Untitled (for now) by KP

A lone dog howled, a cry deep enough to wake up the souls of the underworld. At night, the Forgotten Forest was grim, forever shadowed in a thick cloak of black. Not many a soul would dare to venture into its depths during day, much less during the night.

But, Julia West was not the same as you and me. First of all, Julia West was not quite alive. She was a spirit, a ghost. The moon, a day past full, had awakened her and countless others. When all the dead realized what had happened, they strolled into town to reunite with their loved ones. But, being risen from the dead, Julia was a sight of sheer horror for many. All the men of the village had grabbed their pitchforks and knives, and chased her to the Forest. Their cries, filled with hatred, shouted, “Demon!” and “Beast!” She was running straight and forward, constantly glancing over her shoulder in spite. Her loved ones hated and despised her, and after all she’d been through.

Soon Julia could run no farther. She skidded to a halt, thick brambles sewn like spiderwebs in the mess of forest. Turning around, she slowly raised her palms in a gesture of peace, allowing them to see her face. A face of a girl, a daughter, a friend. A large, bearded man’s face slowly came to relization. Quickly though, Julia’s murderer quickly remembered who she was, too. He acted quickly. “Come, thou brave villagers, and let us rid our beautiful homelands of this devil!” He howled, and like that, Julia left both worlds. The living world, and the dead.