Wisps in the Darkness

The paper white snow crunched under my feet, the forest animals becoming less common, the further I walked in. I could have sworn I saw something amidst the tall, dark pine trees, past the iced over lake to the east of the woods. It was a building, a tall, chapel-like, castle-looking building. I couldn't stop myself from taking a look. Curiosity always gets the better of me. Of course I was equipped with my pine wood bow, my leather gloves, my black hooded zippy, tall, brown lace up boots, my dark blue jeans and arrows in my quiver that was strapped over my back. I emerged from Lake-water Vally Woods and found myself on the foot of a hill. The snow had gotten much deeper by this point and was about ankle length deep. My breath steamed in the coldness and I pressed on, determined to find this palace-like place.

Before I go any further, you might want to know a little bit about me. My name is Kate. I know it is very plain yet nonetheless, Kate. I am 17 years old, I live on a northern Scotland island known as Skye, I am an orphan and was abandoned as a child. I recall being the age of 3 but I taught myself to hunt, talk, read, write, do simple calculations, learn the time lots of different things. I could fend for myself, giving myself a nice juicy apple during the summer or spring, and as I grew up I cooked some fox or rabbit or, if I was lucky enough to catch one, squirrel. I did this for several years and here I am today. I live in the woods, yet I occasionally go to the local town and pickpocket a few of the rich businessmen, or the posh looking ladies. I spare some meat for the winter as I am doing now, but mostly I buy from the market. I don't buy anything until winter because A: I don't need to because I can hunt and B: it's easier than having to find any spare things left. It was the start of winter so not all animals have started hibernation, also a good time to hunt but I prefer not to. I am capable of buying all my own clothes as well. I have about £15 this being this years savings. I buy raw meat for £1 each or 4 for £3 at the market and I have a small clearing were I have shelter, a campfire and all the living arrangements someone needs. I carve thins into wood a lot when I'm bored. Things such as pictures or I write a record of my day.

I got to the top of the hill faster than I expected and I looked back down. It was breathtaking. I couldn't believe I hadn't been here before. 14 years I have lived in this forest and not once have I noticed this. I could see the town below me, my clearing, the river, the lake, my giant log, everything. I saw my footprints leading up the hill. Snowflakes slowly started to fall, the tiny white crystals swirling around my head. I turned on my heel and walked towards the giant oak door of the castle. I knocked in the door and it swung open almost immediately. A man with a black tux with a white shirt stood before me. I smiled at him and asked if I could come in.

"Who are you?" He said after reluctantly letting me step inside. It was huge. Tapestries of all sorts hung on the wall with paintings and portraits, a long red velvet rug stretched the wooden floored hallway. The ceiling towered over me, forming into a dome at the top.

"My name is Kate, I am 17 years old and I live in the woods down there." I gestured towards the forest behind the closed door.

"There is a cabin in the forest?" He asked, politely.

"Cabin? Oh no, I live in the woods. In trees in caves in hollowed out logs. Anywhere I can find that seems suitable for the night." I reply.

"You survive in the woods, alone?"

"Yes I do"

"And you wish to stay with us?"

"Not to stay but I've never noticed this place before so I came to investigate, I can leave if you want."

"No, I'm sure the young master would love to meet you. You are his age after all."

"Um, well ok."

He lead me into a room twice as big as the hallway and up a set of swirling stairs. We seemed to be going down endless corridors only to find another corridor or another set of stairs in front of us. I don't know how we knows him way around. We stopped outside a white door with a silver door handle. The butler looking guy knocked on the door.

"Yes?" A boys voice came from inside the room.

"You have a visitor, sire" the guy said.

"Ok, come in" the boy wasn't reluctant at all. He sounded excited. I figured they didn't get many visitors. I opened the door and the butler guy strode off down another corridor. The room was a bedroom. It was so grand and fancy, I can't even put it into words. The bot was sitting on his bed, a book in two hands. He had coal black hair with a caramel tinge to his skin. His body looked lean and muscular, like the kind of guys I see in shop windows or adds on billboards in town. He looked up from his book and started at me.

"Dayum" he whispered, thinking I couldn't hear him. I have very acute hearing and you would too if you lived In a forest for 14 years.