Chapter 1
Jack laid prone in the tall grass just beyond the short stone wall surrounding the log cabin. A drop of sweat rolled down his forehead while his heart pounded as he waited silently. The wooden door to the cabin creaked open. A woman stepped out into the afternoon light carrying a pumpkin with both arms.
She stooped down and placed the pumpkin gently on the ground in front of the cabin. She righted herself and paused for a moment, breathing in deeply as the fall breeze swept through the dying leaves of the trees surrounding the cabin. Her long auburn hair danced in the wind, flowing mid way down her back. She looked out at her large garden within the stone wall, smiled, and stepped in his direction.
The cool dirt kissed her bare feet as she stepped down the dirt path, passing the squash and carrots in her vegetable garden. The woman knelt down to examine the large patch of mushrooms closer to the wall. Dozens of mushrooms of various sizes, shapes, and color sprouted from the dirt.
Jack felt his heart pounding out of his chest. He attempted to hold his breath, sure that it would reveal him. He laid motionless with maybe twenty feet between the two of them. He wished he hadn't been so foolish earlier that day when his friends dared him to spy on the Witch of Seran Woods. He should be at the village helping his father with the smithing, not waiting in the dirt to be turned into a pig or worse.
The grass next to Jack rustled suddenly. A rabbit jumped out in front of him. Jack's heart jumped out of his chest as he jolted away and yelped before realizing what happened. The rabbit scurried away leaving Jack wide-eyed and frozen. He turned his gaze back to the woman but she had disappeared. Jack frantically scanned the garden trying to find her.
"Are you looking for something down there?" her voice shot out from beside him.
"Stay away, witch!" Jack shouted, fumbling and scurrying backwards away from her.
"Witch?" she laughed, "What on earth are you talking about?"
"You're the Witch of Seran Wood! You turn poor souls into pigs and eat them!" explained Jack as he rose to his feet, alert and ready to flee.
"Who told you such a ridiculous tale?" she asked, smiling and fighting back more laughter.
"The townspeople tell stories about you. The old, wicked witch that lives in the cursed forest," he replied, glancing nervously to the side searching for his escape.
"Do I really look old and terrifying to you? If you're that frightened, then go. Run back to town and tell them how the scary old witch turned you into a pig, just like the three over there," she mocked, motioning to the pen on the side of the cabin, pursing her lips together in an attempt to hold back her smile.
Jack backed away slowly, looking behind him for a moment as he prepared to flee. The woman turned away and began walking back to the log cabin. Jack watched her slowly stroll away, confused that she was letting him go. She wasn't the old hag he heard tales of. She was perhaps in her young thirties and slightly shorter than Jack. Her skin was fair and smooth, and her bright blue eyes lit up her soft, innocent face. The woman before him certainly didn't fit with what others described.
"Then why do you live all alone out here?" shouted Jack, still skeptical of her.
"As opposed to living in that town of scared villagers who breed hateful rumors about a lonely woman in the woods?" she quipped, returning to examining her garden.
"How long have you lived here?" he questioned. Jack's nerves calmed as his fear turned to curiosity.
"Oh... quite some time now." she answered, kneeling down by her mushrooms once again.
"And your family?" continued Jack, slowly walking towards her but stopping at the edge of the stone wall.
"They passed away long ago." she replied, reaching down and plucking a narrow, red mushroom from the dirt.
"I'm sorry... How?" he blurted before realizing the offense of his questioning.
"You ask a lot of questions of someone you just accused of being a witch," she replied. "What's your name boy?"
"Jack... Jack Turner," he answered.
"Turner..." she repeated softly.
"Is it familiar? Perhaps you've met my father. He's the blacksmith in Brinn."
"Unlikely, as I've never been to Brinn," replied Luna.
"Oh..." trailed Jack. A moment of awkwardness passed as Jack searched for what to say next.
"It's nice to meet you Jack. My name is Luna," she declared, turning to him with a sweet smile. "Excuse me, but I believe my fireplace requires tending to," Luna apologized as she strolled back to the log cabin. "You're welcome to continue your questions inside over tea if you'd like," Luna offered, "unless you still believe those fairy tales of course."
Luna stepped into the doorway, turning to smile at Jack once more before withdrawing into the log cabin. Jack stood at the entrance of the stone wall. He turned to look behind himself and then peered at the sun high in the sky. He figured it was just past noon, leaving him plenty of time for the two hour journey back to Brinn.
Jack faced the cabin again and paused a moment. He took a deep breath, mustering the courage to take the first step forward. After all, Luna clearly wasn't the evil hag the villagers portrayed her as. In fact, she seemed to be quite kind and rather beautiful. Jack carefully approached the cabin, stepped through the doorway, and faded into the cabin deep in the Seran Woods, closing the creaky door behind him.
Chapter 2
Luna placed a cup of warm tea on the table in front of Jack. He looked about the room. It was simple. Jack sat at the table in the kitchen, across from the wood stove that she had been tending. The other half of the open room to his left was a small living space. There were a few bookshelves that held candles, books, pots, and other knickknacks. A small writing desk and wooden chair were positioned against the side wall of the cabin. Used parchment and an inkwell and feather pen were strewn about the desk. Along the front side of the room was a smoldering fireplace and another chair facing it. Opposite of the fireplace was a doorway closed off by a green curtain, presumably leading to her bedroom. Interwoven strands of flowers and herbs hung from the ceiling in various places throughout the room.
"Is something wrong?" Luna asked from across the table. Jack's attention snapped back to the beautiful woman in front of him and the powerful aroma of the tea.
"My apologies. I was just admiring your home," answered Jack before grabbing the cup of tea and raising it to his lips. The delicious flavor danced on his tongue and warmed his entire body.
"This is amazing!" He exclaimed before taking another sip.
"The secret is pumpkin seeds and a pinch of cinnamon," replied Luna, smiling in response to his praise.
Luna lifted her own cup and tilted her head back as she sipped. Jack's eyes moved to her chest. Luna's black corset was tightly laced and her breasts pressed against her low-cut white chemise. He felt as if her breasts would burst free at any moment. A long, red skirt flowed out from under the corset. Jack returned his gaze to meet Luna's, only to realize she had clearly been watching him. Embarrassed, he quickly shifted his eyes back to the writing desk.
"I... what are you writing?" blurted Jack, attempting to shift attention elsewhere.
"Oh... just a silly story to amuse myself," she answered, slightly smiling at his obvious deflection.
Luna saw his momentary distraction as a chance to examine Jack in return. He wore a simple white linen shirt and brown breeches that fit tightly with his build. His profession showed clearly in his muscular physique. She figured he was likely in his young twenties. His medium length black hair and short beard made him appear somewhat older, but his brown eyes still carried the innocence and naivety of a youth.
"What is it about?" Jack asked, returning his attention back to Luna.
"A witch that turns people into pigs" she joked.
"Again, I apologize for that. It seems I was just a gullible fool bothering a beautiful woman in the woods." he replied embarrassed.
"Beautiful, huh?" she asked, "Perhaps I'll forgive you... if you toss another log into the fireplace and keep me company for a while," proposed Luna as she sat down at the writing desk, "It can be lonely and quiet out here sometimes."
"I would love to," Jack responded, making his way outside to grab a few logs from the wood pile.
Luna turned to the dim fire, staring at the few licks of flames that danced in her eyes. She smiled.
Chapter 3
A sudden crack of thunder boomed through the cabin, breaking Jack's gaze from the fireplace embers. He rubbed his tired eyes and turned to see darkened skies through the kitchen windows. How long had he been there? How long had he spent telling Luna about the town and his life? How long was he dozing off at the flames?
"I should be heading back now," Jack stated, rising from the wooden chair by the fire.
"Through that storm, in the dark? That doesn't seem wise," replied Luna, standing up as well, "You could... stay here until the morning..."
"I could not intrude so," Jack replied as he stepped towards the door. Another crack of thunder resounded even closer as a streak of lightning flashed through the window. A gust of wind could be heard dancing through the trees followed by the sudden slapping of rain against the roof.
