Authors: Benjamin Hulme-Cross
The Crimson Well
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The Dark Hunter
Mr Daniel Blood is the Dark Hunter.
People call him to fight evil demons, vampires and ghosts.
Edgar and Mary help Mr Blood with his work.
The three hunters need to be strong and clever to survive...
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Contents
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Mr Blood, Mary and Edgar stood by the side of the road. The coachman was shaking his head and staring at the ground.
“What do you mean, you won't take us there?” Mr Blood shouted. “That's what we are paying you to do.”
“Then keep your money,” said the coachman. “The stone circle is no place for us tonight. It is midwinter.”
Mary looked excited. Edgar felt nervous. They were going to an ancient circle of standing stones. Mr Blood had not said why.
“At least take us a little closer,” said Mr Blood.
The coachman shook his head again.
“Not tonight. The past six years at midwinter there has been...” His voice trailed off.
“Witchcraft?” Mr Blood asked. The man nodded. “That is why we are here,” said Mr Blood. “To stop the witchcraft.”
“I dare not take you any closer,” the coachman said.
“You must!” said Mr Blood. “We will not get there in time if we walk. Take us as far as you can along the road and drop us near to the stone circle. Then we will deal with the witchcraft that makes you so afraid.”
The coachman stared at the ground.
“Come on, man!” Mr Blood shouted. “I have two children with me who are less afraid than you.”
In the end, the coachman said he would take them closer to the stone circle.
They got into the coach. The coachman climbed up behind the horses and they set off along the road once more.
It took a few hours to get there. Edgar and Mary asked Mr Blood to tell them more about where they were going but he shook his head. “It is very dark magic,” he said.
At last the coach stopped again. The coachman opened the door and they got out.
“Follow the road and you will see a track leading uphill,” said the coachman. “Follow the track. When it starts going downhill you will see the stones.”
Without waiting for Mr Blood to pay him, the coachman jumped back on the coach. He cracked his whip and drove away. Mr Blood, Edgar and Mary were alone.
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They followed the track until they saw the stone circle. The tall, dark stones looked like a circle of giants. It was late afternoon and the sky was black with clouds.
As they came nearer they saw a smaller circle of wooden posts, inside the stone circle.
“What do you think is going to happen?” Mary asked.
“Witches have met here at midwinter for six years.” Mr Blood said. “This is the seventh year and seven is a powerful number in bad magic.”
“Yes, but what are the witches trying to do?” said Edgar.
“I fear that they will try to bring out Evil itself,” replied Mr Blood. “If I am right, they will make a sacrifice.”
