The Witch's House - The Diary of Ellen

Chapter 2

Awakening

1

My father and my mother

didn't love me.

So I X them.

I've been in this house ever since.

I could see beautiful patterns.

Black curves like ivy, or like snakes, decorated the ceiling. As my eyes followed the patterns, I noticed how regulated they were. Buried in a soft bed, I gazed up at the unfamiliar ceiling.

It was just like lying in a sunny spot far below. Despite being inside, I could smell the sun. There was the faint aroma of flowers.

How comforting. I had only just awoken, yet already felt ready to fall asleep again.

But I certainly wouldn't do that.

In the corner of my thoughts, a calm part of me asked:

Where is this?

Pushed by curiosity, I reluctantly sat up in the bed.

My light purple hair fell upon the pure white sheets. Yes, rather than a dirty blanket, beautiful embroidered sheets covered my body. They were so smooth, I found it hard to escape this dreamy state of mind.

I looked around the room. A square room with one door. I had been sleeping on a big bed in the room's center.

It was a lovable room.

The floor covered with flower-patterned tile led me to think such. The walls were neatly lined with closets and tables, as well. Everything seemed just the right size for my height, making me think it had been prepared just for me.

The color red drew my eyes to a table, upon which I saw flowers. So that was why I could smell them despite being inside.

"Up and at 'em?"

Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice from behind and turned to face it.

I squinted at the rays of light coming through the window.

There was a huge window on the milky-white wall, at the sill of which sat the black cat.

I faintly recalled the black cat's figure, and his boyish, overly-familiar voice.

Last night. The cold back alley. Me loitering around with a knife. The black cat on the fence. The conversation we had. They came to me, then vanished. Feeling like it had been a dream and this was the continuation, I talked to the cat.

"Where is this...?"

"Told you, didn't I? It's your house."

My house?

I did feel like he had said that. Going back through my memory, I found there was nothing whatsoever after nodding to the cat. I supposed I had lost consciousness just after, but how did I get here?

I moved to get out of bed, then noticed I was wearing a well-tailored white blouse and a red one-piece.

When...?

Surely the black cat hadn't dressed me, had he?

This is becoming very strange, I thought. I got off the bed. My bare feet touched the polished floor. Surprisingly, I felt no pain in my legs.

Stepping on the flowery tile, I went over toward the window where the cat sat.

I touched my hand to the window. With just that action, the window opened itself up. A calming breeze blew in, stroking my long hair.