Wishes

A Tale Based Off of the Movie, Spirited Away

        Everyday, a little girl, of ten, trekked up a lone mountain. There she sat looking upon a land far from others. Atop the mountain sat a cherry blossom tree which provided her shade on the hot days of summer. There she sat thinking everyday, of a thought that was only hers.

        This girl was very special, for the perfect kingdom she lived in was ruled by her parents. With their abundant riches the little girl could have anything she wanted. Though instead of leaning on lion skin couches, she preferred the harsh wood of the cherry tree.

        Even though, lurking in this kingdom was a specific spirit. Many ghosts roamed about unseen, though one was visible. A dark cloak draped over his white mask, revealing nothing to others but his pale hands. The spirit was named Noface for this specific reason. He offered gold to many for information. He would then easily snatch up their soul, for the greed would weaken their self being. He was known by many but still few for his trickery.

        Along came the spirit to the little girl's parents. The gold jingled in his hands as the guards closed the doors.

        He weakly said, "I need to exchange information on a far destination in your return of gold. The royals knew of him but longing glanced at the amount of money clanging in his palms.

        The queen declared, "Hello, old spirit of the dark, we will never fall for you childish tricks. Be gone!"

        Noface cackled as he exclaimed, "For you know my trick, I must give you a choice. I will trade the amount of money, in my fingers, for your daughter and great luck to the kingdom. If you choose not to you, your future prince will end the days of this perfect kingdom." The parents did not know of this prince. But thinking of him him next in line and the well being of the kingdom, they sadly decided to give their daughter to Noface.

        The little girl sat up against the tree staring off into the distance. Noface gently put his ice cold palm on her shoulder. Her eyes shot up to his mask, and she fell backwards.

        She said "Are you.... You are the spirit in the stories..."

        "I indeed am. Your parents traded you for money twice as much as they own. They barely cared at all. You are now my cherry blossom." lied Noface.

        "Alright" said the little girl, as she pushed away any sad feelings in her mind. With no objection, the little girl left with Noface to her new home.

        The simple house only had a small kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. Almost nothing else could sit on the mountain due to its slim peak. Below was a rushing river and various sharp rocks. The only way to reach the house was by a narrow bridge. The little girl was only allowed to cross, to gather food in the forest. She still received her favorite cherry tree, and a stone bench to sit upon. All she looked at now was a barren forest, away from the far kingdom.

        Noface left her with, "Call me, if you need me" and he vaporized into a shadow. 

        Each day she gathered food, sat on the cherry blossom bench, and slept. One day, when she recently turned eleven, she noticed three cherry blossoms. Each bloom was bigger and had more vivid color than any other cherry blossom she had ever seen. She stared bewildered, at the flowers lined up on the same branch. Then a shadow came across the bridge and evaporated into Noface.

        He said, "For you, my cherry blossom, I show you three unique floret. Each will grant you a wish when it floats to the ground." The girl sat emotionless. As Noface explained, a figure walked across the bridge. She saw who she secretly wished for. A husband.

        He dashed up to her and picked up the cherry blossom, giving it to her. "For you my princess" he said softly.

        They spent over three months living normal lives: laughing, cooking, gathering food, sitting together under the tree, and being happy. When they were under the blossom tree, eating lunch one summer afternoon, the next blossom floated to the ground. Noface did not appear. They stared at the bridge as three fast figures darted up the bridge. Her boyfriend protectively standed in front of her as these creatures approached. The girl grinned as she saw three small children in front of them. Another wish she always wanted, children. They too lived in the house on the mountain. The eldest girl named Penny, the younger girl named Lin, and the only boy named Tiny.

        Two years went by for the family on the hill. The children spent their days playing as their parents watched them from the stone bench. Her boyfriend, even made a toy train for little Tiny, from the cherry tree's rough bark. They had come accustomed to living in such small conditions for the spent most of their time outside in the yard.

        The girl sat awake in bed one humid night. Her eyes felt heavy but she could not make herself sleep. For two years, the third blossom had not fallen. She was in love, had kids, and enjoyed every second with her new family. Though, every day that passed, made her feel farther and farther from  happiness. All she could think about was the last blossom sitting on its branch. The perfect life was not for her. She shuddered, at the thought, of living all of her life with no answers. She rolled over to face her boyfriend, sleeping peacefully. She twirled his messy dark brown hair in her finger tips. She then got up to check on the children.

        Each breath they made was in sink. She sat down at the foot of Tiny's bed. His chest grew and fell at a calm rate. She glared out the window and guessed it was around four o'clock for she saw a sliver of daylight peaking through the darkness. She decided to slowly tip-toe her way to her room. 

        His eyes were still shut closed. He was not a good morning person, as I was. I slowly slided into the covers and layed on my side. To my surprise he shifted and hugged his arms around me. His striking brown eyes glared at me as he sat up. He gently stroked my hair and hummed an unfamiliar tune. Though by then I was fast asleep. I knew I could never go back to my old life. For finally I knew what desire I wanted most.

        Within five days the final flower fell, and what had appeared from thin air surprised her. As the petal drifted to the ground, it shriveled to a crisp.

        She crept outside as though she were to disrupt the silence. The soul sound was the wind whispering through the tree tops. She crouched down to look at the strange flower though it disintegrated at her touch. This was new. She had observed the past few flowers and Noface had not told her of the blossom dieing. In fact her beloved cherry tree, as well, looked weak. Though, it smelled as fragrant and felt rough as usual.

       The next morning everything went downhill from then. The pattern of the flowers and wishes had ended. No knew desire showed up across their bridge. There seemed to be weight to the air, as though gravity was working overtime. Her family didn't seem to notice for they went about the chores and activities normally. Her cherry tree looked as strong and vibrant as usual, but it smelled like it was rotting on the inside. No longer was she drawn to sitting on the bench, but more or less disgusted at the look of this now foul but healthy tree. Everything was conflicted in her brain. As though everything would just disingrate like the fallen flower of the tree. Though she ignored it for her mind often shoved away any doubt. She almost never knew what she was talking about, and was left baffled. 

        One day she snapped. Everything had changed from color to murky greys. I don't know anymore, she repeated in her head. The four words bounced around the walls of he thoughts. It was the only thing she could think. The girl sat outside, sitting near the foul smelling tree. Her legs spread out into a small straddle, as she hunched over the dust from the last blossom from the tree.

The girl never got anything. No wish. No surprise. Nothing. The wish she had come to desire was never achieved. To know of a little ghost, Noface.