I wake up, feeling refreshed but as I try to get up I see that I can't. Once my eyes adjust and focus I see myself sitting, not laying down. Bound to a chair. How the hell did I get here? I start trying to somehow get out of these ropes, but ultimately giving up as it isn't working. Then I hear a chuckle, behind me, a female voice. I try to turn my head to see who it is but fail to get a good look, only a figure at the corner of my eye.

???: Why give up so soon?

She lets out a little chuckle, her voice I do have to admit sound really nice. Reminds me of my aunt, she always had a beautiful and soft voice and as a kid would sing me lullabies to help me sleep.

Me: Well, it seems pointless to try and continue. Would you be kind and untie me?

???: Hahahaha... No, not until you answer some questions?

Me: Seriously, are you the one that tied me up?

???: Hmmmm.... Maybe.

I hear her walking closer to me, she walks around me and sits on the kitchen table, finally being able to see her. 

(Reference pic)

A witch? Is this a real witch? Well judging by her hat, I would presume so. Surprisingly young and pretty, I expected her to be way older, crooked back and wrinkly with a long ugly nose. Just like the way they looked in old folk tales. 

Me: Who are you?

???: That is what I should be asking YOU! Who are you and what the heck are you doing in my house?

This is her house? Shit? I thought it was a public hut. Well that would explain the weird decor, the herbs and stuff. I thought it was abandoned since it was in such a state of mess, nobody could actually have lived in that mess. Then I remember the show about those hoarders, and kind of realize that someone could actually live like this.

Me: Well, I am sorry. I thought it was abandoned, since it was in such a mess, I could not think anyone could live like that.

That is when I get a hard slap, it stings quite a lot, but not unexpected. I did just insult her indirectly and I look up at her and see that she is clearly mad.

???: How dare you say those thing? I..I don't usually l-live like this. You just came back at a wrong time. Anyway why am I explaining this to you. You are a trespasser.

Me: Sorry again, but you have to agree that it was a mess, I cleaned it up a little for you.

???: Thanks again, though I don't think I should be thanking you.

Me: Anyway, have you got any more questions, if so can we hurry up please. My arms are going numb.

???: Are you going to escape if I release you?

Me: No, I assure you that.

With that she waves her arm in a circle and the ropes simply loosen up and fall of me. Neat, I assume that that was some kind of a magic spell. Have to say, quite a useful one. I stretch out my hands and open and close my fist to try and get some good blood flow into them and stop the numbness.

Me: Thanks for that Ms.

Marie: Call me Marie, I hate it when I get called a Ms. I don't have fond memories of that word, find it disgusting.

Me: Alright Marie. Weird that you trust me this much to release me even though I am, as you said, a trespasser.

Marie: Well you seem like a decent kid and, as much as it pains me to say it, you are kind of right, this place was a mess, anyone could have thought that it was abandoned.

Me: I have to ask, if I may? Then I'll try and answer any question that you have.

Marie: Go ahead.

Me: Are you a witch?

As I say that she immediately frowns, almost looking kind of upset and slightly annoyed.

Marie: Yes, I am. And do you have a problem with the face that I am one?

Me: Ahhh, no, no. I just wanted to clear it up. Was bothering me since I saw you, and just wanted to confirm it.

Marie: Back to my original question. Who are you? And how did you get inside?

Me: Well, I climbed through the window in the bathroom. And as to who I am, my name is Mason. I am but a simple traveler who wanted to rest.

Marie: Aha... You said you were a traveler. Traveling from where and to where?

Me: I come from a place far away, behind those mountains. And I saw a town in the distance and was heading towards it.

Marie: So you come from really far away, that is at least a month of continuous walking.

I nod. A month of abject misery and loneliness and fighting to just survive. My stomach grumbles, remembering that I left some stew for myself last night I look at the table and don't see  the pot, instead I see it in a sink.

Me: Wait, did you eat my stew I left last night?

Marie: Ahh, the stew that you made from MY herbs, some which were rare and expensive. Yes, yes I did and it was delicious. Consider us now slightly even.

Me: Well have you got anything to eat, I am kind of really hungry.

Marie: NO.

Me: What the fuck do you even eat? Do you just eat berries and herbs like some kind of herbivore?

Marie: Well, as a mater of fact I do. I only eat meat on rare occasions, such as last night.

Shit, I don't want to eat just like a vegan. I NEED meat, I can't live without it. I am going to have to go out and hunt something and then cook it.

Me: Do you have any more questions? I would like to head out and hunt, I am going to be back though.

Marie: As a matter of fact, I do. First, your gear is weird, second, how are you going to hunt, you neither have a bow and arrow nor a sword.?

Me: Don't you worry you pretty little head about that, and so what if my gear is weird. 

My compliment made her blush just a little and she lets out a amused chuckle. I stand up and walk over to my gear and proceed to put it on. I sling the M1 on my back and head for the doorway. I turn around and say, "Well I am off, I'll be back shortly." I really don't know why I said that. I could just simply run away, but I could get some use out of her.  

Couple hours later.

I am crouched down behind a bush, waiting for a animal to pass by. I hear some rustling from the nearby bushes and I aim in that direction. Out comes one of those horned rabbit things. I aim at it's head, and fire. I blow it's head of. The .30/06 was not really made for smaller animals, that is why I aimed at the head, I have no use out of the head. I grab the dead animal, blood pouring out of the area where the head once was. It is of a decent size, nice for a good roasting over a fire, so I head back. 

I approach the hut, I hear water splashing from the bathroom, she must be taking a bath. I walk into the hut and place the dead rabbit on the table and proceed to skin it first and then gut it. I make quite a mess but nothing that can't be cleaned. I hear the door open, I see Marie walking out, only a towel covering her. I can't help but blush a little, she seems so nonchalant about it. I hear her scream and as I turn around to see what it is, I am met by a book straight to my face. I recoil back from the hit, this girl can throw that is for sure. I grab my nose, as I start to bleed from it.

Me: Ah fuck, what did you do that for?

Marie: Sorry, sorry, sorry. I didn't mean it. Let me help you. I am not used to having someone.

As she runs towards me, worry plastered across her face she forgets to hold her towel and it just drops onto the floor. I look away, not before managing to get a look at her naked body and extend my hand outwards.

Marie: What? What is wrong?

With my hand out I flick my wrist down, still not looking at her. I hear a gasp and some panicked rustling. She then comes face to face with me, she is at least wearing some kind of robe, her face red as a rose. You can tell that she is really embarrassed, but so are you. 

Once she helped me patch up my nose, using a little bit of healing magic and herbs, I return back to business at hand. I prepare to cook the rabbit

Me: Hey Marie. Do you have maybe some herbs that I could use for the dish? 

She goes over to the herb wall and grabs a couple and hands them over. I apply them to the rabbit and place it on a pan and then put it on the stove. She starts a fire and we wait for it to be ready. 

Me: Hey, sorry for giving you a fright. I should have announced myself.

Marie: No-no worries. And I am sorry for chucking my book at you. How is your nose?

Me: It is alright, there is some pain but nothing too much.

Marie: Good, good.

The atmosphere is hella uncomfortable. Still haven't really gotten over the embarrassing situation, so we just sit in silence. I go over to check on the rabbit and it seems cooked. I take out two plates and cut out two portions, one for me and one for Marie. I place the plates on the table and sit down. We start eating, it is really good, rich in flavor, meat is tender and juicy. But I am not enjoying it as much as is Marie. She is going ham on that rabbit, clearly enjoying it to its fullest. 

Me: I see you are really liking the dish.

She looks up at me, grease around her mouth and on her fingers. She then feels self conscious and blushes and gets embarrassed. I let out a laugh, laughing at her innocent expressions and  reactions. I have to admit, she is really cute when she is embarrassed.

Marie: It is really delicious, I haven't had this good of a meal in such a long time.

Me: Well, I am glad that you are enjoying it.

After we finish our meals I go to wash the dishes. She offers to do it but I decline, insisting that I will clean it all up. Having washed the dishes and utensils  , cleaned the table and thrown out the bones and other stuff that we didn't eat. I start thinking about how I'll sleep quite nice tonight but then it hits me.

Me: Hey, Marie. Where will I sleep?

Marie turns towards me and looks down, pondering. It seems she also didn't think that through. The bed will be taken by her, and there are no couches. I mean I can sleep on the floor, but I would rather not, and on a chair I would just fall off. She then let's out a elongated sigh.

Marie: You can sleep with me on the bed, it is large enough. But, KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF. Understand me young man?

Me: You sure?

Marie: I can't believe what I am saying but it is the least I can do. Think of it as a repayment for the food.

Me: Well, uhh, thanks. And, I'll try to keep my hands to myself.

Marie: What?! What do you mean you will try? You can try but I promise you won't have any hands left,

Me: Relax, relax, I was only joking. No need to get so feisty. Anyway, I would not dare to do anything. Now, shall we get some rest, I am tired as all hell.

She sighs and then nods. We both get in bed, but you turn you back to her, not out of disgust but purely out of respect and fear of loosing my precious hands. Have to say, it feels weird to lay like this, with a person next to me, and a stranger basically of all things. But I just close my eyes and try not to think too much and soon sleep fatigue takes over me and I fall asleep.

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