The Blood Moon

As the sun went down, the town of Blackwood felt strange. The harvest festival was happening, but this year was different. Maya, Jake, Lila, and Tom, friends who hadn’t seen each other in years, walked through the festival, laughing. But their smiles faded when they saw the townspeople. The villagers wore old, torn clothes and moved in a weird way, their eyes blank and lifeless. A chill ran down Maya’s back when she saw the red moon rising, casting an eerie light over everything.

“Let’s check out the bonfire,” Jake said, excited. But as they got closer, the fun faded away. A low chant filled the air, making their hearts race. The friends looked at each other, uneasy, but their curiosity pulled them in. In the center of the crowd stood the town’s old leader, a woman with skin like paper and eyes that sparkled with a scary light. She raised her arms, and everyone went quiet. “Tonight, we honor the pact,” she said, her voice echoing in the night. “Tonight, we feed the Blood Moon.”

Maya’s heart raced as she realized the townsfolk were getting ready for a sacrifice. They dragged a tied-up girl toward the bonfire—her eyes were wide with fear, and she screamed for help. “We have to save her!” Lila shouted, her voice shaking. The friends pushed through the crowd, but the villagers turned, their faces twisted with excitement and anger.

In a moment of panic, Jake grabbed a torch from the fire, waving it at the villagers. “Get back!” he yelled. The firelight showed their faces, revealing eyes that glowed with a strange light. For a moment, the chanting stopped, and the crowd looked confused. But the old woman’s voice cut through the air. “Grab them!” she shouted, her eyes burning with rage. The villagers rushed forward, moving quickly like predators.

Lila broke free and ran to the bonfire. She saw a shiny dagger lying in the firelight and picked it up, feeling its cold weight. She turned to face the old woman, who was now coming toward her with a wicked smile. “You think you can stop this?” the old woman hissed. “The Blood Moon wants its offering!”

With all her strength, Lila lunged forward, holding the dagger high. “We won’t let you do this!” she screamed, but the old woman just laughed, a sound that echoed in the dark. Maya and Tom, still fighting against the crowd, saw Lila’s struggle. “Lila, run!” Maya shouted, but her voice was lost in the noise.

The old woman raised her hands, and the crowd surged forward, ready to take their sacrifice. Suddenly, the ground shook, and the air buzzed with energy, making the friends feel as if the very earth was alive. The Blood Moon hung low in the sky, its red light making everything look terrifying. As Lila faced the old woman, the dagger slipped from her hand and fell to the ground. The old woman’s smile grew wider, showing sharp teeth that glinted in the firelight. “You are too late,” she whispered, her voice cold. “The pact is done.”

With a loud scream, the villagers lunged, and everything around them exploded into chaos. Maya, Jake, and Tom fought to escape, but the darkness closed in, heavy and unyielding. The last thing they heard was the old woman’s laughter, echoing in the night, a sound that promised they would never escape.

Just then, a bright light burst from the bonfire, and a glowing figure appeared. “Stop!” it commanded. The villagers stepped back, fear in their eyes. “You will not take another soul tonight!”

The friends felt hope as the figure turned to them. “You must stand together,” it said. They held hands, forming a circle of strength. The old woman shouted in anger, but the light protected them.

With all their might, the friends focused on the light, pushing back against the darkness. The old woman screamed as the light surrounded her, and the villagers began to wake from their trance. The girl was freed, and the old woman vanished into the shadows, her laughter fading away.

As dawn broke, the villagers blinked in confusion, their eyes returning to normal. The friends stood together, knowing they had saved the town of Blackwood from darkness.

From then on, The four friends decided never to return back to the Town of Blackwood.