Breathing Dust

By Victoria Champion

Along the windswept shore of the Black Sea, Sofiya resists the calling of The Way, an ancient path of witchery her grandmother wishes for her to walk. As she emerges into womanhood, she struggles against the growing influence of her magical inheritance in a desperate attempt to be with the fisherman she loves. Her tragic and terrifying visions reveal that The Way has a darker path, and its hunger for her is approaching like a terrible storm.

Inspired by the legend of the European folklore witch Baba Yaga, this story is both a historical reimagining of an ancient folktale, and an original story of the enduring power of love against harrowing odds.

This story contains mature subject matter and is suitable for mature young adult readers, new adult, and adult.

This ebook contains the dark fantasy paranormal horror short story about witches, Breathing Dust. This original story by Victoria Champion is 7,500 words, or approximately 27 pages.

Second Edition. Originally published on April 02, 2013 with a different cover.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luminous Points Publishing
• Release date: Apr 2, 2013
• ISBN: 9781497723214

Book preview

Breathing Dust

Victoria Champion

Sofiya pushed aside the detritus of sticks, leaves, and other unknowable bits and pieces of the forest with her toes. She forged a path step by step, in any direction her curious mind took her. Foliage rustled and crackled above her head and below her bare feet. The pale light of a crescent moon scarcely illuminated a worn dirt path. Grass no longer grew upon it, however dead leaves drifted and skittered across its hard packed surface. She followed the winding trail. The trees gave way to a clearing and an old ruined cottage emerged into view.

The planks from the roof shot upwards into the sky like talons on a dead bird. A pall hung over the pathetic house despite the brisk air of the clear night. Goosebumps prickled across her skin. Sofiya shuddered. She stepped back, intending to retreat, yet cringed as she recognized the pull of her curiosity. She could not deny it, for it had always compelled her to satisfy its gnawing hunger.

As she ascended the hill towards the house, her nightgown snapped and whipped against her skin in the chilling wind. She passed through the open doorway and into moonlight-dappled ruins. The night’s stars glittered, visible through the porous roof. Rough wood creaked under her feet.

A sense of disquiet halted her. Her skin stung with sharp prickles. Cold sweat coated her and she shivered in the crisp air. Her eyes itched and she blinked in discomfort. Waves of inexplicable heat washed over her. Disoriented, she swayed in the manner of a swimmer caught in a tide. The waves coalesced into an intense whirlpool swirling in her mind. Dizzy from the eddy of disjointed thoughts, she fell to her knees, and her hands impacted with rotting wood. Poisonous particles rose and drifted around her. She coughed. As she attempted to regain her breath, she inhaled the befouled air. Faintness conspired to embrace her.

A sense of purpose renewed her strength. Her hands moved unbidden, and gripped the flooring. She tore at the floorboards. The wood splintered and scratched her hands. Blood slicked the stained surface. Her baffling and arduous labor exposed the gruesome secret beneath.

A withered skeletal body met her horrified gaze. It gleamed blackly from decomposition. Dried patches had toughened into leather.

She observed herself reaching downwards and ripping into it. Clouds of dust