chanting as they gathered about strange symbols etched upon the ashes . Before I could advance into the moonlight , I heard them curse my name for exiling them , and I heard them pray to an evil master that I be made to do eternal penance for the family I had destroyed . Thinking nothing of such foolish vitriol , I fired my rifle into the air and rushed the makeshift altar . Again the little devils scattered into the woods .
“ I dismissed their childish imprecations and went about my business . But the very next night I was compelled to awaken at 12:15 and found myself in bed with the shade of the stable keeper ’ s wife . Then her children appeared by her side ( perhaps their once live counterparts were awakened by the sounds of the coven or by the first burst of fire on the thatched roof ). In an instant , all three were covered in flame . I grew horribly warm and understood in terror that I was to play the part of the husband . I suddenly felt that I too had caught fire , I screamed , and in another instant , all were gone . The damned witches had cursed me to relive the tragedy at that moment every night .
“ And every night I did . And do . The fire scorches me for those few seconds every night . I tried sleeping in a different bed or sitting in a chair . I even traveled to the Continent and moved from city to city , but wherever I went , the apparitions found me at 12:15 A . M ., the same moment the family had died that hell-spawned Halloween . And each night I would briefly feel the agony . My health was ruined . There was to be no locating the witches who had mouthed the curse in order to beg their forgiveness . They have vanished forever .
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