Page 94 of The Unknown

Mrs. Semple nodded slowly. “Yes, my dear.”

“Are you a witch?” I asked, because in my mind, she had to be. Only witches consorted with something as evil as the Darkness.

“Some would say that I am,” Mrs. Semple replied. “In truth, I’m simply a woman with wisdom, just like those who inhabited the Avalon of myth.”

Behind her, Daddy stepped farther from the shadows, which trailed after him like a cape. I felt more shadows on all sides of me, being spun like cobwebs in the corners. I knew I should run, but both fear and curiosity kept me pinned to my chair. I had so many questions that needed to be answered.

“Is that why you brought me here?”

“Yes, my dear,” Mrs. Semple said. “You’re here because you need to be exposed to the light that Azra brings.”

The shadows all around me were getting larger, filling up more and moreof the room. Meanwhile, Daddy kept drawing closer. His features shifted. Like he was made of smoke. His eyes and nose and beard swirling and fading.

“Is that what happened to the others?” I said. “To Katrina and Jonquil and Mrs. Minafer?”

Sadness overwhelmed me when Mrs. Semple shook her head. “No, child. They are no more.”

“Why me, then?” I said, weeping. “Why have I been chosen to see this?”

“Because you’re not like them. You’re too powerful.”

Behind Mrs. Semple, Daddy’s features had mostly faded from the Darkness. Only his eyes remained, mean and staring. Then, with a blink, they were gone. But something else began to take shape in the shifting Darkness as, all around me, the shadows grew and grew, spreading up the walls and over the floor and ceiling.

“What’s happening?” I asked Mrs. Semple. “Please make it stop!”

“There is no stopping it now, my child.”

I knew what she intended to happen. The Darkness was to consume me. In fact, it almost already had. It now loomed over the table like a storm cloud, all but eclipsing Mrs. Semple. Something continued to take shape inside it, shifting and contorting until a face took shape. A visage so terrifying that I screamed when I saw it.

“No!” I cried. “Please go away!”

By then, the shadows were everywhere, spiraling up the leg of my chair and crawling across the table. Seconds away from being devoured by them, I took to heart what Mrs. Semple had said earlier. I was powerful.Toopowerful. And I refused to let her or the Darkness get me.

I stood and kicked the shadow-covered chair away from me. Now on my feet and using all my strength, I overturned the table. Then, as the shadows hissed and the Darkness lunged for me, I fled.

Without looking behind me, I ran up the stairs to fetch this diary before bolting out of the house and into the storm. Pushing through the stinging rain, I ran here, to my cottage, where I’ve barricaded myself inside. I pray that will be enough to keep me safe until Mr. Ruggle comes.

Oh, but the Darkness has followed me! I hear it outside now.

Creeping onto the porch—

Now at the door—

Scratching—

A terrible sound! Like fingernails digging into wood. I want to cover my ears and face the door and scream for the Darkness to go away! I doubt it will leave, no matter what I say. It is here to consume me.

Yet I must do something. If I don’t, I’ll go mad—

“Go away!” I just yelled. “Leave me be!”

And I think it worked.

Right now, I hear nothing but the storm battering the cottage so hard I fear it’ll collapse at any moment, leaving me exposed to the evil that possibly still lurks outside. Just because I can’t see or hear the Darkness doesn’t mean it’s not—

Wait—

I hear it again.