Part Six
The mirth did not fade but seemed to grow as the day of the wedding came about. A long table was constructed for all the guest who attended. Many did for the tale of Bearskin had reached many ears. Thanks to Asta and Adele who found the story simply marvelous. The head of the table was filled with the finest foods, but the chair remained empty. Only the animals such as deer, cows, birds, and even a fox were allowed to sneak bits of food away from the seat. If someone tried to stop the animals, Gunner intervene. Everyone was shocked by this behavior except his wife.
“I once said that If god exists then let him come to me. On my long journey I have found he must. He lives inside me and in all living things around me. That is why I offer him a seat and know that the creatures that feast there are a part of him. May they feel as honored as I do on the greatest day of my life.”
Gunner’s speech moved many to tears. After that no one disturbed the animals that came to God’s seat. Instead they left them be or offered up morsels from their own plate. It was long into the night before the last guest left for home. Gunner had just locked the door behind the guest. Three knocks stopped Gunner from retiring to bed. He opened the door. There stood not the last guest, but a man. A handsome man with slicked back dark hair and pale skin. He wore a lovely green coat that caught Gunner’s attention. An icy grip enclosed his heart.
“Hello stranger. How may I help you?”
Gunner greeted. The man smiled was thin and as sharp as a razor. It seemed as if long fingers of ice brushed his heart.
“Why is that any way to treat a friend?”
The stranger questioned. His voice. It was the same voice but only it was richer like a morning dove’s song. Gunner knew it was Lucy. Oh and Lucy it was. From his coat Lucy pulled out two lovely porcelain dolls. One hair and lovely blue dress was drenched with water. Her hair plastered to her glass face. The other doll pink dress was ripped in places. A rope noose was wrapped around her fragile neck. Her small open mouth made for a disturbing effect.
“I just want you to know,” Lucy drawled holding the dolls close to Gunner’s face.
“I got two souls in exchange for your one.”
The End
That dear listener is the true story of that hurts! Oh! Oh! A fire has broken out. That wretched, miserable goat has started a fire inside the lovely me. How dare he! I shall describe to you the horror of being burned. A fire is growing on the old oak table. Or what’s left of it. Now it is nothing more than ash and jumping termites. Which is why it’s biting into my lovely midnight black floors. Oh where is that miserable goat! Oh there he is. Lucy looks horrible. How delightful. Half of his face is shatter much like a glass doll. Indeed by Baba’s feet is the doll with an orange dress, half her face shattered into a million tiny pieces. Baba’s barefoot smacks down hard finishing the job. What might sound like a sigh to your ears, is a scream in my own. The rest of Lucy’s face breaks revealing the ugly creature Gunner meet in the woods all those years ago. Baba’s feet are bleeding all over my lovely black wood. She paid it no mind.
“Do you know how hard souls like that are to trick?”
Lucy’s asks his voice is still sweet, but there’s an edge there. As is at any moment he might just scream. Baba merely tilts her head in response. Lucy huffs. He clutches the other doll, a boy in gray close to his chest.
“It was easy to trick those two girls. After all I made it seem so easy and romantic. Do not make a single sound no matter what happens for a single night and a love as true as Ellinor’s will be yours,”
Lucy neck tilted back till his head hit his shoulder blades. His laughter echoes all over me. If only I could learn to shudder I just might do that. That’s how wicked his laugh was. Baba and Lucy circled around the burnt pile. Baba leered her sharp teeth shining in the firelight. Lucy spoke first. His voice held so much glee.
“It seemed so easy for Adele, just go into the woods.”
“While you chased her around and finally hung her when she screamed.”
“Oh Asta just look into this well and watch how brave your sister is.”
“She watched her sister’s death. She screamed as she tried to run to help her.”
Baba cackled watching the scenes of the girl’s death play about in the fire. A rush of water into the open window clenches the fire. Lucy’s head snaps back into place. A bone weary sigh leaves Lucy.
“I miss those days, Baba dear. Souls were so much sweeter.”
Baba eyes settle on the bone pile that had grown to a pitiful state over the years. If possible her smile grows longer.
“A child is here. I can’t smell them, but I know.”
Baba’s long sharp talon finger points to the open window. Lucy grins wickedly beside her.
“Shall we?”
Perhaps going to the well and putting out my fire wasn’t the best idea. As foolish as it was or perhaps brave. It has earned you my help. I will tell you the way out of here. Don’t worry I will lock myself up tight and give you time to leave first. There now that should buy you some time. Keep close to my leg until you can see the black door. Ignore Baba’s loud banging and idle threats. Do not close the bone gate for it makes a bad noise. Baba will hear. Just keep walking as quietly as a church mouse. Pray you remember where you met the riders. They will be upon you soon. Hide before the rider call Day sees you. He is the first to reach Baba. He will tell her where you are. She will get you before you even make another step. Next comes the rider Sun right behind. Stay hidden for if they see you, it will be the same with Day. Wait for Night to cross. Even if she sees you, she is the last to reach Baba. You will be out of the woods by then. Soon you will be engulf in the forest closest to the sign. The forest will seem to move about you. You will hear rustling from all sides. Behind you low growls. If your brave and perhaps a tad foolish. You will ignore all this and keep walking. Do not run. Do not scream. They like that. Image they are animals if that makes the journey easier. The trees are still dead and harmless. As long as Baba does not waken them. If she did those long branches will turn into claws. They will reach down and snatch you up. No matter how you twist and turn. The trees will hold you tight, until Baba’s arrival. If you’ve been foolish with a dash of brave. You have done all I have said to do. You will get pass the sign. Without her nose she won’t be able to hunt you down. If you never return, you will live a long life. However if you are brave with a dash of foolish. You may return and earn yourself another tale.
The End
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