The Loner and The Enchantress of Red Creek Woods

It was a dark and stormy evening in the middle of August. The clouds over head began to darken,  the trees jerked from side to side from the force of the wind, thunder shook the ground and rumbled throughout the skies, lighting cracks sending blasts of light into homes of the the Red Creek village displaying parents trying to keep their families at ease. In the woods surrounding the village a scream echoes off the trees fading into the night, emerging from the shadows a young boy runs at full speed. eyes filled with tears and fear as he collapses on the steps of a brightly lit home. Scrambling up to his feet he quickly bangs on the front door of the cabin, panic crashing through his body as he lets out one last plea for help. The boy looks around the porch and spots a dark corner well hidden, he falls to his knees and crawls into the darkness of the corner between the outside wall and a wooden porch swing, pulling his shaky legs to his face he stares out into the darkness, he silently sobs into his knees as scenes of what happened play over and over in his head.  Solas woke with a jolt from his constant nightmare. Every night since he was six he would have the same nightmares about what happened in the forbidden forest and he still can never shake it from his memory. Solas removed his cover that he was somehow tangled in and adjusted himself into a sitting position lifting his aching arms high above his head to stretch out the kinks from the stress of his dream.  He padded his way to the restroom to relieve his bladder and wash up for the work day. After flushing his commode he walked over to the sink to wash his hands and splash some nice cool water on his face to wake him up. He reached over and grabbed the white cloth that he called a towel to dry off his face he heaved a long sigh and looked up so he could see himself in the mirror hanging above the sink. It was a little dirty but he could still make out his features, he was a handsome fellow but he was flawed. His gray eyes were so dull and his dirty blonde hair seemed to have a mind of its own, he had what the woman called a strong jaw and broad shoulders. Shaking his head he turned walking out of the restroom, it wasn’t that he didn’t find these women appealing  but he knew with the way the village viewed him as an outcast that any girl he met would end up being scorned for her interest in him. He had no intention of ruining someone's life just for his pure pleasure though he did long for a woman’s touch every now and then but he reminded himself that he was human and wanted love as well as everyone else. Solas quickly changed into an old T-shirt and jeans, he walked to his front door and slipped on his ol’ work boots and his blue Try Me Another day cap and headed out his front door. He looked around his small little land, the sun barely peeking over Red Creek Woods giving off a wonderful orangish light. A shudder ran through his spin as he looked out to the forbidden woods but as quickly as it came it was gone. His fence reached 15 feet from the entrance of the woods but he didn’t mind it. He loved the lot of land that he was able to purchase at the age of 22. Working since the six years old and living in a small shack that was deserted he often went without eating just to save up for a home and even though the village refused to sell him a lot inside of the village area they let him buy the home on the outskirts. He was able to make a garden and have farm animals that he raised and sold. 3 years he built up his home and farm and still looking around it gave him a feel of accomplishment, his hard work had finally paid off and he knew his parents would have been proud to see how well he did.  Cleaning off his face Solas looked over the 4 sacks of potatoes he had pulled from part of his garden with a triumphant smile he placed down his hoe and moved the sack of potatoes to the back of his home where the merchant will purchase them. He returned to his garden and finished up harvesting the fruits and veggies that were ripe  giving him another 3 hours of work to be done. Right on time Solas finished collecting the basil from the herb garden when the merchant named Bodeous arrived at his gate with a warm smile. Bo looked much older even if he was one year younger than Solas but he took on the family business young because of his father's illness. His brown hair fell just above his brow and his green eyes shined in the sunlight. Bo was the only person that really took time out to talk with Solas and every now and then they would go to the local tavern for a pint or two but Solas wanted to distance himself from Bo when rumors started floating around that Solas was going to sacrifice Bo like he did his parents. But Bo didn’t pay them no mind. He knew that Solas wasn’t an ill person nor was he malicious and for that Solas was thankful because he felt like he had made a friend of some sort. “Hey Solo how are you holding up?” Bo asked as he closed the gate behind him making his way over to Solas. Solas gave off a chuckle at the nickname that Bo gave him because of his loner behavior. “Just finished up that order for you. How is your pops doing?” “Oh you know how dad is, he thinks he is fine and still tries to run the shop but little by little he gets weaker.” Bo looked towards the forest trying to hide his sadness, he wanted to be strong for his dad but seeing your father slowly fade off is hard. Together the two began to pile the sacks of food into Bo’s cart every now and then they would joke about something Bo had seen on the village streets. “You know I heard a rumor of a witch living in the forbidden woods and that if you give her a sacrifice she will grant you one wish.” The tone of Bo’s voice showed he was curious about the rumor. “Okay I’ll bite what would you wish for? And what would you sacrifice?” Solas placed the last sack into the cart and looked over at Bo who was looking towards the woods again, a serious look covered his face. “I would sacrifice myself just so my dad could get better. My mother is upset everyday and cries every night while my father is getting sicker and sicker and the village doctor doesn’t even know what he has or how to help him.” Bo began to shake. Solas reached over and placed a calming hand on Bo’s shoulder, and with that Bo began to cry, finally letting out all the emotions he had held in. Solas sat with him softly rubbing his back not speaking but just being there for his friend as he wept for his father. Bo cleaned off his face and let out a long sigh as he looked out towards the woods. “Thank you Solo for being here and I am sorry you had to see me at my weakest but I feel so much better.” “Don’t apologize Bo we are human and we can only hold in so much. You needed it and it felt like you needed someone here with you. Anytime you need to escape and just let go of those emotions you are more than welcome to come by and I will sit here quietly for you.” Bo looked over at Solas and smiled before stretching and hopping up on his horse.  “Solo you are a grand pal no matter what others say you will always be my friend. Now I need to get this to the shop before dad gets upset.” They said their farewells and Solas headed inside but before entering he looked out towards the woods again and thought over what Bo had said. Maybe there was a witch who could help Bo and his family out or it could all be a lie bored people windled together. Shaking his head Solas headed inside to eat his meal and prepare for bed.