The Witch and The Naive Young Man

Chapter 4, The Beginning of An Era II

"So, to start with, you have to call me with my real name, Persephone."

She said as she crossed her arms and looking at me menacingly, like she's about to kill someone. Her gaze is so scary that I can't handle it, that sometimes I have to look away for a moment without her noticing me looking away.

I suddenly heard her cough, like some kind of a reminder, that I need to focus my gaze only at her, and her only.

"So, would you mind to repeat what I just say?"

...Oh, no. I don't quite hear what she say too. This means trouble, I say as I feel cold sweat running through all my face. I can feel myself going pale, what is she gonna do if I can't remember what she say? Will she punish me? Or should I lie and get on with it?

Better with the truth, I guess. I don't want anymore trouble with Aunt Witch.

"I am sorry for not paying attention, Persephone. I am really, really, really, sorry." I say as I look down, I feel so ashamed that I couldn't even get my focus straight.

But then she reply me with a chuckles. A dry chuckle, at that.

"Oh, so you actually know that the truth is better than a lie. Good. You will definitely get on my good side if you keep this good manner, keep it up!"

But then, the temperature in the room suddenly went cold! I got chill all in my bone, then suddenly, I -- I can feel her so close to my face, her eyes piercing at me like she means business and no funny means. She's serious.

"I'm serious, boy. Nobody get out of here alive making fun of me and lack in their works. Even with the simplest things such as manners, which is a shame, because all my workers are twenty years older than you."

She clear her throat to speak at me again, but now her words are firmer.

"You have to do what I say and I expect you to do excellent job at it. I don't expect any less, okay?"

Glup. I swallowed my saliva hardly, I was so afraid! She's so scary.

Then, I replied a minute later with a dry voice, "Yes, Aunt Persephone."

"Ah, ah, ah. No Aunt nickname. That makes me feel so old and I am not old. Call me Miss Persephone and say it with an excited voice."

"Yes, Miss Persephone." I say, trying to keep my voice as excited as possible I can manage.

"Oh, you are a good boy, aren't you? Yes, you are!" As she said this, she ruffled my hair affectionately. Or what it seems to be anyway.

"Now, I have to go and take care the rest remaining of my slave, you behave, okay? Make Miss Persephone proud, boy."

I can only sighed in relief when she's done patting me and then left me alone in peace.

Or that's what I want to think at first.

I then hear a wind howling quite loudly now, making my hair all messed up.

Then... I saw something moving right in between the bush!

Moved by my curiosity, I piqued and walk over to it and see what it was...

And it was...a fox?

There stood a sly, witty orange fox. Its smiles (or was it a grin? I don't know why, but I can't comprehend its emotions entirely) to me, its dark, mischievous eyes stared at me as it moved across the field, circling me while its pale orange fur blends almost perfectly to the dying grass.

And then, as my curiosity increased, I follow the fox's movement silently. Gazing at it with most amazement. I have never seen a fox before, except the fox doll Aunt Rachel--oof, I shouldn't call her that anymore she's Miss Persephone now, gives to me as my very first birthday gift, as what I get the information from my Mom.