The Witch in the Woods

The past few days had brought an unexpected surge of excitement into Lua’s life. First, she had spotted the skinny photographer girl snooping around her cabin. This wasn’t the kind of intrusion Lua had wanted to deal with when she moved here, but she had known it was inevitable. Still, the girl seemed harmless—just looking around before quickly leaving.

But then, just a couple of days later, the girl returned, this time with a tall blonde in tow.

Lua had thought the approaching storm would be enough to scare them off. Instead, in a twist of fate, there they were: the blonde, dragging the unconscious photographer into Lua’s garden. “Oh no. Is this really happening?” Lua thought, a mix of disbelief and concern flooding her mind.

She had played her part perfectly—the friendly recluse, living alone by choice, just trying to help. Although their meeting had started off awkwardly, it had quickly taken a positive turn, and Lua found herself enjoying their company. Alinda and Kelly had made it easy for her, their warmth and openness disarming Lua’s initial reservations. For the first time in a long while, Lua thought, I could be friends with these women. In different circumstances, perhaps.

She looked at herself in the mirror and reflected: Who am I? Who am I right now?

And searched for clarity within.

Lua moved through the world with a quiet, ethereal grace, as if she belonged more to the forests and winds than to any human construct. Her dark, cascading curls framed a face that seemed to reflect the mysteries of the woods she called home—wild and untamed, yet inviting. Her eyes, deep and soulful, held a magnetic intensity, drawing you in as though they held secrets not yet spoken. There was something captivating about the way her olive skin glowed against the backdrop of the autumn leaves, as if she absorbed the very essence of nature into her being.

She had a timeless beauty, one that echoed old-world mysticism and earthy enchantment. The delicate lace dresses she always wore seemed to float around her, effortlessly blending bohemian charm with something ancient, something almost magical. Her sense of style, free-spirited and unpretentious, reflected her deeper connection to nature and her roots—a mixture of simplicity and depth, much like the woman herself.

But it wasn’t just Lua’s appearance that set her apart—it was her energy. She carried an aura of quiet strength, a woman in tune with the rhythms of the earth, someone who understood the world’s unspoken languages. While she often appeared soft and introspective, there was an undeniable fierceness to her—an inner fire that flickered beneath the surface. She wasn’t someone who sought attention, but once you noticed her, it was impossible to look away. Her presence lingered, haunting, magnetic.

In the way she moved, in the quiet confidence she exuded, you could sense her power—a power not born from force but from an intuitive connection to the unseen. Lua lived at the edge of the world others could only dream of, a woman both grounded and free, her spirit as vast and complex as the forest she roamed.

Finally, Monday arrived, and with it, her weekly meeting with Mrs. Lynx. These meetings were Lua’s favorite part of the week—a time to share stories, worries, and wisdom over fresh tea and biscuits. Lua had prepared the cabin with autumn flowers, setting the table meticulously, eager to discuss the encounter with the coeds.

Mrs. Lynx, an old witch in the traditional sense, had lived in the cabin for twenty years before Lua. When they first met at Whispers, Mrs. Lynx’s quaint shop downtown, she had been the one to tell Lua about the cabin, offering it as a place to stay when Lua needed it most. Ever since, Lua had been supplying plants and herbs to Whispers, their relationship growing deeper with each passing season.

“Dear, do you remember what I told you when we first met, after you’d just moved to Lake Laura?” Mrs. Lynx asked, listening intently to Lua’s story about her recent visitors.

“Something about my chakra… That it was out of balance, I think.” Lua replied with a playful smile.

“Yes,” Mrs. Lynx said, smiling gently. “But I also I told you that no matter how much you try to isolate yourself, it wouldn’t work. You’re a magnet, a force. The universe made you a leader. People will need you, they’ll seek you out, and they won’t leave. There’s no hiding from that truth.”

Lua found it hard to accept her friend’s insight, yet deep down, she knew Mrs. Lynx was right. She often was.

She then shared her growing concern that Peter might finally convince his father, Dean Joseph Gallanti, to kick her out of the cabin. “Mr. Gallanti is always so nice to me,” Lua began, her voice tinged with worry. “But I’m afraid he’ll eventually listen to his son. Even if he doesn’t, Peter has already requested a motion to the University’s board to officially evict me in the next few weeks or months.”

She paused, frustration creeping into her voice. “I’ve never even met Peter in real life, and I have no idea why he hates me so much.”

Mrs. Lynx, ever the wise sage, smiled gently before responding. “They want you out because you’re living on rich soil, dear Lua. And they want that richness all to themselves. But who are we to claim ownership of land? Or to extract its treasures for profit?”

Lua, as always, was in awe of Mrs. Lynx’s unique energy—a true force unlike any other she had ever encountered. The old witch’s words resonated with her, stirring thoughts she had often tried to push aside.

“My dear,” Mrs. Lynx said after they had been talking for hours. Her voice was warm with affection, “I must be going now. With Whispers all to myself, I have to do everything on my own. By the way, let me know if you find someone I can hire to help manage the shop.” Then added “Have you bought a smartphone, yet? Or must I continue calling your landline to reach you?”

Lua chuckled at the familiar banter. “No smartphones yet, Mrs. Lynx. Maybe someday soon.”

Mrs. Lynx smiled, a twinkle in her eye. “I see an iPhone in your future…” She joked, pretending to have a crystal ball in front of her. “Until next time, Lua.”

Kelly and Alinda walked through the bustling halls of the biology department, their footsteps echoing on the polished floors. They approached the entrance to the conference room, where a sign reading “XXII LINAFEST Festival Project Submissions” greeted them. Kelly glanced at Alinda, who gave her an encouraging nod before pushing open the heavy wooden door.

Inside, the room was filled with the sound of shuffling papers and murmured conversations. Several students were seated, awaiting their turn to present their project ideas. At the head of the table sat Peter Gallanti, head of the biology sciences, and Abigail, from the marketing department, who was also Peter’s girlfriend. Kelly felt a wave of unease and nearly incapacitating anxiety but forced herself to focus on the task at hand. This is not how I had wished my next meeting with him would be, she thought, yet here we are.

Peter looked up as they entered, his expression unreadable. “You’re up,” he said curtly, gesturing for them to take the seats opposite him.

Kelly cleared her throat, nervously adjusting the stack of papers in front of her. “Our project is centered around the produce farm in the woods, on the Uni’s property. It’s about the local ecosystem and how Lua, who lives in the cabin there, cultivates it. We believe it would be a unique and educational addition to the LINAFEST. We’d like to partner up with her and turn her small-scale farm into a sustainable, organic enterprise. ”

Peter’s eyes narrowed at the mention of Lua. “Lua? The woman who lives in that cabin?” His tone was sharp, and Kelly felt her heart race.

“Yes, Lua,” Kelly confirmed, trying to maintain her composure. “But the project isn’t about her specifically. It’s about the land, the vegetation, and the sustainable practices she employs. It’s an important part of the Uni’s grounds, and we think it’s worth exploring.”

Peter leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “I don’t think it’s appropriate to involve someone like her in this festival. This is a prestigious event, and her presence might bring unwanted attention.”

Kelly could feel the tension in the room rising, but before she could respond, Abigail stepped in. “Peter, I think you’re overreacting. Lua isn’t directly involved in the project—it’s about the area around her cabin, which is part of the university’s property. Besides, the LINAFEST is about celebrating life and nature in all its forms. This project fits perfectly with that theme.”

Peter seemed taken aback by Abigail’s support for the project. He opened his mouth to argue but then thought better of it. “Fine,” he said finally, his voice tight with frustration. “But I don’t want any problems. And I’m telling you now, “Lua” won’t be staying there much longer. The board has already received my request for her eviction.”

Kelly’s heart sank at his words, but she managed a nod. “Thank you,” she said quietly, rising from her seat. Alinda followed suit, and the two of them quickly left the room.

As they exited the building, Alinda exhaled loudly, her tension finally releasing. “Well, that was intense. But we got the approval, right? Now all we need to do is to convince Lua”

Kelly nodded, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Peter’s words about Lua’s eviction echoed in her mind, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this than she knew. Still, she forced a smile. “Yeah, we did. Now let’s get down to business, shall we? We’ve got a LOT of research to do.”

They spent the next few hours at the Lake Laura Natural History Museum, poring over exhibits and gathering information for their project. The more they learned, the more they realized that the area surrounding the cabin had been preserved for reasons they hadn’t fully understood until now. The natural resources there seemed far more valuable and significant than they had initially anticipated—rich in history, biodiversity, and perhaps even mystery.

“Museum hangs are so underrated.” Alinda said, glancing around the hall. “So much to learn, and the aesthetic… immaculate.”

Kelly watched her playing around, amused by how carefree and relaxed her new friend seemed to be. She wished someday she could feel that way too.

However, despite the wealth of information Alinda and Kelly found in the museum, they hit a roadblock. There was surprisingly little scientific research available to support their findings, something they desperately needed as a credible reference for their project. Frustrated but undeterred, they agreed they’d have to dig deeper. Perhaps the university’s library, with its vast collection of old records and academic studies, would hold the key to the data they were missing.

The day was long, but the excitement of the task at hand kept them energized. By the time they left the museum, it was late afternoon, and they were both exhausted but satisfied with the progress they’d made. As they walked back to the campus, Kelly turned to Alinda, her expression softening. “You know, I’m really happy we met. I have a good feeling about this.”

Alinda smiled warmly, feeling the same sense of connection. “Me too. I think we’re going to create something amazing together.”

The two shared a moment of quiet understanding before Alinda’s phone buzzed with a text. She glanced at it and grinned. “It’s Brett. He’s inviting us to hang out at his place. Want to celebrate a bit?”

Kelly hesitated for a moment, still processing everything that had happened that day, but then she nodded. “Sure. Yeah, why not?”

They arrived at Brett’s place to find a lively gathering already in full swing. The group quickly pulled them into the fun, and soon Kelly and Alinda were laughing and playing drinking games with the others. The tension of the day melted away as they bonded over alcohol and poker.

Kelly’s eyes landed on a couple sitting on the couch, completely wrapped up in each other. They were so obviously in love, the kind that makes your stomach twist in ways you can’t explain. The pretty redhead looked up and waved brightly, her smile lighting up the room.

“Hi! I’m Tori. So nice to meet you! You’re Kelly, right?”

Her boyfriend followed suit, raising his hand with a friendly smile. “I’m Gael. Hi!”

They seemed warm and welcoming, but Kelly could already feel herself retreating, the last thing she needed was to engage in small talk with a real-life Romeo and Juliet. Just as she was searching for an escape, she felt a hand softly grasp her waist, gently turning her around.

“So, do you play poker, Kelly Martin?” Brett asked, looking infuriatingly good.

Kelly smirked. “I sure do, Brett Gutierrez.”

As the night wore on, Alinda noticed the chemistry between Kelly and Brett. They seemed drawn to each other, their interactions charged with sexual tension. Ali knew her cousin, and this was not new for him. But she was not expecting Kelly to respond this way to his advances.

So when Kelly and Brett disappeared into a room together later that night, Alinda wasn’t surprised. She just hoped that whatever was happening between them wouldn’t complicate things.

The next morning, Kelly woke up to find herself in Brett’s arms. As she quietly slipped out of bed and began to gather her things, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt. It had been just sex, she told herself.

Her heart belonged to Peter.

Nothing would change that.