Winter Witch

Chapter III

Markel felt the presence of someone behind him. He didn't move. He didn't even dare twitch.

"This is not a dream," the person stated in a hushed whisper. It was a good thing Markel had excellent hearing, or he would not have understood them.

Wait a minute. How do they know what I'm thinking?

The person behind him only chuckled. "I'll never tell," they replied just as quietly. They placed a finger to their lips as if Markel could see the motion. "It's a secret." They chuckled again.

"Well if this isn't a dream, then what is it?" he asked. Markel closed his eyes. "Who are you anyway?" There was no answer. He thought for a moment the person must have left, because they were so quiet. He was wrong though. The sound of hushed breaths reached his ears.

He waited for a moment before turning around. His eyes were sharp enough he could see in the dark with no problems. The moonlight shining into the building he was currently in showed someone dressed in a cloak, their face hidden by the hood. It seemed the person had fallen asleep.

Markel gingerly tiptoed to them. He hesitated when he reached to remove the hood. He could see long, flowing dark hair without removing it. He wanted to see their face though, so he pushed back the hood.

The moonlight revealed a beautiful woman with dark hair, a tanned complexion, and possibly eyes to match all of it. Except her eyes were closed as if she were sleeping.

He placed his hands on her shoulders and shook her a little. "Hey! Are you alright?" When she didn't answer, he shook her a little harder, trying to awaken her. Instead, she fell forward.

"This is all your fault," the hushed voice spoke once more. "This woman will die unless you do as I say." It chuckled menacingly.

Markel laid the woman down on a bench nearby. He covered her with his cloak.

"Look, I don't know who you are, but if you've hurt someone just to get to me, I will kill you when I find you!"

The voice laughed like a child. "Then come find me! This will be a fun little game! Come to the forest before midnight tomorrow, and I will remove my curse off this woman. That is, if you manage to find me!" It continued to laugh like a child.

"You've got a deal!" The voice and presence disappeared. The woman did not awaken.

She must be the last survivor of this town. Unless this was all an illusion?

He walked outside carrying the woman in his arms. He needed to get her to a safe place. Where would he go though? The entire town was run down and abandoned. He walked toward the other end of town. As he neared the tavern, he heard music and laughter resounding from inside the old building. He looked around him, and saw people walking the streets, talking and laughing with each other.

So it was just an illusion, Markel thought. He sighed with relief. Whoever, or whatever, that was, maybe the curse was a trick they were playing as well.

The woman in his arms groaned and had an expression of pain. She moved to curl up - her arms wrapped around herself as if she were cold. Markel glanced around quickly for a place to hide. He spotted an alleyway between two of the buildings. It was dark enough to hide the two of them.

He hid in the alleyway with her. He laid her on the ground on his cloak, so she wouldn't soak hers and get sick. He hated to undo her clothes, but he needed to know what was wrong with her.

"Help...it hurts..." The woman was in severe pain. Her breathing grew rapid. Markel felt her face. The woman was cold and clammy, but she was burning up at the same time. He quickly undid her clothing, being very careful not to tear anything. With his sharp eyesight, he could see there was a festering wound on the woman's belly.

He quickly dressed her and carried her out of the alleyway. He entered the tavern once more.

Cottar was surprised to see him back so soon and with a woman no less! "Sonny! Y' got yo'rself a fine specimen o' a lady there. Wha' do y' plan on doin' wit' 'er?" he said as Markel reached the bar.

"Do you happen to know a good doctor?" Markel asked desperately.

Cottar nodded his head. "Wha' be wrong wit' t'e Lass?" he asked concernedly. Markel only stared at the bartender. The man understood, nodding his head slowly in understanding. "T'ere be an empty room righ' upstairs jus' a' t'e top." He drew out a key from his apron pocket and handed it to Markel. "I'll fetch the doc f'r y'."

Markel accepted the key with gratitude. "Thanks." He ran upstairs with the woman in his arms.

The room was small but spacious. It contained only a single bed, a chair, a lamp stand and a dresser. Off to the side was a small wardrobe for hanging clothes. Markel laid the woman on the bed. As he finished covering her up with the thin blankets, his cloak already back on himself, a knock resounded on the door.

He opened it to find Cottar and a man dressed in black he had never seen before. "Sonny, t'is be t'e doc I told y' about." Markel stepped aside, allowing the doctor to enter. He began down the stairs. Cottar caught him by the arm. "Where are y' goin', Sonny?"

Markel gently pried his arm loose. "I'm sorry, Cottar. I can't stay. There's something I need to do first. I'll be back in a few days. Take care of her. Don't let her die."

Cottar wasn't surprised. He'd seen it before. "Sonny, y' aren't t'e first, and y' won't be t'e last I've seen of yo'r kind. Don't go gettin' yo'rself hurt now tryin' t' be a hero. What I mean t' say is: be careful."

A silence grew between them. Markel finally spoke. When he did, there was no feeling to his words. "I won't die. I'll be back in a few days. Don't worry. She isn't special to me. I only found her lying in the street on my way here. She's none of my concern." He left without another word.

"T'at's not the way y' acted when y' first came back, Sonny." Cottar sighed. He shook his head in disbelief. "T'at boy is somet'ing else entirely."

The doctor walked silently out of the room, making sure not to close the door too loudly. "He'll be back, Cottar. Don't worry about him. I can tell for certain he is well and capable of taking care of himself."

Cottar nodded. The words were a comfort. Only he couldn't shake the worrying knot forming in his stomach. Something wasn't quite right, and he hoped and prayed the young man would return safely.