Reduced to a Stranger

Harry's eyes widened as he approached Louis, his friend since childhood. They had grown up together, sharing countless memories and laughter. From bunking off school to explore the nearby woods to pulling off epic pranks on their teachers, their bond had been unbreakable. But something was off. Louis's once-luminous skin now bore wrinkles, and his hair had turned grey. But they were only twenty! Harry's mind reeled as he tried to process the transformation.

"Louis?" Harry called out, hoping to snap his friend out of whatever trance he seemed to be in. Louis looked up, his eyes vacant, and replied, "Do I know you?" The words cut deep, leaving Harry stunned and hurt. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut. How could Louis not remember him?

Harry quickly composed himself and apologized, "Sorry, I mistook you for someone else." He turned around and walked away, trying to make sense of the situation. As he disappeared into the crowd, memories of their friendship flooded his mind. They had been inseparable, sharing their deepest secrets and dreams. Louis's words still echoed in his mind: "We'll always be friends, Harry." But it seemed those words were nothing more than a distant memory now. Tears flooded his eyes.

That night, Harry couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. He kept replaying their encounter in his mind, wondering what could have caused Louis's strange behavior. He rose to get a mug of hot chocolate, gazing out the window into the darkness. A shadowy figure caught his attention, and he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity. Without hesitation, Harry chased after the figure, which led him into the forest behind his neighborhood.

The trees seemed to close in around him as he pursued the mysterious figure. Harry's knowledge of the woods proved useful, but the darkness made it challenging to navigate. He stumbled over roots and fallen branches, but his determination kept him going. Suddenly, the figure vanished, and Harry found himself standing in a clearing. He approached the old barn, curiosity getting the better of him.

As he entered the barn, the door slammed shut, and the lights flickered to life. Three figures in fancy robes sat before him, their faces obscured. Audrey, a classmate from ninth grade, nudged him forward. Harry's eyes widened as he recognized her; she had always been fascinated with the supernatural and mysticism. He remembered her stories about witches, sorcerers, and curses, but he had always dismissed them as mere fantasies.

The old man in the purple cloak spoke, "Welcome, Harry, to the meeting of the mystics. We've summoned you to discuss an abnormality concerning your friend." Harry's skepticism got the better of him, and he interrupted, "Who do you think you are, claiming to have summoned me? I came here on my own."

The woman in white rose, her voice commanding attention. "Silence! We've been watching you, Harry. Your friend Louis is under a spell, one that erases his memories and alters his appearance." Harry's mind reeled as he tried to comprehend the situation. He thought about Louis's strange behavior at the mall, his fascination with Nike kicks, and his grey hair. It all seemed so surreal.

The mystics revealed that Louis was under the control of a powerful witch named Sardelle, who had been using his life force to maintain her youthful appearance. Harry struggled to believe the fantastical tale, but the mystics' words struck a chord. He remembered Louis's aversion to Nike and the strange scene at the mall.

"How can I believe this?" Harry asked, his voice laced with doubt.

The mystics exchanged glances, and the old man in purple spoke, "We understand your skepticism, but the truth is, Harry , the world is full of mysteries beyond your understanding. Sardelle's powers are real, and she's been using them to drain the life force of innocent people."

Harry's mind was racing. He didn't know what to believe. Part of him wanted to dismiss the whole thing as a wild goose chase, but another part of him was curious. He wanted to know more about Sardelle and the mystics.

As Harry prepared to leave, the mystics warned him that Louis's fate was sealed. "There's nothing we can do to save him now," the woman in white said, her voice tinged with sadness.

Harry left the barn, his mind reeling with questions. He couldn't shake off the feeling that he had to do something.

The next day, he received a call from Louis's mother, informing him of his friend's passing. Harry's world crumbled as he attended the funeral, seeing Louis's lifeless body being cremated.

As he gazed at Louis's face, he noticed the deep wrinkles and grey hair, just like he had at the mall. Maybe, he thought, I should have listened. I could have saved him.

The next night, he was back at the barn. "We should catch Sardelle. She's mad. We have to stop her."

The old man, now in robes of emerald green, replied," We have been expecting you, young man. But, alas, with the power that she possesses, there is no one who can stop her."

"I'd rather die than live without my friend."

Audrey led Harry to the lair of Sardelle.

It was nothing like he imagined. He'd expected a dusty, crooked cottage or a dark, damp and dingy cave. Instead, he was standing in front of a posh high rise apartment in the middle of the city.

He and Audrey snuck in by jumping a wall. Sardelle lived on the thirteenth floor. Audrey, however, did not come all the way up. He disappeared in the tenth floor.

Surprisingly, the door to her apartment was open. Harry quietly pushed open her door. It looked like Sardelle was in the kitchen. He slipped in and stealthily made his way to the kitchen. Green vapors were wafting out from the kitchen. Once again, curiosity got the better of Harry, and he peeped in. There was Sardelle, staring at him! Aetete, she shrieked, and an orange glow filled the apartment.

Next week, Harry's own wrinkled and lifeless body was burnt on the pyre.

In the apartment, Sardelle said to Audrey," The fool believed you!" "And now we both look younger than ever."