The Witch and the Wolf

My Escape

[Emi]

The woman behind the counter looked frantic. She spent all day trying to get the bar as clean as possible and now I was about to ruin that. 's**t! Damn it! He told me not to let her out, but what else am I supposed to do? She's going to piss all over my clean bar if I don't let her go. Gods be with us.... I'm taking her outback'

"Let’s go!" the woman yelled, "Out with ya!"

I followed her into a back room, which I could only guess was a storage area. She looked back at me as though to question my seriousness. I instantly placed my hands between my legs. "I'm not going to be able to hold it much longer." I said, acting as though I was about to urinate everywhere.

Her look was no longer doubt. She frantically grabbed the keys and started shaking them furiously. 'I ain't lettin' that little wench piss in my bar. It's bad enough I have to deal with drunkards all day.' Her thoughts made it very clear she was believing my act.

She opens the door and we proceed towards the treeline behind the building. As we approached, I looked around. Frustrated that there was no clear way to escape, I tried to develop a way to detain her so I could at least get a head start.

We got to the tree line and I saw it. My means to escape. A large branch sat on the ground. It was the size of a long sword. The years of constant training are going to finally pay off.

My father, before his passing, was an avid believer that women needed to learn to defend themselves. Having a large collection of swords, my father let me choose one. After that, I spent years perfecting my technique. Being an art professor doesn’t mean I have to be dainty and frail.

“Pick a tree.” The woman said, pointing to the vast number of trees. I obviously picked the tree next to the large branch. I went behind the tree and pulled down my jeggings. By this point, my clothes were slowly developing holes and in need of washing.

“Do you mind? I can’t pee when there is someone watching me.” I yelled from behind the tree.

“Fine but make it quick.” The woman looked at me and turned around.

That was her mistake. I quickly pulled up my pants and grabbed the large branch. With both hands, I swung it as hard as I could at the woman’s head.

Crack…. Thud….

Her body was lying on the ground almost lifeless. I was worried that I might have hit the woman too hard. I couldn't hear any of her thoughts and she wasn't moving. I slowly walked over to her, all the while looking around to make sure there wasn't anyone else around us. I check her pulse to make sure I didn’t kill her. 'Thank god!' I think while sighing. She's alive.

I pick up my new "weapon" and proceed towards the forest. The trees were thick and lush. It was full of foliage and in the distance I could hear animals making various noises. The little wind I could feel was just amazing. This trip has been trying. My body was feeling sore and tattered from the long adventure. My legs almost feel like jelly. No matter how I felt or looked, I needed to press on.

Once I felt as though I was a safe distance from the inn, I looked for a place to rest. I found an old tree that had a small nook below it. I'm only 5'4" and roughly 120 lbs. This is the perfect place. I found some broken leaf covered branches for cover and assumed the fetus position in my little hole. 'With the branches over me, I doubt I will have to worry about anyone finding me. They will just think it's a bush or something.' I thought proudly. With that, I drifted off to sleep.

4 hours, or so, had passed. I woke to the sound of my stomach growling loudly. With the sun setting, I knew that I had to find food, or I wasn’t going to make it through the night. My stomach was beginning to hurt. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. As I continue through the forest, I look for any type of berries or nuts like Max and I have been eating for the past couple of days.

‘Mmm… What is that delicious smell?’ I thought while sniffing the air. 'Maybe I shouldn’t go, and I should keep looking for berries and nuts. But it smells so good and I’m so hungry. I don’t think they would mind sharing with a lost traveler.’

I follow the smell of the delicious food. The closer I get, the darker it gets. I found myself drooling while the smell became more intense.

Roughly 10 minutes past, and I perk up. In the distance, I can finally see the warm light of a fire. By this point, the sky had mostly completely darkened, and the stars were beginning to shimmer and flicker.

I inch closing. As I pass though the final line of trees, I can see the fire in full view. It was amazing. Brilliant sparks crackly off the fire, looking like dancing fireflies. I'm almost hypnotized by the spark when my stomach growls me back into reality.

I inspect my surroundings. A small hut in the background of the fire. It looks old and in obvious need of repair. Small holes are scattered on the roof.

"Umm... Hello?" I hesitately said. "Is anyone home?"

I hear rustling in the house. Someone or something is definitely in there. A few moments of silence passed and I asked again, "Anyone in there? I got a bit lost and need help."

The door creeps open and I see a little old lady pop her head out. "We ain't got no help here miss. Best be moving on." She said without fulling coming out of her home.

"Please, ma'am! I was walking in the woods and got lost. I have no clue where I am. Please! I'm so hungry and tired. I just need a piece of bread or something. Anything." I said desperately.

The woman looks me up and down and says quickly, "Just a moment."

She quickly pulls her head inside and slams the door closed. For the next few minutes, I stood outside not saying anything. Mouth wide open in disbelief. I hear things slamming and breaking inside. It sounds as though she is destroying her house. 'What is she doing in there?' I wonder in shock.

The door slams open with a little foot up in the air. The woman walks out of the house arms full with a large box.

"Just getting my bones, little miss. Best shut your mouth before a fly gets in there." The old woman said.

I didn't even realize my mouth was still wide open. I quickly shut it. "What do you mean your bones?"

"You asked what I was doing and that was my answer, little miss." The old woman said with a chuckle.

"But I..." I started to say, then the woman interrupted me.

"Didn't say anything? Aye, I know that." The old woman said with a smile.

'Can she hear my thoughts? I'm pretty sure I didn't say anything out loud.' I thought to myself.

"Aye, that be the case, little miss. All us gifted ones can hear others' thoughts." The woman said with a chuckle, as though I should know this already.

"Sorry. I'm not from around here. Everything is a bit different where I'm from. It's a bit more..." I struggle to think of the word I need. After a few moments, I kept it simple, "developed."

The woman looks up at me and with a grin says, "Aye, I know where you hail from Emilia."

"Oh. Well that's good." I paused for a few moments. "WHAT? WAIT! How do you know where I'm from? How do you know my name? Do you know how I can get back?"

With a simple wave of her hand, the box flew open. "In time, the bones will answer your questions dear."