the untold story

chapter 3, Who the he-

The old woman smiled at me, she spoke in a warm soothing voice, "You may call me Verda." What an odd name, I thought as I practically licked the bowl clean of soup. Finally after I had finished eating, all my questions came swarming back into mind, who was this? What world am I in? What did she mean, people like her? I started to speak, but she interrupted me, "You fool." was all she said, how rude! She crept close, I knew something was wrong quickly. I looked around the room, I heard a sort of sloshing, from the corners the dark black ooze started oozing out!! I backed away from the woman, she started laughing a terrible laugh. Her eyes turned as dark as the ooze, her voice spread into multiple femine voices, the room around me slowly filling with the dark black ooze. I couldn't move, fear spread into my body as the sticky warm ooze crept up my legs slowly sliding up my body. I thought about closing my eyes, letting it swallow me up. I heard a yell, though it sounded distant, I tried to reach towards it.

The next thing I knew I was holding Verda, but she looked normal. She gave me a warm smile, "Are you ok dear?" she questioned, I tried my hardest not to show any fear. With a few stutters I finally got my sentence out, "What happened?!" I know I know, yelling at a poor old sweet lady? So mean, but I couldn't help it! I thought I would be taken away like my parents, never to be seen again. No, I couldn't think like that! My parents will be seen again! I know it. Verda must've understood, she took my hand gently and spoke in a soothing voice, "That dear, was an illusion. They happen frequently here." If that happened frequently here, I did not want to be here!

I hugged Verda, she cradled me like I was a small child. This did not upset me, it made me feel safe, like a young girl snuggled against her mother, late at night, getting ready for bed. Verda made me feel safe instantly despite the fear she had brought me a second earlier.

She stroked my hair back and smiled at me, "Take a nap" she said softly, as she said it I slowly got tired. I laid back on the couch, closed my eyes, and quickly drifted off to sleep. I had no dreams, though this may sound boring, it was actually peaceful. My last few "naps" were traumatizing, this was the best day so far in this stupid adventure.

I woke to the feeling of the cold sun hitting my face, why was it so cold?! Outside the world was dark, but it seemed everything was opposite from the world I knew and grew to love. A heavenly smell of warm freshly made pancakes swam through the house. My mouth was watering in hunger, if it was more of Verdas food, I wanted it. I got up and made my way to the kitchen, Verda smiled and spoke in her same sweet soft tone, "Oh good, you're awake, come come!" she rushed, "Have some food, we have a long adventure ahead of us."

I did not question the last part, how could I when I had such good smelling warm food sitting in front of me. I sat on the opposite side of Verda, with a simple flick of her hand cold sweet syrup slid onto my pancakes, cooling the heat. I cut my pancakes and took a bite, all the flavors entered my mouth, it tasted the same as it smelt, heavenly! My eyes practically lit up as I devoured my food. Verda gave me a quiet chuckle, she walked behind me and brushed my hair out of my face. Usually I didn't like being touched without consent, but verda was an exception. I ate as she braided my hair and hummed. I didn't know the song name, but it sounded like a song my father would often hum while cooking, this made me feel sick to my stomach.

Verda finished my hair around the same time I finished my food. She handed me some clothes silently, pushed me into a bathroom, and closed the door behind her as she walked away. I changed into the outfit quickly, it has shorts with a long plain brown T-shirt. It's better than the PJs I've been wearing. I walked out of the bathroom, Verda finally spoke, "When do you plan to start?"

"Start what?" I questioned, I have found that lately asking questions got me brutal responses. This time it did not, "looking for your parents dear, have you forgotten."

How did she know I was looking for my parents? She must have known my question as she smiled amused by the look on my face. She chuckled and held my hand again, "You were sent here for a reason, most people here are sent for the same. To save their parents"

This may sound selfish but I was actually quite happy about what I've learned, I'm not the only person who's gone through this! The real question popped into my head, "Has anyone succeeded?" I asked with a hint of worry in my voice. Verda sighed and shook her head, "This has seemed impossible." My heart dropped, impossible?! No way! It can't be.. I could tell Verda felt bad for me, I would too if I were in her shoes. She placed her warm hand on my shoulder, the same warm and comforting feeling entered my body, how did she do it? She comforted me until I felt I could do it. I had to do it! If my parents were gone forever, I'd be alone.

She packed me and herself a bag of food, clothes, drinks, and basically everything we would need for a long adventure. We stepped outside, the smell of warm fresh apple pie still lingered in the air, I assumed it would always. Verda took a deep breath, smiled at me, and walked forwards. I followed, the grass felt cold and wet against my ankles, yuck! (yuck counter, 5)

I did notice though that it was extremely clean in this new world, any little mistake was well, nonexistent. Verda didn't seem the slightest bit worried that we would hurt ourselves or even possibly die! I do not want to go to whatever afterlife there is in this world. I made sure to stay as close as possible to Verda, she kept me comforted and told me sweet stories of the other kids like me that she has met, even if they are dead. Though I did notice her glancing down at my necklace a few times in curiosity.

I trusted Verda, so I told her everything. I told her about my midnight encounter with two crazy men. My run through the woods with Shayla, my chase through the house by the crazy animals, and most importantly, when I became a ferret. Verda didn't say anything.

(I apologize about how short this is, I did not have much time this weekend.)