Gretel

12

The next day was probably the most peaceful yet difficult day Gretel had so far in her short life. She had stayed up half of the night, curled next to the stove, waiting for the flames to die down, insuring the Witch didn't miraculously resurrect herself. It was already daylight when the last ember's extinguished themselves, leaving nothing more than a pile of charred remains. Once the stove was cool enough to touch, Gretel set to the task of cleaning the oven.

It was terrible work. Ash and brittle bone littered the inside of the stove. Taking a small wooden box, Gretel set to taking out what was left of her old teacher and began placing them in the container with trembling hands. Taking an old rag and duster, she scraped out as much ash as humanly possible. Dumping it in with the chared bones. Finally the small girl went and got some vinegar and wiped down both inside and out. Satisfied the young girl then went to dispose of the bones. Gingerly carrying the wooden crate, Gretel began the carefully trekked journey to the fish's mouth near the front of his belly. It took only a few minutes but it felt much longer. The plan was to toss the remains into the ocean, yet she was unsure how she could get the creature to open up so that she could dispose of it.

Luckily Gretel wouldn't have to wonder long, because as soon as she approached the end of the tounge, the massive mouth opened wide, as if it knew she was there and wanted the same thing as  she. Gretal braced herself as she stood behind the creature's gums, silently praying that the being that housed her would not close his mouth- accidentally or otherwise. With one sharp measured fling, the box was tossed into the massive drink, and Gretel watched with satisfaction as the little wooden box slowly sank, never to be seen again. With a sigh of relief, Gretel then wondered what she should do next. She could try to make a swim for shore, find Hansel and start a new life, yet she had no idea where she was and had a feeling she could drown before she ever made it. Gazing at the sky she had not seen for so long, she realized that at least for a while she'd have to stay. Sighing, she turned back to head for the witch's house.

Calmer than she had been in a long time,  Gretel made her way to the apple tree to see if he had made it out of the situation unscathed. Dread filled her as she edged closer and closer to where the old tree was meant to be. Her heart was ready to beat out of her chest by the time she reached the spot The poor girl was heartbroken by what she saw: Where the massive tree had once been nothing but a ground up old stump and some strewn about apples remained. A single tear streamed freely down the poor girl's cheek.  That firewood.... it couldn't have been, yet it had to be. The tree had been right and the witch's threat had come to pass and there was nothing Gretel could do to change that now. He had known what would happen to him if he helped her and he had done it anyway. Crying, she picked up one of the apples and held it, one of the few things left of her friend. Stooping to her knees and scraping away the layers of dirt and debree that was left in the dead Witch's wake, Gretel hefted the stump over to make room for what she was about to do. Breaking and burying the apple, the young witch began to let tears fall freely, moistening the dirt.  Rising, Gretel  abruptly turned and walked away from the scene, hoping her efforts would bear fruit. 

 Nothing could change what had happened. The only thing to be done now was to move forward and remember her friend's sacrifice.  Turning away from the sorry sight, Gretel made her way to the barn to deliver the news. The girl was sure that they would want to be informed and would be delighted at their old mistress's defeat. Stopping short of the entrance, Gretel propped open the door to the left and slipped inside. All horses reared their head in surprise when they caught sent of her. They were understandably alarmed, for she was meant to be long gone by now and they feared what the witch would do to her now as they were sure she could not manage to hide forever.  After a moment one of them dared to speak up.

"What are you still doing here?" One of the closer horses asked abruptly

"What? no hello?" Gretel retorted teasingly, though the smile didn't quite reach her eyes.