Away with the Faeries

Chapter 3

As I passed each station, new people entered the train and departed, but only a small few travelled to Holyhead and boarded the ferry to Dublin. It was almost familiar travelling to Ireland. Something inside screamed out home. As I glanced at the sun, I noticed it was edging on midday by the time the ferry arrived. It was just over a three-hour trip, and I sat down against the window overlooking the Irish Sea. The ferry was an older ship, but very fancy hence the higher price. As it was a working day, the ferry was buzzing with activity and due to wild winds, the journey was not the best. Very quickly, I found that the Irish have strong stomachs, where tourists did not. The journey felt long.

The reassurance of the Irish earth proved to me that I will not be travelling back on the ferry for a long time. I took off my shoes to ease the swaying sea-sick feeling, the grass making me feel surprisingly better. I looked towards the road, looking for Esmerelda's car. I should have asked Gretta what she looked like and what she drove before I left since everyone looked very similar. Remembering Roslyn's appearance was like her sisters, I assumed Esmerelda would look the same. I signed and stood on the side of the road, hoping to find her.

A woman approached me, she had black hair, but ultimately was a spitting image of Gretta. I smiled in relief as she approached.

"Vanessa?" she asked, and I nodded, relieved. She grinned and ushered me to her car. It smelled strongly of shellfish, and I blocked my nose from the smell. Upon noticing, she chuckled.

"Working near the shore gives you straight access to the ocean. You're lucky that I don't work at the clam farm on Wednesdays" she spoke as she turned onto the main road.

"I received message of your arrival months ago. After Hubert's passing, Gretta told me that she wants to give the house to you" she spoke. I nodded.

"How did she know so early?" I asked. She laughed.

"We Irish women know where people belong. You feel drawn to here, no?" she questioned.

"Yes. Why is that?" I asked, turning to her.

"Ireland is a unique place. There are many creatures that roam this land, human and whatnot. Upon your entrance, I felt something. I feel you will find what you seek here" she answered. I pondered from the thought. Creatures apart from humans, ones in folklore. William's words echoed in her head. Monster.

"You don't believe there are creatures other than humans here?" I asked. She chuckled.

"Irish folklore has been around for centuries. The last report for a sighting of a changeling or a supernatural encounter was over a century ago. But it does not mean they're not real" she spoke and turned to me. "However, sailors swear black and blue there is a pod of sirens roaming the sea at night". I shivered.

Stopping for fuel at a gas station at Kilkenny, a mysterious medieval town, I noticed that the local people gave me odd looks as I passed them. I noted it was due to my appearance, but never noticed how many seemed to stare at me. Odd. Different.

"People have never seen a girl with hair colour like yours and skin so pure" Esmerelda spoke as she entered the car. "No one has for the fact come across some new faces. Make sure you be careful when you enter towns like this, I fear they still believe in the old religion" she warned as we exited the town.

"What is the old religion?" I asked as Esmerelda turned to me.

"Different means witchcraft. These small towns are superstitious of the potential that creatures walk among us. That they bring darkness. Old wife's tales I'd say. But it's a belief that's been passed from generation to generation" she told as I gazed out the window to the mountainous landscape.

"I hope I don't come across others like them" I spoke. She sighed.

"Netherwood Shire fortunately is far away from town, however, there have been strange things happen in the forest to travelers" she warned as we passed through the mountains to empty fields. As time passed, a thick wood came into view and on the edge, a small cottage sat among the tree line. I leaned out the window to get a closer look, amazed. It was beautiful.

"Welcome to the residence of Netherwood Shire" she spoke as we entered the driveway. She stopped at the edge of it. "I'm afraid this is where my journey ends. Hubert ensured that whoever we chose to reside this place must enter alone and willingly"

"Thank you, Esmerelda." I spoke as she smiled and gave me my bags, driving away. I walked down the driveway and towards the cottage. It stood tall, a small vine creeping over the side. Apart from its age, it seemed to be well maintained and I noticed a small garden hidden out the back. I smiled, breathing in the fresh air and walked up the steps to the doorway.

Taking the key out of my satchel, I turned the lock with a click as the door opened with a creak. I sneezed from the dust that came from the door. It hadn't been opened in a while. Stepping inside, a simple living room with an antique fireplace in the wall, with a kitchen and a door that lead to the back garden was the first thing I noticed upon entering. I placed my bags on one of the chairs and opened the window and the curtains, letting sunlight through. I smiled and upon entering the back garden, I smiled.

As a self-sustaining cottage in the middle of Ireland, I understood the new lifestyle placed upon me. I felt happy and obliged to look after the place. Upon entering the small bedroom and ensuite bathroom, I managed to find that the indoor plumbing was still working, as well as the electricity. It felt like home.