36: Tickle Ritual

Hellbent

Chapter 36

Tickle Ritual

Ashley and Craig sat in the backyard that day. Ashley was scribbling into a sketchpad while Craig threw sticks around. Ashley drew a figure resembling them with cat ears on their head.

Ashley: “Nah… too boring.”

They sighed and tore the page, turning to the next one. Craig turned to them, looking at the scrunched-up papers by their feet.

Craig: “I’m bored, too! C’mon, let’s go to a bar or somethin’!”

He said eagerly.

Ashley: “Sorry, dude, I gotta work on my work costume…”

They said gently, stroking their chin with their pencil.

Craig: “What am I supposed to do?”

He pouted.

Ashley: “Uhh, I dunno? Maybe you could… do some weeding or something haha?”

They scratched their head, looking around the garden. Huh, I kinda neglected my gardening lately, they thought.

Ashley: “I need some inspiration…”

They sighed, scrunching another paper and flopping onto the ground.

Craig: “Then let’s go do somethin’ fun!”

He exclaimed.

Madelyn: “Did someone say FUN?!”

They looked up and saw Madelyn peering over the fence at them. She now had the paint washed off and was dressed in a white Renaissance dress.

Craig: “Fuckin’ oath. You know any wicked sick parties goin’ on?”

He asked her.

Madelyn: “A tickled pink party?! YES! There's a ‘Tickle Ritual’ on tonight in the mountains!”

She grinned at Ashley, gazing up at the mountains in the distance. Ashley’s eyebrows rose with intrigue.

Ashley: “Tickle Ritual?!”

They reddened and laughed. Juniper stuck her head over the fence.

Juniper: “Oooh, you will make for the best ‘sacralaugh’, Ashley! You’re SO ticklish!”

She chimed in.

Ashley: “Hehe, that sounds fun!”

They snickered.

Craig: “That sounds fuckin’ stupid!”

He scoffed and laughed. Madelyn pouted and glared at him.

Madelyn: “I wasn’t inviting you!”

She poked her tongue out at him.

Madelyn: “I was inviting Ashley! Let’s celebrate you getting hired at Dessert Farm!”

She smiled at Ashley. Juniper’s eyes widened.

Juniper: “Oh, congrats, Ashley! Now you’re a snack!”

She winked at them. Madelyn gasped and cupped her cheeks.

Madelyn: “SNACK SNAKE! Dammit! I should have been SNACK SNAKE!”

She whined and stamped her feet. Ashley chuckled.

Juniper: “Hehe, inspiration strikes in unlikely places.”

Ashley’s eyebrows rose, and they smiled.

Ashley: “Huh… maybe I could find inspiration tonight? I’m down!”

They beamed. Craig knit his eyebrows.

Craig: “...W-What about me?”

He shifted his eyes. Ashley tilted their head at Craig.

Madelyn: “You said it was stupid! So you're not invited!”

She blew him a raspberry. Craig froze.

Craig: “Wait, please! Let me come!”

He blurted. Ashley's eyebrows rose surprisingly.

Ashley: “Uhh, you want to come to a tickling party?”

They scratched their head. Craig shifted his eyes.

Craig: “...Fuckin’ oath.”

He forced a smile.

Ashley: “Uhh, sure! Can my friend come too?”

They smiled at the girls and pointed to Craig.

Abigail stepped out, scrutinising Craig.

Abigail: “Does he have… the power?”

She asked Ashley.

Juniper: “The power!”

She whispered. Ashley arched an eyebrow and laughed.

Craig: “Oh yeah, I’m wicked powerful! Watch this!”

He grinned, flexing his muscles and picking up Ashley in his big arms.

Ashley: “WOAH!”

They gasped as they were swept off the ground as if they weighed nothing. Abigail narrowed her eyes at Craig.

Abigail: “Hmm, perhaps we have use for you after all.”

She smirked and snickered.

~

Later that evening, Ashley was getting ready for the party and wore their orange sun lantern sleeve shirt with bell-bottom jeans and the black fur-trim coat Lazaros bought for them. They were in the kitchen, finishing off icing the cat cupcakes they had baked for the party. They heard the door open behind them through the archway and beamed when they saw Lazaros come home from work.

Lazaros: “Greetings! I have arrived!”

He spread his arms out. Ashley brightened and beamed, rushing up to him and greeting him with a hug.

Ashley: “Lazzy! I have BIG news!”

They cheered excitedly. Lazaros grinned. He liked that nickname, “Lazzy.”

Lazaros: “Well? Let’s hear it.”

He clasped his hands together.

Ashley: “I got a cute little job at the Dessert Ranch cafe! I’m gonna be a tiramisu cat!”

They beamed, pressing their cheeks as their eyes grew large and sparkled. Lazaros’ smile spread to show his even, white teeth.

Lazaros: “That’s fantastic news, Ashley! I’m so proud of you! You’re going to do amazing there!”

He wrapped his arms around them. Ashley beamed and nestled into his arms.

Ashley: “Thank you, Lazaros! I’m so excited!”

They beamed.

Ashley: “The neighbour, Madelyn, works there as ‘Pizza snake’… but I think she’s ‘Snack Snake’ now, haha!”

They explained.

Ashley: “Anyway, she invited me and Craig to a tickle witch party tonight! Did you wanna come too?”

They offered.

Ashley: “Or did you wanna have some Laz time tonight?”

They twisted their hair around their finger. Lazaros smiled as they raved about their new job.

Lazaros: “I appreciate the invitation, but I will have to decline. I need to start working on my new cookbook!”

He clasped his hands and rubbed them together. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Ashley: “Ooh, you’re making a new cookbook?”

They beamed eagerly, excited for his new venture. Lazaros nodded.

Lazaros: “Besides, this seems right up your alley, and I want you to make some friends. You will.”

He said genially. Ashley smiled and nodded.

Ashley: “Hehe, right up my alley, like an alley cat!”

They exclaimed.

Ashley: “Thanks, Laz, I hope I make some friends, and not bad ones again.”

They laughed bitterly, thinking of Maxx and Yvette.

Lazaros: “Well, have a lovely evening.”

He kissed their forehead. Ashley purred and kissed him back on the cheek.

Ashley: “You too!”

They purred.

~

Ashley awkwardly sauntered to Blake’s bedroom door and gently knocked on it.

Blake: “Come in.”

Ashley drew a breath and slowly entered. Andreas and Blake were lying on the bed, reading a book together.

Ashley: “Hey, Blake… so, uh, I got a job today at the Dessert Ranch!”

They beamed, running their fingers through their hair. Blake’s eyebrows rose.

Blake: “Oh, really now?”

He smiled a bit. Andreas took Blake’s hand.

Andreas: “That’s great, Ashley! We’re proud of you! You will do great!”

Ashley beamed, pleasantly surprised by their responses.

Ashley: “R-Really?! Thanks, guys!”

They cheered, clasping their hands together.

They cleared their throat, swallowing hard as they didn’t want to sour this good moment with what they were about to say next.

Ashley: “So… uhh, the neighbours invited me to a party. Is it cool if I borrow the car tonight?”

They pressed their fingers together. Andreas smiled. Blake’s smile dipped.

Ashley: “...With Craig.”

They laughed awkwardly, running their fingers through their hair. Blake and Andreas both frowned. Ashley bowed their head and sighed, feeling their disapproving vibes.

Andreas drew a breath.

Andreas: “You’re going to a party with Craig?”

He asked. Ashley nodded in confirmation.

Blake: “WHAT?! You’re not going off alone with HIM!”

He blurted. Ashley knit their eyebrows. Andreas drew a breath.

Andreas: “You can come out, Craig. I know you’re listening, and there’s no way you didn’t just hear that.”

He huffed. Craig peeked out from behind Ashley.

Andreas: “As you know, Ashley, I’m not Craig’s biggest fan given our history.”

He closed his book and glared at Craig. Craig bowed his head.

Andreas: “But, that’s between me and him. It’s not my place to dictate who you can and can’t be around, nor is it Blake’s. Just because we don’t like someone, it doesn’t mean that you can’t be around them! You have to decide that for yourself. Perhaps the universe crossed your paths together for a reason.”

He said firmly, looking at Blake and then at Ashley. They all gaped at him.

Andreas: “But it is my place to decide who I want to be around, too. I don’t want to be around him, so please take him to that party!”

He waved his hand and picked up his book. Ashley smiled a bit and nodded.

Ashley: “I understand that and I’m sorry…

They sighed. Blake interjected.

Blake: “WHAT?!”

He gaped at Andreas.

Andreas: “What? You’d rather Ashley go into the woods alone with strangers while we babysit Craig tonight?”

He challenged him, folding his arms across his chest. Blake frowned.

Blake: “You trust him alone with Ashley?!”

He scrutinized Craig, towering over Ashley with his bulky, muscular frame.

Craig: “OI! I’m not a baby, n I’m not a fuckin’ monster either! I ain’t gonna let Ash go off into the woods alone! Not without me to kick anyone’s ass who messes with them!”

He assured them, putting his big arm around Ashley. Blake’s eyebrows rose surprisingly.

Blake: “Okay, Craig... but if YOU mess with Ashley, I will kick your ass and you will end up in the woods alone!”

He said firmly in a tone not to cross him. Craig held his hands up.

Craig: “That ain’t gonna happen ‘cause I’ll take good care of them!”

He grinned, patting Ashley’s head.

Andreas: “Okay, run along, children.”

He said dryly and waved his hand. Ashley beamed.

Ashley: “Don’t wait up!”

They bantered back with Andreas, rushing out of the room. Craig followed after Ashley.

Blake drew a breath and shook his head when he heard the car engine outside.

Andreas: “They will be fine. If there’s one thing I know about Craig, he is overprotective.”

Blake quirked an eyebrow at him.

Blake: “What, of Ashley?!”

He said disbelievingly. Andreas nodded.

Andreas: “Yeah… the way he is with Ashley reminds me of how he was with Makayla…”

He paused and put his book down when something dawned on him.

Andreas: “Huh… is he looking for the bond he lost with Makayla… in Ashley?”

He pondered. Blake gaped at him.

Blake: “WHAT?! Ashley is NOTHING like Makayla!”

He huffed.

Andreas: “I know… but this whole time Craig has been here, he’s been wanting to be around Ashley, not me. If he wanted to be around me, why did he put up a fight to be with Ashley tonight?”

He pondered. Blake’s eyebrows rose.

Blake: “I don’t know, maybe he’s playing mind games?”

He offered. Andreas quirked an eyebrow.

Andreas: “Craig?! Come on.”

He laughed.

Andreas: “He’s not capable of that. He’s as deep and transparent as a puddle. He’s a terrible liar.”

He declared. He gazed up at the ceiling, pondering on something.

Andreas: “Come to think of it, the last time he dropped in here was to look for Makayla when she ran off… he didn’t try anything on me then either. He also left us alone at Metallogazmfest…”

He stroked his chin. Is that why I didn’t ask him to leave? He thought.

Andreas: “The universe works in mysterious ways…”

His voice trailed off.

~

Craig drove the Kingswood station wagon with Ashley beside him as they drove through Selene Valley, heading towards the mountains.

Ashley: “Why didn’t you want me to drive, Craig?”

They pressed him.

Craig: “Cos I’m the man!”

He explained, gesturing to himself.

Ashley: “So? What’s that got to do with anything?”

They tilted their head.

Craig: “Cos it’s weird havin’ a chick or someone like you drive me around! Don’t be silly! That’s what the man is supposed to do!”

He waved his hand. Ashley gaped at him.

Ashley: “Isn’t that kinda silly? What if there were two men in the car?”

They laughed, scratching their head.

Craig: “If I’m stronger than him, I drive!”

He explained.

Ashley: “What kind of strength? Physically, emotionally, or spiritually?”

They pondered. Craig gaped at them and laughed.

Craig: “Physically, of course, ya weirdo!”

He laughed.

Craig: “It’s my job to protect ya! So I’m driving!”

He declared.

Ashley: “Hmph, you sound like my brother!”

They pouted and folded their arms across their chest. Craig gaped at them.

Craig: “WHAT?! That stick in the mud?!”

He burst out laughing.

Ashley: “He never let me drive either! Or do much of anything. But that didn’t stop me!”

They pouted.

Craig: “Oh, so you’re a rebel, huh?”

He laughed.

Ashley: “Nah-ah, I’m too fat and lame to be a rebel rocker!”

They laughed bitterly, imitating Maxx's voice. Craig burst out laughing.

Craig: “Fuckin’ Maxx!”

He shook his head.

Craig: “Nah, fuck that clown! He’s a loser! So what if you’re fat? You’re not lame like him and you can just lose weight!”

He assured them.

Ashley: “Thanks, Craig!”

They smiled a bit.

Ashley: “I don’t want to lose weight though… I’m happy with how I look… and so is Lazaros.”

They smiled down at their soft tummy and reddened.

Craig: “Why is he skinny then?”

He laughed. Ashley paused.

Ashley: “...I don't know? I don't know how he is so slim being around all that tasty food all the time? The universe is mysterious!”

They laughed.

Craig: “Not really. It’s fuckin’ obvious! He's giving it all to you!”

He laughed. Ashley paused and laughed. Huh, come to think of it, Lazaros doesn't eat much and cooks a lot for me to eat, they thought.

Ashley: “I guess you're right.”

They laughed.

Craig turned into the strip shops.

Craig: “Let's get some booze!”

He declared. Ashley’s eyebrows rose.

Ashley: “Why do we need that for?”

They tilted their head.

Craig: “We're going to a party, right? You need booze!”

He stated, opening the door and stepping out.

Ashley: “Why?”

They smiled, getting out of the car and following him. Craig gaped at them.

Craig: “You wanna have fun, don't ya?!”

He turned to them.

Ashley: “Of course I do! But booze isn't fun! Maxx gave me his once, and it made me sick!”

They groused. Craig gaped at them and laughed.

Craig: “Nah, nah, that's fuckin goon! Don't drink that crap! Grab whatever booze you want here, n I'll buy it for you!”

He offered. Ashley smiled.

Ashley: “R-Really?!”

They gasped.

Craig: “Fuckin’ oath! You saved my ass from the street ‘n stood by me… so this is nothing!”

He said earnestly, waving his hand. Ashley beamed and hugged him.

Ashley: “Thank you, Craig!”

They smiled.

Craig: “N-no, thank YOU!”

He stammered and laughed.

Ashley’s eyes brightened at the shiny object over Craig’s shoulder.

Ashley: “Oooh, can I have that one? It’s so pretty!”

They chirped, picking up the deep green Midori liquor. Craig chuckled.

Craig: “Oh, fuck yeah! That’s wicked sick! I love green!”

He grinned widely. Ashley smiled.

Craig sauntered into the ice room at the back. Ashley followed and shivered.

Ashley: “Oh wow! It’s a reverse sauna!”

They laughed, nestling into their faux-fur coat.

Ashley: “Aren’t you cold?”

They remarked on his bare biceps, exposed to the cold chill of the room.

Craig: “N-nah! I’m fine!”

He forced a smile, waving his hand. He turned on his heel and shivered as he grabbed a box of ‘Possum State Bitters’, carrying it over his shoulder out of the room. Ashley followed him over to the cashier.

Craig planted his beer on the counter.

Craig: “Hey mate, just the slab ‘n the Midori, cheers!”

He grinned and nodded, taking the bottle of Midori from Ashley and putting it on the register with the beer. An older white man worked behind the cashier, scrutinising them.

Cashier: “IDs, please.”

Craig chuckled.

Craig: “Mate, do I look under eighteen to ya with these abs?”

He flexed his muscles. Ashley chuckled. The man drew a breath.

Cashier: “Just show me your ID.”

He said. Ashley fished around in their coat, pulling out their cat wallet. The photo strip of them with Lazaros from the photobooth sat inside. They sighed happily at them together. Craig peered over their shoulder and smiled a bit, longing for connection. Ashley presented their ID to the cashier. They had shoulder-length hair and looked sad and slimmer in their photo. Craig pulled out his tattered wallet, stuck together with duct tape, and handed him a fifty-dollar note. He then reluctantly presented his ID to the cashier. He had short curly hair, and he also looked sad and slimmer.

Ashley: “Huh…”

Ashley pondered the rawness of Craig’s photo and how both of them were sad in those photos.

~

Ashley and Craig were back in the car, continuing their journey through the windy mountain roads. Ashley observed Craig, beaming with excitement, singing along to his thrash metal tape in the car stereo, contrasting with the sad man they saw in the photo earlier. He lost his band and his house, but he’s still happier now than he was in that photo, they pondered. Why was he so sad and why did he look like how Makayla described their dad to look?

They entered the ‘Selene Mountains’ national park, driving down the rocky path amongst mighty fern trees. The moonlight lit up their path ahead of them, until they hit a fork in the road.

Craig: “Huh, which way do we go?”

Ashley turned the music down and wound down their window.

Ashley: “Shh!”

They paused, listening out and hearing a loud rumble of heavy drums and chanting coming from within the woods.

Ashley: “The party is that way!”

They pointed to the left pathway.

Craig: “This is fuckin’ weird!”

He laughed and shook his head as he turned down the path towards the sounds.

Ashley: “What, are you scared?”

They teased and laughed.

Criag: “What?! Fuck no! We used to camp out here ‘n throw wicked sick parties in these woods!”

He explained.

Ashley: “Really? I didn’t peg you for a nature guy?”

Ashley’s eyebrows rose surprisingly.

Craig: “You shittin’ me? I was in boy scouts! I love camping!”

He explained. Ashley beamed.

Ashley: “Oh, that’s so pawesome! I love being in nature, too! Uhh, who’s we?”

They asked. Craig’s smile faded and he paused.

Craig: “Oh… me, Andreas, Kurt, and my old crew… Makayla…”

His voice trailed off. Ashley gave him a sympathetic look.

Ashley: “Donut worry, we’re going to make new friends and new memories tonight!”

They assured Craig.

They pulled up at a sign with a footprint painted on it. It read: ‘Tickle Witch Ritual - Leave no trace and take off your shoes!’ Juniper jumped out of the bushes, greeting them with a big staff with a foot sculpture on it and a wide-brimmed hat on her head. Her long white dress blew in the breeze.

Juniper: “Welcome home!”

She chirped. Ashley’s eyes widened when they observed their surroundings, thinking of where they were raised in the mountains. Her words struck a chord with them and resonated deep within their soul.

Ashley: “...It is like home.”

They smiled with a tear in their eye, observing the people sitting around a large bonfire, singing, laughing, and pounding drums.

Craig: “This ain’t my house!”

He scoffed and laughed.

Juniper: “Yes, it is. Nature is our home!”

She smiled.

Juniper: “Present your offerings to the tickling gods and you shall be granted access!”

She chirped. Craig burst out laughing.

Craig: “Fuck, you REALLY need a beer, lady!”

He reached around and pulled out a beer, giving it to her. Juniper’s smile remained intact.

Juniper: “Thank you for your peace offering, Mr. Muscle Man! The tickling gods will be pleased!”

She chirped and then flicked her gaze to Ashley.

Ashley: “Uhh, how's this for a peace offering?”

They offered a cupcake with a cat face on it. Juniper beamed with delight.

Juniper: “Wow, a magic cupcake! The tickling gods will be pleased! You are granted access! Go forth and tickle!”

She smiled and gestured for them to enter.

Craig: “What a fruit loop!”

He laughed.

Ashley: “At least she’s the nice type of ‘fruit loop’.”

They frowned when they thought of Makayla.

They parked their car by a tree and stepped out. The night air was cool and crisp with the aromas of burning sage and drum beats dancing around them. Ashley inhaled, drinking in the sights, the smells, and the vibes around them. Hand-crafted sculptures of feet, wreaths, and candles were scattered around the trees. Ashley slipped off their sandals and felt the earth on the soles of their feet, feeling grounded and connected to the world. They glanced over to Craig, who immediately cracked open a beer, drinking it and shifting his eyes around as he leaned against the Station Wagon.

Craig: “Holy fuck.”

He laughed awkwardly, observing the surroundings and the laughter coming from the circle.

Ashley: “You got that right!”

They sighed happily, munching on a cupcake as they approached the circle with their box of baked goods.

Craig: “HEY! Wait up!”

He scrambled, following after them with his slab of beer under his arm.

Ashley approached the group sitting around the bonfire, greeting them with a smile and a wave.

Madelyn: “ASHLEY! You made it!”

She greeted them with a big grin. She was dressed in a duck costume with flippers on her feet.

Ashley: “Haha, what’s with the costume?”

They tilted their head and laughed.

Madelyn: “I like costumes!”

She grinned.

Madelyn: “And ducks have FEATHERS, Ashley! Feathers for tickling fun!”

She beamed, rubbing her feathers up against them.

Ashley: “Hehehehehe, that’s pawesome!”

They shivered and laughed.

Craig: “The fuck?”

He laughed.

Madelyn: “The duck?”

She countered and laughed. Craig groaned.

Abigail stood at the centre of the circle, dressed in a black robe, spreading her arms out to reveal the big red footprints on the cape.

Abigail: “We call upon the power of the wind to guide and protect. We call upon their fire’s flame to warm and inspire. We call upon the water’s flow to cleanse and bestow. We call upon the earth’s embrace to ground and release.”

She chanted, picking up a pile of apple tree branches, handing them around the circle to each person. Ashley felt inspired by her words, thinking of Sunshire and their oaths.

Abigail: “With these powers combined, our scared circle is aligned.”

They group hummed in unison.

Ashley: “Now, that’s an oath!”

They beamed and hummed.

Craig: “Fuckin’ oath!”

He grinned, holding up his beer. Ashley giggled and held up their Midori. Abigail locked her glare on Craig, handing him a branch.

Abigail: “Glad you find it amusing, Craig.”

She gave him a look. Ashley tilted their head.

Someone tapped Ashley’s shoulder.

Woman: “Your Branch!”

Ashley froze.

Ashley: “H-How did you know I’m Branch?!”

They gasped and turned to see the chubby peach-haired woman from Dessert Ranch, handing them a branch.

Ashley: “Hey! You’re Caramel Caracal!”

They smiled. The woman chuckled.

Annabelle: “That’s not my real name. I’m Annabelle.”

She smiled.

Ashley: “Oh! Well, my real name is Ashley!”

They quipped and laughed. Annabelle smiled at them.

Annabelle: “I know, you’re the sacralaugh tonight!”

She snickered. Ashley’s eyebrows rose.

Ashley: “What does that even mean?”

They laughed.

Annabelle: “You will see…”

She smirked. Ashley beamed excitedly.

Ashley: “I can’t wait!”

They exclaimed.

Ashley: “So, uhh, what’s with the branches?”

They scratched their head.

Annabelle: “We’re making wands!”

She chirped and nodded to the display of wire, gemstones, and feathers in the circle between everyone.

Ashley: “Ooh, I love crafts!”

They beamed as their eyes lit up. They eagerly grabbed some pheasant feathers, peacock feathers, and tiger’s eye gemstones for their wand. Craig watched them closely, grabbing the same items and trying to emulate them. Suddenly, he felt a snap between his strong arms as he accidentally broke the branch.

Craig: “Shit!”

He pouted. Abigail shook her head at him like a disgruntled teacher to a student, handing him another branch.

Ashley: “Are these apple tree branches?”

They pondered.

Abigail: “Yes! The apple tree represents abundance, love, connection, wholeness, life, and death.”

She explained, holding up her apple tree branch.

Madelyn: “And fetish! We’re making wands for tickling!”

She interjected, flapping her arms like duck wings. Abigail frowned.

Abigail: “It’s NOT a fetish!”

She hissed at her.

Madelyn: “It so is!”

She poked her tongue out at her.

Ashley beamed happily as they observed everyone making wands together. I finally found my people, I finally feel like I fit in somewhere. I feel like I’m at home, they thought with a smile. They observed Craig fumbling with his wand and drinking another beer.

Craig: “Abra-ka-beer-bro! Check out my wicked sick wand!”

He grinned proudly at his branch with empty beer cans attached to it. Ashley smiled and chuckled.

Abigail: “What the hell is that? You’re supposed to be making a tickling wand!”

She gaped at him.

Craig: “Oh.”

His smile faded. Ashley knit their eyebrows.

Ashley: “NO! I love it, dude! It’s creative and it’s you!”

They smiled widely at Craig, touched that he was trying to support their interests, unlike Maxx. Craig smiled at them. Abigail huffed.

Juniper rose with a cauldron of green soup.

Juniper: “I made a magical brew for everyone!”

She beamed. The group cheered and served up some of the ambiguous soup.

Ashley: “Ooh, I made cupcakes!”

They chimed in. The group cheered and snatched their cupcakes from the box.

Craig: “I brought beers!”

He offered. The group went quiet. Craig awkwardly shifted his eyes. Ashley smiled at Craig.

Ashley: “Yay!”

They cheered for him, taking a beer. Craig smiled a bit. Ashley sipped on the beer and pulled a face. They didn’t like the taste, but wanted to support Craig, too. They then took a spoonful of Juniper’s green soup and paused. What is this? I’ve tasted this before, they pondered. Craig followed suit and drank the soup, too. He pulled a face.

Craig: “The fuck is this?”

He groused.

Juniper: “Plant magic soup!”

She chirped. Ashley paused.

Ashley: “...Is this what I think it is?”

They gasped. Craig shifted his eyes.

Craig: “What? What is it?!”

His eyes widened.

Juniper: “Shhh, you will see!”

She shushed him. Madelyn sat down between them in her duck costume, grabbing a beer.

Madelyn: “Quack, quack! I’m a duck drinking beer!”

She laughed, chugging it down like a duck eating bread. Ashley laughed, and Craig smiled a bit.

Madelyn: “Need any help on your Dessert Farm costume, Ashley?”

She offered. Ashley’s eyebrows rose.

Madelyn: “Costumes are kinda my thing, ya know! I made this duck costume and my snake costume!”

She chuckled. Ashley beamed.

Ashley: “R-Really?! Wow! That’s so amazing! Thank you so much!”

They gasped at her craftsman work.

Madelyn: “Thankssssssss!”

She poked her tongue out. Craig blinked mutely at her and shuddered.

Craig: “Urgh, snakes.”

He shuddered. Madelyn and Ashley turned to him, giving him a look.

Ashley: “Are you okay, Craig?”

They pressed him,

Craig: “Fuckin’ oath!”

He forced a wide grin across his face and drank his beer.

A hand grabbed Craig’s shoulder. He jolted and turned around to see Abigail.

Abigail: “Hey, you’re big and strong, right?”

She began. Craig brightened.

Craig: “Fuckin’ oath, I am!”

He flexed his muscles. Abigail laughed.

Abigail: “Good, good... We need your help for something… important!”

She smirked and clasped her hands together.

Craig: “Oh, yeah? What do ya need?”

He asked.

Abigail: “We need more firewood!”

She shifted her eyes to the bonfire.

Craig: “Oh, sure! C’mon mate, let’s go!”

He tugged on Ashley. Ashley smiled and nodded.

Abigail: “Oh, no, Ashley, you stay here.”

She placed her hand on their shoulder.

Abigail: “Juniper, you go with him.”

She nodded to Juniper.

Juniper: “B-but what about the—”

She gasped.

Abigail: “SHHH!”

She waved her sleeves around. Ashley and Craig exchanged a look.

Juniper: “Come along, Muscle Man!”

She chirped, tugging on his arm and leading him away.

Craig: “Uhhh, you chicks are fuckin’ weird.”

He laughed. Ashley tilted their head, watching them go.

Abigail stood at the center of the circle and held up her branch covered in black raven feathers.

Abigail: “Now, it’s time for Sacralaughter!”

She chortled, holding her hand over her mouth like an anime super villain.

Ashley: “Ooh, that sounds fun!”

They beamed. Abigail cackled and shifted her eyes to Ashley.

Abigail: “Glad you think so, because YOU’RE the sacralaugh!”

She grinned at Ashley, throwing a black rope around them. The other women surrounded them, chanting.

Ashley: “O-oh my!”

They cupped their mouth and laughed.

~

Juniper dragged Craig with her into the woods, with her staff with the foot on it in her other hand.

Craig: “What's with the staff?”

He asked her.

Juniper: “A staff guides the path we walk on!”

She explained, looking ahead at the moon.

Craig: “Is that why there's a foot on it?”

He asked. Juniper smiled mutely.

Juniper: “No, I just really like feet.”

She beamed.

Craig: “Oh, ah, okay?”

He laughed awkwardly.

They heard chanting and laughter through the trees. Juniper froze.

Juniper: “Oh no, it’s starting!”

She gasped, dropping her staff and running towards the laughter. Craig shifted his eyes around the dark woods.

Craig: “HEY! WAIT!”

He exclaimed and tripped over her staff, crashing to the ground.

Craig: “Fuck…”

He groaned, and his vision became distorted. The trees breathed and spiralled around him.

~

Ashley was now dressed in a white robe, tied to a tree in the middle of the circle. The group stood around them as Abigail stood before them, spreading her arms out, showing her footprint sleeves with her wand. Ashley smiled up at the trees, breathing around them as if the trees were a part of it all in some grand scheme.

Abigail: “Oh, tickle gods! Thou of primal laughter! Thou, who tickle in the depths of the bellies and under the soles of feet! Thou, who bestoweth the mother of laughter upon thy faithful, to laugh eternally in her keeping! Thou shalt be tickled at the stake, for your laughter shall bless us all with positivity!”

Madelyn shoved past her and cut in.

Madelyn: “Let's just tickle them already!”

She huffed, rushing in and tickling Ashley with her wand and feathered duck arms. Abigail glared at her.

Ashley: “HehehehEHEHEHEEHEHEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

They twitched and snickered, bursting into laughter. The group chuckled amongst themselves and surrounded Ashley, waving their feathered wands against their tiny feet and exposed neckline. They reached through the sides of the robe to tickle their soft tummy.

Ashley: “HAHAHAH AHAHA HEEHEHEHAHAA AHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA! HAHAHEHEHEHEEHEHH AHAHAH OHOOHOHOH ONOHOHOHO EHEHEHEHEHEHE!”

They squirmed in their ropes and scrunched their feet as their feathers danced along their bare skin like flames of fire.

Ashley: “HAHAAAAAAAHAHHAHAHAH A H AH HA AH HA HA AHA HA EHEHEHE AHAHAH AH HOOHOHHOHOOHOH OEHEHEHEHEHEHEEEEEEEEEEEEE AHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA HEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA A HAH AH HAH OHOHOHOHOHOHO EHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEHEEEEEE!”

They wailed at the top of their lungs, being tickled in several places by several people at once. The group chanted along with them, laughing along with them. Abigail spread her arms out, closing her eyes with glee.

Abigail: “O-oh yes! I feel the magic pulsing through me!”

She moaned and quivered all over.

Ashley: “HAHEHEHEHEHE HA HAA HA AHAAHAH H HA OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO HOEHEHEHEHEHEHEHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAAAAAAAAA AHHEHEHEEEEEEEE HEHEHEHEHEHEEEEEE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA! HEEEEEEEEEEE!”

They screamed with joy through intense laughter with tears streaming down their cheeks. Their screams echoed through the woods.

~

Craig nervously paced around the woods, feeling like everything was spinning around him.

Craig: “W-what the fuck is that?!”

He gasped, hearing the laughter bouncing off the trees. He embraced himself and clammed up as the laughter turned into his father’s scornful and disapproving laughter.

Leon: “What’s wrong, Craig? Scared of the dark? Scared of being alone? I didn’t raise no PUSSY!”

His laughter and cruel words echoed in his mind.

Craig: “I’m NOT fuckin’ scared!”

He cried, stamping his feet indignantly. The laughter transformed into Makayla’s laughter.

Makayla: “This is all YOUR fault, Craig! You deserve this! Why would Ashley care about YOU? He wants to get to ME!”

Her laughter echoed in his mind.

Craig: “Not everything is about YOU!”

He cried and paced around the woods. The laughter paused for a moment, and everything went quiet. Craig panted anxiously as the dark ambiance of the woods drummed up his thoughts under the full moon. He thought of Andreas’ words to him many moons before.

Andreas: “How could you know others when you don’t know yourself? You never spend any time alone to know yourself. You still hide who you truly are from the world…”

His words echoed around him.

Blake: “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING BRINGING THIS TRASH HERE?! Why is HE still here?!”

His harsh words slashed at him like razor blades. Craig bowed his head and embraced himself. The laughter faded back in again, this time more recognisable and clearer.

Craig: “...Ash?!”

He paused and thought of their words.

Ashley: “NO! I love it, dude! It’s creative and it’s you!”

Their encouraging words touched him tenderly. He spotted something on the ground and recognised Juniper’s staff.

He picked it up and heard the laughter growing louder. He followed the trail of laughter through the woods, leading him to the light. He smiled at the glow of the bonfire and the warmth coming from the fire. He froze when he saw the group surrounding Ashley, tickling them all over, tied to the tree. Ashley turned to see Craig with tears down their cheeks.

Ashley: “HAHAHAHAA H AHA AHA HA AHA AHA CRAHAHAHAHIG?! AHAHAHAHAHEEHEHEHEHEEEEE EHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA HEHEEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEEEEEEE!

They wailed and squirmed through short bursts of laughter on the verge of passing out. Craig gasped and rushed over to them.

Craig: “OI GET THE FUCK OFF ‘EM!”

He exclaimed, rushing over to Ashley and cutting them free from their ropes with his pocket knife. He grabbed Ashley and hoisted them over his shoulder, running off with them.

Abigail: “NOOO! OUR SACRALAUGH! GET BACK HERE!”

She wailed, holding up her wand. The witches chased after them through the woods.

Ashley: “C-Craig? W-what’s going on?”

They panted, catching their breath.

Craig: “I DON’T KNOOOOOOOWWWWW!”

He cried. Ashley knit their eyebrows.

Ashley: “A-Are you okay?”

They asked him. Craig paused.

Craig: “NO!”

He blurted. Ashley pursed their lips.

Ashley: “Stop running and talk to me!”

They pressed him. Craig paused.

Craig: “I’m NOT running away!”

He snapped and panted. Ashley knit their eyebrows.

Ashley: “Let me go, Craig!”

They said firmly but gently. Craig thought of Andreas’ voice uttering those same words to him. Craig pursed his lips and lowered Ashley to the ground. Craig panted, catching his breath.

They paused and observed their surroundings. They were surrounded by quiet and darkness with the gentle flow of the lake behind them. They looked up at the moon as it pushed and pulled the tides of the water. Ashley thought of what Andreas said earlier.

Andreas: “The more you pull someone to you, the more you push them away.”

They sighed and hugged their knees, thinking of Lazaros and Craig’s past mistakes with this lesson, not wanting to repeat it.

Ashley turned to Craig and felt like they were plugged into him, downloading his thoughts as they echoed their own.

Ashley: “I understand…”

They sighed and bowed their head.

Ashley: “I always felt out of place, too. I felt that way when I first met you at your party… I felt like an alien from another planet, haha. Now, you feel that way here, too!”

They laughed a bit. Craig froze. How did they know that?!

Craig: “Why’s that? ‘Cause you were high outta this world on ya cat cookies? I can’t believe ya baked cat cookies for a thrash metal party!”

He burst out laughing.

Ashley: “You brought beer to a witch night, Craig!”

They laughed.

Craig: “What? You’re supposed to bring beer to parties!”

He pouted. Ashley chuckled.

Craig: “Speakin’ of those cat cookies…”

He began. Ashley turned to him.

Craig: “I think there was somethin’ in that soup.”

He fixated on the spirals of colours in the sky as the sun rose. Ashley’s eyebrows rose.

Ashley: “Yeah… I think it was magical cactus! I had that stuff all the time in Sunshire!”

They chirped and waved their hand. Craig gaped at them.

Craig: “...No kidding.”

His voice trailed off. Ashley turned to Craig.

Ashley: “Wait, how would you know that? I thought my cookies were lame and not metal?”

They teased. Craig shifted his eyes.

Craig: “I ate them when you weren’t looking.”

He said quickly. Ashley gasped.

Ashley: “I knew it! You and Veronika ate my cookies!”

They laughed, pointing at him. Craig gaped at them.

Craig: “Wait?! Veronika ate ‘em too?!”

Ashley laughed and nodded. Craig cracked up laughing.

Craig: “That lying bitch! She gave me shit for that, but she did it, too!”

He laughed bitterly.

Ashey: “I’m sorry, dude.”

They knit their eyebrows.

Craig stopped laughing and his face shifted to a serious look.

Craig: “I’m sorry about bein’ a dick to ya when I had Veronika breathin’ down my neck…”

He hung his head in shame. Ashley’s eyebrows rose.

Ashley: “...I know what it’s like to have someone breathing down your neck…”

They sighed and embraced themself.

Ashley: “It’s okay, Craig… I know you are. That’s not who you are. THIS is who you are!”

They smiled at him. Craig laughed.

Craig: “What’s that, ey?”

He pressed them. Ashley pondered and observed him.

Ashley: “...I see a scared and wounded lion who pretends to be a terrifying king of the jungle to protect himself… that’s what I saw at the park… and that’s what I see now.”

They said gently. Craig shifted his eyes.

Craig: “HEY! Speak for yourself! You ain’t a sparklin’ ray of sunshine! I see ya pouting ‘n pretending shit doesn’t piss ya off when it does!”

He laughed at them. Ashley paused. How did he know that?!

Ashley: “W-what?!”

They stammered.

Craig: “C’mon, you fuckin’ HATE Maxx ‘n Makayla!”

He pressed them. Ashley recoiled.

Ashley: “...I don’t hate anyone! Hatred taints your vibrations!”

They hugged their knees. Craig scoffed and burst out laughing.

Craig: “You’re SO full of shit, mate! Everyone hates someone!”

He laughed and shook his head at them. Ashley drew a breath.

Ashley: “Maybe I don’t want to focus on the people who dim my light… I wasted enough time on them.”

They pouted and bowed their head.

Ashley: “I’d rather focus on the people who brighten my light!”

They beamed, lifting their head to see the sun rise on the horizon over the lake.

Ashley: “Ooh, and here comes the sun now!”

They chirped and marvelled at it. Craig watched as the sun rose through the trees, lighting up the area around them.

Craig: “Shit! It’s morning now?! When did that happen?!”

He staggered to his feet. Ashley tilted their head, looking just as puzzled as him.

Ashley: “Uhh, right now?”

They chuckled and scratched their head.

Craig: “Yeah, but where the fuck did all the time go?!”

He exclaimed.

Ashley: “Time flies when you're having fun.”

They smiled at him. Craig paused and smiled a bit.