Tea Leaves and Diamond Bracelets

Wild Hunt

Match Twenty: Wild Hunt:

Gilbert went to a psychic he encountered long ago in the woods. He doesn't believe in this sort of thing. But, Ludwig still wasn't waking up. It had been five weeks in the hospital, but nothing could bring him out of his coma. Doctors were stumped and suggested taking him off of life support.

"No," Gilbert said.

"Sir, he shows no signs of recovery. At this rate, he will be dead within a month. Is he an organ donor?" the doctor asked. Gilbert resisted the urge to choke out the doctor.

"He will come back from this," he said. "I will find a way!" The Prussian man turned and walked out of the hospital.

And now, here he was.

Gilbert raised his hand to knock on the door.

"Enter," an old woman's voice croaked. Gilbert about jumped. She was still as sharp as ever. He pushed open the door and walked into the small wooded hut. Inside was dark.

"Hello?" he asked.

"I'm back here," the old woman said. Gilbert made his way down the narrow hall. He tried to ignore the buzzing mosquitoes around his head. He should be used to the smell of the swamp by now. The man still covered his nose and kept walking. Gilbert approached a thin black plastic curtain. A shadowy figure sat on a chair made of wood.

"Come in," she said. Gilbert pushed back the curtain and went inside. The smell of swap mixed in with the smell of smoke. A pair of glowing eyes stared through the darkness.

"Welcome Gilbert," she said. "Come in, take a seat." Gilbert opened his mouth.

"Take a seat," the old woman said again. The Prussian man closed his mouth and sat down.

"Very good," she said. "Have some tea. Do not argue. You need to have something to drink to clear your thoughts. Have the tea first and then we'll talk." Gilbert lowered his eyes.

"Fine," he said. The old woman turned off her boiling kettle and poured the water into the cup. The water turned light green from the tea bag. Gilbert shifted into place.

"Shhh," the old woman said. "We will talk after you drink." The Prussian man finally sat still. The birds outside did little to calm him down.

"This tea takes about ten minutes to brew, you know?" the old woman said. Gilbert pressed his lips together. The psychic lowered her eyes in the candlelight.

"Things are getting crazier," she said in a low voice. Gilbert lifted his head. The old woman in the dark had her eyes on him.

"Your brother has fallen victim to it already," she said. The Prussian man looked down at his hands.

"It's not just him," she said. "The entire world is going to be swallowed up into darkness." Her large crow on the wooden chair pecked at the bark. This bird has always been quiet. Part of Gilbert wondered if that was a real bird.

"Yes," the old woman said. "This is just a normal bird. He just doesn't make too many noises." Gilbert frowned.

"Could you stop doing that?" he asked.

"My apologies," she said. Gilbert rolled his eyes. The old woman pulled out a small pitcher of milk and poured it into his cup.

"Thank you," the Prussian man said. The old woman took out the bag and handed him his cup.

"Thank you," he said again. Gilbert took a sip of the bitter tea. He winced at the taste.

"You've come to find a way to get your brother back," the old woman spoke up. "He's trapped by an angry spirit from his past."