Castlem: Chapter 2

Chapter 2:

“Where am I?” Charlotte wondered aloud. She gazed around the forest in which she sat. The sun was setting, and it was casting a soft golden light everywhere. There were fallen leaves all over the ground. The whole forest looked magical.

“You are in Castlem, of course,” a high-pitched voice replied. Charlotte quickly turned around and shrieked. Fluttering a few inches from her face was a purple fairy with long, raven black hair.

“Wh-why you are a fairy!” Charlotte cried, trying to hide The Mystical Magic of Hidden Worlds behind her back. The fairy on the other hand, seemed not to notice the book, as she spoke back.

“To be exact, I am a pixie. People often confuse us with our insufferably vain fairy cousins. You will find that pixies are much better company then fairies.”

And why is that?” Charlotte inquired, standing up but still keeping her book out of sight.

“Fairies are vain and always looking at their reflections. Pixies are much more social.”

Do you know where I can find food and shelter? It’s getting chilly.”

“Oh, of course. Follow me.” Charlotte followed the pixie until they reached a two-story farmhouse. The pixie led her to a door and rang the doorbell.

“Yes, who is there?” a woman’s voice called out.

“It's, Victoria,” the pixie replied.

“Oh, do come in.” After they had entered, the door swung shut behind Charlotte and Victoria.

They were in a small kitchen that was painted white. The speaker stood at a tiny wooden table, kneading bread. She looked up and her face lit up.

“Victoria! We havn't heard from you for quite a while. I was beginning to worry about you! And, who is your friend?” she asked.

“Well, um, this is, um,” Victoria started.

“I am Charlotte O’Conner,” Charlotte finished. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“And I you. I'm Mrs. Anna Fergison.” Mrs. Fergison was an older lady with a lovely smile. Her light gray hair was piled on top of her head in an untidy bun. Her blue eyes shone with kindness, and her tireless hands kept on kneading. She was wearing a dark blue apron over a light green dress.

“Anna, who are you talking to?” a man’s voice asked.

“Oh, come in and see,” teased Mrs. Fergison. In stepped a tired old man with an almost bald head and not much of a beard. He had calloused hands and a sunned and weathered face.

“Ah, Victoria! Here you are at last! I also see that you have brought a friend with you! Wonderful!” exclaimed the man.

“Yes, sir. This is Miss Charlotte O’Conner, a new acquaintance of mine,” replied Victoria.

“We are pleased to have you visit us, Miss O’Conner. I am David Fergison.”

“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Fergison,” said Charlotte.

“You are very welcome. You must stay the night. Our door is always open to visitors.”

“David, would you be so kind as to show Charlotte to the guest room?” asked Mrs. Fergison.

“Of course. Miss O’Conner, if you will follow me, I will show you to your room.”