Always one to take on a challenge you were unable to resist venturing into the woods that night. It was Halloween and you heard rumours of Pagan Revelry, You just wanted a look, what harm could possibly happen? You were going to find out.
They must be planning one hell of a party because there seemed to be an astronomical amount food being purchased. Just because you were new to the village didn't seem a good enough reason to exclude you.
You scouted the woods and found a clearing in the centre. Your exploration helped you identify a route that would lead you to a spot where you could look down from the cover of the undergrowth.
The night arrived and at 11pm you headed to the woods following the path. As you climbed over the hedge you heard somebody coming and you lay flat behind a log as a group of people walked past.
"What the fuck?" you exclaimed as you tried to see to identify them but they wore hooded robes with the hood up. Your exclamation was prompted by their bare feet. It was not a warm night
Unable to take the path you had planned you decided to take an adjacent one. It was one you had tried but looked like it went the right way. Taking it slow you advanced down the path in the dark so you didn't bring attention to yourself. You stepped into a puddle and halted. You paused standing still as the muddy water seeped into your trainer and listened to make sure no-one had heard the splash. Even quiet noises sounded loud at night. You stepped forward again in a puddle up to your ankles. This was ridiculous your foot felt cold and wet. How did you not see these puddles? Another two steps and you were in a puddle up to your knees. There had been no rain today, where had these puddles come from?
You felt the water soaking through your jeans, its chill somehow seemed inviting. This was strange and you shook your head hoping to clear your thoughts. You decided to turn back and took another two steps, then a third and a fourth. Confused that instead of walking back you seemed to have walked further forward. The water now reaching your thighs It was no longer just water though as you tried again to walk out your legs were now trying to wade through mud. You turned to try and get out but whichever direction you went the cold mud got thicker and deeper. Now in it up past your waist you decided not to take another step until you were sure. More worried about the mud than the locals you took out the torch. You shone it around you. You seemed to be in the middle of the mud but more disconcerting you were sinking into it and were now in it up to your chest. The mud soft and clingy seemed to be sucking you in and seeping into your clothes. Its cold but seems to feel like an embrace. You stay stell as you hear footsteps but wave the torch.
Six robed figures approached.
"Can you get me out pleased I am stuck?" you ask and to your surprise they stopped but instead of helping stood in a circle whispering to each other.
"Hey," you say as the mud now reaches your shoulders. A robed figure approaches and a female voice speaks.
"This is a sacred night and sacred land, Only those who share our faith can be here. We can pull you out but first I must baptise you." she said
"Just get me out of here," you said feeling the inexorable sinking continue as the mud covers your shoulders
"I need your consent first" she said . " it is a special night anyone baptised here on this night has special responsibilities and."
"Yes I agree to everything, just get me out," you interrupted. She looked around at the other and a man shrugged then spoke.
"He has agreed." he said.
You expected them to somehow pass you something to pull but instead the woman walked towards you and only her feet sank in the mud.
"What the fuck?" you said before finding a mud covered foot in your mouth.
"Be quiet, Show respect to our goddess. When I take my foot out take a deep breath and close your eyes,, " she commanded. She wiggled her toes in your mouth to confirm her authority over you and then removed her foot. Gasping for breath and then filling your lungs you closed your eyes. She immediately planted one foot on each shoulder and her weight submerged you. Encased entirely in the sticky clingy mud. You felt it grip you but before you had time to panic the feet moved and her hands had reached down and with unexpected strength pulled you up. Her hands gripped your hair pulling your head between her thighs which she wrapped tightly around you.
"Praise the goddess with your tongue," she told you "tonight we give thanks for our food and fertility and as her newest acolyte you must accept those thanks and become Winters partner otherwise spring will not be born."
Concentrating on breathing and licking you heard her words but gave little thought to her meaning.
You had no idea what you had agreed to.