Sarah

The sun had crept away hours ago now, and the light of a crescent moon was only strong enough to sparsely light the path ahead.  Dark shadows danced about the forest, trying to distract Sarah from her concentration.  They were far from successful, though.  Not even the voices of her two sisters, mentioning Sarah's name more often than usual on this "big night", attracted her attention.  Only the crackling of leaves at her feet broke through the cave that she had pulled herself into shortly after tonight's journey began.  

The crackles reminded her of the fire in the fireplace back at her house.  She would sit with her back to the fire, comforted in the warmth and soft glow that provided light for her duties as secretary of the weekly meetings.  Whether required of her or not, she always enjoyed recording the notes of those meetings.  She could safely offer her opinion, and her sisters would listen, and provide useful feedback.  It was a loaded vessel of untapped knowledge into the part of her she trusted the most.

Something from the darkness tore into her with two sharp claws.  A small trail of scarlet crept up her arm where the branch had snuck past her guard and dragged her back to the eerie darkness of the forest.  She cursed to herself for not paying attention, and glanced at her surroundings.  Shadows blurred her view, but she believed the grove that her sisters had mentioned before lay just ahead.  They had grown eerily quiet as the grove drew near.

As they pressed forward, the shadows began to break ranks and hide within the gnarled forest.  They were soon completely conquered by a valiant band of majestic oaks.  Standing at full attention for the passing woodland party, the oaks glowed softly with the little moonlight that poured into the clearing.

In the center of the clearing, a run-down hovel seemed quite out of place in the pristine environment.  This was it, thought Sarah.  Her pulse quickened as she studied the cottage.  Two small glass windows provided the only view inside, into a pool of darkness.  Some of the shadows from the forest found sanctuary within this darkness, and beckoned for the new prey to enter.  

Her sisters guided her closer and closer, until they were nearly within arm's reach of the cold metallic doorknob.  They quietly studied the small cabin, from the ancient door to the worn bricks to the webbed overhangs of a brick roof.

The silence was shattered by Heather's voice.  "It is time to choose, sister Sarah.  As with all things, your choice comes in threes.  Knock thrice, then open the door and accept your fate; turn to your sisters, and all three shall open and share your fate; or, refuse the offering and return through the forest stripped of your companions.  May the Lord and Lady provide their blessings for you to make the proper decision."

Sarah's heart pounded as her mind raced.  She knew this was going to happen, but didn't know what lay beyond.  Strength in self, or strength in sisters?  Her eyes darted between sisters Heather and Dianna and the cold metal waiting as the last obstacle of the trip through the forest.  The silence had again enveloped the clearing as Sarah tried to make her decision while continuing to battle the fears of what lay beyond that door.

She breathed deeply, and stepped forward between her sisters.  Grabbing the cold metal, she twisted the knob and pushed the door open.  An obligatory creak of the hinges woke some dust that laid within, creeping out the doorway and into Sarah's eyes and mouth.  She stepped inside, coughing and rubbing her eyes.

The moonlight that was cast upon the door now spilled around Sarah onto the stone floor of the cottage.  There was just enough light to make out a wooden table in the center of the main room, and a small glint of metal on the table took the shape of a lantern.  Heather and Dianna quickly stepped in behind Sarah, closing the door behind them.  The two windows provided no visibility for Sarah.  She continued toward the table, but her progress had slowed in the absence of the moonlight.  The two sisters giggled softly.  They were not going to make this easy for me, are they?  

Sarah continued with small footsteps and hands outreached, until she felt the large wooden table.  She fumbled about, hands stirring up yet more dust, until she found the warm metal of the lantern.  As she turned the switch, darkness fled from the cottage.  She turned away from the brightness of the lamplight, back towards her sisters.  With a sly smile, they breathed in deeply...

"SURPRISE!"  All four walls of the cottage erupted with screams, and then laughter.  Sarah jumped back, nearly falling onto the table.  She looked up at Heather and Dianna, both with huge grins on their faces, and then looked about the room.  Everyone was there- all the friends she had made at the house, her mentor, and even her parents.  Her parents?  How did they know what she'd gotten into?

"Happy birthday, sweetie."  Both laughed, hugged their daughter's limp body, and then guided her into a chair.  Sarah collapsed with a smile on her face, looking about the room at all of her friends.  Catching her breath, she sat back and watched as friends talked to her and each other.  Heather and Dianna slipped behind her chair, and Sarah soon melted away as she felt the warmth of a fire once again upon her back.