FLASH FICTION: THE WITCH IN THE FOREST BY GUY T MARTLAND
‘Hey, I think you’ve burned my hair!’
‘Me? I told you to watch out for that whippervine.’
‘Yeah, right…’
‘What?’
‘Just… be careful where you swing that thing!’
‘What’s a couple of damaged follicles against what we’ve been tasked with?’
‘I’d like to have some hair when we complete this mission!’
‘Your vanity will be the least of our worries if…’
‘What?’
‘If a whippervine pulls us into the forest—’
‘I’ll be digested by creepweed, right?’
‘Bones and all.’
‘Maybe we should climb a bit higher?’
‘Agreed. If we traverse this canopy—’
‘I’ll be able to breathe again!’
‘Yeah, that’s why I suggested it! Anyway, where is everyone?’
‘Maybe they’re on the hill? There are some ruins that we can explore.’
‘I think it’s just a pile of old stones…’
‘What does it matter? We’re running low on fuel.’
‘My determination… remains absolute.’
‘Speak for yourself.’
‘You’d better not be giving up on me!’
‘I haven’t! I’m just tired of the smell of burnt vegetation.’
‘It’s a good thing as these flamethrowers won’t last forever.’
‘I know. So, how much further?’
‘The way in is almost within our reach.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘The Saubern live in these trees.’
‘What! Where are they then?’
‘They move around a lot and only occasionally live up here. This particular group has built a network above the creepweed.’
‘Are we going to meet some of their experimental creatures?’
‘I expect so.’
‘Sounds like a bestiary of fun. Anyway, out of curiosity, why don’t all the Saubern live in trees?’
‘They like to be unpredictable.’
‘Mission accomplished!’
‘I’ve heard that some of them live in dripstone caves.’
‘How odd!’
‘They suit them because it brings their beliefs to life.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘The Black Forest is said to be enchanted.’
‘Magic?’
‘Yes, it’s rife with legends of strange creatures.’
‘What kind?’
‘There are werewolves, elves, nymphs and a witch who turned herself into rocks. Then there’s the king who lived under water; he’d drag women down to his domain so he could enslave them.’
‘What about dragons?’
‘They’ve only been talked about in the last few years.’
‘It’s a miracle that these people have managed to survive…’
‘Much like us, they’re beating the odds.’
‘So far! We’ve had a few incidents that have threatened our existence.’
‘Not from where I’m standing.’
‘Whatever! You know, the Pyro machines that Fenix created, they never ran out of fuel.’
‘Really?’
‘They took all they needed from the air.’
‘Come on! That’s impossible.’
‘It isn’t! Anyway, are the legends that you spoke of… real?’
‘Humans have always been mythmakers. This is how stories are born.’
‘I was hoping to meet a werewolf.’
‘Some of the Saubern aren’t that far removed from such creatures.’
‘Hey, wait a minute! Haven’t we passed this tree before?’
‘What makes you say that?’
‘I recognise the marks.’
‘What made them?’
‘Werewolves? I’m beginning to think we’re lost.’
‘I don’t know. Maybe we’re under some kind of spell.’
‘I’m sure there’s someone influencing us from within those ruins.’
‘Where?’
‘I think it’s the witch.’
‘Fear not, I’ve heard that she’s harmless.’
‘Are you sure?
‘She only watches over local vineyards to ensure that their grapes produce the finest wines in Europe.’
‘So, she’s a good witch?’
‘Luckily for us!’
‘Is that other thing as good?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I hope it isn’t an alien machine…’
‘There are three of them! Birds? No! They’re bigger than that.’
‘Get your flamethrower ready!’
‘They’re closing in on our location!’
‘Maybe the witch was trying to warn us about their impending arrival?’
‘At least we didn’t meet anyone else.’
‘The king? He’s down there. I’m certain of it.’
‘Just like you know where Fenix is?’
‘He’s real. Not a myth.’
‘Sometimes, fables are grounded in reality.’
END
Written by Guy T Martland
