If rumours were to be believed, his time would soon be up. The rumours told of a witch, old as time who lured men to her cabin in the woods. Once there she would suck their very souls from them and leave the withered husks to be consumed by the insects.
But they were just rumours, right? Seriously, who believes in witches anymore? That was what Daryll told himself as he moved further into the dark woods.
It had all seemed like a good idea at the time. Daryll had been sat in his local pub with his mates, drinking the night away whilst eyeing up the girls. The lads had quite the reputation when it came to the ladies so it was getting harder and harder for them to score. As they left the pub just before closing time they were drunk, staggering and slurring their words quite badly. Daryll was moaning about not getting laid and having to rely on his own hand an imagination that night. Steve, his best mate was shouting how he hadn't been 'blown' for so long and just wanted someone to help him out.
"Don't look at me mate," Daryll had laughed. "I got me own problems to take care of."
Steve looked horrified, "Urgh man, you're sick. I wouldn't touch yours with someone else's!"
Laughing, the two of them stumbled down the road. Each of them saying what they wanted most from their next lay, each scenario worse than the previous. That was when Steve mentioned the witch.
"So mate, what we need is something a bit different. We need a bird that's willing to do anything we want."
"Yeah, no anyone like that. Cos I tell you mate, if I don't get fucked soon, my bollocks are gonna explode!"
"What about the witch?"
"The what? Fuck off with that old tale, man. There ain't no such thing as fucking witches."
"I here that she has powers and can suck like no other, suck your very soul right out your cock."
"For fuck sake, man. Look, yeah, I'm pissed. But, number one, Ain't no such fucking thing as witches. Two, it ain't my soul I want her sucking out, is it? And three, well fuck I can't think of three. But I want a real woman, not some fucking fairy tale from your head."
"You ain't getting my head you damn pervert"
Both men laughed as they walked down the street. Silence rained over them for a short time. But when they reached the turning at the edge of the woods, Steve stopped and spoke up.
"Can't believe you're scared of a story."
Daryll stopped, he took his friend by the arm. "Where the hell did that come from?" He asked. "Why would I be scared of some old stupid story?"
Steve grinned, he knew he could bait Daryll. "It's cool mate, seriously. It's just between us, I won't tell nobody you didn't want to go into the woods at night on your own."
"Whatever, Steve. Ain't like there's anything in there anyway, is it."
"Yeah, your probably right," Steve replied casually. "I wouldn't dare go in there either."
The magic word had been said, the word that always got a rise out of Daryll. "What's that supposed to mean? Are you trying to say something?"
Smiling, and knowing he'd led Daryll into his trap, Steve spoke the three words that anyone who knew him, knew they could control Daryll with. "I dare you."
"What? What you talking about, dare me what?" Daryll knew he'd been had.
"I dare you to go in them woods and prove there ain't no witch."
"Fuck you, man" Daryll said as he turned his back on Steve and disappeared into the trees. Ever since a young age, Daryll had never been able to turn down a dare. His mates knew it was his Achilles heel and used it on him. It was the main reason he had been in so much trouble over the years.
Thinking about the rumours, having sobered up quickly, Daryll emerged from the trees and found himself in a large clearing. In the centre of the clearing stood an old log cabin.
Smoke poured from the chimney, lights flicked in the small round windows. The door creaked on old, rusty hinges as it slowly opened.
A figure, cloaked in darkness emerged from within and stopped. The door shut silently behind it. Daryll, didn't understand, but he felt beckoned by the figure. Slowly, his feet began to move and he stepped towards the shrouded figure.
All was silent as Daryll moved. No insects made a sound, his footfalls were silent. Stopping an arm's length from the mysterious figure, he looked, his gaze trying to penetrate the darkness of the hood.
Slender hands emerged from the sleeves, reaching up, they pulled the hood back. Daryll's gasp was silent as he starred into the face of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.