I should explain my situation if anyone should find this or wonder what became the infamous Penelope Kat. I lived as a fortune teller, oracle, psychic, communicator with the dead, witch, bruja, and many other titles. I was living a great life, running a store, teaching classes, conducting readings, and so much more. That all changed when I received the terrible news that would change it all.
A terminal ailment was going to take my life, and there was nothing anyone could do about it. It was far too late to do anything. Since I was too young, the doctors did not do the necessary tests until it was too late. Instead of relying on medical science, I decided to play with my science of magic. Reading hundreds of books, scouring numerous websites, trying thousands of potions, and millions of spells, there seemed to be no defeating death.
After months of trying on my own, I decided to enter forums hoping that a fellow witch would have a way to help. When I received a message, I was terrified before I even opened it. The letter was from a witch named Helga830; in the letter was a spell. Reading over the ingredients and incantation, I could tell it would be dangerous and one that wasn’t part of my collection.
Exhausting all other avenues, I was desperate since I only had a year to live. The ingredients were sketchy, but I was willing to try anything. I had most of the elements, which made me think it was going to be easy. The only one I didn’t have was a human sacrifice, one I would transfer my illness to, which I wasn’t happy about, but I didn’t want to die yet. There were so many things I wanted to do in this life. Death is just too finite, out of control, and gripping.
We spend so much time working, surviving to experience life. I decided to put an ad on the net for a potential sacrifice, one who would be more willing to undergo the spell. Honestly, I was surprised to get a call. The individual already had a deadly illness and wouldn’t make it to see the new year. I felt horrible about my plans for them. However, Laurie explained they had lived a long life; it was time, something they had already made peace with, death. Deep down, I was slightly jealous because I couldn’t come to terms with my demise. Was it selfish of me to continue living here, experiencing the change in seasons, conversing with the other beings of Earth?
The thoughts soon left me the night of the new moon. I took Laurie to a cemetery with all the ingredients. Setting up the scene, I had her sit in the center of the circle. A bowl of herbs in front of her, a ring of green and black candles surrounded her. At the right moment, she was to ignite the spices with the black candle. I had to burn something of mine of great importance and chant the spell.
After completing the enchantment on the piece of paper, Laurie and I didn’t feel any different. Thinking it was a bust, I still paid her the fifty thousand dollars as promised. I figured she could give it to her children or a charity. The end of the year came, and I had my tests to see if the disease spread or if it was still the same. A few days later, my doctors called me, disbelief in their voices. The tests came up clean, with nothing indicating I was ever sick. Soon after getting off the phone with them, I received a phone call stating Laurie had passed away. Horrified at what I had done to stay alive, the worst guilt came over me. I wanted to do so much for the family, feeling responsible for their mother and grandmother’s death. Knowing she was already terminally ill didn’t make me feel any better.
Years passed quickly as I helped Laurie’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in any way I could. It didn’t take long for them to take notice of my everlasting youth; I couldn’t explain to them why. I watched as each one passed away from afar. To stay in contact, I changed my appearance and lied. I told them I was the daughter of Penelope Kat. The lie only worked for so long before I had to stay away entirely since I made the remaining members uncomfortable. I’ve been spending years trying to understand what happened. I even tried contacting Helga830 but to no avail. The spell worked too well because I’m immortal. I took the time to do everything I wanted. Against my judgment, I fell in love, got married had children. Then it all dawned on me that I would have to watch them all die.
I used a spell to age myself, so my children wouldn’t be uncomfortable. After I watched them pass and saw my grandchildren enter adulthood. I couldn’t handle immortality anymore. I have attempted to end it, only to find nothing works. I just come back to life, sometimes within minutes, others a few days. Feeling defeated, the town near where I made my home, I opened a shop selling lotions, soaps, candles, and incense to customers.
However, lately, an unsettling presence has been felt wandering the halls of my mansion. If I didn’t know any better, I would guess it’s a spirit. However, I have encountered numerous ghosts, and none have felt like this—ominous, cold, with the stench of death. I wonder if it is indeed the reaper roaming the halls to collect the soul it should have taken long ago. I never knew how horrible it could be to live forever. Watching loved ones die while you remain watching their children go through life to suffer the same fate.
Tonight I awaken to see the being haunting my halls finally; the reaper in legend looks nothing like the natural being. The entity appears like black smoke swirling around, creating a figure. Eyes shine in the center; weathered skin stretches across a skull. The hands are thin bones gripping a large volume.
“You have cheated death; this is your punishment. However, there may be hope for you yet, child.” The creature utters, taking a step towards my chair.
Comments