Wolfsbane (a Jerrie Thirlwards Fanfiction)

Chapter 5... Mildred

Strange things greeted Jade the minute she walked away from Mr. Elliot's carriage. The cold wind and icy fog made her chill and clench her teeth as she passed the dead streets of South Shields. The sight in front of her was unimaginable.

This isn't the South Shields she remembered. Those days were long gone. She thought. How come? What has happened? She asked herself. Of course, she knew that her hometown is full of mysteries, but not like this. The place looks abandoned, no people around, no vehicles or even carriages. The houses that she passed by looked so dark as if nobody has lived for years, and the walls were almost covered with vines. Overgrown weeds and dirt were everywhere, the roads were cracked and full of all sorts of trash. The shops around were all closed and doors were hammered down. Lampposts have no lights, all were broken and rusty. Posters containing names of people were everywhere. All scattered, while some were posted on walls and gates of houses. All Jade could hear was the sound of her shoes tapping the ground and her breathing. There was nobody around. The place is abandoned.

Jade continued to walk, even though it seems hopeless to find someone in this strange town. It was already half past 6 in the evening and Jade was quite worried she won't be able to get to her old house before it gets really dark. If only she could use phones, and have transportation around, things could have been much easier, but their was none. Only her feet could take her to her destination. Her luggages in both her hands made it even harder for her, considering how heavy they were.

Jade stumbled upon an alley, she wasn't sure exactly where it will lead her, hence, she already feels like she's somehow lost, and has no direction. Once again the alley was dark, and foggy. Everything around was closed and empty, and if you dare to speak, only your own voice will answer you. Jade was scared. What has happened to this place?

Walls around were vandalized. "Danger!", "Beware", those were the warnings written on houses and posters. Jade made small steps towards the alley and once again examined the place, they all looked the same, until she heard a sound of a creaking door just nearby.

Jade's head turned towards the direction of where the sound was coming from. Unsure of what or who that might be, Jade bravely called out. "I-Is anybody there?" Her breath turning into fog as the words came out of her mouth. Then she heard a soft cough. Somewhat coming from an old person, then a silhouette of a woman became visible not too far from her.

"Are you the one who just entered South Shields?" Came the voice. Jade was startled with the question. "Y-yes, and who are you?" She asked hesitantly. Just then the old woman started walking towards her. Jade gripped the luggages in her hands tightly, ready to run just in case the woman in front of her tries to attack her. "You must be the daughter of the late sheriff." She stated , just then her appearance came into view..

Jade nodded at the question; she seemed harmless, she thought. The woman gave a slight grin, showing off her pale yellow teeth. "How do you know me?" Jade asked, eager to learn. Was she trailing behind her? She asked herself. "I know things around here." The woman answered, both eyes glued towards Jade, looking at her every move.

Then the woman walked even closer to her. She was a hunchback. Jade noticed. Her clothes were torn and tattered, bigger than the woman's figure. Her long sleeved clothing of mossy green color hung loosely on her shoulders. She was filthy, and she seemed as if it's been ages since she had eaten, considering that she looked skin and bones, with gray and short thin hair. She looked pale, and has freckles all over her oval face. "Who are you?" Jade questioned.

The woman grinned again, and looked up at Jade. "N-no need to know my n-name, you seem to be looking for something." She said. Jade took a step back. The woman laughed, her cracking voice echoing around the empty alley. "No need to be scared my dear. I could help you with what you're looking for." She said.