Wither
2015
2015
If only I could bring them back…
Madeline sat at the end of the long dining table, a silver plate and cutlery before her. A servant delicately placed pieces of meat and vegetables on it. She wasn’t hungry. She didn’t feel much of anything besides loneliness.
“You must eat My Lady,” Madeline’s nurse, Teresa, said beside her. She was concerned.
Madeline looked down at the food in disgust. The smells coming from the plate made her stomach turn. She didn’t want to eat.
Teresa sighed. “Madeline, you have eaten barely a morsel for a week. You are withering away.”
“That’s fine,” Madeline murmured.
“My Lady! Many people care about your wellbeing. You are the Lady of this town now since your late mother and father…” Teresa trailed off.
“No one knows me. No one really cares who I am. Only my position and my wealth. Wealth I no longer want.”
Teresa’s voice changed from gentle concern to sternness. “You have responsibilities to the people of this town. Your parents both understood this and made their best efforts. They never intended to leave you with this duty so early but now you must do your best to continue their work.”
Madeline pushed her chair away from the table angrily. It made a loud screech across the stone floor. The nearby servants cringed visibly.
“Madeline! Your food!” Teresa yelled after her.
“Give it to the town’s people; they’ll appreciate it more. There, duties fulfilled.”
Madeline sat at the end of the long dining table, a silver plate and cutlery before her. A servant delicately placed pieces of meat and vegetables on it. She wasn’t hungry. She didn’t feel much of anything besides loneliness.
“You must eat My Lady,” Madeline’s nurse, Teresa, said beside her. She was concerned.
Madeline looked down at the food in disgust. The smells coming from the plate made her stomach turn. She didn’t want to eat.
Teresa sighed. “Madeline, you have eaten barely a morsel for a week. You are withering away.”
“That’s fine,” Madeline murmured.
“My Lady! Many people care about your wellbeing. You are the Lady of this town now since your late mother and father…” Teresa trailed off.
“No one knows me. No one really cares who I am. Only my position and my wealth. Wealth I no longer want.”
Teresa’s voice changed from gentle concern to sternness. “You have responsibilities to the people of this town. Your parents both understood this and made their best efforts. They never intended to leave you with this duty so early but now you must do your best to continue their work.”
Madeline pushed her chair away from the table angrily. It made a loud screech across the stone floor. The nearby servants cringed visibly.
“Madeline! Your food!” Teresa yelled after her.
“Give it to the town’s people; they’ll appreciate it more. There, duties fulfilled.”
Propped up in bed, a candle flickering on the night stand, Madeline inspected the map of the surrounding land that was open across her lap. The area she looked at closest was the dark forest, the place her parents had died on their way home from a meeting with the King. The only way was to pass through the forest, it was too large to go around. She had never been allowed to enter the dark forest. Her father had told her stories of dangerous creatures which lived there; ghouls, ghosts, fanged bats, wolves with red glowing eyes. A witch was said to live there. A witch who preyed upon travellers, feeding them lies and empty promises, then taking something precious in return. She was supposed to be a powerful witch. Her father had always spoken about her with obvious disbelief, saying she was just a tale told to scare people away. Madeline had believed though.
A gust of wind flapped her curtains open and snuffed the candle leaving her sitting in the cold light from the moon, framed by her window. Madeline looked about with a shiver, pulling the blankets closer around herself. Glancing back at the map she was astonished to see a single red dot on the black inked image. The dot was directly in the centre of the dark forest.
Madeline bit her lip with anxiety. Where had the dot come from and why was it positioned coincidently on the dark forest?
She threw the bed sheets back and slipped from the bed. She looked at the snuffed candle, then thought the better of lighting it. She didn’t want to draw attention to herself. Madeline crept across the stone floor, hugging herself against the cold. She changed quickly in to a riding dress and swung a black cloak around herself, pulling the cowl up to hide her face. She deftly manoeuvred the manor halls and ran across the courtyard to the stable. Peeking inside she noticed the stable boy asleep by the wall. Sneaking inside, she lead her black mare, Nightshade, outside. There was no time to try saddling her, Madeline wouldn’t be able to do it properly anyway; this had always been done for her. She used a low wall to jump upon Nightshade’s back and then they were streaking away through the night.
Barely anyone was awake in the town. Shutters were closed and the only people outside were too drunk from being at the tavern so late to notice a black figure upon a black horse galloping through the streets.
Madeline soon left the town behind, following the path which she knew would lead her straight towards the dark forest. Her pulse beat in her temples like a drum, her heart thumping in her chest. The witch would be able to bring her parents back to her. She was powerful and Madeline was prepared to give up everything she had just to see them again. The dark forest rose up before her like an ink stain upon an already dark canvas. Nightshade galloped into the trees with a toss of her head.
It was cold. Nightshade’s panting created puffs of mist in the night. Madeline hunched down along Nightshade’s neck, her chest painful from the cold air. The trees which they passed appeared distorted creatures in the darkness. Grasping limbs seeming to reach out for them. A passing twig scrapped Madeline’s cheek. She gasped and brought one hand up to cover the stinging wound. She began to hear strange noises. She thought she heard someone cackling, the crunching of something large creeping through the undergrowth, the moan of a lost soul. Madeline began to wonder whether she had made the right decision. Fear caused shivers to race up her spine and distort her surroundings. Pulling on Nightshade’s mane, she brought the mare to a halt. She stared around her with wide eyes. Her father’s stories all seemed very real right then. A howl nearby spooked Nightshade, causing her to rear in terror. Madeline was thrown to the ground heavily and was forced to watch the hysterical horse bolt away. She slowly stood and looked about warily. It seemed that in her determination she had lost sight of the path. The cold was seeping into her bones, making her shake uncontrollably. A shape in the dark caught her eye. A growl emerged from the shape as it grew larger. Red eyes glowed as they watched their prey. Madeline screamed and ran away from the creature. She could hear it pursuing her through the forest. It would catch her for sure. In the darkness her foot became caught on a root and caused her to crash forwards in the mud. Curling up in a ball she waited for the creature’s jaws to clench down on her. Suddenly a mass of screeching shapes flocked overhead and swarmed upon the large creature who howled out in frustration and pain. Madeline scrabbled away before finding herself looking down at a pair of feet.
“Oh my,” came the voice of a young girl, “are you out here all alone? Come with me, it will be safe.”
Looking up Madeline saw the concerned face of a girl a little younger than herself. Long red hair hung around her small shoulders in a mass of tight curls. She was wearing a loose fitting green dress of wool. What was another young girl doing in the dark woods at night? Fear propelled Madeline to her feet and she took the girl’s offered hand, allowing herself to be led through the night.
Soon they reached a tiny hut. Light filtered out from the windows and smoke was just noticeable from the chimney. The door of the hut creaked open when it was pushed and inside the smell of musk flooded Madeline’s nose.
“What brings you to the woods?” the girl asked, gesturing to a chair positioned by the hearth.
Madeline took the chair gratefully. Her shaking still hadn’t ended. “I came to find the witch.”
The girl smiled, a sparkle in her eye. “You know what they say about the witch don’t you? They say she will grant your wish if you offer something valuable. Something of equal worth.”
“I know,” Madeline whispered, “I would give anything.”
“Really?” the girl asked. She clanged around by the small pot hanging within the hearth. She used a long ladle and poured some of the liquid in to a chipped mug. She walked over to Madeline and handed her the cup. She sniffed at it’s contents, it smelled like tea.
“It’s to warm you up,” the girl said, noticing Madeline’s suspicion, “You haven’t stopped shaking since I found you.”
Madeline took a sip of the warm liquid and found it was sweet. “What is your name? Do you live out here all alone?”
The girl settled herself cross-legged on another chair. “My name is Giralda. I have lived here alone for some time now.”
“How? You must be at least a couple of years younger than I am. How do you feed yourself? It must be dangerous to try to hunt or forage.”
“There is no need for me to do so,” Giralda replied. She continued to smile as if she knew something Madeline did not.
“You don’t need to eat?”
“I wouldn’t say that. I just sustain myself in other ways.”
Madeline looked at the girl in confusion then slowly started to realize the truth. Her heart felt like it was in her throat.
“You’re… the witch.”
The girl continued to smile. “Well done. The appearance often puts people off guard. No one expects a little girl to be a witch.”
Madeline gulped, staring at the witch unblinking.
“Don’t be so frightened,” Giralda said. “You made it here, just like you wanted. Now tell me what it is that you wish for.”
Madeline took in a deep breath. Giralda was right. She had made it here, if only just. She could ask for her wish to be granted. But, maybe she had been a little reckless. Perhaps she should go home now while she still had one to go to. Madeline stood.
“Now before you go rushing off I must warn you… until I grant your wish… you can’t leave this cottage.” Giralda watched Madeline with piercing eyes, her smile unfaltering.
Madeline frowned and sidled towards the door without taking her eyes from Giralda. All she did was watch… smiling. Madeline opened the door and leapt through. She was inside once more. Looking over her shoulder she found the door. It was shut. She tried once more and found herself standing, again, with her back to the door.
“See?” Giralda said. “Now, what can I do for you?”
Madeline stared at Giralda in fear. “What did you do?”
“Oh, just a little spell. It won’t hurt you. I’m a witch, remember.”
Madeline crept back to the chair and sat with a stiff back.
“Now then,” Giralda said, leaning forward in interest, “what is it you wish for? Obviously not riches, you have enough of that don’t you, Lady Madeline?”
Madeline gasped. “How do you know my name?”
Giralda rolled her eyes. “I’m a witch.”
Oh, that was stupid, Madeline thought. She took a deep breath. She wasn’t going to be allowed to escape unless she asked for her wish. “I wish… to see my parents again. They died in this forest.”
“Mmm? Yes of course. Quite an innocent wish. I can do that but of course at a price. What will you offer in return for this service?”
Overwhelmed by emotion, Madeline blurted, “I would give everything I am and own just to see them again! Take whatever it is you want from me!” Tears were running down her face without restraint.
Giralda grinned wickedly. “That will do nicely.” She jumped from her chair and walked to Madeline, scooping up a tear from her cheek, muttering something under her breath before licking the tear from her finger.
Madeline watched in both fascination and uncertainty through blurry eyes.
Giralda walked over to a vacant area of floor and crouched down. She scribbled some symbols on the stone using a stick of charcoal then threw a variety of objects among them: a handful off red berries, the ragged skin of a rabbit, a splash of some green liquid. Walking back to Madeline she took her hand and led her to stand in the middle of the mess.
“Stay sill now,” Giralda said.
A moment later Madeline was standing in… nothing. Around her was blackness yet she could look down and see herself clearly, although, eerily without shadows. The folds in her clothing held no shadows and although she could see that she was still three dimensional, she appeared very flat. Looking up from herself again she was started to see her parents standing before her. Laughing, Madeline went as if the run to them.
“DON’T MOVE. IF YOU LEAVE THAT SPACE THEY WILL DISAPEAR.” Giralda’s voice resonated through the air without direction.
Madeline didn’t move. She stared forward at her parents only metres from herself, unmoving. “Mother, father?” She said, reaching her hand towards them. They merely smiled at her. Madeline stood there for a long time just watching her parents who did nothing but smile at her. They did not speak, they did not move. Tears filled Madeline’s eyes again until she could take no more and took a step forward. The world of nothingness disappeared.
Giralda sat in her chair, watching Madeline cry. She smiled when she took the step and broke the illusion.
“I thought you would bring them back to me,” Madeline sobbed.
“That is not what you asked for,” Giralda said calmly, “You asked to see them again.”
Madeline stared at Giralda with disbelief. “No, no that isn’t what I wanted. Well it was… but I want more. I want them alive!”
“I can only grant one wish,” Giralda said, “and now, it’s my turn.” Her eyes glittered as she said the last.
Madeline gasped and ran to the door. Giralda cackling behind her. Before she reached it however, she suddenly found herself sitting in a chair, watching a girl standing before the door. The girl turned towards her and she saw her own face looking back at her with a grin. She looked down at herself and found the body of a skinny young girl wearing a green dress, red hair hanging over her shoulders. She looked up again in fear.
“What have you done?” She whispered in a voice that wasn’t her own.
“I have taken your offering,” Giralda said, wielding Madeline’s body, “I now own everything that you are, or were, and own everything that was yours.” Giralda then strode from the cottage with a hearty laugh and disappeared into the night.
Madeline jumped up from the chair and ran outside after Giralda. She was already gone. Looking around, the night felt oppressive and she turned to re-enter the safety of the cottage. It was gone. Giralda and her cottage had disappeared.
Growls came from the woods. Shadows emerged from the surrounding trees. The stories were true…
-Scarlett Van Dijk
A gust of wind flapped her curtains open and snuffed the candle leaving her sitting in the cold light from the moon, framed by her window. Madeline looked about with a shiver, pulling the blankets closer around herself. Glancing back at the map she was astonished to see a single red dot on the black inked image. The dot was directly in the centre of the dark forest.
Madeline bit her lip with anxiety. Where had the dot come from and why was it positioned coincidently on the dark forest?
She threw the bed sheets back and slipped from the bed. She looked at the snuffed candle, then thought the better of lighting it. She didn’t want to draw attention to herself. Madeline crept across the stone floor, hugging herself against the cold. She changed quickly in to a riding dress and swung a black cloak around herself, pulling the cowl up to hide her face. She deftly manoeuvred the manor halls and ran across the courtyard to the stable. Peeking inside she noticed the stable boy asleep by the wall. Sneaking inside, she lead her black mare, Nightshade, outside. There was no time to try saddling her, Madeline wouldn’t be able to do it properly anyway; this had always been done for her. She used a low wall to jump upon Nightshade’s back and then they were streaking away through the night.
Barely anyone was awake in the town. Shutters were closed and the only people outside were too drunk from being at the tavern so late to notice a black figure upon a black horse galloping through the streets.
Madeline soon left the town behind, following the path which she knew would lead her straight towards the dark forest. Her pulse beat in her temples like a drum, her heart thumping in her chest. The witch would be able to bring her parents back to her. She was powerful and Madeline was prepared to give up everything she had just to see them again. The dark forest rose up before her like an ink stain upon an already dark canvas. Nightshade galloped into the trees with a toss of her head.
It was cold. Nightshade’s panting created puffs of mist in the night. Madeline hunched down along Nightshade’s neck, her chest painful from the cold air. The trees which they passed appeared distorted creatures in the darkness. Grasping limbs seeming to reach out for them. A passing twig scrapped Madeline’s cheek. She gasped and brought one hand up to cover the stinging wound. She began to hear strange noises. She thought she heard someone cackling, the crunching of something large creeping through the undergrowth, the moan of a lost soul. Madeline began to wonder whether she had made the right decision. Fear caused shivers to race up her spine and distort her surroundings. Pulling on Nightshade’s mane, she brought the mare to a halt. She stared around her with wide eyes. Her father’s stories all seemed very real right then. A howl nearby spooked Nightshade, causing her to rear in terror. Madeline was thrown to the ground heavily and was forced to watch the hysterical horse bolt away. She slowly stood and looked about warily. It seemed that in her determination she had lost sight of the path. The cold was seeping into her bones, making her shake uncontrollably. A shape in the dark caught her eye. A growl emerged from the shape as it grew larger. Red eyes glowed as they watched their prey. Madeline screamed and ran away from the creature. She could hear it pursuing her through the forest. It would catch her for sure. In the darkness her foot became caught on a root and caused her to crash forwards in the mud. Curling up in a ball she waited for the creature’s jaws to clench down on her. Suddenly a mass of screeching shapes flocked overhead and swarmed upon the large creature who howled out in frustration and pain. Madeline scrabbled away before finding herself looking down at a pair of feet.
“Oh my,” came the voice of a young girl, “are you out here all alone? Come with me, it will be safe.”
Looking up Madeline saw the concerned face of a girl a little younger than herself. Long red hair hung around her small shoulders in a mass of tight curls. She was wearing a loose fitting green dress of wool. What was another young girl doing in the dark woods at night? Fear propelled Madeline to her feet and she took the girl’s offered hand, allowing herself to be led through the night.
Soon they reached a tiny hut. Light filtered out from the windows and smoke was just noticeable from the chimney. The door of the hut creaked open when it was pushed and inside the smell of musk flooded Madeline’s nose.
“What brings you to the woods?” the girl asked, gesturing to a chair positioned by the hearth.
Madeline took the chair gratefully. Her shaking still hadn’t ended. “I came to find the witch.”
The girl smiled, a sparkle in her eye. “You know what they say about the witch don’t you? They say she will grant your wish if you offer something valuable. Something of equal worth.”
“I know,” Madeline whispered, “I would give anything.”
“Really?” the girl asked. She clanged around by the small pot hanging within the hearth. She used a long ladle and poured some of the liquid in to a chipped mug. She walked over to Madeline and handed her the cup. She sniffed at it’s contents, it smelled like tea.
“It’s to warm you up,” the girl said, noticing Madeline’s suspicion, “You haven’t stopped shaking since I found you.”
Madeline took a sip of the warm liquid and found it was sweet. “What is your name? Do you live out here all alone?”
The girl settled herself cross-legged on another chair. “My name is Giralda. I have lived here alone for some time now.”
“How? You must be at least a couple of years younger than I am. How do you feed yourself? It must be dangerous to try to hunt or forage.”
“There is no need for me to do so,” Giralda replied. She continued to smile as if she knew something Madeline did not.
“You don’t need to eat?”
“I wouldn’t say that. I just sustain myself in other ways.”
Madeline looked at the girl in confusion then slowly started to realize the truth. Her heart felt like it was in her throat.
“You’re… the witch.”
The girl continued to smile. “Well done. The appearance often puts people off guard. No one expects a little girl to be a witch.”
Madeline gulped, staring at the witch unblinking.
“Don’t be so frightened,” Giralda said. “You made it here, just like you wanted. Now tell me what it is that you wish for.”
Madeline took in a deep breath. Giralda was right. She had made it here, if only just. She could ask for her wish to be granted. But, maybe she had been a little reckless. Perhaps she should go home now while she still had one to go to. Madeline stood.
“Now before you go rushing off I must warn you… until I grant your wish… you can’t leave this cottage.” Giralda watched Madeline with piercing eyes, her smile unfaltering.
Madeline frowned and sidled towards the door without taking her eyes from Giralda. All she did was watch… smiling. Madeline opened the door and leapt through. She was inside once more. Looking over her shoulder she found the door. It was shut. She tried once more and found herself standing, again, with her back to the door.
“See?” Giralda said. “Now, what can I do for you?”
Madeline stared at Giralda in fear. “What did you do?”
“Oh, just a little spell. It won’t hurt you. I’m a witch, remember.”
Madeline crept back to the chair and sat with a stiff back.
“Now then,” Giralda said, leaning forward in interest, “what is it you wish for? Obviously not riches, you have enough of that don’t you, Lady Madeline?”
Madeline gasped. “How do you know my name?”
Giralda rolled her eyes. “I’m a witch.”
Oh, that was stupid, Madeline thought. She took a deep breath. She wasn’t going to be allowed to escape unless she asked for her wish. “I wish… to see my parents again. They died in this forest.”
“Mmm? Yes of course. Quite an innocent wish. I can do that but of course at a price. What will you offer in return for this service?”
Overwhelmed by emotion, Madeline blurted, “I would give everything I am and own just to see them again! Take whatever it is you want from me!” Tears were running down her face without restraint.
Giralda grinned wickedly. “That will do nicely.” She jumped from her chair and walked to Madeline, scooping up a tear from her cheek, muttering something under her breath before licking the tear from her finger.
Madeline watched in both fascination and uncertainty through blurry eyes.
Giralda walked over to a vacant area of floor and crouched down. She scribbled some symbols on the stone using a stick of charcoal then threw a variety of objects among them: a handful off red berries, the ragged skin of a rabbit, a splash of some green liquid. Walking back to Madeline she took her hand and led her to stand in the middle of the mess.
“Stay sill now,” Giralda said.
A moment later Madeline was standing in… nothing. Around her was blackness yet she could look down and see herself clearly, although, eerily without shadows. The folds in her clothing held no shadows and although she could see that she was still three dimensional, she appeared very flat. Looking up from herself again she was started to see her parents standing before her. Laughing, Madeline went as if the run to them.
“DON’T MOVE. IF YOU LEAVE THAT SPACE THEY WILL DISAPEAR.” Giralda’s voice resonated through the air without direction.
Madeline didn’t move. She stared forward at her parents only metres from herself, unmoving. “Mother, father?” She said, reaching her hand towards them. They merely smiled at her. Madeline stood there for a long time just watching her parents who did nothing but smile at her. They did not speak, they did not move. Tears filled Madeline’s eyes again until she could take no more and took a step forward. The world of nothingness disappeared.
Giralda sat in her chair, watching Madeline cry. She smiled when she took the step and broke the illusion.
“I thought you would bring them back to me,” Madeline sobbed.
“That is not what you asked for,” Giralda said calmly, “You asked to see them again.”
Madeline stared at Giralda with disbelief. “No, no that isn’t what I wanted. Well it was… but I want more. I want them alive!”
“I can only grant one wish,” Giralda said, “and now, it’s my turn.” Her eyes glittered as she said the last.
Madeline gasped and ran to the door. Giralda cackling behind her. Before she reached it however, she suddenly found herself sitting in a chair, watching a girl standing before the door. The girl turned towards her and she saw her own face looking back at her with a grin. She looked down at herself and found the body of a skinny young girl wearing a green dress, red hair hanging over her shoulders. She looked up again in fear.
“What have you done?” She whispered in a voice that wasn’t her own.
“I have taken your offering,” Giralda said, wielding Madeline’s body, “I now own everything that you are, or were, and own everything that was yours.” Giralda then strode from the cottage with a hearty laugh and disappeared into the night.
Madeline jumped up from the chair and ran outside after Giralda. She was already gone. Looking around, the night felt oppressive and she turned to re-enter the safety of the cottage. It was gone. Giralda and her cottage had disappeared.
Growls came from the woods. Shadows emerged from the surrounding trees. The stories were true…
-Scarlett Van Dijk