Xuebing Du
noise dept.
Cosmic Funnies
@theartofmadeline
shark vs the universe
trying on a metaphor
pixel skylines
ellievsbear
AnasAbdin
roma★
hello vonnie
izzy's playlists!
祝日 / Permanent Vacation
we're not kids anymore.
styofa doing anything
Cosimo Galluzzi
Keni
No title available
No title available
will byers stan first human second
seen from Spain
seen from Sweden
seen from Sweden
seen from Germany
seen from Malaysia
seen from Japan
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from Finland
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from Türkiye
seen from Indonesia
seen from Iraq
seen from Poland
seen from United States
seen from Peru
seen from Sweden
seen from United States
@rayodelunaiswriting
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
Hi! This is a blog that I will dedicate to my writings. I am by no means a professional writer, but this is something that I enjoy and would love to practise.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
Masterlist of the things I've written so far:
Uninviting hallway
Haiku not ready yet
The Witch from the Woods
Part 1
Part 1.a (a bit of backstory)
Part 2
Creepy, haunted house
Part 1
Part 2 - A cosy scene at a cosy (?) home
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
reading the first line and immediately entering witness protection
Creepy, haunted house - Part 2: A cosy scene at a cosy (?) home
Note from the author: This is a continuation of this story. It will still have another part!
Summary: Soph gets to Dani's house. She was reluctant to do that, there was something odd about the house, but she did not have a choice. The girls share some honest and lighthearted moments before the story continues, a small break that they have been needing...
‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹
Soph had gathered her things earlier that afternoon, and when she got to Dani’s creepy place, she was already feeling a pain in her lower back that meant she was toot tense and had been clenching her muscles. She had tried not to take too many things with her, but her bags were still heavier than she would have liked. When she got to the front door, she was feeling the straps of her backpack sinking into her shoulders, and she was a bit sweaty.
The building looked completely normal and dull, something that would go unnoticed for locals and tourists alike. It was not an antique building but it was not one of those new buildings with a clean-lined minimalistic style either. The door was made of glass, bordered by a silvery aluminum frame. As Soph stopped in front of the door and looked up at the rows of windows watching her from above, she felt a chill down her spine. She swallowed and resignedly, pushed the button on the intercom. Dani told her that the lift was not working, but she refused any help as she had not brought many things with her, just her backpack and a tote bag. She was not expecting to stay for long, and she hoped it was not just wishful thinking.
Soph entered the building. In the entrance hall, there was a big tall mirror that covered most of the wall, and a plant with dark leaves on the side opposite the lift. The lights did not turn on automatically, and they were not working either when she pushed the switch. For some reason, this gave Soph the chills. It was not too dark, but the sun would set in around an hour, and the light was dimmed, blocked by the surrounding buildings.
The lift, of course, had a sign indicating it was not working. Soph could not shake off a feeling of impending doom as she looked at the stairs. She still could feel the straps of her backpack sinking into her shoulders and biting at her skin. What on earth was so heavy that it was hurting her like that? She did not remember taking anything that heavy with her, but it must have been the combination of all the little things. She climbed the stairs diligently. In her mind she was telling herself: “I'm not a coward and I'm not weak. I can climb a couple of stairs”. When she got to Dani’s floor, her legs felt tired and she was out of breath.
Soph knocked on the door, and heard Dani’s voice inside “I’m coming!” and rushed footsteps towards the door.
The door opened and Dani’s radiant smile appeared and she welcomed an exhausted-looking and panting Soph.
“How’s the strongest girl in the world?” she asked Soph, offering to take her tote bag.
Soph just snorted while she handed Dani the tote bag. “I’m not that strong, apparently”. Dani laughed as she closed the door behind them and led Soph through the short corridor.
“Well, princess, welcome to your chambers” Dani said in a posh voice as she opened a door to a small but cosy and tidy bedroom. “I hope that you will enjoy your stay at my elegant, sophisticated manor” she said still in that pretentious posh voice.
Soph chuckled and punched her arm. Dani winked at her and placed her tote bag in the room, next to the bed. Soph followed her and dropped her bag next to it, and sat on the bed, caressing the soft red and white checkered cover.
“Okay, princess, I’ll let you settle,” said Dani, making a playful finger-guns gesture “and then we can get something to eat.”
Soph just stayed there for a while, sitting on the bed with her hands on the cover, as if letting go would mean the whole world would dissolve around her, making her fall into an endless abyss. Now that she was alone, she took some time to look around the room. There was a wooden bedside table of a light brown colour, with a hot pink lamp on top. On the desk, there were a couple of notebooks and a block with several pieces of paper with Dani’s notes. Soph guessed that Dani had been using that room to work or study. She suddenly felt a pang in her stomach when she remembered that Dani had been through a lot lately: the exams, her new job, moving houses… and taking in a friend. Soph took a breath through her nose and sighed.
After a couple of seconds that felt like hours, she decided that the bed cover was not the only thing keeping her in contact with the world, and she let go and took out a couple of things out of her bag: her pyjamas, and a toilet bag. Then, she left her jacket on the chair. She began to take off her boots but, as she was doing that, she saw a shadow out of the corner of her eye, and she jumped out of pure instinct.
She stayed there, frozen, her heart racing from the shock of seeing something that looked like someone, and from almost falling while taking off her boots. She could not decide which was worse, imagining things that were not there, or seeing actual creepy shadows in the room. It could have been a figment of her imagination, or just a trick of the eye. After all, she had not been sleeping properly, and she knew it was taking a toll on her.
She finished taking off the other boot while sitting on the bed, just to be sure, and looking to the sides to check that there was really nothing there.
When she felt ready, she left the room, checking behind her, still expecting to see another shadow. Why would she expect that anyway? She was not a child anymore, she should not be scared of things like that. Perhaps she was just a bit jumpy from the stress. She was just going through a rough patch, but soon enough, everything would be sorted, as if her fairy godmother had waved her wand to help her, and she would not have to worry about creepy shadows looming over her.
Still feeling watched, she tiptoed quickly through the corridor, following a noise coming from the kitchen. Dani was taking out some plates, and she had placed a pot with water on the stove. There was a pack of uncooked pasta on the table, and three different types of sauces.
Dani had a half stern half panicked expression, like someone taking a physics exam that they had not studied enough for. But her expression faded into a cheerful smile as soon as she saw Soph leaning against the door frame.
“Hey, how are you finding your new room? I thought I’d cook some pasta. Do you like pasta? I thought it would be nice after a hard day having to leave your house and all that, pasta is a comfort food for me, and I thought you would like it. But if you don’t we can choose something else, I think I have some eggs and some–” Dani was talking too fast, moving around the kitchen and opening the fridge and the cabinets to show Soph what else they could have for dinner.
“Pasta sounds great, Dani. I mean, who doesn’t like pasta after a long hard day?” Soph reassured her and got closer to check if the water was already boiling. “By the way, which sauce are we going to eat? I’m guessing you don’t want to open the three of them and mix them together, right? Because that would be kind of gross” she joked and made a disgusted expression before laughing.
“Is that really what you think of me? Wow” Dani faked being offended and then “Well, you are my guest, so you have to choose. We have green pesto… red pesto and… bolognaise. Hm. So, which one?” she raised her eyebrows at Soph.
“Oh, I love bolognaise, can we have that one?” Soph was already salivating. It had actually been a long hard day and she realised that her stomach was about to start growling.
“Bolognaise it is!” said Dani triumphantly, holding the sauce as if it was a well-deserved gold medal.
They stayed in the kitchen quietly, setting the table. Soph helped Dani put the pasta in the water. They stayed quietly next to the stove, watching the pasta, only the sound of the water boiling.
After a while, Soph broke the silence. “Hey, Dani… Thanks for the pasta. And for letting me stay here tonight” she was more serious now and spoke almost in a whisper.
“Oh, come on, don’t mention it” Dani made a gesture with her hand, brushing it off.
“No, Dani, I mean it” she said sternly and sighed, bringing her hands to her face and leaning her back against the counter. “Listen, I know you’ve had a couple of rough weeks, with the new job, the new house, and everything else that has been going on…” Soph did not want to bring up anything else, she did not want to upset Dani “and I appreciate what you’re doing for me. It really means a lot.”
“Soph, I…” Dani looked a bit like a deer caught in the headlights “Why wouldn’t I take you in? We’re friends, this is literally zero effort. This is like a sleepover, even.” Soph let out a half chuckle. “And… I know it has been a rough time for you too. How are you feeling?”
They stared at each other, like two reflections of the same being, or two versions of the same person looking at its alternate universe-self through an inter-dimensional portal.
Soph shrugged her, breaking the reflection effect. “I’m fine. I guess I’ve been better, but this rough patch has to be coming to an end, it is about time. And I have you by my side, that’s not too bad” she smirked when she said the last sentence.
“Oh, please, you know how much I love being prince charming coming to the rescue. You are feeding my ego too much and you’re going to regret it” said Dani, clearly getting out of the serious mood. “Hm, I think the pasta is done, shall we have dinner, my dear lady?” she added with an exaggerated posh voice.
Soph punched her arm softly, and felt much lighter. Any thoughts about menacing shadows were gone from her mind.
‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹
Read Part 1
writing challenge!
open up your document and put words in it
Creepy, haunted house
This piece of writing is based on the following prompt, and will probably have a second part...
‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹
Prompt: https://www.tumblr.com/writing-prompt-s/785087930299482112?source=share
A friend invites you over to an apartment he bought, raving about the grandness and low rent. Once you visit, you discover that it’s actually completely haunted. Your friend has no idea.
‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹
“Hey, you gotta check out my new apartment! I can give you a house tour while we get my things. What do you think?” Dani said excitedly.
“That sounds great! You said it was huge, I want to see if you were exaggerating” Soph teased her, knowing that the description her friend had given her could be as real as a unicorn.
“Oh, come on. I'll show you and you'll have to apologise for being so mean”
“Yeah, yeah, sure…” Soph rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t hold back a laugh.
“I mean, I know it may sound like I'm boasting, but the place is really huge, at least for that price! It was a total bargain.”
“Dani, I swear if we get to your place and it's falling apart—”
“I promise it's not! But I still haven't figured out why it was so cheap. Perhaps it's the location?”
° ° °
“Aaand, this is it! Welcome to my humble abode!” Dani was always so excited about everything. Always so happy and full of energy. I love that about her, if you ever need some optimism, she's your person.
She opened the door and I saw a corridor that looked very normal.
Well, very normal, but Soph had a strong feeling that something was… off. But she couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was.
“Well? Thoughts?” Dani enquired and raised her eyebrows at Soph, expectantly. Soph shook off that ominous feeling and took a step forward, realising her body had tensed up as soon as she crossed the door.
“Well, Dani, it’s not bad. Are you going to show me the rest of the house or is the corridor the only place that is not a complete mess?”
“Ha ha, you think you’re so funny” Dani walked through the corridor, her usual relaxed stance, with shoulders relaxed and chest open, ready to offer a house tour to her friend “I’ll make you eat your words”.
Dani showed her around, and everything seemed fine, but she couldn’t shake off that feeling she had in the corridor. It was as if a voice inside her head was urging her to run away. But nothing strange had actually happened. Maybe she was just being paranoid because of those horror movies she had been watching lately.
° ° °
Soph did not want to resort to calling Dani, but it seemed like the only option. Her phone was already in her hand, and it felt heavy and the plastic of the phone case was slightly sticky against her sweaty hands. The screen was showing the dialing screen: a big pastel red circle with Dani’s initial in darker red shade, and below it, Dani’s name and a wink emoji (that Dani had chosen when she gave her her number), the number, and the dialing and message buttons. Soph made an attempt at taking a deep breath, although it seemed more like a shaky unstable breath, and moved her thumb towards the dialing button. But she hesitated and moved her finger back. Her mind was racing. She cursed under her breath and looked up, as if the ceiling could offer a solution.
“Aaaaghh, shit” mumbled Soph as she reconsidered all the choices that had taken her to that moment, and took a deep breath (this time a proper deep breath) “Okay, okay, calm down. This is… the lesser of two evils. It will be temporary. Just a few days and I will be back”.
She finally pushed the dialing button and held her breath as she waited for Dani to pick up.
Beep…
Beep…
Beep…
Beep…
“Heyy, Soph!” the voice on the other side sounded as cheerful and laid-back as always.
“Dani, hi! How are you? Are you busy right now?” she asked, not wanting to be too straight-forward, even though she knew the other girl wouldn’t mind.
“I’m good, just chillin’. How are you? Did you need something?”
“I’m good… well, not that good, actually. Um… Dani, can I ask for a favour? It’s a huge favour, and don’t feel like you have to say yes, I just… well.. um…” Soph tried to sound laid back, but that had never been her thing, and she stumbled on her words.
“Hey, Soph, relax. You know I’m a great friend and can’t say no to you” she bragged. Soph heard her chuckle and knew she was just trying to downplay the issue to make her feel more at ease. She had always been good at that. “So, shoot, what’s wrong, and why do you need me so badly?”
“God Dani, you’re so annoying” Soph laughed and heard Dani laugh at the other end.
“Ah, yes, yes, but you’re the one about to ask for a favour, I would be more respectful if I were you” she pretended to be smug.
“Oh no, Dani, don’t remind me.” She sighed “The thing is, I have a leak at home, and they have to fix it, and it's kinda huge, so I can’t really stay at home.”
“Oh, shit. You need to find a better place, girl, that place has a leak every other month”
“I know,” Soph groaned.
“Well, my dear, do not fret, I will come to your rescue like the knight in shining armour that I am” Dani now put on a fake, silky, and seductive voice that made Soph giggle.
“Dani, I owe you, thank you so so so much”
“No worries, babe. So, when are you coming over?”
“Um… today? If it’s not too much trouble” Soph bit her lip again.
“Uhhh… okay, I think we can do that… Umm… I will tidy up while you get your things, sounds good?” Soph laughed inside, knowing full well that the house was probably a little bit messy and Dani would rush to hide the mess before she got there.
“Sure, sounds perfect. And don’t overwork yourself, I’ll help you tidy up and all that” she laughed. It was so easy getting along with Dani it was just shocking. She had almost forgotten about… well… the creepy house that she didn’t want to go to.
today's writing is a continuation of this story I wrote a while ago: witch prompt
˖⁺‧₊˚ ☆ ˚₊‧⁺˖
The Witch - Part 2
Frances knew things had just taken a turn. It felt like that moment when you dropped your favourite mug and it shattered into pieces. You could take drinks again, but you would never use that familiar mug that fit perfectly in your hand again.
In fact, since that strange woman with eyes as dark as a moonless night had arrived, Frances had not felt at ease. She was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. The shadows had strange shapes like menacing beings waiting to strike, patient and unwavering. Perhaps sleeping at an unfamiliar place was not helping. Hilda had suggested that both Frances and the other woman stayed at her home that night. The room was not huge, but there was enough space that it felt comfortable. It was very different from her little room at her own house. And the smell was also different. At Frances’ home, the air was dry and stale and smelled of dirt and wheat. But that cosy room in Hilda’s house smelled like wood and fresh air and an assortment of dried flowers that Hilda kept in a small bowl made with green and red-coloured straw. And despite the endless list of questions and worries running around Frances’ mind, she gave up to the comfort of the room, and fell asleep. The next thing she knew, the early morning sun was seeping through the window.
She woke up disoriented and with a slight headache, a faint throbbing pain above her eyes. Soon enough, she remembered the events of the previous night, and with her memories came her troubling thoughts. Who was that strange woman dressed in black and what was that world-ending problem she had been talking about? And what did any of that had to do with Hilda? But, most importantly, who was Hilda, really?
Frances splashed some cold water on her face and went outside, hoping that stretching her legs would make her feel less brittle. It was a crisp, clear morning, and she walked along Hilda’s garden, looking at the herbs and the tomato plants and the apple trees. She arrived at the gate, and looked ahead, a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach urging her to run away. But her legs were frozen, as if she had grown roots that kept her tied to that moist earth of Hilda’s garden. She knew she wouldn’t run away, so she turned back to the house and sat on the porch, just existing, just breathing.
The door opened and Hilda sat next to Frances, handing her a warm tea. “Here. It will make you feel better, dear.”
Frances accepted the tea, but stared at it blankly without drinking. The steam floated before her eyes and the cup warmed her hands, but she did not move.
“Frances, love, I know you must be upset” said Hilda with a mellow voice. “Things have taken quite a dark turn, even if it seems so far, even if today the sun still shines and things are still the same” Were they, though? “What’s going on, what this girl told us about… It’s a serious issue, Frances. And I won’t lie to you, this is not going to be easy. But you’re smart and strong, and you have the most exceptional soul I have ever seen”
That last sentence gave Frances a tingle that went from the pit of her stomach up to her chest, and she felt her cheeks burning. She let out a shaky sigh, and the tea trembled in her hands. “Hilda, what does that mean.. What… Why was she looking for you? Why you” There was a very direct question she wanted to ask. Who are you? But she thought it would be rude to ask that.
Hilda looked at her, and took a few seconds before answering. “Hm. You do remember she was looking for a sorcerer, right?” Frances nodded. “Well, it’s true that I am a sorcerer. But I have been… retired, for a while. You know that people don’t like sorcerers around here, that’s why I never told you. I’m very sorry, dear. I never thought this day would come, but here we are. But we must do our best to help”
Frances looked at Hilda and nodded again, then took a short sip of tea. “Hm. I’ll go see if our guest has woken up and I’ll bring you some warm breakfast, alright?” Hilda squeezed Frances’ arm reassuringly, and then went inside. Frances was a puddle of emotions. She did not know what to think or what to do, so she stayed there looking at the garden with a blank stare, and sipping her tea, staring at a small crack in the cup’s handle.
˖⁺‧₊˚ ☆ ˚₊‧⁺˖
Read Part 1 || Part 1.a
today's writing is based on a prompt ("first time trying something new") and this other story I wrote a while ago: witch prompt
☘︎·༻☘︎༺·☽·༻☘︎༺·☘︎
It was Frances’s first time gathering herbs and berries for Hilda. It hadn’t been a great day for Frances. She still had tears in her eyes and a sore throat from crying and a weight on her chest and her legs were tired as if she had been walking for days on end. It made it difficult to keep up with Hilda as they walked through the forest. It was a weird early-autumn day, not cold but with a cool breeze coming every now and then, and the sky was grey but not fully covered, and the sun rays sneaked in between little openings in the clouds.
“Frances, come look at this plant. What do you think this is” said Hilda, approaching some sort of vine-like plant with star-shaped leaves and round dark blue fruit.
Frances followed her and examined the plant. “I don’t know. Are they grapes? They look a bit weird though. Like a different variety of grapes?”
“That’s good, Frances. They resemble grapes, certainly, but they are not grapes at all. This is moonseed, and it’s poisonous. You probably have noticed that the leaves are different. Moonseed leaves are smooth and glossy and, as you already know, grapevine leaves are rough and toothed. If you open the moonseed fruit, you will see moon-shaped seeds, hence the name.”
Frances let out a soft chuckle, almost only a sigh. “I guess that makes sense. But you have to be very careful, right? Are there other plants that are difficult to distinguish from poisonous plants?”
“Oh, plenty of them! I will show you a couple more while we gather some things I need. Then I’ll show you a book I have at home. I has illustrations and explanations on how to identify each plant. I think you will like it.”
Frances and Hilda continued walking through the forest almost until midday. The clouds were beginning to clear and some pieces of clear-blue sky appeared every now and then. They got back to Hilda’s house and started organising everything into their corresponding containers in the pantry. When they were done, Frances knew she had to go back to the village, but she felt like she needed to talk to Hilda before she left.
“Hilda, I’m sorry I cried.”
“My sweet girl, don’t apologise for that. I’ve cried plenty of times in my life, there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Frances had never seen Hilda cry. She was such a strong cool-headed woman it was difficult to imagine her crying. And Frances knew that if she ever had to see her cry it would break her heart.
“Does it ever go away, Hilda? Does it get better?”
Hilda sighed and grabbed Frances’s hands. “It does get better, my child. Of course it does.” She paused and looked at Frances, holding her hands tighter. “And even when the pain doesn’t completely go away, it will not paralyse you. You will go on, and things will be okay, everything will fall into place.”
Just sharing today's writing practice. I'm not super happy with the result but I'm trying to be consistent 😣
⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･
Uninviting hallway
This is a normal house. A normal house with a normal hallway. Completely harmless. During the day at least, when the bedroom doors are open and the sunlight can get in. But at night, that’s another story. The sun cannot light up the way at night. Even if the lamps are turned on, the hallway looks completely different. In fact, it looks like a completely different hallway under the artificial yellowish lights. Everything is quieter, too. The neighbour’s children are not screaming and laughing and running, they’ve gone to sleep already. (Why am I still awake then? Why am I here instead of asleep in my bed, safe and sound? Whatever happened to getting a good night’s sleep? What am I awake for?). Just the buzzing sound of the fridge, static. And the ticking of the kitchen clock. I think about what it would be like if these sounds were not there, and it gives me a sinking feeling. It would be so much worse. It would feel like being completely alone on the entire planet. How can I be sure that the rest of the world exists anyway? I can’t see anything else, I can only see this hallway, this is the only place that exists for me now in this instant. And it feels unreal. Too still, too quiet, too unwelcoming. I have the impression that the hallway is longer. That I will be in danger when I try to cross it. That I will need to watch my back. The bathroom is at the other side, and I can see the mirror. But if you think I can use it to look at what’s behind me, you’re wrong. What if something actually appears in the reflection? What if what’s behind me does not have a reflection? And the bathroom is dark, all shadows. There could be something inside. And I have no other option but to get near it on my way to my bedroom.
I read a haiku bot post and it made me think about those mornings when I am having some trouble getting out of bed and I had to write something
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
Prompt: https://www.tumblr.com/the-haiku-bot/809869868030623744/i-have-been-awake-for-a-while-but-just-have
I have been awake for a while but just have not gotten ready yet
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
I have been awake, half-awake at least, since the alarm clock went off. Its melody, meticulously selected (as one would choose the perfect ripe fruits at the market) so that it wouldn’t make me angry first thing in the morning. Its volume gradually increases, somewhat intertwined with my dreams. But despite my efforts to make it (slightly) less unpleasant, I still hit snooze, and try to go back to sleep. Perhaps it is the weight of the blankets on top of me, perhaps it wouldn’t feel so heavy if it wasn’t winter, or perhaps it would just feel different, like vines wrapping around my legs and pinning me down. And when I feel this, I wish I was stronger, I wish I had gone to bed earlier, I wish I was braver (to face the world) and I wish I did things right. But what is the right way to do things? I get lost in thought and this delays the getting out of bed even more, until I get tired of the inner rambling and manage to get my arms out of the covers. I fumble in the dark, feeling the textured wall, until I notice the cold hard plastic of the light switch. It is best to hit it at once, the slightest hesitation to turn on the light will mean you will stay in bed even longer. I make an attempt at stretching my body and soon my legs are released too, hanging from one side of the bed. I feel like that meme of the fox who is sitting and reevaluating all his life decisions, with messy unkempt fur and eyes of not having slept in days. My body is half refusing to move, but a growl in my stomach makes me think about breakfast. Do I have the energy to get to the kitchen? Do I have the energy to prepare some fun delicious breakfast like the people in social media do? If it’s a good day, perhaps a sandwich won’t take too long to make. Otherwise, just some warm milk. Maybe coffee. Some cereal to make it less bland (and less sad). Then, I’ll be able to brush my teeth and put on my clothes. But not yet, let me just look out the window. It’s still kinda dark but I want to see the world. Maybe breakfast helped me get some of my energy back. Maybe I’ll be able to start the day now. Maybe it will be a good day.
This is my first time writing something here, I used a prompt and this is what I came up with. I am by no means a writer, but this is something I had wanted to try for some time, perhaps my new hobby? Who knows.
─ ⊹ ⊱꒰☆꒱⊰ ⊹ ─
Prompt: https://www.tumblr.com/writing-prompt-s/791241581239943168/you-often-visit-the-kind-old-woman-in-the-woods
You often visit the kind old woman in the woods and bring her various deliveries from necessities to strange things she calls 'ingredients'. Unbeknownst to you you have been helping a powerful witch and gained her favor.
─ ⊹ ⊱꒰☆꒱⊰ ⊹ ─
Frances adjusted the straps of her backpack and climbed the small slope to get to the little house in the woods. She was carrying several things for Hilda, the kind old woman who lived there: beetroot, nettle, some paper… Things that she had more trouble getting herself, or things she could only get at the village. Hilda never went to the village, but she was always very happy to see Frances. She would be working in the garden or feeding the chickens, and she would stop what she was doing to greet the younger woman with a warm smile. Frances loved when she held her hand just before putting it in her arm, and then she would walk her inside the house to make some tea. She loved the closeness of walking with her, arms locked, smelling her perfume. Hilda was almost as tall as Frances and she had long gray hair that she always kept very well-groomed. She had a warm and smart gaze, and her brown eyes were surrounded by wrinkles. Frances thought it was from smiling so much.
That day was like any other day. Frances and Hilda sat in the kitchen, drinking their tea, while Frances babbled about some random person from the village who had been causing a ruckus lately, or complained about her job or her boss.
But suddenly, someone knocked on the door, and that day became not like any other day. It was strange, because in all the time Frances had been helping the old woman, not a single time had she received a visit while she was there. And judging by Hilda’s expression, she was not waiting for anyone that afternoon either. Although she tried not to look worried, her eyes were not smiling, and she was holding her arms and shoulders in a tight frame, instead of her usual relaxed stance. She got up and tiptoed towards the door. When she was halfway there, the person outside knocked again.
“Hello? Is anyone inside?” They heard a feminine voice, young and nervous. The question sounded weird, and the voice almost cracked at the end. Like someone calling out for something in a place where they would only expect to find ghosts.
The witch hesitated for a second, and then she put on her most polite smile and opened the door. “Hello, dear. Can I help you?”
When the door opened, they saw a woman that looked like a shadow. Black hair and black robes, and the blackest of eyes. She looked scared and restless, and reminded Frances of a wet black cat for some reason. It was weird that she wasn’t wearing the clothes from that region, perhaps she had traveled a long way and she was lost.
“I’m looking for the Great Sorceress” she blurted, her intense gaze fixed on Hilda.
The old woman was petrified, while Frances stood behind her, ready to step in if things got weird. And things were already getting weird. Frances looked at the woman in black, confused. Why was she asking about a Great Sorceress at an old lady’s house? Sure, it might be a house in the middle of nowhere, but it definitely wasn’t a witch’s house. It didn’t even remotely look like a witch’s house. Hilda looked at the woman in black, confused. Why was someone asking about the Great Sorceress? Why now? Why this girl? What were her intentions?
Hilda managed to recompose herself. “I’m deeply sorry, darling, I’m afraid I can’t help you…” and she started closing the door. But the young woman moved quickly and held the door open.
“Hey! What are you doing?” Frances got to the door in two big footsteps, and glared at the strange woman. They stared at each other angrily during what seemed like a millisecond-long eye contest, and the woman faced Hilda again.
“Please, it is a matter of utmost importance, I need to find her” she insisted. “It’s you, you are the Great Sorceress, aren’t you?” Then she started talking really fast and her breath got a bit shaky, but she did not waver. “I come from the High Mountains. It has taken so long to get here and the situation is bad, really bad, we need your help. It’s the portal, it… the portal has been opened”
Hilda stared at her in disbelief “The portal? That can’t be right.” She took a step back, biting her lip and frowning. “Are you sure about this?”
“Very sure. We tried to control it, but it was useless. Me and some others… we were hurt when we tried” her voice was not as nervous now, but it was still grave. She uncovered her arm, showing a black mark that looked like lightning and extended from the tips of her fingers to her elbow, where it dissipated. The other women gasped.
“So you are an apprentice” Hilda mumbled, sizing her up, almost in admiration. This reaction made Frances feel a tightness in her chest.
Hilda gestured to the woman to come inside the house and closed the door behind her. “But how did that happen? The only one with the power and knowledge to do that is…” She paused. “ Oh. Oh, I see. So that’s how it’s going to be. Huh”.
The three women stayed in silence for a few seconds that felt eternal to Frances, while the old woman stared at the floor, lost in thought.
“Please, Great Sorceress, you are the only one who can do this, you are powerful and you have faced the portal before” the woman said, so desperate it looked like she was going to grab Hilda and shake her to her senses until she agreed.
“All right, let me think… Frances, will you be a dear and get the blue plate and the tall vase from the cabinet?”
“Yes, madam” Frances did as she was told, moving swiftly and gracefully despite the surrealness of the situation, as if she did not want to disturb the weird atmosphere that had formed around them. Hilda took the vase and poured some water on the plate, and she stared at it. For a short moment, nothing happened. But then, the water started changing, and it showed an irregular and odd shape that might have been the portal the woman was talking about. Some figures that resembled people were around the portal, although they looked blurry in the water. A reflection appeared on the surface and the vision disappeared. Hilda gasped for air, as if she had been making a huge effort. “Okay, I see that what you were talking about is true” she said, facing the woman.
“I can’t do more than this at the moment” Hilda apologised. Then her expression changed and a sly and amused smile appeared on her face. “But Frances… Oh, she’s a great gatherer. She can get everything we need”
