Page 37 of Howling Holidays

“Wait!” I warn quickly, “It must be a trap.”

“Shit. What do we do, Logan? We need the moonstone so we can perform the ritual in time. We have to grab it.” Emily replies.

We turn back to the rest of the group so I can warn them.

“Okay everybody, we’ve found the moonstone but it looks like it’s a trap. We have to grab the moonstone to get the ritual started, so everyone watch out and be ready.” I command.

The group nods and readies themselves as Emily prepares to go inside the shallow chamber.

“Emily, move quickly and be careful, please.” I say as I stare into her beautiful blues.

“I will, Logan.” She replies and turns to retrieve the moonstone.

I stand watch outside, and Emily carefully removes the stone from the podium. Prepared for the chaos that happened the first time we picked up the stone, we were surprised with an eerie silence. We freeze staring at each other before I motion for Emily to get out of the cavern. As she exits, a loud boom sounds from the chamber and shakes the entire forest. We stumble to the ground and as we find our footing again we peek back over our shoulders to see dark shadows flowing out of the chamber like smoke.

“Run!” I shout to the group, knowing we’re not quick enough to completely outrun the shadow shifters. We hastily turn and start running back toward our path to the center of the forest. The elder members of the group quickly fall behind, and finally I hear a loud shrill. I turn to see that one of the shadow shifters has grabbed my grandmother.

“Iris!” Emily shouts, turning to run after her.

“No!” I cry out. I stand frozen in my tracks, unable to run.

“Logan, you and Emily get the ritual started. I’ll take some of the pack and get your grandma back, don’t worry.” Ethan exclaims.

“Fuck. Okay, hurry! Make sure she’s safe.” I reply. I feel torn between wanting to save my grandmother, but also knowing we have to get the ritual started on time.

"Let's keep going, we need to move fast" I urge, and the group nods in agreement, their determination etched on their weary faces. We turn back to quickly resume our path to the center of the forest.

As we continue our journey, I guide them past treacherous terrain and more cunning traps, grateful for my years of experience navigating these woods. Though I’ve never traveled this far in, my instincts have served me well, and I can only hope they will be enough to see us through to the end.

"Almost there," I whisper, more to myself than anyone else. The heart of the forest awaits, and with it, the key to breaking the curse that has cast its shadow over Everwood for far too long.

"Stay strong, everyone," I say, my voice steady and resolute. "We've come this far, and we won't let anything stand in our way."

The moment our group steps into the heart of the forest, it's as if we've entered another world. The air is thick with an energy that hums and vibrates, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Trees tower above us like ancient guardians, their gnarled roots creating a natural altar at their base. Soft, white moonlight filters through the snow-covered trees, casting a surreal glow over everything in sight.

"Wow," Emily breathes beside me, her awe evident in her wide blue eyes. "It's...incredible."

"Indeed,” Bonnie agrees, her gaze sweeping over the sacred space. "This is where the curse was enacted and where its power is strongest – thus where we have the best chance of breaking it."

"Okay, everyone," I say, taking charge as my alpha instincts kick in. "Let's get to work. We don't have much time."

"Logan, you and Emily stand in the center. The witches and I will set up the ritual circle around you. I’ll gather the wolves and the rest of the townsfolk and guard you all" Bonnie instructs, her voice steady and calm despite the tension that thrums through all of us. "Emily, you'll need to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for your role. This will be challenging, but I know you can do it."

"Thank you, Bonnie," Emily says, her voice wavering slightly but filled with determination. "I won't let any of you down."

As Emily moves off to the side to meditate and center herself, the rest of us spring into action. Under Bonnie and Callie's guidance, Ethan and I gather fallen branches and stones to create the intricate pattern required for the ritual. Each movement feels deliberate and purposeful, the anticipation building within me like a fire ready to ignite.

"Once we begin the ritual, there's no turning back," Bonnie warns, her eyes filled with resolve. "We must give it our all and trust in one another."

"Emily," I call out to her gently, watching as she lifts her head and meets my gaze. "Are you ready?"

She takes a deep breath, visibly steeling herself before she nods. "Ready as I can be."

"Then let's break this curse," I declare, my voice filled with conviction. My heart pounds in my chest as we gather around the ritual circle, our eyes locked on one another.

"Remember, everyone," Bonnie says, her voice carrying an authority that commands attention. "We're not just doing this for ourselves, but for all of Everwood."

With those words, the tension within us seems to reach its peak, and as the witches join hands and begin to chant in unison around us, I can't help but feel that our lives – and the fate of our town – hang in the balance.

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