"The Raven" - [A Thursday Nightmare Story]
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This story has been created with the help of:
Publishing House Wing® 2023.
Author- Nedyalko ‘Black Wing’ Delchev.
Editor- Nedyalko Delchev. ® © 2023.
This story was created to end the final volume of the Nightmare series, but as much as i enjoyed writing it, i thought it deserved a standalone place in this library. At first the story was supposed to be just one chapter, but as much as i started thinking about the original story, the more ideas i started to develop until i decided that it needed to be more. And so, i present you all, my rendition of the legendary "The Raven" from the inigma that is Edgar Allan Poe.
"Whenever darkness consumes one mind, captures the very being of a soul and creates a void in the heart of the vessel, the more it is likely that this person is already doomed to face his nightmares, nightmares created by his own thoughts."
Ned Black.
Enjoy the Story!
[Chapter 1]
Lenore is dead?
A question that resided within my temple over and over, confusing me internally and damaging my sanity as I was forced to live through the heartbreaking reality of her...not being alive. Even when I saw how she was washed and then dressed up for the funeral. Even when I was observing how the undertakers were lowering the coffin into the cold ground, I still could not process the sensation of the death of my beloved. My only solace was her peaceful expressing before they closed the lid. Her perfectly powdered checks, and volumes and volumes of sun colored hair. I was in disbelief, just like the rest of the attendance. Despite all that, how could she just go? Leave me to suffer in this world alone. Alone...without Lenore.
-Sir, are you alright? - asked a distant voice, snapping me from my thoughts.
I looked away from the grave. It was already piled with dirt and soil. The person asking me was one of the priests of the small city in which we lived in. It was Father Kelmer.
-Sorry?
-I asked if you are rather alright? You've been staring at the grave for quite some time after the mourners left - further specified the priest.
-Oh...I guess I was lost inside my thoughts.
His deep blue eyes smiled with just a slight expression.
-Don't be afraid to share what you are feeling, my son. It is important for you to understand that this moment is the hardest. Yet, it's not the end of your world, for the Great Father has different plans for you - said the priest and tapped my shoulder.
He then turned around and left me to stay put in my place.
-Don't be shy to come to the church, we can talk more! - he said back to me and left.
I was observing how the cemetery thinned away from living people, with just me there, siting, barely knowing if I was alive. My heart, soul, my very core was cold. If I was asked if I would rather die now or go home...
Yet my feet began moving on their own. With each step I took away from the grave my mind got bombarded with flashbacks of memories with my Lenore. How we met, our first kiss, the day I proposed, the day we laid together in bed as husband and wife. And yet so, my head still reminded me of the day she collapsed just mere steps away from me. The doctors didn't know what the cause of this was. They only knew, she didn't have much time. Her soul perished just three days after. When the leading doctor gave me the news, I nearly blacked out myself. It was a punch out of left field. One so fast and brutal I didn't even consider a reality or even possible. I kept thinking back and denying what was real. I kept insisting that Lenore was still alive and well, but she wasn't. She was lifeless...alone, buried six feet underground.
I shivered, and stopped at the entrance of the cemetery. I didn't want to look back, because I was going to get stuck in that moment. Instead, I forced myself to continue, yet as I did, I heard it. A cry...or more like a croak. It was gurgling and it disturbed me. Looking just above me, right on the top of the cemetery gate, a black feathered raven, perched as if it was a statue, stared me down with its eyes almost filled with...knowledge. The bird was so ominous, yet it was fitting, taking in mind the location. I tried keeping eye contact, but the raven spread its wings, as if it was telling me, this "conversation" is over. It then "caw-ed" launched itself in the air, passing just an inch away from me. Flapping its majestic wings towards somewhere in the forest, I just watched until I could no longer. This was the first time I saw it. Yet when I went home, I forgot about it. I kept thinking about Lenor, and how my life would completely turn over. Sad, pathetic and useless, I gave in to reminiscing on old memories.
To be honest, my next coherent thought was probably many an hour after I stated indulging and trying to drown my demons. Liquor, whiskey, gin, opium for the nerves. You could say I was trying to drown myself along with them. At least if they could swim, I could die and kill them that way. But I awoke, it was probably 3 am. It was cold in the cabin we...I lived in. It was by a small lake, and right next to it, a very large forest, and a village on the other side of it. It was always cold during the winter season, and I don't even remember if we were December or November. It didn't matter to me. Some were celebrating, some were happy, but to me all were just people without loss. I had loss. I was at a loss for life. And yet, I kept watching and looking for old memories, old photos old journals of Lenore. Just so I could feed my conscious some food, relief of the suffering. Yet, I found that with each picture, each word of a letter I read, I found it harder and harder to continue. I wanted to, but in a sense, I was hurting myself. I wasn't helping me cope with the death of my beloved. I was.... just trying to cope with the pain, with more pain. Fire with fire. It didn't work. Nor the alcohol in my cup. Nor did the demons constantly screaming in my ears that it should have been me.
"IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME!" - I agreed wholeheartedly.
That wasn't going to do me no good. Sighing and fighting the urge to just let the tears I've kept from falling from my eyes, fall, I turned another page of the journal, and as I was about to read it, it came a tap.
TAP
TAP
TAP
"Who is this, tapping on my chamber door?" - I thought trying to turn and face it.
The house, messy and stinking with booze, was nearly untouched after Lenore's passing, yet I didn't mind. Harshly, I stood from the wooden chair I had sat upon for hours and hours, and felt my back snap and crackle so much I nearly lost my breathe.
TAP
TAP
TAP
"Yes, yes. I hear you, visitor. Gently tapping on my door" - I managed to think, and tried to say, but my mouth didn't move the way I wanted to.
Dragging my legs I finally got to the door and slowly grabbed the handle, twisted it, and there...was no one.
-Ello'?
And as I greeted, came flying a creature I nearly fainted when I saw. It was...the same raven from before. Yet instead of the cemetery gate, it flew and landed on the bust of Lenore. I had made it with my own hands, and has gifted it for her...and only her.
- Oi! You get away from er'! - I managed to slur.
The bird however, perched and exotically beautiful, only looked at me, as if it understood my pain. Those eyes, void-like, seemed like they knew my story, knew my life.
-Lenore! - it spoke, with human speech.
Baffled I stumbled and fell on my behind. Did this bird really just talk? I was intoxicated, yet my mind was still barely holding on, and I knew that they don't speak, despite their intelligence.
-Wh...at, are you? - I asked, feeling as my poisons were wearing off.
The raven then caw-ed, and spread its wings.
-Follow me...or happiness, Nevermore... - it said, and just like at the cemetery, it flew pass me and left the house.
Leaving me to question my old sanity even more. Leaving me to think about the thought of,
"How did it even know Lenore?".
I laid, where I stood and closed my eyes so I could try and think.
Whenever I woke up, I couldn't feel my body. It was so cold. The door was still slightly opened, so I quickly gathered enough strength and started the fireplace. The warmth soon followed, and finally after probably an hour I could feel my fingers. And then it dawned on me. Ever since I had woken up...not a single thought about a Lenore had occurred. My head was now occupied with that pesky raven and it's...words. It wanted me to follow it, or I wouldn't feel happy anymore. Was that some sort of magic I couldn't understand. Yet, a raven was indeed talking with me...I spoke to it...I was looking at its eyes and I could see a mind with a clear intention...to what? I didn't know.
With that on my mind I went to the bathroom and washed myself away from the smell of alcohol. There wasn't any hot water, and I didn't want to risk it even more so I just properly washed myself, completely waking up. As I splashed my face with water, I felt the electrifying sensation of soberness. My head was hurting as if someone had forced an axe between it. However, when I looked through the small window, I completely forgot about it. There, perched on the clothesline was the bird. The Raven. It looked at my direction and caw-ed. It wanted me to follow it...
Trying to think what to do...I quickly put on a pair of trousers a shirt, a warm blazer and some boots. If it wanted my attention...it, had it. I left the house and went to see the raven who had promised me happiness in my bleak and dark life.
[Chapter 2]
It was comfortably cold outside. It wasn't muggy, which was a bliss, considering most of the times it was quite wet outside the house. The coastline of the river was long and twisted around the land, and some could say it was normal for the house to be moldy in places. I didn't care much about the house, or yard work, not since Lenore had left. Maybe I should have, I could have made my mind think of something else besides grim and dark thoughts. Tending to the small garden, plowing the weeds by the house, making sure to roof is secure and every single shingle is placed tightly. Work that I could have done to avoid falling inside the trap that was my mind. Nevertheless, I got closer to the hanging clothesline, where the dark feathered bird was peacefully sitting at. At first, I only stared into its black eyes and didn't say anything.
-You said to me that if I follow you, or if I join you, I will find happiness...is that true? - I asked quietly and expected the raven to reply like a human.
It cawed, yet it still managed to produce a gurgling reply.
-Happiness...follow!
It then swiftly launched itself in the air and headed towards the trees nearby. I had to be careful not to trip on any overgrown root of the age-old trees around my house and then further in. The bird was flying and avoiding the branches and leaves so effortlessly I almost envied it for being able to move so gracefully. I had to walk a bit faster so I didn’t get left behind. We finally emerged out of the forest at least five minutes afterwards. We were in the square of the small village I lived in. It was still morning, yet the sun was clouded and the square looked as if no one had visited it. Yet there was someone there. Someone I knew, quite well.
-Oh, hello Edgar! How good of a morning, don't ya think! - said a person sitting on a bench.
A street lamp hanging from a pole beside him was illuminating his newspaper he was reading. It was a local I would often see in the bakery or in the general store.
-Hello Joseph. It is a good morning, how are you doing? - I asked, not wanting to sound rude and just follow the raven that was flying circles above me.
-Oh it is alright. I'm reading the news and eating my pretzel. Say, are you feeling alright after the passing of Lenore?
I looked at Joseph...really looked at him and noticed how plainly he was dressed. A dark gray sweatshirt with sweatpants and the dirtiest pair of shoes he could find. He was an orphan from a young age, and most of the people pitied him. Not to mention he was mentally challenged, so the fact he was asking me how I felt about that was quite normal...yet I was suddenly petrified.
-I'm alright... - I managed to reply.
He heard me, and continued eating his breakfast.
-I'm glad you are, goodbye Edgar!
I didn't move yet, observing how carefree he was, how he didn't care how people looked at him, or what they thought was good for him. I nodded to myself and continued following the raven as it led me through the entire village. It was kind of good there weren't many people up so early, it was passing six. The raven was flying towards a direction I can't erase from my memory. It landed on the same spot I first saw it. Just by the gate. It then flapped its wings in place, telling me to move. I did. I didn't want to, but I did. That place was sort of a trap. It both led to a place of discomfort and solitude yet the remaining factor that the reason for a person to go there is to see the dead...was hurting me. I proceeded towards the gate, opened it and looked at the bird.
-Now what?
The raven didn't say anything. I was either still drunk or hallucinating, but I had gotten used to it talking. I watched as it flew away towards a spot, I was hesitant it going back to. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I didn't want to visit my loved one here. I doubt anyone would want to. My steps were very slight, but when I got closer to the grave and saw the tombstone and the flowers I almost broke again. The bird was standing on it.
-Happiness...here! - it growled ugly.
I looked at it almost unsure of what it meant. My happiness really did die with her.
-What am I supposed to do? Die as well?
The raven then flew past me and landed next to a shovel. It was perhaps left by the undertakers from the burial. It cawed.
-Happiness, inside! - it said and pushed the shovel towards me.
At first, I didn't get what it meant by that. Yet she was my life, and yes, she was inside, but what was I meant to do with the shovel?
-Dig! - said the raven, as if it had read my mind.
-Dig!? - I repeated, - You want me to dig out my wife's grave? What is this!? - I asked feeling my voice rise.
The bird tilted it head as if it was asking me a question.
-Don't you want happiness? - said someone in my head.
I looked back but the raven was the only living thing next to me. It was staring at me.
-I do, but not by shaming my wife and digging her grave... - I replied looking at the bird.
It then smiled, or at least It looked as it smirked.
-It is the only way. Either you do that, and gain secrets you never wished for...or remain miserable! - it said clearly, without any strange gurgling noises.
I was starting to feel too warm for my liking.
-True, but not in return for my wife's desecration! She has suffered once; I won't allow her to suffer in the afterlife! - I finally managed to say.
The bird moved a bit and cawed.
-Bold of you to assume there is something after death...Very well then. Don't dig. Don't allow yourself to feel good again. But just know, the darkness will never leave you! - said the bird almost like a threat.
I watched as it then flew up and... completely vanished, like it fused with the air or it transported itself away. I gasped. The raven was gone. For now, at least. I then looked back at the grave and at the shovel and started contemplating if I truly made the right decision.
-OF COURSE I DID! - I said aloud.
There didn't have to be any doubt about it. Whatever I was seeing was just some sort of hallucination and this whole ordeal...was the work of the -
-Edgar? - Another voice, this time quite distinguishable.
I turned to see the good priest.
-Father Kelmer! How good to see you! - I greeted.
He wasn't cheerful however, quite the opposite. He looked concerned.
-Edgar, I saw you talking with yourself just now, are you alright? - he asked and looked at me with his blue cores.
I felt slightly embarrassed, but it wasn't something to be ashamed of.
-Father, can I tell you something?
-Anything my son, anything! - he replied with a voice more soothing and welcoming.
-It is...a very strange matter...perhaps even blasphemous - I continued and his expression quickly changed.
What little white hair he had on his temple rose with a shiver.
-I see...we better take this to the church... - he said and gestured me to come inside the building next to the cemetery.
I complied. We went inside the not so big church and sat on one of the benches. I began explaining, not missing any of the details to this strange encounters. Here and there I could see the eyes of the priest expand, then darken, then expand again. His facial expressions were very expressive and with each detail he didn't like, his face would almost twist in disapproval or disgust.
-...and just now, it asked me in clear human speech, if I wanted happiness. And if I did, I would have to do what it asks of me and dig up my wife. I didn't do it, of course...but I do wonder what would have happened if I did... - I finished and watched as the priest completely leaned onto the backrest of the bench.
His eyes started scanning the icons painted on the ceilings and walls. He then crossed himself and looked at me with an almost determined face.
-Don't Edgar! Don't listen to that demon's wishes!
-Demon?! - I almost couldn't believe it.
-Yes! Do you think something holy would make you do such a thing? No, my son. This is the work of the evil one in hell. He is trying to make a demon out of your grief and turn it against you!
-What are you saying?!
-What I am saying, is that you are feeding a demon your own misery. For starters, you need to understand that for a demon to be born, it needs a host. A host which will be unaware of this. It will then use him for his troubles, for his pain and suffering. It will make it stronger. When it finally reveals itself to you, it will be too late. Then, when you start thinking about it...that my son makes it real! - he explained and looked at me with concern.
-So...you are telling me I have created a demon...and that it won't leave me until...
-Until it has achieved that what it wants! Which neither me or you know...
I looked at my feet and didn't know what to do. His hand grabbed my shoulder and squeezed it.
-Do not fret. I will have something for you, something that would help. Come tomorrow and you shall have it! - he said and stood up.
-What am I do to until then? What if it comes back?
-Ignore it. Once you have opened the door, it will always be able to break through. But knowing you have visited me now; it would be cautious and would need to be welcomed once again. I will give you some holy water in case it isn't polite - he said and smirked slightly.
I smiled a bit too, but I could not just brush aside all that he just said to me. I soon left and as instructed made a cross on the door with the holy water. I was to go to bed and sleep without the thoughts of that bird in my thoughts. Nearly impossible. Ever since I met it, not only has it been nearly constantly around me, but it has been inside my thoughts as well. Making itself stronger. The following night was going to be hard for me, but I took one of the photos I had of my deer Lenore and went to sleep when the clock reached twelve and the bell inside it jingled. As hard as I tried keeping it out of my head, the vision of my deer Lenore would be blinded by the sight of this creature that didn't even looking like a raven anymore, but like a humanoid creature with a black beak and huge wings. The nightmares continued to fight with me, until I woke up. It was four. I looked at the ceiling and closed my eyes again. And that's when I heard it. Shivers went by my whole body, but I wasn't supposed to give it the satisfaction. I turned and faced my wall where I had placed the picture of me and Lenore. I closed my eyes and tried to fall asleep. But still. I could hear it. On the door. Constantly. Gentle, yet still annoying.
TAP TAP TAP - On my chamber door.
[Chapter 3]
My nightmares didn't leave me. Even when I was peacefully dreaming. Even when my mind was trying it’s hardest to forget about ravens and demons and all kind of nonsense, I was still tormented throughout my slumber. I was hearing ugly cries and caws from all around me. It would escalate to growls and then evil laughter, as my body was spiraling down the drain of my conscience. I would try to break from this trap, but I couldn't. I felt my body heavy and almost immovable. How could I manage to wake from this? I was fighting the raven's power that had control over my body and soul. It wasn't pleasant nor did I enjoy it, but for a second, I could feel my soul not only feel at peace by this, but...even somehow understand it. In a way, my sadness was used to spread itself around my core and manage to overtake any kind of emotion I was having. In a way...I was the raven. I was part of it, for I had created it...just because of the darkness in my heart. Maybe that could explain why I was encased in this dream. I...had trapped myself alone, and I alone had to break and understand the reason for it.
"Isn't it simple? You mourn?" - said a voice I knew.
Yes. I did mourn. But how much does a man have to mourn before it becomes pathetic?
"Mourning a loved one is never pathetic. It could take however much time for the heart to heal...but when both mind and soul are torn, a person is bound to sadness!"
I was seeing the truth in the words of the mysterious voice. It's easy to analyze something for afar though. But what happens when a person is so deep in his sulking, that it caused them to become someone they are not?
"They need to find a purpose. A goal. They need to cling to something in order for their life to yet again have meaning!"
The voice did made sense. Yet only one question remained, so I asked.
-How do I find a meaning, my love?
And just then, before my eyes appeared the image of her. The reasoning behind this whole ordeal. Lenore. I could feel my tears fall in my sleep. I was yet again seeing my sweetheart, my love...my soul. I was yet again seeing her long and mesmerizing sun colored hair. Yet aside from that, her eyes, shining in green, were only looking at me and just me.
-Lenore? - I asked, trying to keep her image in my head for as much as I could.
-Yes, my dear, Edgar...my love!
Her voice was loud and it echoed in my ears, destroying all of the remaining darkness left from the black bird. I blinked once or twice to keep my tears from preventing me from seeing her beautiful face. Those eyes shaped to encompass warmth and sincerity. The cheekbones painted with blush, almost to signify that she would always be found of her beloved. And lastly. The smile that would always greet me whenever I got back from a long work day at the newspaper press. She was really there, albeit in a dream.
-My dearest...how could I ever be able to think of another reason to live for? How could I live without you in my heart? - I asked, containing the sorrow in my voice.
She continued to wield her smile. It was natural and it looked good on her, each time.
-Oh, Edgar. My dear, you need to learn to let go. I fell, burdened by my sickness, but you have so much more to do, so much more to write. If not for yourself, you need to follow the dream you once had, and try to achieve it - she said, reminding me of what I had planned so many years before I met her.
-But what if it doesn't end? What if my heart doesn't let this evil stop spreading out of it?
She closed her eyes. When she did open them again, they were watering.
-The evil will be there. The darkness behind your mind, the hatred, the anger, the sickness! They are merely human and will be there. But. The love, the memories, the laughter, the warmth the very nature of our life together will always overshadow the dark. You need only gather the strength to summon it when you need it the most!
I covered my face with my hand and struggled to maintain my composure. Her words were true. I just needed guidance.
-I will always be here for you, Edgar! You just have to summon me! Just summon me! - she said as her voice began to fade.
I looked back but her image was starting to disperse. She was once again going to leave me. But this was just a dream. For that meant, she could appear back in another one. Her last strand of hair vanished, and my feet completely sank inside the bottomness hole I had created.
And I finally woke up.
I tried opening my eyes, but they were still heavy and the eye lids closed themselves.
TAP TAP TAP
Immediately I arose from my bed and looked around the room. There was nothing there aside from my furniture.
"This wretched raven again!" - I though as I stood up and went to the restroom.
TAP TAP TAP - continued the rapping on my chamber door.
"Yes, yes, I hear you. I hear you!"
Once done with my business, I dressed appropriately and took a bite or two of a pear. It was the first time since I don't even know how long that I took a bite of food. It didn't go well with my stomach but I had to have something there.
TAP TAP TAP.
Irritated I swing the door wide open, and there it was. On a branch of the tree by the house. The black bird. It cawed and flapped its wings. Putting on a jacket to warm myself in the cold foggy morning I left the house.
-Out with it then! What do you want now?
A brooding voice crept in my temple.
"Do you not want happiness anymore? Follow me!"
With that the bird launched itself and flew towards the opposite direction of my house. I was hesitating, for I had to go and contact father Kelmer. Just as I thought of that however, I heard someone approaching. I didn't even hear him coming.
-Edgar! Blessed be my friend! I come bearing the gift I told you of yesterday! - said the priest as he walked down the road towards my house. His robes were uncomfortably twisting as he walked thanks to the wind, but he was so in tune with it, that he didn't mind at all. As he got closer, he handed me a handkerchief. It was folded yet I still managed to figure out what the object was by its edges.
-Use it however you wish, but know...there is a power on your side! - he said, and turned to leave.
-Oh! - he stopped, - Make sure to learn its name! That way you would have full control over it! At least that's what the scriptures say.
He then really turned and continued with his tasks. I didn't say much and just observed as he walked away towards the village. Nevertheless, I was going to try and do my best.
I then faced the woods, the direction in which the raven had flown to. Taking a breather, I proceeded to follow it. I was following the caws and gurgling cries the bird was making. It wasn't hard, yet it wasn't easy as well. Some of the overgrown bushes were a menace to deal with, but I managed them accordingly. When I started thinking on the woods, I realized I never really had ventured deep in them, not for gathering some firewood or hunting, certainly not following a potential demon created by my sadness and despair. The trees weren't tall, but we're very wide and spreading thickly around the area, making it almost impossible to see completely what was in front of you. It was thanks to the flapping wings from above that I managed to locate it. It had landed by a small pond. I didn't know how deep it was, but the bird was beside it.
-Now what? - I asked seeing that there was nothing here.
The black bird faced me, tilting only it's head. Those black eyes covered me with shivers.
-Here, we can begin your transformation into a happy man! - replied the voice that didn't match the body.
-What transformation? - I asked further.
The raven blinked slowly.
-Here we will make so that you once again feel happiness! - explained the voice and gestured towards the pond with the wing of the bird.
-And what if I was already satisfied?
I wasn't, by any means, but the fact I was visited by Lenore was keeping me from straying.
-You and I both know that isn't true! - insisted the raven.
I scoffed but, it had a point.
-The how? How could you make it work?
The bird tilted its head towards the pond.
-There. You only need to look in it, and touch your reflection in the waters. You will then gain a new knowledge, a new purpose in your life! - explained the voice.
I looked in the pond, at the water which was surprisingly clean looking, and I only saw myself. It what this thing was telling was true, I would essentially be gone. Replaced by something. Furthermore, I had a purpose. One taking a backside to me taking care of Lenore. But there was one. Yet, this raven was going to torment me forever if I didn't try to do something.
-So I just have to touch the water? - I asked not looking at the bird but at my face in the chill water.
-Yes. And nothing more. You would be a different man. And if you would ask me if you would suffer from any sort of depression or darkness clouding your heart, I would answer, "Nevermore!" - replied the voice of this strange and cunning raven.
I looked at it, and it looked at me, nodding its head as if giving me it's approval. I then kneed and faced the waters, faced myself, and gazed upon my reflection. I just had to touch it. I extended my hand, but as I did, the bird got in the view...but, there wasn't a bird anymore. At least not one from earth. I was seeing a humanoid like creature, covered in black feathers, with a beak for a mouth and piercing black eyes. It was just next to me. Above its head shined a few letters.
"RAGDE".
Within my mind immediately resounded the last words of the father. Placing my free hand in the pocket of the jacket I squeezed the handkerchief and felt the sharpness of the edges.
-You know. Ever since my Lenore passed, I have been a mess. It is true that my plans for this life haven't been golden, nor solid, nor sometimes even provided for my family, but I had a plan. I continue to have a plan. Which is why... I don't need your help, RAGNE! - I said and screamed the name of the demon.
I saw how the bird started growing before me, but I was faster. Taking the crucifix cross from my jacket I stabbed the body of the demon, right where his heart would be...I saw that the edge pierced the skin of the creature, it bled, it screamed. It started screaming from the agony and pain I was inflicting. It was so loud that even when I covered my ears, I was hearing its piercing wails. It was hurting me as well. The cross was now causing the demons flesh to burn. I watched yet I could feel myself pass away from the howls. The demon itself was gurgling words I couldn't understand, speech beyond any I knew. But I knew it was dying because the size of it was getting smaller and smaller, until the cross burned everything.
And I awoke...again.
This tine though, I nearly jumped from my bed, sweat covering my whole body as I was trying to comprehend what had just happened.
"I killed It... I stabbed it with the cross, and I killed it!"
I laughed. My hand was covered in a small chain to which end was attached the cross I used.
-I really did it!
TAP TAP TAP!
I froze. Realizing I was wearing the same clothes from my encounter with the raven, I wasn't sure if I had fallen asleep before I went to follow it. Nevertheless, I gulped and opened the door slowly. Nothing. The tree beside the house was waving its branches because of the strong morning wind, and one of them...was tapping on my chamber door. My eyes quickly expanded realizing I had truly succeeded. Yet, how did walked back home was the question. Maybe I had an answer, considering the cross was in my hand. I remember just stabbing the demon and releasing it.
"Father Kelmer?" - maybe it was him.
Regardless...I was...free? Truly I didn't know what to do anymore. Sitting on the table, where my pear had nearly gone bad, I tried to think of something to do. In reality, three days had passed since the passing of Lenore, and for those three days, I had battled with my demons, literally and mentally. Well, what now?
"Your dream!"
I almost jumped. It was a very familiar voice. I gasped. I looked around and focused onto the bust of Lenore. Smiling I knew what I had to do. Grabbing a pen and a piece of paper I long though about how to start the opening of this grand tale I was going to write, in my own way. Then magically, or almost as if on cue, they started pouring in my brain.
"Once upon a midnight dreary..."
I wrote. I wrote and wrote until the whole story was told. That was what would make me feel alive again, even without my dearest, yet she was with me always. To create, and give life to a story, paint a world where the character could be idolized, dreaded, loved or hated. To make something appeal to people and maybe, just maybe, have someone to read it once it's done. One thing I know for certain. I was feeling free and somehow lighter than before. A burden of a demon was gone, and I was...happier, well at least a bit more from before. And if someone would ask me,
"Would you ever be saddened again?"
To quite the raven.
"Nevermore".
The End.