Who is guilty?

“You know me too well, I didn't kill him.” Sabrina continued chuckling, as she stood on her feet. She was laughing because they were so miserable, she took quick steps backward, smirking as she watched her sisters besiege her. “That's the more explanation why you're the suspect.” Hayley told them.

“I know you hate me Hayley, but I didn't kill Nick Simpson.” Sabrina retained. She clenched her fists when she noticed her sisters were ready to attack her. “Sabrina, you would be locked up until I'm convinced of your innocence.” Freya said as a spell escaped her lips.

Sabrina fell to her knees, she couldn't move her body, though she tried countless times, and her lips trembled, as she attempted to break the spell, but it was to no avail. Janeka and Earnestine, forced Sabrina to the basement, locking her up though she almost evaded their grasp. The four sisters said a barrier spell, they were certain that Sabrina couldn't break through. She just sat on the floor, leaning on the closed door while the delicate lighting materials in the basement exploded. Its pieces shattered on the wooden floors.

“I didn't kill him.” She roared.

“Hayley. We have to do some investigations in your school.” Janeka suggested as they waddled upstairs. “Perhaps, there must be a mythical creature out there.” Freya said as the thoughts crossed her mind. She couldn't comprehend why there was a sudden disappearance of a human, though it wasn't their concern, they had to figure out if this was a consequence of failing to perform the rituals they were taught.

“We have to wait for another suspicious attack.” Earnestine recommended, as she walked into the living room, her sister's joining her seconds later.

“How does this concern us?” Hayley blurted. They darted at her before sighing and getting their asses on the couch.

“Hayley, you won't understand.” Freya said.

“I wouldn't condemn you because you caused all this.” Janeka uttered.

“I was saving my friend.” Hayley shrugged, as she hurried into the kitchen. Janeka kept her eyes fixed on her, something was telling her that Hayley might know who was responsible for the whole drama, but it was better not to lay erroneous indictments.

Freya's phone beeped, she recalled that she was going to check the wedding card designs with Eamon. She quickly scurried upstairs to get herself ready, her sisters understood the stress she would be going through, and they had to let her take all the time she desired because it was her happy hour.

“Ladies. I have to go.” She hurried downstairs after she spent some minutes in the bathroom. Twisting the door handle, she ran out of the house. “We should be helping her out,” Janeka said. Freya came back in, she rushed back to her room, and came out with her phone.

“I'm getting clumsy.” She smiled, as she almost tripped, heaving a sigh, as she walked out of the house.

“You are putting a lot of pressure.” Janeka said.

“Now, we have to figure out who's responsible for the disappearance of Nick.” Hayley said as she stepped out of the kitchen with chips in her hands. Her gaze met Janeka and her lips twitched into a small smile while she walked upstairs.

“You ought to be in school.” Janeka said.

“It's Sunday.” Earnestine said.

“That must have slipped my mind.” Janeka said.

“I'm not surprised.” Earnestine said with a short grin.

Earnestine and Janeka appeared inside the school premises. The whole environment was as silent as a graveyard, the only thing you would hear where the chirping of the pigeons. They walked into the school hallway after breaking through the entrance with their magic. Unhurriedly making observations, they were bent on finding any uncanny material, sauntering class to class, and scanning through school files.

“I don't think we can find any valuable information here.” Earnestine said as she turned a page on the files that lay on the principals' desk.

“We have to keep searching.” Janeka exhorted, as she put a book back on the shelve at the edge of the office. They swiftly left the classes to the library, making a quick study before they trotted to the sports field, nonetheless they found nothing.

“I have feelings for someone.” Earnestine said breaking up the silence that was slowly taking over. Janeka's eyes widened, and she grinned as they strolled down the sports field, they were walking close to where the spectator's seats were modified. We only arrived in Weston Hills last week, and she had already found someone she had a crush on. That was quick. Janeka thought.

“Who is she?” Janeka asked. Earnestine glanced at her before she spoke up, she put her hands in her pockets, staring at the lush green lawn that was of equal height in the field, it was the football field.

“Erin Quin.” She answered. They moved around the sports field, still, there was nothing, they had spent more than two hours in Weston Hills High with no clue of what was happening in their town.

“Well, I'm not sure. Perhaps, it's just this happy feeling I get when I meet someone.”

“Give it your best shot, sister.” Janeka commended, and she stepped towards her. “I will.” Earnestine said, her gaze met the blood trails on the oak tree, she peered at it before she ran towards it.

Janeka followed her, she paced up then she got closer and saw the blood trails, but they disappeared before their very eyes.

“That's blood.” Janeka's eyes dilated, as she tried to touch the tree, but Earnestine stopped her left hand which nearly stroked the rough bark of the tree.

“We are not sure what this is, it would be wise not to touch it,” Earnestine suggested, and Janeka shrugged. “Perhaps, this is a prove that Nick was murdered at this very spot.”

Janeka agreed, but within her, she was pondering if she should heed what she was told to do. They turned to leave, but Janeka hastily turned back to the tree, Earnestine hurried to stop her, but Janeka nudged her away.

It drew her imagination in, and she froze there, blinking, she peered at the rough bark attempting to free herself from the grip of the tree. It was certainly magic, she sensed it. Earnestine tried to move her, but she couldn't. Janeka had flashes of creatures inside it, she saw people wail, growl, and cry in endless pain. It was typical hell, darkness, and emptiness. She saw people slaughtered, incinerated, and chopped with axes. She looked slowly and saw a dagger. It was silver with the Latin language written on it, this silver dagger slowly turned into pure gold as if a spell was cast on it. She took her time to memorize the symbols inscribed on it. She kept seeing it all, the world burning in flames, the earth trembling, trees withering, she saw a figure she recognized, but she didn't get a much better view, then she got pulled out.

“We need to leave.” Janeka gasped, as she took three steps backward, she tripped, and fell, quivering as she stood back on her feet, and fled. Earnestine chased after her, they ran some distances farther before she eventually caught up with her breathing heavily, as she held her arms tight.

“What the hell happened in there?” Earnestine asked.

“We need to leave.” Janeka said with watery eyes. Staring deep into Earnestine's eyes, she couldn't believe that those people had all died. The world burned, and she just stood there watching it happen, while taking Earnestine's arm, and they both disappeared.

Hayley searched the whole of Sabrina's room, but she couldn't find anything suspicious or anything to prove that she was responsible. If Sabrina was not accountable for the sudden disappearance of Nick Simpson, that means they had another villain to stop, she thought. Hayley heard the door open, she could hear Earnestine, and Janeka shouting at each other, as they got into the living room. Unsatisfied that she didn't find anything in Sabrina's room. She left, scampering down the stairs, hoping they had found something.

“Sabrina did not kill Nick. There is another witch in this town.” Janeka said, quivering, as she recalled flashes of those images she saw while touching the oak tree. Those words hit Hayley, and she got transfixed still leading down the stairs, she blinked twice before she was able to get back to reality.

“This is something we have to tackle together, as a family.” Hayley said while she took another step.

“Give an account of what you saw, Jane.” Earnestine complained as she sat on the couch. She was getting infuriated hoping that it wasn't the old woman that attacked Hayley, that was credible for Nick's death.

“It's a lot of shit,” Janeka scoffed, as she gulped down a bottle of water that was standing on the stool beside her. She expired deeply, unleashing the images she saw, all she wanted was to clear her mind.

“This is devastating.” Janeka said, crying silently.

Hayley saw the tears that rippled down her eyes, she stepped closer to her. The worst thing Janeka could think of was him, it can't be. She could not let it happen, even if her sisters turned against her when they learned the truth. She would still stand by the words of her mother, she knew what the oak tree was, and the person inside of it.

“I can't permit it to happen. I will stop him.” She reiterated, standing on her feet, she began to pace up and down the living room. Was she going crazy? Earnestine and Hayley thought.

Freya and Eamon were driving down the street. They smiled at each other while he concentrated on driving, he looked forward, then at the side mirrors before he swerved to the right. Freya was holding the wedding card, it had a blue background with the milk color leaflet attached to it. Freya and Eamon's names were boldly written on the card, and the venue and time were also specified, she smiled before glancing at Eamon who looked at her. Finally, she was going to have her kids and her family. The Michael family would become extended, and that was what she always wanted, another generation. She was more than overwhelmed, her smile disappeared when she recalled what occurred while they were attempting to complete the rituals, she didn't want that to come in between her marriage. They drove into Eamon's house, and they both alighted after he stationed the car in the garage. They held each other's arms, as they strolled into the house.

“Words can't explain how I love you–.” Freya was interrupted when she felt Eamon's middle finger on her soft lips. She breathes out before she caressed his chest.

“Words can't explain how we love each other.” Eamon corrected. Meanwhile, Eamon was holding a pack of pizza in his hands, he peeked at it before twisting the door handle, and they stepped into the living room.

“I need to get water.” Eamon told Freya, as he took a turn to the kitchen.

“Take your time my dear.” Freya smiled. They kissed each other before he dashed into the kitchen. Exhaling deeply, she sat on the couch. The house was a well-furnished duplex with beautiful interior designs, a plain wooden floor, huge staircases, chandeliers, and a home theatre.

Eamon was an avid reader, and he had a small bookshelf that was filled with suspenseful books. Freya's phone beeped, she got a message from Janeka, and it was urgent.

“Perhaps, they found the killer.” She mumbled.

“What killer?” Eamon asked, he had walked into the living room, and he heard her.

“A random guy got missing, and we think it's a witch or some sort of creature.” Freya explained.

“What's your concern? Perhaps, this boy is a truant and must have fled Weston Hills without his parents' approval.” Eamon chuckled, as he sat on the couch.

“Don't be in a haste to pass your judgment.” Freya said. What if he was telling the truth? What if Sabrina wasn't accountable for the accusations? She puffed out, as they headed to the dining table.

Evening. 5:45 pm.

Freya opened the door, she sauntered into the house, she noticed the whole place was as silent as a necropolis. She shut the door, and slowly wandered into her room.

“Anybody home.” She bellowed, as she dropped her bag on her bed, and loosed her ponytail. Staring at the dressing mirror in front of her, she moved strands of her hair behind her ears before she left her room, and walked down to the library, opening the door, she met her sisters arguing with books scattered all over the tables.

“It's not what you think.” Hayley clarified.

“I see.” She said while raising her hands, and all the open books were closed.

“I found something big. Something that could destroy the earth.” Janeka told her boldly.

“We have to stop it.” She continued even before any of them could ask questions. She stood up, and walked closer to Freya, taking her left hand, she stared into her eyes. Freya arched an eyebrow, she had this feeling that Janeka was petrified of what would happen to the world if whatever she was thinking of occurred.

“What is it?” Freya asked.

“We have to free Sabrina. She's a part of the family.” Janeka said with a stern look. She felt sorry for Sabrina because she was locked up for a whole day, and they had found out she was innocent of the accusations. Freya frowned after which she smiled faintly, they all strode down to the basement, as they said a chant holding their hands together.

“Finally.” Sabrina said, as she forced her hand through them, and walked upstairs, whispering to herself. She didn't even want to hear any apology from them since they couldn't trust her.

The five sisters were sitting in the dining with their hands on the table, staring at each other, waiting for Freya to speak up. Tonight, there was a full moon, they could hear the howling of wolves from far distances. Lights struck the wooden floor from the half-opened window. Finally, Sabrina had forgotten about the whole thing that transpired between them.

“Sabrina, Earnestine, Janeka, and Hayley Michael,” Freya said, glaring at them. “This is the House of Witches.” She continued.

“We cannot let the world fall while we have the powers to destroy whatever it is that would attempt to take the lives of the people in this town.” She emphasized, raising an eyebrow. Hayley had not understood where she was driving to, but at least she knew that they must have found the villain, or perhaps, they had a clue, about who or what was responsible. She continued to listen attentively to every word that left Freya's mouth until Janeka took over.

Janeka was about to reveal a secret that her mother told her the day she was joining the rituals. “Mother told me the story of our father. Edmond Michael.” She began, as tears trickled down her eyes, her heart beating faster, rolling her eyes, as she remembered that fateful night. Hayley felt uneasy. Sabrina scoffed. Why was she crying? She hated people who behaved despicably towards worthless aspects, she had to listen to whatever she was about to say so she wouldn't be accused of being the unknown suspect.

“Our father sacrificed the lives of other dark witches to strike a deal with an evil known as the darkness,” Janeka said, as she took a deep breath, and continued. “He was to serve the darkness that gave him this power for the rest of his life. Killing and causing destruction, until he met our mother, she changed him, and hopefully, we were born.”

“But that alteration didn't last forever, did it?” Sabrina mocked.

“He became the tyrant he used to be, but this time he was stopped, he was imprisoned in that oak tree standing in the middle of Weston Hills High,” Janeka's lips trembled. “He was imprisoned a year after Hayley was born.” Janeka gulped.

She stared at Hayley before she looked at the surface that was being struck by the moonlight.

“What does it have to do with the ritual we failed to finalize?” Earnestine said.

“The consequences are that we would bring ruin to the earth,” Janeka uttered, staring at Earnestine who shook her head in agreement with what she said. “One of us is the woman behind the mask.” They all said simultaneously glaring at each other.

Eamon saw a ghost figure of a person walk past his backyard, it sent chills down his spine, he saw the frightening image run past his front door. He could hear the daunting footsteps outside the house from the kitchen, he tiptoed into the living room, then he took a club that was lying beside the couch, heading towards the door. He opened, about to strike whoever it was, and he met Hayley.

“What are you doing here?” Eamon asked as he let her into the house locking the door without thinking twice.

“It's midnight.”

“My sisters are on an expedition. I had to come here, the house looks frightening.” Hayley said as she sat on the couch.

“You're welcome. Are you hungry?” He asked as he motioned towards the kitchen.

A figure dressed in black with a cloak hanging over its head roared as it ran out from the kitchen, stabbing Eamon who was almost into the kitchen on his belly. Hayley instantly turned when she heard Eamon groan, she said a spell, and the figure got moved away, stumbling onto the counter and dishes. The broken plates and glass pieces shattered on the floor. Eamon was bleeding, and Hayley tried to stop it, the same figure rushed towards her, stabbing her in the leg, she yelped turning to cast another spell. She moved her hand forward, but it wasn't working. Eamon already took his club, positioning himself towards the unknown figure before he could strike. The figure uncloaked herself.

“Freya.” He uttered.