a Witch's Wolf

Episode 9 - Stone Hill House

Episode 8 - Stone Hill House

“We’re almost there.” She said for the tenth time. He knew exactly how far from her house they were. He’d traveled this path long before she’d ever come here. He wasn’t supposed to go there uninvited, but she was practically carrying him. Well, if she could actually carry him anyway. Either way, it was a clear invitation. He was still a little nervous about it though. Walking into a witch's mansion, what was about to happen? Was he making another mistake? God, his head hurt. He couldn’t think straight. If questioned about it ever, that’s what he would say. He couldn’t think straight.

She was really nervous about bringing him into her house all alone. Mrs. Hall wouldn’t be in until after noon and Mr. Murphy was in town picking up supplies. It would really just be the two of them, all alone in this huge house since her Grandma was helping a friend in the village for the week.

She fumbled with the iron gate, he pushed it open like he was pushing air. She smiled, a nervous habit. They made their way around the broken up stone paths. No one but her and maybe Mr. Murphy once in a while ever came around this side of the house. It was pretty tore up and overgrown with weeds. A big part of it had once been a labyrinth with big tall hedges and a giant fountain in the center. Now crumbled and broken, the hedges were left to overgrown roots and weeds, only broken pieces remained. Carved stones were scattered around the center, as if the whole fountain had just exploded one day and the hedges had shriveled up and died.

“I’m sure it looked really amazing at one time.” She said softly. She was breathing heavy, the long walk trying to carry him had been tough on her. He was barely letting her take any of his weight but he knew she wanted to help so he let her think she was.

She didn’t know. He would bet his life that she had no idea what had happened here. Maybe she wasn’t a witch after all? Why did they all think so? Was it just because she was living there? Maybe she was adopted or something. None of it added up. He let her lead him along the path and into the house. She kept chattering about the house as they made their way inside and he had never been more curious about anything in his life.

“This was the servants entrance at one time.” She smiled as she said it. “I used to run around here whenever I’d visit. There are tons of secret passageways and servants doors that let them seem invisible when they went from room to room. They had a whole other part of the house that only the servants ever saw.” She sounded excited and it made him laugh to himself. He'd never seen her so animated. Her nose wrinkled when she smiled and he realized he'd never seen her smile before. Maybe he'd just never noticed.

“I think I would have loved to grow up here. I mean, be a little kid here, you know when you can just run around and play all the time.” She laughed a little nervously again. He probably thinks I’m dumb. She thought and tried not to roll her eyes. Stop rambling! She thought.

“I’ve never actually been in here.” She was so relieved he finally said something. He looked ridiculous in the big, immaculate house wearing her tiny yellow shorts. She tried not to laugh at him when he seemed so serious. He started asking questions about the rooms they passed, portraits and tapestries that lined the walls. She answered as best she could and when they finally made it to the balcony that over looked the foyer, he was looking at the gilded staircase, the tapestries on the walls, the chandelier in the center and she found herself looking around at it as if it were her first time to see it too. It really was something.

“I only ever spent holidays here before.” She said softly and motioned for the center stairs. She'd calmed down and they found an easy rapport. "My dad’s stuff is up here." He'd been surprised to learn that she had spent her life traveling around before she came here. She spoke different languages and had been to dozens of foreign countries. He had to help push open a big door at the top of the next set of stairs. He had expected a bedroom and was immediately relieved that it was a library instead.

“My dad never really unpacked since we moved." She said as she dug through boxes. "He just had most of his stuff put in here because it drove my mom crazy having boxes everywhere.” He was amazed, looking around the room. Eventually, she came up with a pair of sweatpants that still had the tags on them and a sweatshirt that looked like it had never been worn.

“I don’t think he ever even wore these." She said as she handed him the sweatpants. "My mom wanted him to use this health gym when we were in London once and bought these at the gift shop but he’s more of a sweater vest kind of guy. He won’t even miss them. In fact, I wore that once when I sneaked out onto the balcony to watch fireworks and he never even noticed.” she smiled as he took the hoodie from her. She hurried to the door. “I’ll be out here when you’re done.” They both tried to pretend there was more than a door between them as he changed again.

Now what? She wondered as she waited for him. “How 'bout a tour?” He asked softly over her shoulder, and she jumped. His voice on her skin gave her goosebumps and she answered before thinking about it.

"This way." She pointed toward the tower stairs. It was the last place she should take him and the only place she wanted to go.