The Witch in the Woods

Alinda awoke in a daze, her vision blurred as she slowly became aware of her surroundings. The scent of fresh herbs filled her nostrils, and the ground beneath her felt soft, almost comforting. She blinked several times, trying to make sense of what she was seeing. Standing before her was the woman from the cabin, a serene expression on her face, though her presence felt almost otherworldly.

The woman seemed both ordinary and extraordinary at the same time, her features and aura impossible for Alinda to fully comprehend. Was she about the same age as Alinda, or perhaps much older? Her clothes looked like a collection of rags, yet somehow they formed the coolest outfit Alinda had ever seen. Everything about this woman defied logic, leaving Alinda in a state of confusion.

Suddenly, panic surged through Alinda as she realized she was alone. “Where’s Kelly? Kelly!” she screamed, her voice breaking the peaceful quiet of the herb garden.

The woman knelt beside her, offering a cup filled with a steaming liquid. “Drink this,” she urged, her voice calm but insistent. But Alinda recoiled, fear overtaking her.

Just then, Kelly came running back into view, her face etched with worry. “I can’t get a signal on my phone! Alinda, are you okay? What is she trying to give you?” Kelly’s voice was sharp, protective.

The woman remained composed, though her tone turned serious. “She needs to drink this. Those fruits she ate—that’s Belladonna. She could die if she doesn’t take some manchineel tree fruit tea right now.”

The gravity of her words stunned both girls into silence. Alinda, her hands trembling, took the cup from the woman and sipped the bitter tea, the taste almost unbearable. The sky darkened suddenly, and rain began to pour down, heavy and relentless. The woman stood up, her expression firm. “You both need to get inside. The storm is coming.”

Kelly hesitated, her eyes darting from Alinda to the woman, suspicion clouding her thoughts. But seeing how weak and vulnerable Alinda was, she relented. “Fine, let’s go.”

They followed the woman into the cabin, and as soon as they stepped inside, the overwhelming sense of safety and warmth enveloped them. The interior was unlike anything they had ever seen. Large jars and pots were scattered around, filled with herbs and mysterious substances. The shelves were lined with ancient-looking books, their spines worn with age. The atmosphere was a curious mix of spooky and cozy, leaving them both intrigued and slightly unnerved.

The woman helped Alinda to the couch, her movements gentle and deliberate. “Make yourselves comfortable,” she said, her voice soft yet commanding. “I’ll be right back.”

As soon as she disappeared into another room, Kelly and Alinda exchanged a look, both of them overwhelmed by the strangeness of the situation. Kelly began to wander around the living room, her eyes scanning the shelves and the jars, trying to make sense of the place.

Looking out the window, Kelly saw what looked like a homestead garden with vegetables she didn’t recognize. Next to it, a small barn and another independent room.

“If I lived here I’d turn that into a sauna,” She said, pointing at the room. Alinda looked at her, confused. “I’m half Finnish.” Kelly added.

The fire crackled in the hearth, filling the cabin with a warm, inviting glow. Despite everything, Alinda began to feel like herself again, the tea working its magic. Kelly sat down beside her a held her hand gently.

“Are you sure you’re feeling better? We can run to the hospital if you want.” She said, honestly concerned.

“Thank you,” Alinda replied, seeing a sweet side of her new friend. “I’m really OK, just a bit dizzy and nauseous. This is not what I thought being high on Belladonna would be like.”

“Look at this place… Is this even real?” Kelly’s words echoed in the air and the atmosphere grew tense, sending a chill down their spines.

The mysterious woman returned, startling them both. She carried two fluffy towels and a tray with more tea and a plate of crackers. Alinda, still recovering, couldn’t help but ask, “Why do you have all these things? What are they for?”

The woman smiled, her expression patient. “It’s just what I do,” she replied simply.

But Alinda wasn’t satisfied. Her curiosity, coupled with the lingering effects of the strange tea, made her bold. “Are you a witch?”

The woman giggled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “I can see why you might think that. But I like to think of myself as someone who understands the power of nature. There are many things you can do with herbs that go beyond what most people know.”

Her voice was deep and melodic, it sounded like music every time she spoke. Alinda was enchanted, but not convinced. “Ok, but do you practice witchcraft?” she pressed, her tone serious as she squinted at the woman, trying to gauge her reaction.

The woman’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a thoughtful expression. “There are different interpretations of what a witch is,” she said carefully. “And yes, maybe in some ways, I am one. But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing.”

Alinda’s eyes widened, her fear returning in a rush. “Kelly, we need to get out of here! Now!” she exclaimed, her voice rising in panic.

Kelly, however, remained calm. “Alinda, relax. We’ll leave, but let’s not make a scene.” She turned to the woman, her tone polite. “Thank you for your hospitality, Miss…? Sorry, I didn’t get your name.”

The woman’s smile returned, warm and inviting. “It’s Lua. Nice to meet you both. You’re welcome to stay until the storm passes.”

Kelly glanced out the window, seeing that the rain was coming down in sheets. She looked over at Alinda, who was now wrapped in the fluffy towel, sipping her tea and reading a book with a dark green cover and the title The Malleus Maleficarum. “Okay,” Kelly sighed. “We’ll wait for a bit.”

An hour later, the three women were sitting comfortably on the couch, the tension from earlier apparently dissipated. The small talk started to flow easily, with Lua explaining about her herb garden and how she sold her produce to some markets in town, including the university.

Kelly and Alinda listened as she spoke, fascinated. They shared a bit about themselves as well, eventually bringing up their project for LINAFEST and how they would love Lua’s collaboration. Lua seemed hesitant, so Kelly decided not to push the matter.

Finally, they noticed that the rain had stopped, and it was getting dark. They thanked Lua for her hospitality and prepared to leave. “You’re welcome to come back anytime you want,” Lua said with a smile. “No need to sneak around. This place is not mine, I’m just occupying it as anybody should be allowed to as well.”

“Thank you. That’s really nice of you,” Kelly replied, in a polite, yet slightly robotic voice.

Lua looked at Alinda with a playful smile. “You’re right, you know. The woods are magical.”

Alinda, completely captivated by this enigmatic woman, could only nod as Kelly gently pulled her towards the door. The girls waved one last time and began their long walk back to civilization.

As they walked, Alinda turned to Kelly, still in awe. “I didn’t think you two would end up getting along so well.”

Kelly smiled, shrugging lightly. “I can get along with people who have different lifestyles and beliefs. And she’s nice, smart, seems to be hardworking. I did get a strange feeling that something was off, though. Didn’t you?”

“How old do you think she is? Alinda asked, ignoring Kelly’s question.

“Probably like 45,” Kelly guessed, triggering Alinda to shake her head vehemently.

“No! You’re so wrong. She’s like in her 20s!”

“Yeah, maybe,” Kelly conceded. “Honestly, I can’t really tell…”

Not long after they started walking, Alinda spotted Brett and his friends, Colin and Justin, up ahead. Brett greeted them enthusiastically, clearly assuming they were there to join the party at the abandoned house nearby. Alinda, not wanting to reveal their experience at the cabin, played along.

They all walked together, Kelly less than thrilled about the change in plans.

—

At the party, Alinda found herself sitting alone on the porch, nursing a beer and lost in her thoughts. The night air was cool, and the distant sound of laughter and music from inside the house barely registered with her. She stared out into the dark, her mind wandering back to the day’s events.

Brett, noticing her solitude, approached with a casual smile. “Hey, what’s on your mind?” he asked, sitting down beside her.

Alinda didn’t look at him right away, her gaze still fixed on the horizon. “Is Tori here?” she finally asked, her voice quiet.

Brett shook his head. “No, she’s not. Gael’s been keeping her pretty busy lately.” There was a note of sadness in his voice, a reminder of how things had changed since Tori and Gael became a couple.

Alinda sighed, feeling a pang of loneliness. Tori had been her only real friend on campus besides Brett, but ever since she started dating Gael, they hadn’t spent much time together. It was a change that had affected Brett too, as his friendship with Gael had also grown distant. “I barely got to see her on Homecoming weekend,” Alinda added. “She’s getting more and more involved in the organization of GallU’s events, too.”

Brett nodded, but didn’t push the topic. Instead, he shifted the conversation. “How’s work going at the Sunglass Hut?” he asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Alinda let out a bitter laugh. “They fired me. Turns out being late four times is enough reason to get canned these days.”

Brett chuckled softly, shaking his head. “That sucks. But hey, maybe it’s a sign you’re meant for bigger things. Like photography.” He knew his cousin was passionate and skilled as a photographer, and didn’t understand why she wouldn’t search for a job in the field.

Alinda shrugged, unconvinced. “Maybe.” She took another sip of her beer, her thoughts drifting back to the party. “So, where’s Kelly? Have you guys talked?”

Brett grinned, his eyes lighting up with mischief. “Yeah, that’s what I wanted to ask. Are you two just friends, or is there something more going on?”

Alinda smiled, shaking her head. “No, we’re just friends. And as far as I know, she’s straight. So don’t get any ideas.”

Brett twirled his beer bottle between his fingers, unperturbed. “I would never!” he said with a wink before standing up and heading back inside.

Alinda watched him go, a small smile playing on her lips. Brett was nothing if not persistent.

“So, Kelly. Ali tells me you’re a Biology major. That’s cool. Where are you from?” Brett started off a conversation while handing Kelly a cold beer.

“I’m from New York. Just moved to Lake Laura last year. Loving the small college town vibe,” she replied, her tone half sarcastic, half honest. The chitchat flowed easily as they sipped on their beers, laughter punctuating the evening air. Kelly was pleasantly surprised by how much she was enjoying herself, far more than she’d anticipated. The initial nerves were fading, and she found herself more at ease with Brett and the others.

As the conversation grew lighter and more humorous, Kelly couldn’t shake a lingering thought from the back of her mind. She had often felt the weight of her family background, which she typically kept as guarded as a secret. Her father was the infamous multimillionaire tech entrepreneur Arthur Martin, the founder of BrightStar Corporation. Sharing that part of her identity had always been a minefield of awkwardness, and she’d chosen to keep it hidden from most of her new acquaintances, fearing judgment or unwanted attention.

It felt wrong and unnecessary to lie, especially now when everything seemed so uncomplicated and real. Maybe because it was the first time she was meeting people who appeared to be genuinely nice—it felt refreshing, almost revolutionary. The tension she’d felt in previous social situations didn’t exist here, making her wonder if perhaps she could trust them with more than just her surface story. Maybe next time we meet, she thought.

Back in the porch, Alinda leaned back against the railing, her mind returning to the day she had spent with Kelly and Lua. It had been fun, and for once, she hadn’t felt lonely. That was rare for her these days.

Since moving to Lake Laura a year ago, Alinda had been alone more often than not. Back home, she had dated the same girl throughout high school, but after graduation, they broke up, and everything changed. The pain of that breakup had driven her to leave her hometown, hoping a fresh start would help her heal. But even though she had gone on plenty of dates, nothing had turned into anything serious.

She wished Tori were here. It was sad to see how much Tori and Gael had become wrapped up in their romance, leaving everyone else on the sidelines. But even though it hurt, Alinda couldn’t help but feel a little proud of being the one who introduced them. She fancied herself a real-life Emma from Jane Austen’s novel—or maybe Cher from Clueless, the modern version of the same character. The beautiful, lovely, rich girl meets the smart, kind boy from a completely different background, and they fall madly in love… all thanks to her matchmaking skills.

The sudden scent of something sweet brought Alinda back to the present. She turned her head and saw one of the twins sitting nearby, smoking something that looked like pot. She took a guess at which one it was.

“Hey… Colin?” she asked, her tone curious.

He nodded in acknowledgment, exhaling a cloud of smoke. “Yep, that’s me. What’s up?”

“Do you know how dangerous this is?” Alinda continued, her voice a mix of concern and disbelief. “You guys have been throwing parties with alcohol on school property. We could all get expelled. At the very least you can get kicked out from the football team.”

Colin shrugged, unbothered. “Actually, not really. See that fence over there, the one we walked through to get here? That’s the edge of the university’s property. This house isn’t technically on it. The land goes up to there and includes the area to the right of the path we took—the one with the creek and the waterfall.”

“Oh,” Alinda said, surprised by the revelation. “Have you ever been over there?”

Colin shook his head. “Not really. They say it’s haunted or something.”