<center>Read part one of Find The Path [here](https://steemit.com/fiction/@sammosk/find-the-path-ghost-writer-returns-collaborative-short-story)!</center>
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### Vera gasped and struggled in the repressive pressure of the fog that held her, keeping her from reaching the path. Her fingers falling mere inches short of the end of the mist. 

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She heard the Siren behind her, roaring in rage at her disobedience to surrender herself. The threats bouncing around inside her head like poisonous shrapnel. 

#### RIP THE FLESH

### BREAK THE BONES

## SHRED THE BITCH

# EATEATEAT

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She could hear a horrendous gnashing of teeth, snapping after every word. It was growing closer. 

*"Stay on the path and trust no one."*

The note became a Mantra in her Mother's soothing voice, creeping into her mind on a loop, drowning out the monstrous beast that wanted to flay her alive. She closed her eyes, remembering the last time she saw her Mother, laying in that satin lined casket and looking so still. 



She let out a cry and pressed her entire body against the fog, bellowing in fear and anger. In rebellion. She felt the air give, she felt it buckle. Vera planted her feet and beat her fists with the fury of little wings, the air shifting around them in whispy cyclones.

*CRACK*

She fell through the fog and tumbled roughly down a small slope and onto the path below.

She landed hard on the compacted earth, feeling her ribs shift on impact. She gasped and winced, rolling onto her side and curling up. Through tear-laced eyes she saw a towering shadow jerking in the fog where she had been standing seconds before. 



**In those shadows lies madness.**

She pulled herself to her knees slowly and glanced down each end of the path, unsure of where it led or what she would find along the way. All she knew was that she was doing it alone.

*"Veeeeeera..."*

A soft voice echoed from around the bend to her left, floating on the unusually still air. 

**To the right.**

She stood gingerly and began to amble down the trail in the opposite direction of the ominous whispers that followed her summons. They seemed to be at a distance, coming from the treeline. Some caught up to her, coming from either side and in front of her, and each time there was no shape to put with the whispering.

The air itself was awash with taunting as she tried her best to walk calmly. She worried if she showed fear again that another Siren might appear, stronger than the last. 

*"Vera wants her mommy!"*

*"Veeeeraaa, you're going the wrong way..."*

*"You're going to die! All broken up in pieces!"*

She heard chilling laughter like little chimes, ringing through the entirety of the woods surrounding her. Instinctively she picked up the pace, scanning the trees frantically as her gait became a little faster with each ghostly giggle that filled the air. 

**Fearfully funny.**

She could feel the bruises forming over her ribs, her whole body was exhausted and sore as she broke into a sprint. She wanted more than anything to find her way out of this forest and back home to her warm bed. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something, some horrifying figure, racing beside her. She could see it pulsing and flashing with purple lights like hellfire. 

### Faster. 

## Faster.

# FASTER!

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She could feel ice cold air envelope her and she gasped, her footfalls echoing hollowly as she tried desperately to get ahead. She ran hard, daring to glance over at her new nightmarish companion. 

In the black swirling smoke of which it was comprised she saw the faces of all of her friends and family. Morphing and jittering, swirling in circles, mouths gaping in silent screams.  

**She was so tired of racing death.**

Her ears filled with static as the creature reached out and unfurled a solid black hand laced with thorns of purple light. She could smell o-zone mixed with the scent of molding leaves. Earth and electricity mingling into a nauseating odor. 


Everything slowed, even her heartbeat. The moment lasting what seemed like hours as she felt her body move forward in fractions of an inch, fighting with the last of her strength to escape its touch. As the black fingers of horror brushed coldly against her cheek she felt a burning jolt. 

## Cooked alive!

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As she spiraled to the ground, sure she was falling to Earth for the last time, she could see the face of the creature bearing down on her. 

Right as the forest canopy above her began to glaze over with the shadows of unconsciousness, the shifting collage of familiar faces slid mere inches from her own. She could feel something behind the mask it wore smiling as it began to solidify into one defined embodiment. 

**Her Mother.** 


<center>To be continued...</center>
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<center>Me and my ghost writing companion had a great time creating this piece for you!

I hope you have a fantastic day and look forward to your feedback regarding the story we lovingly crafted from the oddest of places, a creative writing prompt from reddit. 
I hope you find it worthy and again look forward to your comments in the section below.

**Also, stay tuned for the continuation of Eternal Witness coming very soon!** 

Much love, @SammoSK and Company. <3</center>

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