Welcome to the Unknown

Chapter 3

     After chatting and walking along with the two brothers, we soon came across a mill. I already knew that it was the woodsman's, but Wirt and Greg didn't. I thought it would be a good idea to introduce the boys to him, and see if he could help them any in getting home.

     I had already started to except that I wouldn't be going home any time soon. I was to lost, but the woods were nice. It's not like anyone would miss me back home, I didn't have many friends and my parents were never home in general. Basically, the only family I had was who I found here, in the Unknown. The woodsman and I had become quite close actually, he claimed that I reminded him if his daughter.

     When I had first arrived in the woods about two years ago, I had stumbled across his mill. Desperate for a place to stay, I wandered in. The woodsman was kind to me and warned me of the terrible Beast, who I later would have an encounter with. He let me stay and his house and gave me his long lost daughter's old clothes. I am eternally grateful to him, because if I hadn't stumbled across his house I would have surely died in the woods, or even worse, the Beast would have claimed me.

     As we walked towards the mill, Greg was skipping ahead of Wirt and I, humming a little tune. I decided to attempt to strike up a conversation with Wirt, since it was rather awkward just walking by each other saying nothing.

     "So... Um, how did you two end up here?" I asked. I've always sucked at talking to people. Never really developed good communication skills.

     "Oh, um it's a rather long story..." Wirt responded, sighing. He had a look of despair in his eyes maybe even sorrow. I couldn't tell. I just knew something was bothering him.

     "Uh... Sorry for asking. I didn't mean to bother you. I'm just curious, ya know? I've been in these woods for quite awhile now. There's not normally new people that arrive." I sighed. Nice going, Topaz. You've made him feel uncomfortable.

     "H-how long have you been here?" Wirt questioned. A look of shock was on his face.

      "I'll explain later..."

     We were nearing the mill, crunching leaves under our feet as we walked through the wood. The autumn colors danced on the branches of trees, painting a surreal picture of a fairy tale forest. It was a lovely day out, needless to say. The afternoon sun beat through the leaves tracing strange shaped shadows on the ground.

     "Well, here we are." I stated as we reached the house. I hoped the woodsman was at home, it would be rude to just barge into his house. Luckily, when I knock it was him to answer the door.

     "Topaz! I'm so glad to see you!" The woodsman beamed. "Who are these two?"

     "This is Wirt and Greg. I found them wandering around in the woods and decided to bring them here. Hope you don't mind." I responded, nodding at the two brothers.

     "It's no bother. Come in, the Beast is lurking about!"