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The blood flowed so smoothly, pooling onto the archaic forest floor. The sweet fragrance of fall made this death even more delightful. A stifled cry was the only sound, but it was silenced with a graceful incision through the neck. Soon, soft footsteps could be heard leaving the scene, and all was quiet save for the wind blowing leaves across the pale white corpse.
The sky, streaked with orange, was a lovely sight that morning. Polious awoke, inhaling the chilled air. His thoughtful visage for once showed signs of contentment. Everything seemed to be perfect. The town was quiet, and fall was his favorite season.
After briskly enjoying the lazy feel of the morning, Polious rose from his stuffed mattress, and stretched for a moment, scanning his spartan room. His few possessions were arranged neatly in his single room house.
Without much rush, he slipped on his only black suit. Turning to a small mirror in the corner, he saw to it that his hair was perfected and dignified. His thin hair was as black as night and fell to his shoulders. He studied his appearance carefully, hoping that this was the day he’d be recognized. His deep brown eyes had a permanent look of concern upon them.
Confident in his looks, he abruptly turned on his heel, and putting his right foot forward, made his way to the door. Once outside, he breathed deeply and journeyed down the dirt street in a sort of delighted trot. The town’s people were all just emerging from their simple homes. They too loved the crisp weather.
In the middle of the road, Polious stopped. Carefully, he searched for Mr. Zacharias who had told him that he would have a great deal of work for him.
“Hello, Mister Polious?” Zacharias shouted, jogging as fast as his plump body would allow over the sloped street.
Polious smiled at the fat man who was now leaning on the white fence in front of a neighbor’s house.
“Mr. Zacharias, sir, what are you doing?” Polious inquired, sympathetically.
The large man’s chest was heaving as he tried to control his sporadic breathing.
“Come quickly, Polious. Miss Greensland is completely hysterical!” Zacharias said between short breaths.
“Sir, Miss Greensland’s behavior is nothing to worry about. She has done these things many times before,” Polious responded with a look of confusion crossing his face.
“Miss Greensland isn’t the problem. She’s ranting about her Niece being missing. The entire town knows of the bright intelligence your mind possesses, Polious. I know you can help,” He said, worry painted on his face.
It was true, Polious was the most promising student of the entire district, but when his parents were killed while visiting other parts of the country, he was forced to forget his academics and struggle to survive. His aspiring mind still grew, but he was never given the opportunity to show his potential talent.
“Sir, her niece was proclaimed dead ten years ago,” Polious said, beginning to fear for the sanity of his good friend.
“A number of the town’s people have seen her, walking the streets at night. She carries a lantern, her face white as snow. She walks into the forest every night. And now, her aunt is raving about her not returning.” Zacharias said, seriously.
“Because you are a friend of mine, I will investigate this, but I do not expect to find the results your superstitious mind desires,” Polious replied, sighing.
“Thank you, Polious. Thank you, sir” Zacharias said, shaking Polious’ hand vigorously.
“Upon my return, you will find that there is nothing to worry about. It is nothing more than Miss Greensland’s insane antics,” Polious said.
Without another word, Polious left his friend leaning against a fence, still in deep thought about Miss Greenland’s strange behavior. After a brisk walk, Polious found himself at the mad ladies’ house. In front of him was a large green door. The house’s paint was peeling, and the bushes were overgrown. The door handle was rusted and when he knocked, the knob fell off. Startled, Polious attempted to place the knob back in its socket, but as he fiddled with the rusty object, the door came ajar.
A crazed blue eye appeared in the small crack between the door and its frame. When she saw it was Polious the door was thrown open. Standing before him was a tall, deathly skinny woman. Her hair that was styled to stand straight on end was all gray except for a patch of black in the very center. She seemed to be enveloped in her dress that was way too large. Her massive eyes shifted side to side as if she were looking for something in the distance. It looked as if she hadn’t left her house in years, for her skin was terribly pale.
“Oh, my dear Polious, what have they done to her?” She cried, fitfully.
“Madam, might I ask who you are looking for?” Polious questioned, wondering if she were looking at him or the shrubs behind him.
“They killed her! I know they did. My Claire, they killed her.” She screeched, heinously.
She began scratching and tearing at her dress. Her fit became startlingly wild, as she began clawing the paint off her door. Polious urged her to calm down. After a few moments, she timidly began to shift her weight from foot to foot with her hands placed nervously in her sash.
Startled, Polious paused before speaking, “Ma-am where do you suppose Claire went?”
“You know where they took her! You took her! You drug her away from me into the forest, you- you monster!” Miss Greensland said, focusing he delusional gaze upon Polious.
“Madam, I assure you I did not go anywhere near her,” Polious said, backing away from the porch.
“You’re a liar! I saw you, snooping around here! You stole her away!” She screamed, madly.
Suddenly, she threw herself upon Polious, who in turn wrested himself free. Snarling, the old woman swatted at him. He decided it was better he left, and sprinted towards the gate. Once there, he turned to see Miss Greensland sprawled out on the grass.
“Miss Greensland!” Polious shouted.
She didn’t respond. Panicking, Polious ran to her side and placed his head on her chest. Fortunately, her heart was still beating.
“Someone, help!” Polious screamed.
He looked down at the motionless body, an expression of fear remained on her face. He gently turned her on her back. She made no signs of being conscious. And then, she pounced.
Pinning Polious to the ground, she hissed, “She’s in the forest. They took her there.”
With that, she leapt from the ground in a panic, and raced into her house, slamming the door. Polious felt his heart thudding quickly. She was insane, he knew it, but that was too much. Something was terribly wrong with her mind. Shaking, the events from his thoughts, he strolled out the gate.
As soon as his feet touched the rough, dirt road, Polious spotted Mr. Zacharias rushing down the hill to meet him.
“Polious! Polious!” He shouted, frantically, “What did she tell you?” He asked.
“I have observed that she is mad!” Polious yelled, sarcastically, “She basically tried to kill me. She was screaming that I had taken her niece, who’s been dead for ten years into the forest and murdered her.”
Zacharias reached Polious, and used his shoulder to support his hefty body.
“You,” He began, breathing heavily, “Must go to the forest, and see if you can find Claire,”
“Zacharias, you must understand, this is madness,” Polious cried.
“My friend, what if she is out there, beaten beyond recognition, and you find her?” Zacharias asked him.
Sighing, Polious answered, “Very well, I will go, but do not expect me to return with a body,”
“Very good, my friend,” Zacharias said, patting Polious’ shoulder.
