A Witch's Confession

3

January 7, 1928:

The nights have been so cold. I hardly sleep at night and stay up worried for my family and myself. A snap of a twig, and I fear it may be the last sound I hear. I don't know how much longer I can go on like this. Perhaps I'm just sleep deprived. I feel guilt for putting nearly every witch in the area at risk. I don't know where to go to find the Coven. I don't know who to talk to. I am worried I will get there, only to find the past.

A clan stumbled upon my camp. I had to run for my life. They almost caught me, but I hid in a tree. Thank you, generous forest energy.

Clinging to the inner stitching of the cloak, I pressed myself up against the cold tile on the bathroom wall. I was praying to all energies that they didn't hear me drying my hair with the hand dryer.

Stupid, stupid, stupid! I repeatedly yelled to myself in my thoughts. I should have remembered that werewolves have a keen sense of hearing.

"I thought I heard a sound, but the fence hasn't been disturbed." I heard a faint voice call out to another. The woman's voice didn't sound familiar. Thankfully, I was stealthy at crawling over the fence. And thankfully I thought to cast a spell to cover my tracks. A risky, but necessary move.

There must be a whole group of them looking for me now. It's an actual witch hunt. Knots tangled within my stomach, making me want to crawl into a ball on the floor.

I peered out a slit in the door, trying to see anyone still lurking in the woods. Slowly, I tiptoed out into the clearing, holding my breath. I let out a deep sigh when I made it to safety behind a large oak tree. Tears already stung my eyes and bled down my cheeks before I even sat down. I was petrified, and all alone. And it was all because of my stupid actions.

I slid to the base of the tree, taking in its wisdom from the year's past. I was letting the roots ground me to try and ease up my nerves. I wanted nothing more than to hug my mother, but I couldn't.

That's all I was, a stupid, young girl trapped in this adult body. And I was relentlessly torn from my young adult life to handle an adult problem. I shook, wishing for nothing more for help. But help wasn't coming.

A warmth washed over me, and I knew it came from the tree. It was the closest thing I'd experience to my own mother's kiss. It's calming aura caused me to drift into a sleep. A sleep my body has been craving for days.

My eyes shot open. Freshly fallen snowflakes shook into my braid from the hood of the cloak. I scanned the clearing and trees close by. It didn't look like I was in eminent danger, but things can move quickly in such an unfamiliar forest. The sun was beginning to set, and I sensed another storm system was on the horizon. No time better than the present to set up camp for the night.

I was torn on the location I should set it up. If the werewolves had already scoped this area out, would that mean this is the safest area to rest? Or should I move further out, in case they come back? The perk of a nice shower and running water made me choose to set up in the group of trees close to the showers. The oak tree tempted me, as I loved laying at its base. But I needed plenty of willows and branches to blend into the scenery.

I was finally able to nestle down into my sleeping bag. My tiny dinner didn't suffice to the amount of energy I exerted throughout the day. I was met with stomach growls and hunger pains for a large portion of the night. My ears were on high alert for anything that sounded unfamiliar. I focused on hearing distant owl hoots and the wind blowing through the trees. My eyes grew heavy, and I began to drift into a sleep.

Maybe tonight would be the night I could finally rest. A howl filled my ears. I sat up in the tent. I peeled open the small front flap. A full moon... I guess I will not be sleeping tonight. The clouds had cleared and the bright moon was shining a clear pattern of branch shadows into my tent.