I cried, not knowing where I was or what this place was. Cried for my mother, anyone who would hear my tears. Where am I? Why is it so dark and cold? I ask myself, feeling the darkest close in. “Can someone, anyone help me please, I’m scared.” I sobbed harder, having no hope that anyone was here, that I was all alone. I feel my chest tighten at the thought that I will never see my mother again. My breath becomes heavier, and my vision becomes blurry. My thoughts are circling around why she is not here. “Because you were not enough.” “You were too much.” I cover my ears, wanting it to stop, needing it to stop.

​

I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder. I jerk at the action and look to see who it was. It was a woman with a kind face. Her eyes were full of soreness and concern. She looked at me like she knew what I was thinking and feeling in that moment, like she had been there before. “Are you already, my child?” She asked, her voice sweet and soft, almost like a melody to a song. “I… I can’t find my mom, and… and I don’t know where I am or…” I said, shaking, my voice hard to hear over my tears. “I’m scared, will you please help me find my mom?” I ask, looking at her, waiting for her response.

​

She stood still for a moment and smiled, “Of course.” She said and offered me her hand. I took her hand and we started to walk forward. We walked a few minutes in silence, not saying a word to one another. I looked at her to get a better look at her. She wore a very long, cape-like poncho with pants. Her poncho was embroidered with pumpkins and leaves. Her hair was in a bun, and she wore a hat. Her hat was pointy, with some mushrooms and pumpkins sitting on top of it.

​

“Are you a witch?” I asked boldly. She looked at me, her face facing forward. She smiled, “Something like that.” My eyes light open. I have never met a witch before. “Can you cast spells? How have you ever turned anyone into a toad? Have you ever cursed anyone? How you….” “Easy there, one question at a time,” she said, amused by my question. “But to answer some of them, yes, I can cast spells. And no, I have not cursed or turned anyone into a toad.” “That’s lame, that you haven’t turned anyone into a toad,” I said, disappointed. “Are you volunteering?” She said, smirking. “No, I’m..” “I'm kidding, I only turn people into toads when they don’t do the homework or eat their vegetables,” she joked.

​

We sit there for a few seconds before I ask the question, “Are you a good witch or a bad witch?” I ask nervously, waiting for her answer. We stopped; it was silent enough that you could hear a pen being dropped. “What type of witch do you think I am?” She asked, there was no bitterness in her voice; she was generally curious about my answer. Like it was the only thing that mattered, was if I thought she was good or bad. I sit there for a few minutes, thinking about the answer. She was not giving me a reason to believe that she is bad, but she is a stranger. She can see that I’m having a hard time deciding, “You don’t have to answer it now, you can wait until we meet up with your mother.” She smiled softly. “Ok,” I said, as we continued walking.

​

“Do you mind if I ask you a question now?” she asked. I tilt my head to the side in curiosity. “Do you know where you are?” “What do you mean?” I asked, confused. “I mean, do you know what this place is?” She asked, there was sorrow in her voice, like she was sad to ask the question. “I.. I don’t… Do you?” I ask, my voice but a whisper. She looks away, “Yes, I do.” There was nothing said for a few minutes before she continued. “This is a place… This place is in a world between worlds.” “I don’t understand?” I said, confused, What does she mean by a world between worlds? “What is a world between worlds?” She takes a breath, “It is the world between life and death.”

​

“I.. I don’t understand. What do you mean? What do you mean by a world between life and death? I was at home, not that long ago. I was playing with my toys and… I don’t understand,” I say, breaking into tears. “I was wi.. with my mom, in our home, and then I.. I.. I woke up here. Why am I here?” I ask, my voice hardly audible. “I’m sorry, Katie.” She said softly, and she looked at me like she wanted to take all of my pain away. “Ho… how do you know my name?” I ask, my voice still shaky. She kneeled down to me and placed her hand on my shoulder. “Because… Because I am the guardian of this world, and one of my duties in this world is to take spirits to their final resting place.” She said, her voice coming out a little quieter than before. I sat there for a few seconds. “You are death,” I said. She nob, “I’m…” I started. “Yes,” she said, knowing what I was thinking, “you are, and I’m sorry. No one your age should be dying this young.” She said, sounding a little angry, it didn’t sound like it was at me, though. It was like she was angry at herself.

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“Are… Are you taking me to see my mom?” I asked, hoping the answer would be yes. She looked at me for a moment, “yes, she is waiting for us up ahead, with one of my friend’s” She said, give me that kind smile that she has. “Are they like you?” I asked. “No,” she said. She stood back up and offered me her hand, “Are you ready?” she asked. I was hesitant to take her hand. Do I want to go with this lady? What if she is lying to me? What if this is a dream? What if this is not real? What if she is not real? I looked up to her face, and she had that look, like she knew what I was thinking. This is not the first time that someone has had these thoughts in front of her.

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“I.. I know that this is all very scary for you, and it is hard to believe. And I understand if you choose not to believe or… if you hate me, but I do want to let you know that you will be going to a better place, Katie. You have my word.” She said, Offer her hand again. “How about we go catch up with your mother? How does that sound?” I stand quietly for a minute before I run into her and hug her. “I..I… I don’t wan.. want to be dead! I.. I just want to go home! Please take me home!” I sobbed into her legs, begging her to take me home. I don’t want to be here. Her hand rested lightly on my back, rubbing small circles, to try and calm me. “I know, and I’m sorry, but I can’t,” She said, she picked me up and I didn't fight her. I hug her tighter, as I cry into her neck. “But I can take you to a better place. A place that has your mom in it.” I continue to cry into her neck, drowning out the world. “It will be ok, I promise you, it will be ok,” Is all I hear, over my tears, as she starts to walk.