The Loner and The Enchantress of Red Creek Woods

Chapter Two

Solas tossed and turned in his bed. He for some reason could not sleep and for once it wasn’t the nightly nightmares that plagued him. What plagued his mind tonight was the so-called witch that was hiding out in the woods taking the village people’s sacrifices for a wish. What if she was real? Could he enter the forbidden woods and ask for a wish? What would he wish for? Maybe for riches, he could have gold stacked up in his cellar he would never be in any need and maybe the village would treat him like one of them if he was a rich person. Or what if he wished for love, someone to grow old with and who would want him just as much as he wanted her.  

Solas opened his eyes and looked up towards the dark ceiling and thought over the questions that swirled in his mind and he couldn’t help himself to think maybe just maybe he could help out his friend Bo in a way that only an outcast person would be able to. Sitting up in his bed he looked around the dark room of his comfortable cottage. He didn’t have any family and the only friend he had was hurting for his father. With a long sigh he slowly moved his legs over the side of his bed and sat up, he walked towards his bathroom and grabbed his T-shirt and shorts and quickly pulled them on, he headed out of his room and towards the front door. What was he to say? How would he even go about it? Reaching the door he opened it and stepped into the cool night air he took in a long breath and looked out to the woods. His body felt like it was tingling and his mind started to go cloudy, he listened closely to the night sounds but something was amongst the crickets and rustling leaves. Was that soft singing or maybe chanting, his feet began to move towards the front gate as if they had a mind of their own. The forest was calling to him as if it knew what he was planning or the questions that ran around him, he began to pick up more and he could have sworn he saw a glowing blue light flash through the leaves of the woods. He placed a hand on the gate and he finally snapped back to reality looking around he noticed that he wasn't alone in his yard, the shadow figure sat near his watermelon garden humming a soft tune one that he has heard many times in his nightmares, one that he wished he could forget but somehow it continued to find him.

“Who are you?” He yelled out into the darkness, but the figure continued to hum.

Taking a step forward Solas’s body felt heavy and on high alert. “ I said who are you and what are you doing in my yard?” HIs voice started to tremble and he knew that the shadow could hear the small hint of nervousness that escaped in his words.

“I am the one you seek and the one you need.” Her voice was like silk to Solas’s ears and his heart began to react.

“You know what you need to do, I will be waiting.” And with those last words everything went black.

Solas jerked awake sitting straight up in bed, he looked around seeing the familiar walls of his bedroom, he looked down noticing he was just in his underwear and tangled in his blankets once more. He placed a shaky hand on his face realizing it was a dream but why did this dream feel so real? It was unlike all the other nightmares he had that were haunting memories, no this one was so much more different. He sighed and knew it was a sign he knew the answer to the questions he asked himself over and over last night. And if he was going to make this journey he needed to prepare for his trip and make sure Bo was stocked up for the few days he would be gone. 

Solas headed to the bathroom to do his morning routine but stopped right outside the bathroom door, he looked down at his feet and then looked back up looking around his small bathroom, what if he didn't make it back? He smiled to himself and walked into the bathroom to empty out his bladder. After washing his hands he opened up his cabinet beneath his sink grabbing a bleach spray bottle and a rag he began to clean the bathroom sink till it was like new, he then turned his attention to the toilet. After his long scrub down of his bathroom he put on his pants and a shirt he headed out to clean the rest of the house, if he was to not return than he would have to write down in a letter that he was giving his home and land away to the one person he trusted but he was not going to give him a dirty and dusty home. 

Solas stretched his arms up while examining the work he had done, all the dust and trash was cleaned from every room and his home smelt of oranges and bleach which brought a triumphant smile to his face. He walked to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of beer and drank it down to quench the thirst that had built up from the vigorous cleaning he just accomplished. Now the only thing he needed to do was harvest the gardens for Bo and pack his bags, he looked around his home and a ping of sadness hit his heart. He spent years saving for his home and years after purchase fixing it up to the beauty it was today he couldn't believe today  might be the last day he sees his home or land. Solas started back thinking his plans maybe someone else could get what was needed from this witch or even find a cure for whatever sickness is killing off Bo’s dad. A long sigh escaped Solas’s lips; he knew that it had to be him, he was the only one that had nothing to lose and no one who would even miss him.

Solas finished off his beer and pushed himself off the counter he needed to finish up before dark, he headed outside and began to work on the gardens and pack up the sacks for Bo to pick up in the morning, he figured he could just leave a note telling Bo he needed to run out for a quick hunt and that was the reason he was unable to meet up with him. Solas loaded up the last of the sacks of food on the porch step and loaded his bags on his horse, he attached the note on the bags and said a silent prayer that Bo and his family would be okay. Mounting his horse Beauty he took one last look at his beautiful home and sighed it was time to get going. Looking out to the woods he felt the uneasiness that flooded him every time he looked at the place that changed his life forever and that will change it once more.