Freya screamed as a large, grey, hairy wolf nose thrust through the gap as she opened the hatch door.
‘Aland,’ a woman’s voice hissed, ‘get back out. Kasha.’ The name was called with a sigh of annoyance.
‘Sorry. You know he has a mind of his own.’ Someone answered with an edge to their voice.
Freya was still holding onto the door as the sniffing wolf was dragged backwards. The boat tipped to the side as the weight of another person climbed onto the boat.
‘Shit, you know I get bloody seasick.’ The other woman’s voice again, as the boat rocked back and forth, as Freya presumed the wolf was being reluctantly pulled off the boat.
A woman who looked remarkably like Demi Moore when she was in the iconic film, Ghost. It was Ali’s favourite film and as a consequence she’d had to watch it a million times. Freya wished she could pull off a hairstyle like that. She shook herself. Now was not the time to daydream.
‘Hi,’ the woman said, her smile broad and welcoming, Freya felt herself unconsciously smiling back.
‘Sorry about all that. That dog never does anything it’s told. We didn’t mean to barge in on you like that.’ The woman chuckled, ‘sorry didn’t mean to make a joke. I know this is a narrowboat and not a barge.’
Freya relaxed, despite not knowing what was going on, she felt easy in this woman’s company.
‘Won’t you come in.’ Freya asked, opening the door but not quite sure why she was letting a stranger into her home at night, ‘Mind your head as you come down and it’s easier if you step down backwards.’ Freya moved back into the open space where she had her desk and deck of cards ready.
‘Thanks,’ the woman said. She climbed into the boat and turned around, ’Hi, I’m Penelope.’ She said as she clasped her cold hands together trying to warm them. ‘You’re probably wondering why a stranger has turned up in the middle of the night and why you have let me in?’ she smirked at the last.
Freya frowned, wondering if she could read her mind. ‘It might have crossed my mind.’ She said tentatively.
Penelope smiled, ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t really be using my powers on you. Not fair or ethical when I’m hoping you’re going to join our coven.’
Freya’s mouth dropped open, which she was sure made her look very attractive.
Penelope knew she was taking a gamble but they didn’t have the luxury of time. Ever since she’d found her they had been in danger. It would have triggered something and the Witchfinders would do everything they could to stop them. She wanted to test how much the person they had found could handle. There was no doubt the witch they had tracked was the right person. With her slightly long nose, wild auburn hair and dark brown, almost black eyes she could be a poster girl for ‘here is how to come dressed as a witch’. She just needed to swap her jeans, jumper and fluffy pink slippers for something more appropriate.
The silence lingered and Penelope heard a shout from outside, ‘What’s happening in there?’ It was Drakon’s snooty Italian voice penetrating through. He would not be happy standing outside on a muddy towpath, waiting. Impatience was his virtue according to him. It got things done.
Freya glanced towards the path, ‘How many of you are here?’
Good, Penelope thought. She doesn’t seem too bothered that she’d mentioned that she wanted her to join the coven. She spotted the tarot cards on the table and thought maybe this was going to be easier than she anticipated but there was still the ceremony. She shuddered.
Freya stretched her hand out, ‘Are you okay? Sorry it’s a bit cold up this end of the boat. Do you want to come closer to the fire and erm,’ she hesitated thinking this might well be one of the weirdest days of her life, ‘would the others like to come in. Although, as you can see, it’s not a large space.’
Penelope turned and wondered how they were actually going to fit in. Dominique and Kasha topped six foot tall and the thought of Drakon standing in the boat made her stifle a giggle. She knew it was nerves.
‘It’s okay. I think I’m going to have to convince you to come with us,’ Penelope paused, looking at the fearful look on the woman’s face, ‘sorry. I didn’t mean it to come out like that. It’s just we have a lot to tell you and if I’m being completely honest, which I know must sound completely mad to you, our presence here means danger for you.’
Freya started to interrupt, but Penelope continued, ‘Listen, sorry I haven’t even asked your name.’
‘It’s Freya,’ she stumbled wondering what the hell was going on. Maybe she needed to go back to the hospital. Ever since she’d had that weird experience at the church her life had taken a distinct turn but surprisingly she realised that she didn’t feel scared. It was strange, yes. But there was something so familiar and comforting about this Penelope. Could there really be a coven or was it more a cult.
‘Freya,’ Penelope murmured, ‘The goddess associated with love, beauty, war and death. Well, if I had any doubts about you, that has confirmed it.’ Penelope stepped forward and held out her hands and Freya instinctively took them, pulling back quickly as an electric shock surprised them both.
‘Shit.’ They both said in unison and laughed nervously.
‘Come on Penelope. I’m not standing out here all day,’ Drakon shouted.
‘Freya. I know it’s weird but do you feel as if something strange is happening. You should be scared of me, of us,’ Penelope gestured outside, ‘but you’re not scared are you? You feel as if you have found your people. As if a long lost relative has arrived and you have an instant bond.’
Penelope stared at Freya, seeing confusion but also an acceptance flick across her face. It seemed like forever before she replied.
‘Yes. I don’t know what the hell is going on but yes I do trust you and yes I will come with you.’ Freya answered, hearing Ali’s voice in her head asking her what the hell she thought she was doing. She doubted she would be able to explain how right it felt. She hadn’t felt a connection like this since her sister.
Penelope let out her breath, smiled and squeezed Freya’s hands tighter, ‘Thank you Freya. Thank you. You cannot know what this means to us and I promise I’m not using any of my witchy powers on you.’
Freya was about to comment but Penelope interrupted, ‘I promise we will tell you everything but your safety is paramount. Can you pack some things and I will just let the others know what’s happening?’
Freya collected her rucksack from the coat hanger and started to pack with Ali’s voice in her head demanding to know what the hell she was doing going with these strangers in the middle of the night. It was crazy even for her. She smiled despite the situation.
The boat rocked again and she heard whispers outside and then people moving away. Penelope was climbing back into the boat as she finished packing and checking the fire would be safe to just burn out.
‘Ready?’ Penelope asked, with what Freya thought was a little fear.
‘I think so. Let me just turn the lights and water pump off and then we are good to go.’ Freya said as she made sure the boat would be okay for a few days. She could always ask Alex to come and check on it as they had a key. She would have to swear him to secrecy else Ali would be checking the find my phone app to track her down.
Freya followed Penelope off the boat and zipped up the covers.
‘Where is everyone?’ Freya asked, as she switched on her torch. It was pitch black on the towpath.
‘They’ve gone back to the car. It’s just up here. I didn’t want you to get overwhelmed and I wanted to tell you about them before you met them. They can be a lot and we will be squeezed into a car together.’
As they walked along the towpath Penelope told her about Drakon, Dominique who was Drakon’s brother. Kasha who was Dominique’s partner. Aland who was the wolf trying to sneak onto her boat.
‘And you are all witches and part of a coven?’ Freya asked, hoping her direct questioning would reveal what she really wanted to know.
Penelope hesitated but then simply replied, ‘Yes.’
‘Care to expand on that?’ Freya said, trying to keep the frustration out of her voice.
‘I will and I know it’s a lot but do you mind if we wait. I don’t want to scare you but I want to be careful. Keeping you safe is our priority.’ An owl called into the night startling Penelope, ‘Shit.’
Freya laughed, ‘I don’t think you need to worry about protection.’
‘I think you might be right,’ Penelope said, a distinct note of mystery to her voice, ‘The Kings of the night are looking out for you, Freya.’
***
Mary
The flat palm of her mother’s hand connected with the side of her cheek the moment she set foot in the house. It stung but she wasn’t shocked. She’d expected it, like so many times before.
‘Where have you been?’ Her mother hissed, anger always on her lips. Her body quivering with indignation. As long as Mary could remember her mother had been this unloving demon ready to strike. Mary had long ago learned to keep quiet and hide in the shadows.
‘Sorry, Mother.’ Mary stammered, dropping in her head, ‘I was leaving the church but I thought I saw a light in the window and had to go back and check because I wouldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to the church.’
Mary waited, hoping it would be enough. She knew her mother took great pride in the fact that her daughter was trusted to look after the church library, even though her mother couldn’t read it, which gave them a certain standing in the village and her mother coveted anything which raised her above others.
No more slaps were forthcoming. Her mother didn’t say another word and Mary left quietly and went to her room. She didn’t ask for supper as she knew the answer. Her room was sparse. Hay and a blanket served as her bed and her spare cloak and garments hung on rusty nails on the wall. The small window was covered by rotten shutters, which barely kept out the weather.
As she lay down she heard the rats scurrying, looking for food. She drew her legs up tight to her body and tucked in the threadbare blanket. She’s been nipped many times during the night when they realised she was the only food.
She was cold and her stomach rumbled, protesting the lack of food but she didn’t care. This was the last time she would stay here. Tomorrow night she would leave forever. She wasn’t scared. It didn’t matter what happened, she would be free. The only thing she would miss would be her books. She would hide any books she couldn’t take with her tomorrow.
Mary laid still, thinking until the early hours. The rats watched for a while but didn’t approach, they sniffed the dank air. It smelled different tonight. As one, they turned and left.
Please note: this story is just a bit of fun and writing practice for me. It hasn’t been edited so if mistakes send shivers down your spine, then don’t read it 😉)
C.L. Peache 