The Witch in the Woods

Kelly explained calmly and patiently to Alinda, her tone measured like an adult speaking to a child, why she would never consider jumping over a fence or ignoring a “No Trespassing” sign. In her mind, the thought of invading private property, even to see the “magical cabin” in the “magical woods”, was ludicrous. Alinda, on the other hand, passionately argued that this was an opportunity they couldn’t miss. Her words came out in a rush, filled with excitement, but to Kelly, they sounded more like the ramblings of a reckless child.

Kelly began to wonder if perhaps she had made a mistake in choosing Alinda as her partner for the project. They were polar opposites, and the thought of managing such a dynamic seemed exhausting. Still, Alinda’s enthusiasm was hard to ignore.

Taking a deep breath, Alinda tried to rein in her emotions. “Okay, here’s what I think: I don’t know you that well yet—we’ve only just met. But you told me yourself that you want to create something truly special and unique for the LINAFEST this year. I’ve never seen anything like what I saw in those woods yesterday.”

Kelly remained unimpressed, her expression unreadable. She had seen people exaggerate to make a point, and this seemed no different. But she let Alinda continue, her curiosity piqued despite herself.

“Why don’t you give me one chance to show you around the area?” Alinda pressed. “Just a few minutes, that’s all I’m asking. One leap of faith for the project of your dreams…”

Kelly inwardly cringed at the phrase “leap of faith.” It wasn’t something she usually entertained. But as much as she hated to admit it, Alinda had a point. This opportunity might be too good to pass up. Kelly started packing her things, her movements brisk and efficient.

“I’ll think about it,” she said, her voice clipped. “I’ll weigh the pros and cons and text you tonight with my decision.” With that, she left, leaving Alinda to ponder whether she had made any headway at all.

As Kelly walked away, Alinda couldn’t resist mocking her new colleague’s posh mannerisms, adopting a faux aristocratic tone. “Well, madam, I’ll analyze the pros and cons and shall get back to you shortly…” she muttered to herself, rolling her eyes. But her playful mood was interrupted when she nearly collided with a tall, lanky figure standing nearby.

“Oh, hi, Brett. What’s up?” she greeted, a smile tugging at her lips as Brett leaned in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek.

“What’s up, Al? Wanna come to a party tonight? It’s gonna be…”

Alinda was already shaking her head before he could finish. “Oh, come on! You never do anything. Why can’t you just have fun for one night?” Brett pleaded, his tone light but his expression earnest.

“Brett, I have no time for this right now. And no money, whatsoever. Plus, I’m really not in the mood for one of your weird parties in abandoned houses,” Alinda said, her voice tinged with exasperation as she began to walk away.

“Text me if your plans fall through and you want to do something chill together, though. I miss hanging out with you,” she added over her shoulder, her voice softening as she left Brett standing there, a small, wistful smile on his face.

Later that evening, Alinda was back in her tiny dorm on GallU’s West Campus, tinkering with her old camera, her beloved cat Colombia purring on the bed right next to her.

Her new camera was at the repair shop, so she wanted to make sure this one was up to the task. She snapped a few shots of herself in the mirror, adjusting settings that hadn’t been touched in ages. The camera worked fine, but she wasn’t pleased with what she saw in the reflection. She looked almost ghostly, her frame too thin, her once-vibrant locks now dull and lifeless.

Maybe I need a change, she thought, eyeing her short, brown, wavy hair in the mirror. She had always stuck to this style—it suited her, after all. But perhaps a new color, or even a daring pixie cut, would help her feel better. Argh, it’s not going to solve anything, she chastised herself, shaking her head.

As always, self-loathing thoughts brought her mind back to West Henderson, her hometown. She regretted the impulsive decision to move to Lake Laura, a decision made during a time of confusion and heartbreak. Her family had been right—moving so suddenly hadn’t been smart. She often daydreamed about going back once the school year ended. The LINAFEST, and then that’s it, she would tell herself. I’ll get my old life back. This is just temporary. It’s fine.

—

A few blocks away on campus, Kelly entered her apartment, tossing her purse carelessly onto a chair in the corner. Exhaustion clung to her, weighing her down with a mix of hopelessness and apathy. She couldn’t even muster the energy to take off her coat or scarf.

She opened up the windows, following doctor’s orders, and took in the fresh air. The stunning view of the lake was supposed to uplift her spirits. But she felt nothing.

The meeting with Alinda had gone well enough, but Kelly wasn’t holding out much hope. A dark cloud had been hanging over her for so long, she couldn’t imagine anything cutting through it. I’m not even going to entertain the idea of trespassing, she thought, dismissing the idea of sneaking into the cabin. There has to be another way.

Lately, a suffocating wave of negativity and sadness crept in more often than she could bear. She tried to hold on to the few things that kept her afloat—her early morning runs, evening calls to her mom, bingeing true crime shows and podcasts. And, of course, him.

Her eyes fell on the bottle of prescription meds sitting on the kitchen counter. She picked it up, staring blankly at the label, though her thoughts were elsewhere, replaying that one night with him over and over. It felt like paradise, she thought, her heart aching. He could be her escape from the relentless sadness. The cure for the despair.

Why couldn’t she have him? Hadn’t their night together meant something? Did he not feel the same? Was it because she was his student? A million questions flooded her mind, all without answers.

She knew she needed to escape the cycle—overthinking, drinking, texting him, crying, shutting people out, spiraling deeper into depression. Hadn’t she begged the universe for something new, something to pull her out of this endless rut? And then today, something did happen. Something unexpected. Alinda, the forest, that mysterious cabin…

Kelly couldn’t deny she was intrigued, her curiosity sparked in a way it hadn’t been in a long time. Could it be that the universe had finally answered her prayers? Could this be the change she so desperately needed?

—

With a sigh, Alinda placed her camera on the table alongside the things she planned to bring on her trip to the woods the next day. “Alone, evidently,” she muttered, glancing at her phone’s screen, which showed no new notifications. She was starting to lose hope Kelly would text.

She crawled into bed, grabbed her sketchbook from the nightstand, and started working on a few drafts inspired by the magical woods she couldn’t stop thinking about. “Can you have a crush on a place? Is that a thing?” she mused, her eyes growing heavy.

Just as she was about to drift off, her phone buzzed with a notification. She picked it up to see a message from Brett: “Heading out to the party now. Sure you don’t wanna come, Ali?”

Alinda had so many cousins she’d lost count. Her father was one of six brothers, all of whom had migrated to the US in the 70s, settling in or around Lake Laura. Brett was the youngest son of her uncle Emerson, and his mother—a wonderful Chinese woman Alinda barely remembered from childhood—had passed away when they were just five years old. Brett never fully recovered from the trauma of losing his mom.

Whenever Alinda visited Lake Laura or when Brett’s family traveled to West Henderson, the two of them were inseparable. As Alinda developed a passion for photography, Brett often became her model, which in turn helped him land modeling gigs to earn some extra cash. So, when her relationship back home fell apart and she needed a place to escape to, Brett was one of the main reasons she chose Lake Laura as her refuge.

She sighed, frustration simmering just beneath the surface as she turned her head away from the glowing screen, ready to sleep. A few seconds later, her phone buzzed again, but this time, she didn’t see it. It was from Kelly: “Okay, I’ll take the leap of faith. Meet me at the campus. 9 a.m. sharp.”

—

The morning air was sharp and cool as Kelly stood waiting at their agreed meeting spot on campus, her breath visible in the cold. She drank the last sip of Diet Coke from the can and checked her watch for what felt like the hundredth time. Alinda was late—fifteen minutes late, to be exact. Just as Kelly was about to give up and head back home, she heard Alinda’s voice calling out from a distance.

“I’m so sorry! I just woke up and saw your text!” Alinda came running across the campus yard, breathless and disheveled. “I was going to text on my way here but my battery died, so I just ran… I didn’t even have time to eat anything,” she added, trying to catch her breath.

Kelly gave her a measured look, but her irritation softened as she saw the genuine regret on Alinda’s face. “Don’t worry about it. This will be a short trip anyway, and we can grab something to eat afterward.”

As they set off, the walk turned out to be more pleasant than Kelly had anticipated. The weather was cool but not unbearable, and the sun cast a golden light through the trees, creating a serene atmosphere. Even the act of jumping the fence and ignoring the “No Trespassing” sign, something Kelly had initially balked at, didn’t seem so bad. She was in good spirits, surprisingly unfazed by Alinda’s tardiness.

“So, how did you find out about this place? What made you decide to explore this area?” Kelly asked, genuinely curious.

Alinda’s eyes lit up at the question. “Do you know Virginia Scott? She’s the dean’s personal assistant. The other day she mentioned the cabin to me in passing, and how this area was worth exploring.”

Kelly began explaining in detail some specific methods they should use for their project. Alinda was impressed by how seriously she was taking everything and asked why this project was so important to her.

“I got a scholarship from the BrightStar Foundation. You know, the space company? All my bets are on this course, and I need to do well—really well—to keep it. And hopefully get a job at the organization starting my second year,” Kelly confessed.

Alinda was taken aback. She had assumed Kelly came from money, given her polished appearance and demeanor. But now, knowing this about her new friend, Alinda felt a deep respect for Kelly’s determination. She resolved to do her absolute best on the LINAFEST project to help Kelly maintain her scholarship and secure the job of her dreams.

“Well you can count on me, buddy.” Ali started, sounding like she had a plan. “We’re gonna nail this, I’ll help you become and astronaut, and everybody will…”

“Oh, I’m not really…” Kelly interrupted with a chuckle, when suddenly both got distracted by the same stunning creek Alinda had fallen in love with the previous day. Both girls just stood there for a minute, admiring how the sun reflected on the water creating a beautiful sparkling effect.

Truth be told, there were plenty of reasons for GallU students to give their all on their LINAFEST projects. Now in its twentieth second year, the festival had become one of the most anticipated events for the College of Arts & Sciences at Gallanti University. All ideas were welcomed, as long as they were creative and innovative. However, in recent years, the university had placed a stronger emphasis on the entrepreneurial aspect of the competition.

The rules were straightforward: students from different majors would form teams, develop their ideas, and present them. In addition to a substantial cash prize for the winners, participants gained access to the GallU LaunchPad program, which provided valuable support for their entrepreneurial journeys and skill-building. A win like that would not only bring recognition but also look impressive on any résumé—a fact that both Alinda and Kelly were keenly aware of.

About ten minutes later, they found a nice area to rest, where they began taking photographs and jotting down ideas. The beauty of the area captivated them both. The air was fresh, filled with the earthy scent of damp soil and the sweet fragrance of wildflowers. The trees were strong and full of fruits they had never seen before, and time seemed to slip away as they immersed themselves in the tranquility of the place.

“Oh, and there’s the cabin! Right there!” Alinda pointed excitedly at a structure barely visible through the trees. Kelly’s blue eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Wow, imagine living in a place like this. I wonder if this is still the university’s property. Do they rent the land to that woman?” Kelly mused.

“Well, we don’t even know if she actually lives in the house,” Alinda replied. As she spoke, she pushed aside a branch to get a better view, but it snapped with a loud crack. They both ducked down, hearts pounding, but it was too late.

A few seconds later, the same woman they had seen in the photo stepped out of the cabin to investigate the noise. She was dressed in a long, layered skirt and a dark brown wool coat. Her long, curly hair billowed around her in the wind, giving her an almost ethereal appearance. She walked a few steps toward the girls’ direction, then stopped and turned back, moving to the side of the cabin where large pots filled with herbs were lined up.

The girls, still hidden, decided to wait a few minutes before making their escape. By now, they had been out for over five hours, and Alinda started feeling faint from hunger. She discreetly reached into her pocket and ate a few of the small fruits she had picked earlier.

Mesmerized, Kelly watched as the woman carefully picked herbs, placing them into the large pockets of her coat. Suddenly, the woman paused, looking up at the sky. A massive storm was brewing, and she smiled—a serene, almost knowing smile that sent a chill down Kelly’s spine. She grabbed Alinda’s hand and whispered urgently, “Look at that!”

Alinda, already feeling unwell, managed a weak nod before the world around her spun, and she fainted.