Chapter One

When I opened my eyes, and regained consciousness I found myself in unfamiliar surroundings. I sat up, and looked around. I appeared to be in a small cottage, most likely nearby the woods I had passed out by. I hear the door creak open, I lay back down and do my best to pretend to be asleep. The door to my chamber soon opens as well. I hear footsteps, then the shrill voice of a woman, “There’s no point in pretending to sleep.” I shut my eyes harder. “I can tell that you are faking, child.”

Giving up, I open my eyes, and sit up. I look the elderly woman up and down. She had pale wrinkled skin, long salt-and-pepper hair, jaded baby blue eyes, and wore a tattered brown dress, signaling that she was one of lower status.

The woman hands me a small bowl of porridge. “Eat this.” I hesitantly take the bowl. She wobbles over to the chair next to my bedside, and sits down. I grip the spoon tightly, and take a sip, I instantly begin to feel better, I soon devour the entire bowl. All of the pain I had felt disappears, I look down to see that my wounds are gone. Shocked, I dropped the bowl onto my lap. “H-How did that just happen?” I ask, looking up at the elderly woman.

She opens her mouth to speak, and my mind goes blank. Next thing I know we’re outside of her cottage.

“Thank you for your help, but I’m afraid that I must be going now.” I bow, poleitly.

“Where are you headed too?” She asks.

“The Van Allen Estate, my mistress and I had been staying there. Hopefully they can send word to our household about what has occurred.” I turn to leave but the woman grabs my arm, “that wouldn't be wise child. Evil roams those halls.” I shake her off. “I-I’ll be fine, thank you for your concern!” I shout, and with that I run off into the woods.