The Cursed Forest
Brid
I shook my head. It's no longer logical to ask me the same question every day. Kael, my beloved mate, has already found another life. And I will do my best not to let this emptiness consume me, but back to reality, “I think we're done, let's put it in the oven.”
“Yes, yes. My first bread. Pa will be very proud of me.”
“I know, your Pa, loves you very much, and by the way. How old is he?”
Mary was quiet for a while, then said, “I don't know, but he's ancient.”
“Ha, ha, ha” I couldn't help it, the laugh came out of my mouth without restriction.
“Who is ancient?” Han's voice filled the small kitchen. Mary and I turned at the same time to where the voice was coming from. He was standing in the doorway holding something in his hands. A rabbit, most likely, yummy.
“I'm not old, Mary. You are just too young. I'm only 38 years old.”
Mary started to laugh out loud, I followed her. It was a shame that I couldn't see the happiness her face was showing. I wanted to be infected by Mary since, by myself, I would not be able to smile.
“Hello, girls, what have you been doing apart from calling me old?”
“Pa, we made a loaf, and it is my first loaf.”
“Nooo, really? But guess what? What do you think I caught? What will be great with that hot bread?”
“Raaaabbit.”
Ha, ha, ha. Mary dragged the “a” for minutes. This little moment made me forget the immense sadness of what was growing in me. Han and Mary were my new pack, and I had to ensure their well-being. I no longer had a mate or position, but what fate was delivered in my hands, I will treasure it until my body succumbs to death.
“How did my girl behave?”
He walked to the table and left the rabbit on. Then he went to where Mary was and lifted her in the air, giving her kisses. Mary laughed without stopping, her laugh was a balm for my sore soul.
After a while, Han began to prepare the rabbit, and with the water that we had brought from the well, he put it to boil. I imagined what the stew would taste like. Meanwhile, our bread was ready.
“I will take it out of the oven Brid, don't worry.” I nodded my head.
When Han opened the oven door, the delicious smell of bread escaped., enveloping the small kitchen with its delicious scent.
“Me first, me first,” Mary said, jumping excitedly. Han set it on the table and snapped off a piece. Mary couldn't wait and took a big bite.
“Yummy, I'm going to eat bread all day. Pa, try it, and I baked it, me, me.” The enthusiasm this little girl displayed was heart-warming.
Han took my hand and put a piece of bread in it. I brought it to my mouth, and immediately it's taste returned me to the happiest times in my life. Where I cooked for my mate. He loved this bread and everything I prepared for him. Me, I was happy just watching him enjoy it. My happiness depended on his'. But the wonderful bread started to taste bitter. It was hard for me to swallow.
“Brid, would you teach me how to make more bread? I want to bake for Pa many.”
Mary's sweet voice snapped me out of my sadness. I cleared my throat and said, “Yes, sure, I can prepare many types, even cakes. They are more difficult but more delicious.”
“Yea, yeah, yeah, cakes.”
“No, Mary, Brid has to rest and fully recover. She still needs to be well, even though she is already better.”
“Oh! No, Han, actually, it would do me a lot of good. The thing is simple, and I would be happy to help.”
“You heard, Pa, Brid said, no problem.”
“Naughty girl, okay, but try not to tire her too much, OK?”
“Yes, Pa, I promise.”
After this, Han added some vegetables to the pot, and let it cook. While we wait for the food to be ready, suddenly, the cursed forest came to my mind. I was still alive after being buried there. Besides that, I spent days in the forest. Maybe knowing something about that place will give me answers I didn't know anything about. Han must know something.
“Han, do you know something about the cursed forest?”
“What? The cursed forest?” He sounded surprised by my question.
“Yes, the cursed forest, and specifically, a hill facing north.” I heard Han clearing his throat.
“OK, well, Brid, that forest is dangerous. Many have entered, but very few have survived it. I’m telling you this because, in those lands, my ancestors are buried. However, many years ago something happened, and the entire area suddenly turned dangerous and deadly. The people of my town said that five powerful and dangerous witches were buried there alive. However, they were so strong, and their magic so powerful, that the earth absorbed it all. No one knows for sure if that is true. However, one thing is a fact, that place is to be feared.”
Yes, I know it firsthand. “Han, have you known of a case in which a dead person comes back to life after being buried there?”
My question was met with silence. After a few seconds, Han cleared his throat and said, “no, I have never heard of such a thing. Generally, people in that forest die, they do not revive. No, I definitely have not heard of such a case. Why do you ask? Did you hear about something like that?”
I was considering my answer. Will it be OK, if I tell him that I am that person? Most importantly, will he be comfortable around me with this knowledge?
I was hesitating, but summoned courage and stared, “Han, I - I was buried in that place after what I considered my friends betrayed me. They poisoned me with a dart. When I woke up out of nowhere, I found myself surrounded by dirt.” I closed my eyes and remembered the helplessness and fear when I woke up, berried.
“I started digging with my bare hands until I did get out. Why did that happen? I'm not certain, and I would like to know what will happen to me in the future.” I bread deep when I finished because the place was dead silent. Han didn't say anything, but I do hear when he got up from his chair and left the kitchen.
