Chapter 39Where They Walk In a Circle

We stayed silent all the way towards the safe-house. I think we were both very lost in thought on how Isabel would be right now. We left her more than 18 hours ago or something. And she looks so young. But in the back of my mind the thought echoed that her mind was much older than us. It was just unsettling, seeing her look at you with those young eyes in that child face. And look with the intensity of ages. I mentally shivered as we arrived at the front-door.

We went through it and up the stairs to the floor where she was staying and stopped at the door for that apartment.

"Ready?" Valerie asked.

I took a deep breath. "Ready."

She opened the door and...

It's strange... to be honest I never knew exactly what to expect. Perhaps a room filled with blood and pagan symbols. Or the girl completely ripped apart. Perhaps even police or parents standing there looking for their girl. It was weird... Something about her made my blood crawl, made me imagine and think things I rarely allow to surface. We all have our dark side, our animal side. And something about her made it surface, made the dark thoughts creep through the light.

... She was just standing there. Cleaned up and dressed in the new, cheap, clothes. The backpack on her back, probably with the rest in it. Simply watching until she spoke.

"We're going to a circle."

I had no idea what she was talking about and looked at Valerie.

"Is something going to happen?" Valerie replied.

"Yes. I know where it is." Isabels voice sounded almost sweet like a child, but the meaning just didn't fit.

"Alright. Lead us."

Isabel went outside walking with us following her. As we walked the stairs I had to ask. "What is going on Val?"

She hesitated. "We're going to a witching circle. Either for some history or a vision of the future perhaps. The strangest thing is that I had a dream about us walking here." She opened the front door to let us all out and continued as Isabel led us away from the city center. "You know, witchcraft is mostly just a collection of rituals for certain goals. Like knowing what will come or influencing what is there."

I nodded, more in showing that I head it than understanding. "So why are we following her?"

Valerie smiled grimly. "Well, she knows we wish an explanation, so we don't even need to bother asking. Also she's probably had premonitions and dreams that lead her this way with us at her side. And finally..." She paused. "She... eh... She is much stronger than anyone I've ever felt like this. So strong it's scary. Her mind is not of her age. As if someone did something to her. Because she doesn't have an immortal body as far as I can tell."

I frowned. "How can you tell?"

Valerie giggled. "Well, I smell soap on her and noticed the toilet had been used. I wouldn't expect someone with an immortal body to have such simple physical needs."

"That's a good point."

It was some food for thought for me to be honest. I noticed how my body didn't perspire or any other such things anymore. It was convenient in a way. But I guess it was those little things that made you human. We followed Isabel through the streets until we reached a different part of the industrial district. It seemed older and mostly abandoned around here.

"We have to get in there." Isabel pointed to a large building that seemed dark from the outside. It was only a two-story building, but with some silo's next to it and enough space around it. It wasn't guarded as far as we could tell but our sharp eyes noticed some cars standing right outside. Strange.

We walked to the wall around the premise, a simple concrete wall, not even that high.

"Get on my back." Said Valerie to Isabel. Taking her on her back as if she was nothing more but a light backpack. Like the one Isabel herself was wearing. She got up on the wall with a soft jump, using her hand as well to steady her. Then jumped off on the other side, barely making a sound. I kept right behind them and smiled as I saw Isabel still clinging to Valeries back. I guess it was more convenient.

"Up there." Isabel pointed to some emergency stairs, leading to the second floor. It was an easy climb and we managed to keep as quiet as possible, the light creaking of the metal neglectable. Isabel walked on her own again while looked on the walkway outside to find an open window.

The hinges didn't even creak as we opened it and let ourselves in. It was very dark up here so we didn't have to worry about being seen. Downstairs things seemed to have proceeded. A man stood in the center of a red pentagram painted with blood, with candles on every point. Around the pentagram there were some symbols painted I didn't recognize.

There were five women around the circle and four more men standing behind, holding someone. A young boy, very young even. Perhaps only twelve or thirteen. The people were all dressed in simple clothing, the women in black dresses, the men in black robes. All except for that boy, who was dressed in a white robe without anything underneath.

Something horrible started to dawn on me.

Sacrifice?