The deteriorated hut looked promising, as though a broken dream resided inside. The wooden walls, creaking in the wind, sounded like a banshee’s cries for revenge. A young boy, tattered and bruised, looked upwards towards the moon and stars with a thankful heart for his belated arrival. The mountains he had climbed to reach the hut were treacherous, filled with snaggled branches that dragged across his skin and haunting wolves that stalked his every step. Yet, when he entered the clearing that held this “house”, the wolves retreated as though they feared more than they hungered.

“Hello?” the boy’s voice rang out as he approached the door. “Please. Is the witch here? I came to meet her.” A single knock, followed by two more quickly became a cacophony as he banged on the door.

Soon, the door glided open with an older woman hiding behind its path. She winced in pain as she glared at the boy with obvious disdain. 

“Quiet!” She snapped. “Can an old lady get some rest? Breaking my door down with me behind it is hardly any way to ask for help,” She continued. “ Who are you? What do you want? There’s a full moon out and it's past any decent person's bedtime,” She yelled at the boy, wanting to dismiss him as an untimely visitor.

“Please!” The boy begged. “Please tell me the truth about what happened in Karth. The people below this mountain said that only you could know,” he pleaded.

“Karth?” She asked incredulously. “What happened to Karth? I haven’t been there in years. Oh! How I loved the meat there,” She said while glancing at the moon wistfully.

“Everyone, they vanished. This happened years ago, how could you not know, you hag!?” He exclaimed, losing himself in his grief. “Well I hardly leave this mountain nowadays,” She explained. “Tell me, why do you think I should know what happened there?” She asked.

“Well it had to be magic, I saw it!” He exclaimed. “The capitol knows nothing, even with all of its mages. The villagers said that you must know what happened. They said that only a witch could do such a thing.” With these words, the boy revealed the hilt of a blade that he had hidden within his trousers.

“A witch!” The elderly woman yelled. “You must be a rude child to call someone a witch when asking for their help.” His eyes steeled at her response and his grip fastened as he waited for her to continue. “What do you want child, the moon is out and I know nothing of Karth. Make your peace and leave…. Now!” The two locked eyes and the boy saw true anger within her. He let go of his blade and hung his head low, apologetically.

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“Please, I need answers. If you truly do not know then please teach me. I promise to be useful,” He replied to her in defeat.

“Teach you. After slamming on my door and brandishing your weapon? I am no witch, I worship no gods nor devils. Please leave this old lady for her bed awaits,” She said while closing the door swiftly. 

“I’ll do anything you ask of me,” He shouted before the door could close shut. She halted the barricade between the two of them before widening the door to look at him.

“Really now? Anything?” She asked. “Yes,” He replied. “If you do not know, then I must learn. Please?” He begged at the end.

“Alright, then you may enter,” She said as she beckoned him within. The inside of the hut was well furnished. Many shelves held curious antiques. Pots littered the floor, many old and rusted. A single bed sat underneath the only window and a table with three chairs was situated in the middle. 

“Sit, I only have one thing I need of you,” She told him excitedly. He chose a seat and looked at her expectantly. He was surprised when she handed him a bowl of food that he did not know of. “Eat,” She said, handing him a wooden spoon, but it was already too late as he had dipped his hands into the soup and cupped the meat to his mouth, greedily. Her lips formed into a sinister smile as he devoured what he could before it was taken away from him. He reminded her of the wolves that had long since learned not to approach her.

She used her left hand to cup his cheek endearingly, causing the boy to look up at her in confusion. Before he could react, he felt a searing pain from where her hand was located and in his right arm. The boy screamed out in astonishing pain, tears blinding his eyes. After blinking through his blurred vision, he saw her. He saw her smiling with a cleaver in her hands. He could feel a wet, burning sensation in his body and when he looked down he saw that his arm had been severed above the elbow. 

Before he could scream and curse any further, she picked up his severed hand and danced away from him in joy. 

“Meat!” She exclaimed. “Real human meat! It has been so long., She moaned while stars twinkled in his and her eyes.

In between the pain and his labored breaths, he watched her. He watched as her body started changing and morphing, breaking loose the clothing she was wearing. The shadows danced, illuminating the bones and flesh that broke from her skin until she had the snout of a dog, the fur of a wolf, and the legs of a twisted human. He saw the way she opened her maw to allow his own arm to fall within , and all he felt was disgust.

“What… What are you?” he asked between pained breaths.

“I am your master, of course. And you are now my pupil. Rejoice,” She said haughtily with glee. Before he could utter another word, a strange light engulfed the room, forcing him unconscious. 

[Looking for a beta reader. All comments are welcome. This is my first work and I'm not about above seeking help. Please.}

-Vaun