“Get over here. NOW.”

A strong hand gripped my arm and yanked me onto the ground. Nails pierced into my skin. I tried my best to stay calm, my mind hyperventilating. Do not panic, do not panic. You will be fine. You will get out of here. Do not worry. DO NOT WORRY.

The masked figure, presumably female from her voice, took out a knife.

“Finally, my turn to have fun.”

She took off her mask and smiled. Her eyes were almost glowing against the dark sky.

I screamed.

~

In the small rural town of Elysia, rumors of a witch were told. Despite the name of the town, which meant “paradise”, this place was built upon fear. They said that she picked one person every full moon to sacrifice, to make her own, and then all would be well. Screams were heard at midnight, but no one dared step foot outside. Children were advised to stay inside, in case the witch was watching and looking for her next prey. Nobody knew who the witch was and where she came from, or even if she actually existed. They were just… scared. Scared of not knowing.

~

I woke up against a cold floor. Where was I? Who was I? It was pitch black, except for a single flickering candle standing by me. I picked it up and wobbled on my feet. My whole body ached.

“Hello?” I called into the desolate place I was in. No response. Where am I? My mind was fuzzy, almost blank. I felt calm, but I was scared. I was so tired. Why am I tired? What is happening? Who am I? What am I doing there…

I opened my eyes to a small, cozy cottage. A platter of food was in the middle of the table, along with a single candle. An old woman entered the room. She smiled warmly at me as she poured two cups of tea.

“Hungry, dear?”

I shook my head. “Who are you?” My voice slightly shook when I spoke.

The lady laughed softly. “No need to be scared. I am Unknown.”

“W-why am I here? Where am I? Who-who am I? Who am I…”

Unknown smiled. “My dear, you are also Unknown. We are often overlooked, feared. Nobody likes the Unknown, you know? Everyone is always doubtful, frightened. Nobody dares to find out who we are, everybody is scared. Scared for the future, scared of… not knowing. And because we are often overlooked, we crave attention.” Her eyes shined for moment, almost familiar.

“You don’t know me, so you are scared. One after another, we find people to replace us. I saved you, my dear, from another Unknown. Who knows what might’ve happened? Why is the Unknown so frightening? Simply prepare yourself, and you will be fine!” Her voiced grew louder until she was shouting. “Never doubt the unknown, my girl.”

I gasped.

“Sleep now, you will understand tomorrow.”

My eyes closed, and my breathing slowed.

I woke up on a patch of dirt. Where was I? I looked around myself. A house was behind me, and a knife lay beside me. I stared. I had almost been killed, but was saved… by Unknown reasons. I got up slowly. Should I go to the house? I feel like it’s the safest option…

Cautiously, I walked toward the house, on the watch for my attacker. I knocked on the door. No response. The weathered wooden door creaked open slowly. A platter of untouched fruits lay in the middle of the table, along with two cups of tea, one half empty and cold, the other one hot, as if it had been refilled recently. Someone was here… Someone Unknown.

~

In the town of “paradise”, the villagers put on a happy face and knew that if they gave in to the fear completely, it would be like drowning in thick nectar: painless, yet they would be frightened, and they would never be able to find a way out. So they spent their lives “blissfully” in their Elysia, having nightmares about whatever Unknown was out there. They had a fixed routine and schedule every day. Everything was organized perfectly.

That was, until the Unknown came to Elysia themselves.