Story 3: The Good Witch and My Little Howling

The Dark Forest was noisy and something was stirring inside. There was a boy running for his life and he was far away from home.

"Where is the boy? Find him and bring him to me!"

The young boy weaved between a thicket of trees and his pursuers were closing in. He witnessed his parents capture and the men from his tribe were coming for him. They were closer now. He could hear their heavy breathing, the twigs snapping and the leaves crunching all around. They were on his heels and his legs were starting to feel numb. The howls bounced off the trees and the pack were coming upon his position. Their snarls rattled him and his heart felt like it was coming out of his chest.

The clearing was near and he could see the moon shining from above. It was so bright, it illuminated the ground. He couldn't see what was in front of him but he could smell a strong odor burning in his nostrils. It was very hard to breathe and his body was now in pain. The boy looked down and he was surrounded by wolfsbane. Seeing this plant triggered a memory.

"Son, do you see those plants over there?"

"Yes father."

"No, don't get too close. Do you know why we don't approach it?

"No."

"It's called wolfsbane. The fumes from this plant are poisonous to us. If you get close to it, you will find it hard to breathe and your body will become paralyzed in pain. You must remember this."

The boy wondered how he could have forgotten. Maybe it was because he wasn't paying attention or because he was running away. Now he was surrounded by wolfsbane. He knew he had to escape. The edge of the Dark Forest was nearing and he could no longer sense the men behind him. The pain was almost unbearable and he was about to faint. A field was now in front of him. He walked through the tall blades of grass. They brushed against his chest as he approached the bright porch light in the back of Isabella's house. He looked up and with a weak voice he howled. Then he passed out. Some of the lights on the second floor of the house turned on. Isabella's father sat up in bed. Her mother got up and opened the window.

"Buster, go to sleep!" Her mom yelled.

Isabella was standing in the doorway of their room.

"Mom, that's not Buster."

"What are you talking about? I heard him howling outside."

"No, mom, he's barking down stairs."

Then her mom heard it too. Her father got up and slipped on his slippers.

"I am going to go down stairs to see what he's barking at."

"Okay, just be careful."

Isabella's dad came to the stairway and he turned on the lights above. The steps creaked loudly as he descended them. When he got to the bottom of the stairs. Buster was still barking at the back door.

"Buster!"

The dog quieted down. Then her dad grabbed the broom that was sitting in the corner by the door. He unlocked the door and slowly opened it. At first he couldn't tell what it was. He didn't know if it was dead or alive. So, he took his broom and poked it. The boy rolled over and that's when he saw his face. Hair covered his cheeks and his forehead. He had an underbite with long K-9s protruding from his mouth.

"So, what is it?" Her mom yelled from above the stairs.

"It's a boy, I guess!"

"You guess?"

"He has long teeth and fur on his face. Maybe he's a werewolf!"

"Let me come down and see."

"Alright but I think he's injured. I think we need to take him to the Good Witch. She probably knows what to do."

"Are you sure that's safe? What if he scratches you?"

"I'll be fine. He's unconscious right now."

"Dad can I come?"

"No."

Isabella stepped closer and hovered over the boy.

"Why not. That's not fair."

"Isabella, please listen. I don't know if there's more of them out there. I'm just trying to keep you safe. I need you and Buster to stay with your mom. Can you do that for me?"

"Okay dad." she sighed.

He gave her a hug.

"Isabella."

"Yes, dad."

"Can you go upstairs and get me a spare blanket from the linen closet?"

"Okay."

Her mom was now down stairs standing by him.

"Awe, he's just a boy. He can't be no older than 8 or 10." The mom said.

Isabella grabbed the blanket and she brought it to her dad. Her father wrapped the boy in the blanket and then hoisted him over his shoulder.

"Be careful."

"I will."

Her dad left the house and he walked through the tall grass. The moon was bright and he could feel the boy squirming in his arms. He was making whimpering sounds in his sleep. They were now on the path to the witch's house. The lights of her cottage were off and he knew that she was probably asleep. When he got to the door he knocked. A light came on and he could hear the witch shuffling across the floor.

"Who is it?" Her voice boomed.

"It's me ma'am."

"Oh, why are you here so late?"

"Sorry ma'am. I wouldn't come if it wasn't an emergency."

The Good Witch opened the door and saw the little boy in his arms. She could smell the wolfsbane on his fur.

"Hurry up and bring him in."

She looked outside to see if there was anything behind him and she closed the door.

"Put him there on the table and grab that brush over there."

He placed the boy on the table and he did as she said.

"Take this bucket and fill that tub over there with pond water."

The witch heated the tub. She threw in some soap, milk thistle, and some mugwort. She stirred the water until it thickened.

"Please bring him over here. We have to wash off the oils from the wolfsbane. He's probably in a lot of pain. If we don't hurry he might die."

They cleaned his fur and the water started to heal his scrapes and wounds.. The boy's eyes opened.

He screamed because he was frightened and confused.

"Calm down child. You're safe now."

"Great Mother, how did I get to you?"

"My friend found you and he brought you to me. He saved your life."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"How do you feel, Peter?"

"I can breathe and I'm not in pain anymore."

"That's good."

Peter was okay. The Good Witch was so happy that she started to cry.

"Peter, where are your parents? Why are you beyond the Dark Forest?"

"They took my parents."

"Who, took them!"

"Malic and his men." Peter said in a faint voice.

The boy then passed out. She pulled him out of the water so he wouldn't drown.

"So, who's Malic and how do you know this boy?"

"Well I guess you can say that I'm his grandmother. I raised his parents and I also raised the one chasing him."

"So, that's why he calls you Great Mother."

"Yes."

The Good Witch had a concerned look on her face.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm worried."

"Why?"

"He said that Malic took his parents but his father is someone who wouldn't lose to Malic unless he's sick or he's been poisoned. That would be the only way Malic could become alpha."

"Assuming you're right and Malic is trying to become alpha. Why is he coming after this boy?"

"Because he might some day oppose him."

"I see."

"Can I tell you something?"

"Yeah."

"It's more like a story. Do you have a minute?"

"Of course."

"It was twenty years ago. Back when I was young and naive. I had just traveled to your time searching for my friend and I had escaped my evil family. It was so hard to adjust to this day and age. Five hundred years had passed and everything had changed. I found my old home in shambles and It was completely deserted. It took a long while to make it liveable again and the forest to the south was still shrouded in darkness. My mother and my sisters were responsible for making it this way. Something went wrong and her dark magic went out of control. In their attempts to make me evil the spell backfired and it shrouded the forest in darkness. My family became victims of their own curse and when I awoke from the altar. I found them frozen in time."

The Good Witch walked over to an old chest that sat against the far wall. She opened it and pulled out some clothes.

"These clothes were his fathers. I never imagined that I would need them again."

She dressed Peter and then laid him on the couch. Then she continued her story.

"Even though five hundred years had passed I still didn't hate my family. I just wanted to keep them safe. There was a terrible thunderstorm. Lightning had hit a cluster of trees causing the dark forest to catch on fire. I was so scared that it would kill my mother and my sisters. Without any hesitation I ran into the forest. I used a spell of protection on myself and I made it in time to hold back the fire. With a wave of my wand I cast a powerful spell and I was able to smother the flames. My family was safe so I headed back home. On my way back I found Peter's parents and I also found Malic."

"Wow, that's insane. "

"The three of them were badly injured but Malic was injured the most. His right eye had been badly damaged. I couldn't leave them so I took them with me. By using a levitation spell I was able to carry them back to my cottage. I decided to become their Great Mother. Raising them was a challenge. Malic never made it easy. He was rebellious. It didn't matter what I did or said, I was always the enemy. Malic was my rebel and Anna was my shy one. My Malcom, he was brave and fearless. I couldn't ask for a better son. The two boys always fought. I didn't know at the time that they both liked Anna. Being their mother, I should have seen the signs. I let my guard down and I never once thought that one of them would attack me. Young werewolves, when they come of age something inside them innately switches on. They become more like animals. When they're that age no mere human can control them. I didn't know that, I was naive and I nearly lost my life. Things got bad and then they got worse. Malic started ranting about how the land belonged to his people and how humans were weaker than them. He had it in his mind that I was the enemy.

I remember the night that Malic attacked me. It feels like it was yesterday. It was the night of the full moon like tonight. Malic had finished hunting and he came back to find Anna and Malcolm sitting together, kissing and holding hands. He became enraged and he knocked Malcolm out from behind. Anna screamed."

"So, then what happened?"

"I rushed out of the cottage and I tried to stop him from attacking Anna. That's when he gave me this."

She rolled up her left sleeve showing him the large scar on her arm.

"Ouch."

She rolled her sleeve back down.

"That's when Malcom woke up. I've never seen him so angry. They were two pubescent alpha males with their fangs and their claws drawn. The fight ended with Malcolm becoming the victor. Malic got worse and Malcolm was the only one who could control him. He knew it wasn't safe for me any more. So, he took them and left. They eventually found more survivors and they united all the werewolves in the forest. They formed a new pack and they made Malcolm their new king.

Malcolm told me to plant the wolfsbane at the edge of the dark forest. He said it would protect me from Malic and the werewolves confined to the forest. Malcolm said It was his only way to protect me. As the years passed I created charms that did the same things. I would visit their village every once in a while and I was the one who delivered Peter. So, that's the story."

"So, what are you going to do?"

"Rescue my Malcolm of course."

"Will it be okay to do this alone?"

"No but I was hoping that you could help me."

"Sure, no problem. What can I do to help."

"Meet me here tomorrow morning and we'll take the boy back home."

"That sounds good. I'll see you in the morning."

Isabella's father headed back home and he told his family what the Good Witch had told him.

The morning came and The Good Witch was awakened by a howl. Peter was howling because he was missing his mother and father.

"Are you alright dear?"

"I'm alright Great Mother, I just miss my parents."

"I miss them too."

The Good Witch grabbed a potion from the shelf and she handed it to him.

"Drink."

"What is it?"

"It's something to protect you from the wolfsbane plant."

"Am I going back home? What about the other werewolves? They're probably waiting for me."

"Leave them to me."

An hour passed and there was a knock on the door. It was Isabella's father.

"Come in."

Her father came in and he was about to close the door.

"Wait, don't close the door!"

"Isabella, what are you doing here?"

"I want to go to Dad."

"You need to go home. It's not safe and the good witch probably doesn't want you to go anyways."

"I don't mind. She can come if she wants."

Her father looked at the witch with confusion.

"Trust me, they won't attack us. She is completely safe."

Isabella fist pumps her arm.

"Just stay close to me. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Dad." She sighed.

"Peter, do you think you can find your parents?"

"Yes Great Mother, I can smell their scent in the air."

"Good, we'll follow you."

Everyone was ready. They left the cottage and headed towards The Dark Forest. Peter approached the edge of the forest and he stopped.

"It's alright. My potion is protecting you."

Peter looked back.

"Go ahead."

Peter walked through the wolfsbane and nothing happened. He could breathe just fine and he wasn't in pain. Then he stopped again.

"What is it?" Isabella asked

"They're here, they're watching us."

"Flame, ball!" A magic ball of fire appeared.

"Everyone stay close to me so you don't get lost. Here we go."

"Hello Great Mother."

"Hello son."

"I'm not your son. I see that you brought some friends."

"Yes, Malic and so have you."

"You know you're not welcomed here. Why don't you leave the boy and go back the way you came."

"You know me better than that Malic. I will not abandon the boy."

The werewolves growled. Isabella and Peter were a little scared.

"You're right. Why would you abandon Malcolm's son? We both know he was your favorite?"

"I never showed any favoritism. I treated you the same."

"Ha, as if. You coddle that undeserving omega like he was your alpha pup."

"That's a lie. Tell me who nursed you back to health? Who healed all your wounds?"

"Should I be thankful because you showed us pity? What, do you want an award?"

"You're so childish, I see this conversation isn't going anywhere. Release Malcolm and release Anna!"

"No."

Isabella's father made sure the kids were behind him.

"Oh, I see. Then I have no other choice."

The fireball that was floating started to get bigger and bigger. Malic's men got scared and they ran.

"It seems that all your friends have run away."

"You haven't won yet, Great Mother. I'll see you in the village."

"Don't do anything you'll regret."

Malic ran off and they finally made it to the village. The people came out to meet the Great Mother but they noticed they couldn't get close to her.

"I'm sorry friends, I wish I came under friendlier terms but I must be careful."

"We understand Great Mother." They bowed.

Malic comes out with his arm around Malcolm's shoulder and his finger pointed at his neck.

"Father!"

Peter lept but he found himself tethered to Isabella. She held on firmly to his hand.

"Son, stay back." Malcolm whispered.

Malcolm looked very sick. She knew he was definitely poisoned.

"Malic, this is your last warning, let him go."

"Everything was so perfect. I patiently waited. I poisoned his food, I poisoned his drink. I took him down when he was weak and yet the boy escaped. Somehow he found you. Now it's all ruined."

His claws edged closer to Malcolm's neck.

"Since you won't listen anymore you have left me no choice."

Her eyes started to glow. Isabella, Peter and her father backed away. She took her wand and opened a dimensional portal. Everyones hair raised in the air. She reached into the hole and pulled out the witching glass. Then she flipped it and threw it to Malic. Malic caught it in his hand.

"You think I'm scared of an hourglass. What is this suppo…"

He disappeared. Malcolm was free. He fell to the ground. Peter ran over to help his dad. Malic's men saw what happened and they ran.

"You and you. Bring them back to face punishment." He said with a whisper.

"Yes Alpha."

"My boy. You've done well."

The alpha lost his balance. One of the villagers caught him.

"Great Mother."

"Yes, dear."

"Where did you send him?"

"He went back to a time where werewolves used to run free. I hope he can be happy there."

"But what about the witching glass? Can't he just come back?" Isabella asked.

"No, dear as I told you before. A witching glass can only exist during the time it was made and I sent him way back before it even existed. So it should be coming back right about now."

The hourglass appeared in her hand and she placed it back into her dimensional space. Anna was freed and the witch cured Malcolm. Peter embraced both of his parents. They cried, because they were so happy to be back together. Their people were happy.

"How can I ever thank you Great Mother and your friends as well."

"There's no need to thank us. You're my children."

"Great Mother, let me atleast throw a banquet in your honor. Your friends saved my boy and you brought him back safely."

"Fine, I'll accept your banquet."

The people celebrated and the Good Witch, Isabella, and her dad left the next morning. They finally made it out of the dark forest and Isabella and her father headed back home. They told her mom all about their adventure. The Good Witch made it back home as well. It was a bit lonely. She picked up the clothes she let Peter use and she folded them and put them away. Then her house shook. Something didn't feel right but it felt familiar. The Good Witch could feel her mom's power. She ran outside. The magic was faint but it was still there. Was the curse finally lifting?