Dream Cottage

Wind whips my hair as I hold tightly to my sister's hand. I know I am scaring her but I need to find shelter. Thunder roars and lightning streaks the sky. I can’t see through the water that seals my eyes shut and the wind that whips my useless hair into my eyes. 

Hunter, slow down!” Rosie screams frantically. She trips behind me, yanking my arm back and landing in a pile of mud. She looks like she’s going to cry.

My heart races as I kneel beside her. I can’t think, much less speak. We are going to die. Get struck by lightning, or drown, or get eaten by wolves. I squeeze Rosie tight, feeling fear tear up my insides making it hard to think. I wish I was stronger than this.

"What’s that?” Rosie asks suddenly. 

I look up to see a small shape in the distance, almost hidden within the trees. A cottage! I’m shivering from the cold, but I stand up, grabbing Rosie’s hand. I try to ignore the lightning streaking the sky but when the thunder rumbles I jump a little. I push forward against the wind and rain, squeezing Rosie’s hand so it won’t slip from mine. 

I look up to see a small shape in the distance, almost hidden within the trees. A cottage! I’m shivering from the cold, but I stand up, grabbing Rosie’s hand. I try to ignore the lightning streaking the sky but when the thunder rumbles I jump a little. I push forward against the wind and rain, squeezing Rosie’s hand so it won’t slip from mine. 

Finally we make it to the cottage and I frantically knock on the wooden door so old I swear my knuckles would get splinters. When there is no response I try the doorknob. I push through the door and shove Rosie in before slamming it behind me. 

My head thumps and my body shivers from the rain soaking through my clothes. I can’t seem to breathe enough air. I look around frantically but don’t see anything.

“Hunter? Where are we?” Rosie’s voice strikes through the fog like a lighthouse. I feel her hands wrap around my arm and her body trembles, from the cold or from fear I’m unsure. 

I feel in my pocket for my father’s old lighter and pull it out. With a few flicks, a flame appears and I can make out a small table in the far corner of the room and ugly pink wallpaper molding on the edges.

 “Somewhere safe.” I hope.  

I force my legs to move forward, though they feel like concrete slabs weighing down my body. Rosie walks with me, her arm staying firmly around mine. I try to breathe slowly, hoping she can’t feel my own wariness of the strange house. The room smells of mildew and grass, making my nose crinkle with disgust. 

I walk around, the tiny flame lighting my way. I find the light switch and flip it on, a lightbulb flickering before a dim light reveals the rest of the small living room. I slug over to the ugly floral couch against the wall and plop down. I place my lighter safely into my pocket. Rosie hesitates a second before sitting next to me.

“Now what?,” she asks. 

“Now we wait,” I tell her, looking out at the storm. Hopefully it will end soon. Rosie presses closer, her head swiveling around the room with unease.

A loud thump makes me flinch and Rosie squeals. I look at Rosie and she stares at me with fright. Though I want to run out of the house and never look back I stand up, looking towards the stairs where the sound came. 

“Hunter? I’m scared,” Rosie whispers. She clings to my arm, hiding behind me.

I am too. “It’s okay Rosie, we’ll be alright.” I wish I believed my own words. 

Another loud thump makes Rosie jump and I step forward, shielding her behind me more. Though my heart thumps rapidly, I try to keep my body still, not wanting Rosie to see my fear. Curiosity drenches my common sense and before I know it I’m walking up the stairs, Rosie following close behind. What on earth am I doing? I’m about to get both of us killed. Every story I’ve ever heard tells me NOT to go up the darn stairs! Still, I reach the top, the hairs on the back of my neck rising and my heart thumping with fear and adrenaline. 

A scream pierces my ears. I whip around to find an empty stairwell behind me. 

“Rosie?” I call out, panicking. I squeal as something grabs my wrists and pulls me forward. I cry out in pain when my wrists start to burn and my body gets dragged on the wood floor before my head slams against a wall. 

A cool breeze brushes my face and I find myself in a beautiful green meadow. I take a deep breath and smell strawberries. The sun sets over the pasture. Dew clings to the grass. When I lean back, my head rests on a tree trunk and I take in the view of the evergreen tree shading me from the sunlight. 

Calmness washes over me like a soft blanket on a cool autumn morning. I tilt my head to the left and spot red roses blooming. How pretty. I close my eyes and face towards the sun, feeling its warm rays against my skin. 

“Hunter!” I open my eyes with annoyance as Rosie runs towards me, her blue dress fluttering at her ankles and her blonde hair falling out of her braids. “Hunter, can we play a game? Mamma is making dinner and she told me to come find you. I think she just wanted me out of the way and she just didn’t want to say that but I thought I’d come find you anyway because I am so booorrreeeddd.” 

“Wanna climb the tree?” I ask, standing up. Rosie beams, running over to the tree. 

“Can you give me a boost?” She reaches up her hands, the tree branch just out of reach. I kneel one knee down into the grass and cup my hands so she can step into it. She rests one boot into my hands and I stand up, using all my strength to lift her into the air. She grabs onto the branch and uses the trunk to awkwardly climb up and sit on the branch, her dress cascading on either side, her laced boots sticking out. 

I sit back down and rest my head back onto the tree trunk, breathing deeply and letting the silence stretch over the earth. After a few moments of blissful peace, I frown realizing the strangeness of the quiet. I look up into the tree and my heart drops when I don’t see Rosie through the leaves. “Rosie?” 

The scent of mildew and grass makes me turn in confusion, the meadow suddenly feeling wrong and strange. Coldness seeps into my body and I realize my clothes are wet from the storm. The storm. The cottage. 

“Rosie!” I scream, suddenly back in the dark hallway. I shake my head, trying to clear the beautiful meadow and warm sun from my brain. Was that a dream? A memory? It felt so real. I desperately want to return to that peaceful meadow and my head feels wonky, as if a part of my body were still leaning against the tree while the other part was here, running down the hallway. I shake my head, focusing on Rosie. I have to find her. 

Rain crashes at the window and thunder rolls above me. It’s storming outside. I cling onto that thought and focus on the rumble shaking the house, still trying to shake the dream of the peaceful meadow threatening to tug me away from this moment. My head starts to ache from the effort. At the end of the hall I fling open the door and run into a brightly lit room. 

“Hunter!” Rosie sits in a chair with a cloth around her neck and a giant pie sitting in front of her. It smells of blueberries.“Oh, Hunter, you have really been missing out! This nice lady made me dinner and has given me so much food and oh, it’s so so delicious!” 

The woman has fair skin and golden hair that curls at the edges. She has soft blue eyes and when she speaks it’s like warm cookies fresh from the oven. “How lovely to meet you Hunter. Rosie has talked so highly of you.” 

I look out the window at the birds, feeling warm and comfortable. My head still aches from… 

“You okay?” Rosie asks. 

I look at her, feeling strange, like I wasn’t actually here. I rub my clothes awkwardly, feeling the dry fabric. I can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. In a flash the room's color drains and I find myself in a dreary kitchen with a small candle lighting up the dirty countertops and ragged old floor. I stand up in fright at the woman who once was so young now looking old and hideous with a snarl that shows off her crooked yellow teeth and stringy gray hair that lay in clumps on the floor. 

“What is it dear?” her voice sounds so rough and gnarly it makes my skin crawl. 

“Are you okay?” Rosie asks. 

“Yeah, yeah, yes,” I squeak out before clearing my throat trying to look unbothered. I need to get my sister out of here. “I think Rosie and I should be going.” I force a smile. 

I step towards Rosie and find walls of solid stone towering above me on all sides and red carpet lining the grand room. Ash makes my eyes water and I sneeze, instinctively pulling my arm up to my face. My arms rattle with knight sleeves and I feel the weight of armor strapped to my chest and back. A sword is strapped to my hip and I take it out of its sheath. The sword fit my hand amazingly, the balance perfect as I pretend to fight and perry the invisible creature in front of me. 

I spin around, unable to comprehend the fact that I stand in a castle. My heart races with anticipation. I walk along the red carpet through the castle hallways, taking in the stained glass windows with delight. 

“Hunter!” A girl. She sounds far away and in trouble. I tighten my grip on the sword.

Through the halls I run, feeling protected with my armor. I’m slightly surprised by the weightlessness of it. I feel like I’m running faster than I ever have before. I’m a knight who has fought battles and won wars. I’m a hero with a sword. 

“Hunter!” I turn the corner and freeze in my place. 

Rosie sits in a muddy pink dress, dirt smudging her tear-stricken face. Chains hold her wrists to the wall. 

“Rosie,” I rush to her. How could I have been so foolish? How could I have let this happen to her? 

“It hurts,” Rosie cries. I look at her chains and then frantically scour the room for a key. 

“What do you think you’re doing,” a high screech snaps my head towards the entrance of the small room. “Get away from her!” her voice sounds like nails on a chalkboard. “Guards! Seize him!” 

Guards come rushing in with knight helmets covering their faces and large swords in their hands. Instinctively I raise my sword in defense and to my astonishment, when the first guard swings, I block his strike. My movements are automatic as if I were doing this for years. I feel alive and energized as metal clashes upon metal and guards are thrown to the ground, groaning in pain. I lunge, and parry, and block their advances as if the sword were an extension of my arm. I’m finally the hero I’d always dreamed I was. 

“Hunter?” I turned to Rosie, a grin on my face. “This isn’t right,” she says with a dazed expression. 

“Of course this is! Look at me,” I raise my sword in a valiant pose. Then I see a glint on the ladies dress. A ring of keys is attached to a leather strap that hangs across her chest and shoulder. I rush forward to her, my sword in front of me to strike. With a furious screech the hideous lady raises her arm in defense and right as I’m about to strike, a sword clatters against mine. A large guard stands in front of me, his head sagging forward limply. The witch pushes her hands forward and the guard lunges at me, forcing me to jump away. With fast agility, the guard moves his sword and I combat his moves and suddenly we’re in an epic duel of strength and agility. I can’t help but grin at the absurdity of all of it. Who knew I was so great with a sword! 

I need to get to the witch. She moves her hand wildly, the sleeves of her purple gown flowing madly. I run to her without a second thought and slash at her sash where the keys dangle. The keys clatter to the ground and she frantically grabs for them, momentarily letting go of the guard. He falls to the ground behind me as I use my sword to slide the ring towards me and pick it up, grinning. 

“Hunter, you have to listen to me,” Rosie cries behind me. 

I run to her with the keys. “Don’t worry, Rosie, I will get you out of here.” 

“No Hunter, you can’t.” Tears run down her face and I frantically try all the keys in the lock. “Hunter, please. We aren’t in a castle.” 

I look at her in confusion. “Yes we are. I’m a knight.” 

“No, you’re not. You’re my brother.” 

I laugh. “Of course I’m your brother.” I keep trying the keys, glancing at the witch. She has gotten herself back together and raises her arms once again, the guard standing back up. I work faster with the keys. 

“STOP MESSING WITH THE KEYS,” Rosie cries. “They aren’t real. None of this is real. Why can’t you see that?” 

My head starts to ache but I stand up, forcing the keys in Rosie’s hand. “Maybe you can try and…” she drops the keys immediately, starting to sob. My head pounds and I turn to the guard raising my sword while Rosie continues to cry behind me. 

My arms go on autopilot, striking and perrying the guard as my head races. What does Rosie mean “this isn’t real?” We’re obviously here and I am obviously fighting this guard. I lunge at him and he dodges the sword. I must have been fighting my entire life to have skills like these. My head pounds and I find it hard to focus. I must have been… I’m a knight. I’m… I’m not a knight. I stumble and the guard knicks my arm, causing it to bleed. I wince in pain. I have to be a knight! I lunge and slice into his left side but it doesn’t phase him and I realize he can’t just die… he’s a puppet of the witch. 

Rosie still sobs and my stomach drops with hurt. I have to get her out of here. A memory tugs in my brain as I shuffle around the guard, trying to get closer to the witch. Rosie’s hands are on my arm and lightning flashes out the window. My eyes widen as realization strikes me. 

The cottage! I dodge another strike and now the witch is right behind me. I spin to her but she is no longer there. I hear a cackling laughter down the hall at the same time that I hear the guards sword being raised. I turn just in time to strike it. 

“Hunter,” Rosie whimpers. This isn’t real. Rosie needs me and I need to get us out of here. I don’t want to leave this place though. I won’t have these sword skills if I go back. I won’t be a hero. I glance at Rosie behind the guard as I use my sword to push onto his sword, keeping either of us from striking. My heart shatters at the sight of her red eyes staring at me and her wrists in chains. 

I have to let go of this. I have to get her home. I focus on my sword, my head aching at the effort. This is not a sword. I am not in a castle. I’m not a knight. I’m Hunter. I’m an older brother and I live on a farm. 

The room transforms before my eyes until I’m in a dimly lit kitchen with a single table and a dirty oven on the other side of the room. In my hand is my lighter. Rosie continues to cry, her wrists tied with a rope to the oven. Just like that I’m back to being the helpless boy I always thought I was.

“You little,” I turn to find the old ugly hag standing behind me. She rushes towards me and I lift my hand with the lighter. She raises her hands and everything starts flickering around me. The oven turns to a wall, with Rosie shackled to it. The ground transforms to grass before changing back to the old kitchen tiles. The scent of rotten eggs switches to strawberries. My head hurts. My eyes flicker to every changing thing in the room. Am I in a room? A meadow? A castle? I want to cry. I want to scream. My head aches and my heart pounds and I feel the lighter between my fingers. I focus on the lighter. I flick it, willing the fire to catch. The room continues to morph around me until I'm in a meadow. Everything is silent now and I take a breath, tasting strawberries and feeling the cool air, so peaceful without a single worry in sight. I tell myself I don't want any of this. I only focus on the lighter in front of me. The flame flickers and I let it drop to the ground. 

The meadow is set ablaze. A scream shatters the crisp silence and I’m back in the kitchen. The witch shrieks as flames lick her hair and dress and curl up her old wrinkly skin. 

“Hunter!” I rip my eyes from the burning witch and run to my sister. There’s a knife on the counter so I grab it and cut the rope as quickly as possible. The flames catch the wood of the house. The whole kitchen is lit with fire. I grab my sister and pull her out of the house. 

When we are outside I can’t help but turn towards the cottage. It burns to the ground, all my hopes and dreams with it. 

The air is moist from the storm that has now passed, the sun rising up through the trees. I can’t help but feel sadness for what I have lost. I will never be a knight with epic sword skills or know a stillness like I did in that meadow. 

“Hunter, you did it!” Rosie cries, rushing towards me and wrapping her arms around me. She wipes her tears on my shirt, and I wrap my arms around her, feeling her trembling shoulders. “Thank you for saving me,” she whispers. 

“Oh… I… I couldn’t have done it without you Rosie,” I smile. “C’mon, let’s go home.” I grab my sister's hand and together we go home.