“Can we open our eyes yet?” Jane whispered, hoping her brother was still next to her as she knelt on the cold autumn dirt. Dried twigs dug into her kneecaps and wet leaves made it feel even more uncomfortable. “Jake?” she whispered, starting to get nervous, but that’s when she tried to force down the rising panic and feel for him. She didn’t feel for him with her hands, she merely calmed herself to the point where she’d feel the connection. Ever since they were born a few minutes apart, it was like there was an invisible bond between them, he’d know when she was in trouble and vice versa. As long as she was calm, she could feel him. “Why can’t I feel you?” she whispered. There had been a low rustling sound, the shuffling of feet on this dirt floor. She knew they were in a forest. Jake and she had met their friend Ted on the outskirts. He was the one who had spoken to them right after school and they trusted him because he was in ninth grade, high school, and they were still in eighth in their last year of junior high. He had promised them that they could join the white rabbits, a super-secret high school click. No one really talked about the white rabbits. It wasn’t a recognized school club or activity, but the moment they had come to junior high the rumors started. They talked about a mystical white rabbit that was their mascot, and it gave them special gifts. If you were a white rabbit, you always got A’s in tests, always were the star players in every sport, lead vocalist in the school musicals, honor society in academics. You only got in if a member invited you. Whispers called them warlocks, witches, maybe even a cult. But every kid wanted to be chosen, and this was the first time she’d heard of any junior high kids being invited. They had met Ted. He blindfolded them both and led them into the forest that was next to the school. It wasn’t a long walk, but they had been told to kneel and wait to be called upon to see if they were worthy. “Run,” she heard her brother whisper. “Jake?” “Jane,” he repeated, this time louder but still a whisper in her ear. “Run, and don’t look back.” As quietly as she could, she pulled her blindfold down just a bit. They were all in a circle facing something, tall figures wearing robes and creepy bunny masks with tall ears. She glanced quickly around, but Jake wasn’t there. “Blood gives life,” they began to chant quietly. “Run!” This time Jake didn’t whisper. Backing up a bit, she slowly stood as quiet as she could Then she saw what they were looking at. Jake was on the ground surrounded by them. There was something on his chest, covered in blood. Jake’s blood. It was a white rabbit. She ran.

The chief druid liked to call himself ‘Merlin’, he’d read it in a book that it was the official title for people in his position, his real name was Derek. The Mad March Hares was a rather whimsical name for the group that his girlfriend, Theresa, had come up with, it sounded ‘folkloric’. She indulged this new hobby for Derek and his little amateur dramatics group. The long ears that she had stitched and starched for their robes were her own addition; which she thought looked rather affecting in the moonlight. In their gratitude for her input, and crafting, it was decided that she should be the first sacrifice. Of course it had been a terrible shock for her when they had actually tied her to the pudding stone in the woods, but they were gentle and so she laughed it off with the rest of them. None of the neo-druids really knew what they were doing but the ‘Merlin’ had seen a few videos on-line, and the local hippy shop had ordered some books in for him. Some of these, however, had been on the darker end of the new-age scale, admittedly. The amateur dramatics group were all fired up and keen. They had praised the winds from all four corners; they had given thanks to Gaia for her bountiful harvest, carefully prepared for them and sold by the supermarket in town. Finally they sought to honour the green man of the woods. The Hunter required blood upon the altar stone, or the closest rock that they could find. In the cold dark equinox night they shivered, naked under their robes. As humbling as it was, Derek still hoped that he would have his choice of the followers in the after-ritual party. Theresa had been less keen on the idea of an orgy, but Derek was very modern like that and assured her that he loved her, regardless of who he had sex with that night. The biggest surprise was when the first of the acolytes brought the knife down and it plunged deep into Theresa’s stomach. He had been told that it was a prop knife from ‘Wardrobe’, but blood sprayed up and over his stark white robes. Some of it nearly reached the tips of his ears. The would-be druid screamed, and turned to face the others. Crimson rain had fallen on the nearest who had were just realising the reality of the night. Derek had given them a real knife, not a fake one with a retractable blade. This wasn’t play acting but real. The congregation screamed and ran. Theresa’s voice rasped as blood choked her throat, and ran from her mouth and exposed guts. Derek thought she looked pretty like that and hoped that the gods agreed. Wide eyed he stared around the clearing, now empty of druids. He wondered, was everyone so surprised. It was in the script.

The smell of blood was the first thing that hit me as I woke. I sat up and realized I was on the ground of an outdoor bistro I knew well, but tables were knocked over and plates and wine glasses littered the floor. Where was everybody and what happened? Did I really blackout so soon? My last memories were with Louis. We ate lunch and had a few cups of saki at our favorite sushi place and then downed a few pints of ale at The Stout before ending up here, our favorite wine bar. We had only been dating for a few months but things seemed to be going really well. Where was he? I tried to call him, but no answer. I stood up and suddenly felt queasy, clutching my stomach. I remembered feeling very ill earlier, and wondered if it was something I drank. I went through the gate that led out into the street. As I walked, people seemed to hurry out of my way in a fright but I paid them no mind, I had to get to Louis. I looked at the street sign: Washington Street. I wasn’t far from home but I would rather find out what was going on first. Maybe he could help me piece back together the rest of the afternoon. I’d only been to his apartment a handful of times but I knew it was somewhere in the neighborhood because we weren’t far from the bar. I turned a few corners and walked until I happened upon familiar territory. His place was just ahead. I went inside and found apt. #406. Smoothing my hair, I looked down and realized the smell of blood was coming from me - I was covered in it. I gasped, bewildered, then it all came flooding back: me viciously attacking a woman in the bathroom, the people rushing out of the place in a panic after seeing me, my boyfriend running away. I opened the door. Right away, Louis saw me and started screaming, yelling for me to get away from him. Seeing him triggered some urge inside me as I shrieked and rushed at him. He was pleading “No, no, no” as I grabbed him by the shoulders and started bashing his head into the doorframe, trying to get to his brain.