised her face to look up at him and stifled a cry.
“Keirna…wha..”
She held up a hand as she choked back her tears.
“Change is coming, Jean. Whether we are ready for it or not.” She mumbled as she pushed past him and slowly closed her door. “You know it, I know it. The village doesn’t have many young adults left but we should try to use what we have. We must keep people from the forest. It will not be safe for some time.”
Jean turned and looked back at the forest. His heart sank into his chest as he listened for the familiar voice. He heard nothing but the wind rustling through the branches.
He had never felt so alone.
•••
The sun rose the next morning, Lily yawned and pushed herself up from the floor. She’d passed out against the door where she’d hidden throughout the night and her back was screaming in pain.
“You going to open up?” A voice boomed from above her.
She spun around to see a very exhausted looking Jean standing outside the glass of the door.
“JEAN!” She threw open the door and launched herself into his arms, hugging him tight. “You will never believe what happened last night.”
He looked down at her, his eyes dark and his breath heavy. She searched his face for answers and gripped his arm. “Jean?”
“You need to leave town for a while.”
She looked up at him and scoffed. “Look, I know what happened last night was terrifying but I know what these things can do. You forget my parents drug me all over this country looking for cryptids. Last night was just…a little more real than anything they’d shown me before is all. I cannot leave this shop. And plus, where would I go? How would I get there?”
Jean looked down at her, his gaze cold. “I can find you a ride to the city. You can stay there for a bit. I’ll give you some money and you can get a nice BnB or something to stay at. Go down to the coastal city for a bit.”
“And if I refuse?” She asked sternly, her eyes narrowing on his face. She knew he was hiding something but things were happening so fast that she didn't know where to even start with her questions.
“It would be against your best judgment to do so.”
A knock cut the awkward tension between them and Lilian opened the door to find her friend’s boyfriend. He looked stressed and anxious, his eyes darting between the Jean and the girl.
“Lilian. Have you heard from Jess? She didn’t come home from her shift last night at the cafe and I was hoping you’d heard from her.Did she stay here with you last night?”
Jean’s heart sank, it was too soon. He looked over at Lilian who was shocked.
“I am sorry, Derek. She didn’t come by last night. Did you try to call her?”
Derek fidgeted. “Yeah, I haven’t gotten an answer.”
Lilian looked at him and pulled her phone out, searching her contacts for her friend’s number. “Maybe she’s just upset with you again. I am sure she’ll answer and we will get to the bottom of it.” She put the phone up to her ear. Jess was probably just off at a customer's house again, she liked to find warm beds to stay in when she and Derek fought. She probably just forgot to tell Lily this time.
The phone rang through to voicemail and Lilian awkwardly laughed. She probably forgot to tell someone and is crashing pretty hard after a wild night. “She probably went to her parents house. No need to fret.”
Derek’s face paled. “I’ve already checked her parents. They said she told them she was going to go home and sleep before her shift today. She didn’t show up this morning for work either.”
Lilian froze and looked at Jean, the man’s face was contorted into one of horror despite his efforts to hide it. Jess wouldn’t miss work. None of this fit with Jess’s norm and now she began to panic.
“Jean” She whispered. “Do you think…”
She jumped as Jean pushed past them both and slammed the door behind him.
Something was happening in their little town and she wanted to know what Jean knew.
•••
“You say a young woman is missing?”
Keirna looked up at him from her garden. Her hands stained from the petals of the flowers she was twisting into crowns.
“Yes. A young woman by the name of Jess. She is the waitress at the cafe down by the wharf. I saw her last night, she’s a friend of Lily’s.” Jean responded, his gaze wandering across the village. They hadn’t spared a moment since the night before. One person in particular caught his eye,Chase. He was wearing white robes and a tight red sash around his waist, his smile was just as contagious as ever.
The young man walked towards them and bowed his head to Keirna and Jean. Keirna’s eye teared up as she looked away from him.
“You aren’t serious. You’re going to send Chase?” Jean snarled towards the wisewoman.
“Jean, don’t snap at her like that. It’s my choice. I’m still young enough to be considered and if she chooses me, it’s an honor that not many are bestowed. Right?” Chase said, his smile never leaving his face as he looked to his friend.Jean never understood how he could always remain so positive even when the worst lay before him.
“Chase. You don’t understand what this means for your life. Look at Keirna. Look at the life she’s lived. Do you really want that?”
“My mother lived a great life in service to the old ones.” Chase said, a glare cast towards Jean. “I always dreamed of a chance to lead this village back to our roots.”
“He went on and on last night about how we’ve lost touch with our roots and heritage. How this wouldn’t be a problem if we hadn’t strayed so far from the Mother and her grace. And, He’s right. The Mother gave us everything and we squandered it all in the name of progress. Had the children not all grown and left, we wouldn’t be in this predicament right now.” Keirna muttered, her eye never leaving her crowns.
Jean grit his teeth together and paced before them. This was moving too fast but they were right. If the village could get back to the way things were, no one would know what was going on and his life would continue as normal.
“When do you plan to do the ceremony?” He asked, looking towards the two.
Keirna looked at Chase and back to Jean. “We’ve already started. We’ve sent two groups to the altar. We’ve been waiting for them to return.”
“Chase, what do you intend to do if she chooses you? You know she takes the eyesight of her oracles. You’ll be half blind like your mom.”
Chase shifted a bit uncomfortably and sighed. “It is part of our heritage to give ourselves to the child of the forest if she chooses us. My sight will give her what she needs and she will give us what we need.” He looked at the tree line. “You know we haven’t had a single seedling visit in ages? I haven’t seen one since I was a small boy. She’s abandoned us because we abandoned her.”
The breeze drifted from the mouth of the forest, caressing their skin as they stood. Chase walked towards the mouth of the trail and closed his eyes, Jean followed him and stood next to him trying to ignore the stifled sobs of Keirna.
“Ma wanted you to try to reason with her.” Chase said, his eyes still closed as the breeze drifted around them. “I told her that it was pointless to send you in there when we knew it wouldn’t stop anything. This was our duty long before you came to settle these parts.” He opened his eyes and looked over at Jean. “I know this has to be rough for you, man. But it’s my choice. I’d be honored to take my mother’s place.”
The sincerity in his voice felt like a knife in Jean’s chest. He understood but knew the cost of his friend’s gesture. He just hoped it was enough, he’d be damned again before he let the normalcy he’d fought so hard for be ripped from his hands.