The Episode

Flash Fiction

The Episode

I was eleven. An only child, adopted, so had both parents hovering over me endlessly. We were on a vacation trip to a lovely lake with swimming and boating. There was even a fair type place, on one side, open every day.

It was lovely, but my parents still hovered over me every moment. I loved them dearly, but felt I was too old to be treated like a child.

We were in a cabin, with an outhouse. As weird as that was, at least I was allowed to go there by myself! Our last night there, leaving the next day, I woke in the wee hours and needed the outhouse. There was no way I was going to wake them up for that! Off I went.

Coming back, I heard music in the woods behind our cabin. Curious, and feeling free for a change, I snuck away to see where the music was.

Just past where you could see, there was a small group of women. The music was there, and the women were dancing around a small fire and chanting.

Witches! I read a lot, and had certainly read about witches! I froze behind a bush watching them dance. I couldn’t hear enough to tell if it was words or chanting. So, I tried to get closer. Unfortunately watching them not the ground. One leaf was crunchy and of course I stepped on it. I looked down quickly to see what I had stepped on, then looking back up, they were gone!! Completely gone, even the fire. I ran back to our cabin. Suddenly I couldn’t keep my parents close enough!

This year I turn twenty-one. I have started dreaming about that night. Somehow, I’m not afraid anymore. Somehow, I seem to be waiting, for my real family.