A sound echoed in the distant area, deaf to the people in the homes. Lighting struck by, as if something happened at that moment, zooming in vision to a happy family by the dine. Their mom had set up dinner, sure today was going to be some break from ordinary meals; a feast. The dining table was set up with the finest crockery-ware whose aroma pervaded the room. The living room was dimly lit by the yellow lights emitted from a mini chandelier glinting above. Outside the window, you could gaze at a late December, frosty night.
Cheryl was engrossed in a book in the cozy corner of her room, crouched in a bean bag. Her long hair rolled beneath her shoulders. Her twin sister, Charlotte stepped in, who wore the same looks as her. Just as they got induced in their studies, their mother, Mrs Blossom came in to announce the arrival of their Aunt and Uncle, and cousin Larry. Larry was rather a silly and scrawny red haired boy of fourteen, red-haired.
They kept aside their work, ran across the room and slided down the stairs to greet Aunt Marge and Uncle Margo. Cheryl and Charlotte were happy, staring at the food that they were just about to eat. Larry mostly remained quiet, occasionally nodding his head in response to questions in between talks. There was no point in making a conversation with him, they thought.
The meal disappeared in a matter of minutes, and dessert was soon to follow. Aunt and Uncle were sincerely refusing second helpings of the pudding. Just as mother noticed the absence of juice. No meal would be complete without a glass of any sort of beverage, she thought. So she summoned Cheryl and Charlotte to fetch some from a nearby store.
She said, “Dears, please go and bring two bottles of juice, we’ve run out of it. Ask Lary if he’ll accompany you. Now, jiffy.”, a sense of haste in her voice.
They asked Larry who willingly nodded and the three with their jumpers on, rushed out of the house.
The door swung open to let in a gust of chilly wind, as ice ran through their veins. A cool breeze scurried past them. Uncontrollably shivering, they walked through the night; but cold wasn’t the only thing bothering them. They were of course a bit scared, who wouldn't be? You see, full moon night, cold December winds, rustling of leaves.
Cheryl harbored a great passion for mythologies and ghostly beings, while Charlotte stuck along her rigid beliefs for science.
They continued further along the street, then taking a left turn, they entered a silent and deserted street. Rounding the corner, fear quickening their pace. They were already too scared. Almost immediately-
“Mm, Mm” uttered a cold dark voice, amidst them, out of nowhere.
Larry was spooked to death, he jerked promptly to check, and a chill ran down his spine, it could be seen on his pale face. Charlotte was aghast too.
“So you could add some melancholy laughter now.” Cheryl exclaimed, without a slight trace of fear, she seemed to be enjoying this, and took it as a great beginning for a horror fable.
As they continued strolling, now more cautiously.Eventually they had reached the shop, which was in preparation for closing. They went in, spying on Madam Rosmerta, the shopkeeper. The atmosphere being warmer was a relief, but the flickering bulb overhead left spots of light swimming in their vision. Further they noticed the shattered glasses and spilled fluids, splattered all across the floor. What was the matter?
Even Madam Rosmerta was seeming quite unusual, she was holding herself differently. With a huge witch-like hat, and bottle green frilly velvet frock on, with her back was towards them. She was dusting the column of glasses. They decided to take a step forward, and stood beside the desk, just about to pronounce their order, when Madam Rosemerta turned and placed on the table two bottles, exactly the classic flavour and brand they wanted. The three were looking at each other, wide eyed, mouths open in shock. Also, Madam Rosmerta appeared so young. They remembered her as an old stout lady, but right now, she was appearing inexplicably young. Normally she would never hire someone else in her place or for a job, and was always there even in the night.
Then they heard an eerie sound, almost a hiss, the hissing of snakes, and Madam Rosmerta's voice was barely a whisper.
Shatter - a china dish just shattered on the ground, slipping from Madam Rosmerta’s fragile hands. Just as she bent down to pick the pieces up, her hat fell off revealing a snake head, and she straightened up revealing her terrifying figure.
Madam Rosmerta was actually the Greek witch Medusa! She elevated up in mid-air, a foot or two was illuminated by her presence. Also to add the sweet whiff of perfume emanating through the room that lingered, she was manipulative, and enriched in beauty, swirling around.
The scenario couldn't get any more creepier. Probably she could apparate, Cheryl recollected from the book she had read on Greek mythology. The trio was on the ground, taken aback.
“Bulb Flickering, Shattered Glass, Unusual Madam Rosmerta, Order prediction, I guess it is a ….”
Said Cheryl again clearly stating the factors that made the scene so gruesome.
“She a…a ..” Cheryl couldn't believe her own eyes.
“ A Medusa !” Just as the mythical being justified itself.
They took off for a sprint, pushing the door open, leaving it ajar and they ran for their lives, not daring to look back; into her eyes. Retracing their path back home, they were dreadfully horrified by what they had just seen. Indeed she was none other than the great Medusa, snake- headed, the Greek goddess, or a mythical being/creature. This incident was probably a mere eye illusion, a serious prank or maybe Charlotte would have to rekindle upon her belief in Science and facts for she might have been actually proven wrong. Surely this (brief) encounter with a Medusa for real, might have narrowed down Charlotte's scientific beliefs hauntedly.
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