3 – The Revelry.

The time Bart spent in class flew like a breeze. Perhaps, thinking about the implications of Mallory Nelson's actions towards him earlier was the cause.

Bart wasn't planning on dwelling on it. He had other things to do: study, keep in touch with his uncle, and rest. He didn't have time to let this thoughts wander - even though it marked the first time anyone showed concern for him.

Was it really concern?

Bart shook his head and decided enough. He grabbed his bags and left the room, ignoring the stares from those who still couldn't believe a school elite laid genuine eyes on a scumbag like him.

College dismissal always gave Bart enough leeway to avoid trouble. Thanks to his class schedule ending ahead of the upper-years (the bullies were a year older than him, and his seniors), Bart is easily able to bolt for home scot-free. He quickly left the school premises and walked the streets.. which were more highlighted than usual.

Bart looked up. There were decorations of black crosses hanging around the line of streetlights. Various effigies of witches wearing black robes, pointed hats and twisted smiles were stationed in front of houses and business establishments. Festival flags were hung from one side of the street to the next, each with symbols of black crosses printed on them.

"Huh." Bart muttered to himself, seemingly surprised.

"The Black Cross Festival is here."

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To those living outside the city of Eldridge, it was unsettling to know its inhabitants would commemorate an event in its history that boded in a particularly grim way.

The Black Cross Festival was a yearly tradition that began after the decline of the witch hunts in the 1700s, when Eldridge -still a backwater town in the middle of two valleys- was about to enter the age of technological advancement. The establishment of a permanent railroad system would ensure that the growing city could trade with foreign lands. Then again, they had one problem - the project was nearly cancelled after the investors were threatened to death.

The source of the threat, was Eldridge's oldest legend: the Witch of the Black Cross. Many of the younger generations barely know of her identity or appearance, but it was said that she had the power to call forth demons. The Witch was widely feared by the people of Eldridge, and no one had the gall to even approach her or question her motives.

But that was before ambition and desire got into picture.

According to Eldridge lore, the Witch attempted to drive the investors out of Eldridge. This angered the people, who wanted nothing more than to let riches in to their thriving community. Thus, the townsfolk assembled with the intention of ridding the land of her destructive influence, ignoring any fear of who she was. To their shock, they saw her mountain home full of items and materials for witchcraft, but no demons protecting her. The Witch was dragged out of hiding, gagged and bound under holy conscripts...

....and burned at stake, for all to see.

It was said that the Witch's face eroded first in the flames. She screamed, in half-gargled noises, a curse that would haunt Eldridge for as long as her spirit remained. In contrast to her demise, the people celebrated. They were free of the fear, the mysticism, and the occult. In their heads.. the town of Eldridge entered the age of progress.

From that day on, Eldridge considered it a time of merriment. People would gather and decorate their homes and streets with symbols of the Black Cross - the cross that the Witch was burned on, which remained charcoal-black and preserved by the city's religious sect, the Order of Whites. Children and adults alike would dress in witch and pilgrim attire as they watched floats of colorful yet innovative witch-themed designs parading the streets.

Still...

<They probably burned a woman who was just accused of witchcraft,> Bart told himself as he weaved through the increasingly-crowded streets. People were beginning to fill the sides, anticipating, many of them sporting their costumes. In a few minutes, the Black Cross Festival's Parade of Floats was about to begin.

Bart sighed. History always defines the winners - and in the minds of the people of Eldridge, they won by sacrificing some innocent woman's soul.

<What a fucked-up ideology,> Bart added in the back of his head.

Bart knew he had to hurry home. He'll have hell of a time having to get through people once the parade starts. He decided to hasten his pace.

"HEY! LOOK, LOOK!"

A gleeful high-school girl pointed up, joined by sounds of awe from her classmates and other people behind her. In curiosity, Bart looked on to what she was referring to.

Gracing Eldridge from the heavens was the moon aglow in a rust-red tint, spreading a reddish haze across the night sky.

"... a lunar eclipse.."

Bart couldn't remember the last time he saw one in full view. The colored moon in all its wonder seemed to fill the people with more excitement than ever before.

But why did it feel wrong?

There was something about the moon and the parade that was about to happen... that sent a chill down Bart's spine.

A chill that made him want to run.

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NOTE: @JeielYozama here! Gave a little insight on the Black Cross Festival and its history. Might sound like an extra event.. but it's all going to be connected. There's going to be one more interaction before a major happening. All that being said, stay tuned, readers. Stay safe. xD