The Jackal of All Hallows' Eve

"Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned."
William Congreve


My mother once told me a story of a Jackal, who would only appear to the tune of a fires crackle sung along side that of a Wiccan's cackle.
On All Hallows' Eve if a woman ever felt vengeful then she could call upon the Devils Jackal.
But heed this warning, if ever you find comfort in the arms of a Jackal then expect not to see the morning.
For when we strike down with vengeance our foe we strike a blow against oneself also.

However, years later I was wronged in such a way that my heart grew colder.
I lit the fire and danced in the forest under the watchful eye of the old pine, o how this night will be mine.
I watched the flames flicker and prance and joined them in a joyful dance.
I looked to see the flames reach up and scorch the darkening sky, with a joyful laugh I pleasured in the thought of how those men will die.
O with all my blackened heart I wanted to believe that the creature I was about to conceive truly was the Jackal of All Hallows Eve.

It appeared out of the fire, a shadowy shape of the one that I desire.
But what appeared wasn't a Jackal or a beast at all but a man standing elegant and tall.
His eyes filled with lust for the absolute and total control of my beaten and twisted soul.
Instinctively from what i felt I knelt submissively, it was only then I saw the other looking back at me.
The Jackal was the other, standing beside the man as foretold by my mother.
The Jackal ran at me but I was frozen to the spot, I could not move as I was tied to this moment by a strange lovers knot.
It bore it's teeth into my flesh and punctured a vein, unyet I felt no pain.
The devilish rain fell from my arm soaking the ground beneath me with a crimson stain. Unyet I still felt no pain.

I felt nothing.

I felt nothing of joy or sorrow nor did I care if I'd live to see the morrow.
My thoughts were only of him, the Jackals master who stood with the Devils grin.
The Jackal let go of my arm, turned and ran but I stayed calm.
It ran off into the woods in search of it's prey, my mind began to toy and play of how in such a brutal and violent way those men where surely going to pay.

Slowly the man walked over to me, held my hand calmly and laid me on the ground genteelly.
He closed my eyes and I felt myself sink into a deep sleep but with my mind still in sync.
Together we sleepwalked through the black and purple swirls of my minds eye. Where are you taking me said I, to the land where those who die go to weep and cry?
The Jackal's master replied and smiled, you are home now my child.
He placed his lips upon mine and with this, we shared in loves final kiss.