My Auburn Witch (18+)

Chapter 1: A New Girl In Town

Natalie P.O.V:

As each foot planted itself on the tarmac, the more distance I managed to make between me and my front door. Music swam in my ears, pushing me further from my suburban street, and closer to my new favourite place. The usual landmarks that I had started to recognise helped me navigate the large forest that surrounded the area, and as I approached the familiar fallen carcass of a great oak tree, I knew I was close.

In my recent adventures, I had found a secluded lake and today, I wanted to return to it. A recent snowfall had dusted the surrounding trees and shingled edges in a white cloak of perfection, and like I had tried to do in recent months, had hidden its flaws beneath, but I could see the beauty in that. The large house just across the vast open space seemed cold and empty, and the tiny boat parked at its wooden dock sat in the thawing water, almost like it was waiting for someone. I could only assume the family that owned it would venture here in the summer, so for now, I could enjoy the quiet in solitude. I stood with my hands on my hips and breathed deeply, trying to catch the breath I needed to calm my rapidly beating heart. My warm breath displayed itself in the wispy steam that escaped my mouth with each heavy puff, and the moisture played at the tip of my cold nose. I turned my music off and pulled my earphones from my ears.

“It’s so beautiful here.”

I looked around, taking in the familiar scenery, and after a few moments, I began to dawdle towards my usual spot where I had decided I could get the best view. My feet crumpled the frozen ground with a satisfying crunch and just as my breathing finally evened out, I reached the large stone.

“Jesus Christ!” the chill jolted through my warm limbs as I jumped up from the seat I had just tried to take. The stone was as cold as ice, and rubbing my hand over my rear was a soothing warmth. I braced myself after gathering my composure, endeavouring to once again, sit.

It was so quiet here. No rushing cars or chattering of people. Just me and my thoughts. I pulled at my cap, threading it over my long auburn hair which was tied into a ponytail and pulled through the loop at the back, and took my mobile for my pocket to take a picture of the scene in front of me. I took another deep breath in, filling my lungs with the fresh air around me. If this was the only good thing in my life at the moment, then I would take it.

Moving to a tiny town has both its advantages and disadvantages, and I was finding it difficult to fit in. All I needed was a fresh start. My heart had been broken, and I needed to find somewhere that could offer me that.

The memory of my mother filled my mind’s eye. Losing her had been so hard, especially with my teenage sister being so difficult to manage right now. She had taken her passing particularly hard, and I have been trying to help her, but she was holding this new move against me. She put up such a fight, but this decision was best for both of us. When I saw our home for rent online, and researched this town, something pulled at me to come here. I couldn’t explain it to my friends, but I just had this feeling. I left my job, my venomous relationship, which actually was the easy part; Everything, for something so simple as ‘a feeling’. I kicked myself numerous times, telling myself that this would be a big mistake, and that we would end up leaving here before we had even settled in, and I was on the verge of turning back.

I stared across the water, desperately trying to rationalise all my feelings and judgments into something I was able to understand, but the appearance of a wild animal through the dense columns of the forest bull pines caught my eye. I watched in awe as the creature strolled casually up to the waters-edge, and began to take a drink. It was too far away to get a good look, but it seemed to be a large bear. The dark brown fur looked striking against the snowy backdrop, as a dark strip of tuft ran from the snout and down the centre of its back. It was captivating and I was more intrigued than frightened. Why?

I stood slowly, and aimed my phone camera towards it, and with a quiet click, took a photo. The creatures’ ears pricked up in the air as its head rose high above its shoulders to look straight at me.

‘How the hell did it know I was here?’

My heart started to pound as the rush of adrenaline from being caught in its sights coursed through my body. I knew it was best to leave quickly, knowing full well the gait of this animal would be huge, and it would have no problem catching up with me if it wanted to. I turned and jogged away, trying to seem carefree, but the erupting howl that echoed after me shook me to my core. It was definitely not the howl of a bear, but of a wolf. The speed of my strides quickened as I aimed to get home and around other people as soon as possible; the image of being caught in between its teeth was something I didn’t want to come true.

*****

When I finally closed the front door to our apartment, I let out a relieved sigh. I knew the animal at the lake wouldn’t have followed me into town, but I still ran all the way home as fast as my legs could carry me. The howl was still ringing in my ears as I walked over to the kitchen worktop to my right, and emptied my jacket pockets of my earphones and cell phone, placing them onto the varnished wood. As my phone lay there in front of me, I mindlessly stared at it. The picture of this creature lay dormant in my camera album, yet all I wanted to do was gaze at it; study it. Understand the markings and the suspicions mannerisms that I saw.

“Nat? Are you ok?” Her hand came to rest on my shoulder, and it startled me from my hypnotic state.

“What?” I shook away the fog of my trance and focused on her.

“Are you ok?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in.”

“Not surprised. You were stood here staring at your blank phone like a zombie.” She walked across the open plan living room and dumped her school bag on the floor before slumping into the corner of the sofa. I grabbed myself a glass from one of the kitchen cupboards, and filled it with fresh water from the tap.

“So, how was school?” She huffed as she reached for the television remote on the coffee table.

“Fine.”

“Ok…. good. Well, I’m going for a shower, and then I’ll head out and get something for dinner. Is there anything you fancy?”

“I don’t know. Pizza?”

“Lasagne it is.” The damp sweat that lingered beneath my running clothing clung to me as I turned my back on Paige and headed for the bathroom, smiling at myself knowing I just irritated the slob with my choice of meal.

After I stepped into the bathroom and locked the door, I headed to the small window on the opposite wall to open it enough to ventilate the room during my rinse off. I turned the taps in the bath, trying to find the right balance between hot and cold, and watched as the water appeared from the showerhead and rained down from above. I stripped off, relieved to finally get out of these musky clothes, and stepped below the warm water. The fall of the wet particles onto my face was the perfect relaxation technique for me. I loved water, whether it be still or moving, it was something I strangely found comfort in. It could wash away tears, douse flames, water the life of the earth, and purify the air.

People say that certain star signs belong to a certain element, like Gemini of the air, and Virgo’s of the earth. I personally have always felt peace with all of them, however Paige always teases me about my beliefs in these sorts of things. Still, a girl can pretend.

I sat on my bed quietly, with my long hair still wrapped tightly in the towel atop my head. I had already slipped into some tie-waist trousers and an off the shoulder t-shirt, but I couldn’t seem to rise from my position. Once again, I was staring down at my phone as it lay in my hands.

‘What was that thing from the lake?’

I had heard stories in the town, and during my research into this place, learned about the wolves that haunted the vast forests in these parts. But I never imagined I’d see one, or that the wolves would be such a huge size.

“f**k it.” I unlocked my cell phone, and pulled up the photograph, zooming in on the wild animal as it stood by the water’s edge. The strange markings; where they scars? This wolf has seen battle throughout the years, that was obvious. But, I wasn’t frightened by its existence, as unbelievable as it was. If I hadn’t seen it for myself, I wouldn’t have believed it.

“Hey! I thought you were grabbing dinner?” Paige cut though my concentration as she stood by my bedroom door.

“s**t, sorry! I’ll go now. Did you wanna come along?” Her typical teenage rebellion was displayed across her face within seconds of my question.

“Hell, no. You’ll be quicker by yourself.” She left me alone once more, turning to head back to the lounge. I yelled after her.

“Fine, but I expect your homework to be done by the time I get back!”

“Yeah, yeah.”