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Dani

The town is characterized by cobblestone streets, which wind gracefully between charming, cozy cottages. Each cottage is decorated with colorful flower boxes that burst with blooms in every hue imaginable. Sometimes I think this town is straight up out of a fairytale book.

The gentle, persistent rain imbues the landscape with life, nurturing the lush greenery that blankets the area. Moss-covered trees stand proudly, their trunks thick with age, while vibrant wildflowers create a kaleidoscope of colors that dance in the breeze throughout the year.

This picturesque setting transforms the town into a haven of beauty and tranquility, inviting visitors to appreciate its serenity.

Even amidst the steady drizzle, this town radiates a captivating charm.

The town thrums with a rich and mysterious history interwoven with folklore, local legends, and whispers of the supernatural.

The persistent rain that cloaks the landscape has been woven into the fabric of its identity, believed by the townsfolk to stem from ancient magic that permeates the air.

Many locals hold a steadfast belief that this town serves as a nexus for mystical forces, where ethereal energies converge and dance through the mist and fog, adding to the town’s otherworldly charm.

Misty Hollow is a tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone. Not many secrets can stay safe here.

According to local legend, Misty Hollow was founded centuries ago by a group of settlers seeking refuge from a severe drought.

They discovered a valley containing an ancient, enchanted spring that continuously bubbled up fresh water.

To ensure that the spring’s water never ran dry, the settlers formed a pact with a spirit they called the Witch of Misty Hollow.

She was a guardian of nature who promised to bless the town with eternal rain in exchange for protecting her sacred grove, hidden deep within the forest.

The witch was known for her herbal remedies and deep understanding of the natural world. However, when a series of misfortunes struck the community—crop failures and mysterious illnesses—superstitious townsfolk turned against her, accusing her of dark magic.

Legend has it that the witch vanished into the woods during a stormy night, leaving behind a series of potions and a spellbook.

Once she was captured by the men, they burned her alive in the woods.

Some claim that on particularly rainy nights, you can hear her whispering through the trees, offering guidance to those who seek it and tricking those she has a vendetta against.

Fast-forward to today, no one knows where the witch’s house was. But I’m starting to guess it sat on the property of that crime scene I was just at.

Excitement washes over me as I revel in the thought of having an actual spellbook. The people in this town would shit themselves if they knew what I found.

As much as I wanted it to be real, I’m sure it’s just a bunch of hocus pocus .

Over the years, the residents of Misty Hollow have developed their traditions to honor the balance between nature and the supernatural.

Every year, during the Festival of Clouds, the townsfolk gather to perform rituals that celebrate the rain and the spirits of the valley.

They create intricate mandalas from flower petals and offer them to the witch’s spirit, asking for her continued blessings.

The bible thumpers really hate that. They say the Witch of Misty Hollow is the devil’s consort.

The fog that frequently blankets Misty Hollow is often said to be enchanted, hiding secrets, lost souls, and demonic creatures.

According to some tales, those who wander too deep into the fog may encounter visions of the past or even speak with the spirits of those who once lived in the town. Or get ripped to shreds by the demonic creatures that man has made up.

A group of local practitioners known as the Keepers of the Mist, convenes monthly.

They study herbalism, divination, and the history of magic in the valley, determined to keep the witch’s legacy alive.

Many believe their practices help maintain Misty Hollow’s harmony, ensuring the rain remains a source of life rather than despair, while others think they are all batshit crazy.

In Misty Hollow, the rain is not merely a weather pattern; it is a tapestry woven with history, magic, and the whispers of the past, creating a magical and eerie atmosphere.

The town’s paradox of joy and melancholy continues to draw in those who seek to understand the delicate balance between the mundane and the mystical.

A perfect scenery for the people who are obsessed with those vampire movies and fae books.

I park my car quickly, apply some mascara and my red lip-stain, and take my long hair down from my claw clip .

That will do.

I silently smile to myself, grab my purse, and head inside.

“You didn’t text me, you bitch!” Jules laughs as she pulls me into her arms. Nodding in my direction, she says, “She’ll have a whiskey ginger!”

“Sorry! It slipped my mind, babe.” I smile at her.

Carter hands me my drink from the bar. “Here ya go, Dani! You look nice tonight.” He flashes his straight teeth with his perfect smile.

He stands confidently in his police uniform, the fabric tailored to showcase his muscular physique perfectly.

The crisp lines of the material accentuate his broad shoulders and defined arms, embodying authority.

If he wasn't like a brother to me, I'd for sure sleep with him.

Carter is the type of man you take home to mama.

“Thanks, Carter.” I immediately catch Destiny’s gaze and see her disappointment that he complimented me. It is painfully obvious she has a thing for him.

“Hey, Carter, up for me whooping your ass in a game of darts?!” Destiny gleefully asks as she pulls her long braids over her shoulder. Her perfect brown skin is flawless and her light brown eyes sparkle with lust as she looks at Carter.

Destiny is a few years older than us. She is Jules’ and my boss and we get along with her quite well. Probably because she is madly in love with Carter and she knows he is our best friend.

Carter shifts his gaze to me, and I whisper, “Go on. Have some fun. You deserve it.”

“Alright, you’re on!” He grabs his beer from the bar and follows Destiny.

“Bummer you changed. I liked the other shirt.” Spencer leans on the bar, sitting beside Jules. She looks at me with a questioning look, and I roll my eyes. “Yeah, I bet you enjoyed the show. You little perv. ”

“What now?” Jules asks, confused.

“Let’s just say the shirt Danika was wearing earlier left little to the imagination…” Spencer licks his lips. “You know, Danika, I love the color black.”

“Fuck off, Spencer. Don’t you have anything better to do? Like sticking your tiny cock in some whore’s mouth?” Jules spits, and I laugh. I love my best friend.

“That is no way to speak to your superior!” Spencer quickly stands. Anger rises on his face.

Placing my hand on his chest, I say, “Relax, Spencer. She is just teasing. We all know you prefer men,” I pat his chest and smile, “and there is nothing wrong with that. As for your tiny cock…” I take a long sip from my drink, letting the alcohol warm my body.

“Oh fuck you both!”

“Yeah, you’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Jules cackles and throws back her shot.

Jules orders me another drink. We sit and gossip about everyone in the bar like always.

My second drink goes down much faster than the first one. “I’m gonna go to the bathroom real quick! Watch my bag?” I ask Jules, and she gives me a thumbs-up as she flirts with Cali, the bartender.

I carefully navigate the shadowy, musty hall, the faint scent of dampness lingering in the air.

I push open the door to the bathroom and take a moment to attend to my needs.

As I turn to leave, I pause in front of the mirror, scrutinizing my reflection.

The fitted shirt I chose clings perfectly to my curves, accentuating my assets in all the right ways.

With a practiced flick, I toss my long, auburn hair over my shoulder, letting it cascade down my back.

I don’t have a ton, but I have enough freckles on my face that I never really need foundation since you can never really see any blemishes.

That’s the one thing I can thank my mother for.

Tonight, the storm outside intensifies the colors of my green eyes. Usually a vibrant emerald, they now take on a softer, sage hue, reflecting the moody weather. I see the spark of confidence in my gaze and smile at the woman before me.

Feeling empowered and beautiful in my skin, I take a deep breath and leave the bathroom, ready to enjoy the evening ahead.

Who knows? Maybe I’ll have sex with Spencer after all.

Thump.

“Ouch!” I mumble as I practically get knocked over by a tall, muscular body. His strong hands grasp my shoulders, and I catch my balance. I slowly look up his tall frame… He is easily over 6 feet tall.

“Careful there, love, or you might find yourself in the embrace of someone you ought to avoid.” His deep, resonant voice sends a thrill through me, and sends ripples of chills cascading down my spine as I look up at him.

His jet-black hair falls effortlessly around his strikingly blue eyes, which seem to hold a world of secrets.

His olive skin shimmered under the warm flow of the bar lights.

As my gaze travels downward, I take in the sharp lines of his chiseled jawline, accentuated by the charming dimple nestled in the center of his chin.

His muscular biceps show off his tattooed arms and hand nicely.

He exudes an aura of danger and allure that I find utterly captivating.

God, he is the sexiest man I have ever seen.

I bite my lower lip.