I Was Called Witch

They've All Gone

      Aisling was a young girl when her family moved to the forest. They traveled over a large body of water and through many forests before they came to her forest. She was a bright young girl that had no fear in the world. Her hair was long and fair. She didn't have a blemish on her. People would often stare at her as they passed each settlement. Her mother told her that no one has seen such beauty as hers. "They do not mean ill of it my child," Aisling's mother would say. They traveled into warmer weather as they went along. Her father finally stopped their wagon atop a large knoll. The family of four had made their stake way beyond any settlements. This is what Aisling's father wanted for the family. Solitude would build the family anew. Aisling, her father, mother, and brother all set in to clear the knoll and built them a place where they could call home.

      They had built a fine home with an open chimney in the center of the house in order to warm the house evenly. They had a crude fence placed about the house to keep out all the larger of the forest animals. The spring they drew water from was only a short walk from the house. This was Aisling's primary job. She made two trips in a day's time with two buckets. At first, she struggled to carry the two buckets. She grew stronger every day. She also grew wiser every day. While she was gathering water for the family, she studied the surrounding wilderness. She could distinguish the birds by their chirps. She knew what animal that the footfalls belonged to long before they came into sight. She was learning to respect the surrounding land. The whole family knew this was the only way for them to survive. They shall only take what they need and give what they do not use back to the land. 

      Six months had passed by since Aisling's family settled on the land. She was still a young girl. The weather was becoming cooler, and the leaves were changing color. According to her father, the fall equinox would soon be here. They were busy harvesting the crop they had planted in the spring. Aisling's duties were becoming more and more. She welcomed the challenge and growth. She remembered the stories her grandmother would tell her. Stories of how the women of the family had to be stronger than the men. She would always poke fun at Aisling's grandfather about how she could work harder and longer than he. Aisling would sit there quietly, listening to every word. She would soak up all the wisdom her grandmother passed down through such stories. Her final chore for the day was to bring water from the spring. She had her two buckets, and off she went. She walked leisurely down the path toward the spring. There was still enough time to get the water home before dark. 

      With the buckets full, Aisling started back toward home. The darkness was creeping in faster than she had planned. She hastened herself so that her parents wouldn't worry about her. Something caught her attention. In her peripheral, she could see a tall shadow moving about the trees. It mimicked her movement down the path. It would vanish if she tried to look at it head on. Again, Aisling hastened, and she reached home with the failing light at her back. She opened the door placing the buckets near the fireplace. She spun around to find that no one was in the house. She called for her mother. No answer came. She called for her father and brother. She went outside the door and called again. No sound but the frogs answered her call. Panic bloomed in her. Her world seemed to spin, and she fell to the ground. She opened her eyes to dark legs at the edge of the fence. She stood and faced the dark figure. She recognized it from her walk home. 

      Aisling stood face to face with the Dark Man for the first time. She somehow knew that fear is what this thing fed upon. She balled up her fear of it and pushed the feeling away. "What is it you want?" she asked. Somehow she knew that this entity could communicate with her. She waited for a reply. After a long pause, it finally spoke. "I am here for you, child. I have already come and taken your family. They wait for you at the end of the trail. All you need to do is take my hand and walk by my side." Aisling thought about the words it spoke. She could tell that the Dark Man told no lie. Her family was gone, and she was all that remained. The thoughts of surrender crossed her mind. She did not know how she would make it without her family. There were so many more things that needed to be done before winter came. A voice from within eased her mind. It was the voice of her grandmother. She had to be stronger than the man. She embraced her grandmother's word and commanded the Dark Man to leave her place. The Dark Man spoke to her, "I will leave this night, but you will never be alone. I will always be here. There will come a day when you will need my help. I will not abandon you, and if you wish to join your family, call for me." The Dark Man vanished before her eyes. Aisling turned and walked to the house with tears pouring from her face. She knew that the road ahead of her would test her. In the back of her mind, she could hear her grandmother's laugh.