As you probably guessed, this isn’t going to be an erotic story.
Finley felt naked. She wasn’t, of course- she had on her usual school uniform- but she couldn’t shake the feeling of being exposed as she walked into school the day after receiving the magical mirror in the mail.
Ever since the fire, she has worn her hair across the burned left side of her face, hiding the worst of the scarring. It had been a mask, of sorts. Her hairstyle offered protection from the looks she got because of the mark the fire had left on her.
Not today, though. The mask was off. Her mother had helped her pull her hair back into a ponytail, securing it with the blue scrunchy. Both sides of her face were on display.
It has been a long time since she was out in public without her mask, and it was a little scary. Because of her disfigurement, she tried to blend into the background as much as possible. She was perfectly okay with being invisible, overlooked, and quickly forgotten. It made life easier.
She wasn’t blending in now, though. She might as well be under a spotlight with a flashing neon sign pointing at her and a marching band playing behind her as she walked down the hallway. Finley was a little embarrassed by all the attention she was suddenly receiving, but she couldn’t stop smiling at the shocked expressions on her fellow students’ faces.
She had to hold in a nervous, excited laugh that kept wanting to bubble up. She felt like she had to pee even though she had gone before leaving the house.
Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Finley made her way through the crowded hallways to her friend Alison’s locker. The girl was busy loading up her arm with the first couple of classes worth of books. Tapping Alison on the shoulder, Finley held her breath for the girl’s reaction.
Alison said, without looking away from her locker, “Hey, Fin.”
“Allie,” Finley said, her voice a little shaky with excitement.
Catching the tone in Finley’s voice, Alison looked away from her locker. It took her a second to notice Finley’s face, but when she did, she gasped and dropped her books. Her eyes wide, she said, “Your face!”
Laughing, Finley asked, “Is it so horrible, then?”
“No,” Alison said, suddenly hugging Finley, “it’s just… I’m not used to seeing so much of it.”
“You are going to crack my ribs,” Finley wheezed.
“Sorry,” Alison said, letting go of her. Looking at Finley’s mended face, she asked, “How? I thought you said the plastic surgeons couldn’t do anything?”
“Um, they couldn’t,” Finley said, rubbing the back of her neck nervously.
She had sat in her bedroom last night, wondering what she was going to tell her friend when she asked how this had happened. She still didn’t have a good story ready, and the truth was just crazy. She hadn’t even told Alison about the wolf and Alison was her best friend. In anyone would have believed her story, it was Alison. Still, she hadn’t brought up because the super smart wolf seemed like something out of a fairy tale. Add to that the magical mirror that had done what the doctors had assured her couldn’t be done and it might as well be the script of a Disney movie.
Then again, her unmarked face would give her tale credence. Something miraculous had to have happened.
“Then, how?” Alison said, meeting Finley’s eyes.
Laughing, Finley said, “You wouldn’t believe me, if I told you.”
“Why wouldn’t I believe you?” Alison asked.
“Because I was there and I still don’t believe it,” Finley said.
“What does that mean?” Alison said, frowning.
“Something happened in the woods behind my house,” Finley said, then a little embarrassed, “something magical.”
“Magical?” Alison repeated, raising her eyebrows.
“Um,” Finley said, her face hot, “it’s kind of a crazy story.”
Alison just looked at her a long moment, then started putting her books back in her locker.
Frowning, Finley said, “You need those for math class.”
“We are skipping first period,” Alison said, closing the door to her locker, “I need to hear this crazy story of yours.”
“Okay,” Finley said, laughing.
——————————————–
“It’s just up the street.”
Finley glanced over her shoulder as the bus pulled away from the curb, then back at her friend. Again, she wondered what they were doing in the city. When she had asked Alison, the girl had simply said, “There is someone you should meet.”
As they started walking, Finley thought back to hiding behind the bleachers and telling Alison about helping the wolf in the forest behind her house, then receiving the magical mirror in the mail. Even now, she couldn’t believe how easily Alison had accepted her story. She had expected to see surprise and probably disbelief on Alison’s face as she recounted the events leading up to her scar-free face, but all she had seen was recognition.
She knows something, Finley thought and not for the first time since Alison decided skipping first period wasn’t enough and that they were skipping school altogether. Not against the idea but curious why, Finley had inquired about Alison’s reasons. That was when her friend informed her there was someone she should meet.
Shortly after that, they were on a series of buses that took them into the heart of the city. The last one had dropped them on a street lined with small businesses selling everything from books to cappuccino. Their destination was tucked between a doughnut shop and a beauty salon, the smell of delicious pastries clashing with the scent of styling chemicals.
Finley frowned when she didn’t see a sign on the door or either of the display windows. What kind of business didn’t display their name for the passing customers? More than that, she couldn’t even guess what sort of business the store did by looking at the unassuming brick building.
“What is this place?” Finley asked, glancing at Alison.
“My aunt’s shop,” Alison said, smiling as she opened the door. She held it for Finley.
“What does your aunt sell?” She asked, hesitant.
“I’ll let her tell you,” Alison said, her smile becoming mischievous, “wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise.”
Finley looked at her for a long minute, then stepped inside. The smell of incense welcomed her, and she looked around at the wares on the shelves. One corner of the shop seemed dedicated to books, three bookcases crammed full of them. Another corner had tables of bagged powdered herbs and curious looking jars full of liquids Finley couldn’t identify. A third corner had display cases full of what appeared to be antiques and nicknacks. The remaining corner was curtained off from the rest of the store.
Looking at the things Alison’s aunt had in stock, she had no more idea what this place was than she had when she was standing outside, looking at the lack of storefront advertising. It appeared to be part book store, part thrift shop or antique store, and part farmer’s market.
“Welcome to Frida’s Magical Curios. What can I-” a woman- presumably Alison’s aunt- said, stepping through the curtains. She came to a halt as she saw Finley standing in her shop, a look of recognition passing over her face. With a curious smile, she limped over and offered her hand to Finley, said, “My Hero. What are you doing in my shop?”
“Your Hero?” Finley asked, then noticed the woman’s startling blue eyes. Gasping, she said, “It’s you!”
“Possibly,” Frida said, with a hint of mischief in her voice, “that depends on who you think I am.”
“The wolf,” Finley said, then felt foolish for saying it out loud. Still, the woman’s eyes were the same shade of blue as the wolf’s had been. Then there was the way Frida favored her left leg like it bothered her some. Perhaps from the snare?
“Curious,” Frida said, her smile widening, “not many people would make that leap.”
“Are you, though? A wolf?” Finley asked, waiting to be laughed at.
“Sometimes,” Frida said, winking at Finley, “most days, I’m just a humble shop owner.”
Searching the woman’s eyes, Finley couldn’t see a hint of deception in them. Swallowing hard, Finley asked, “Are you a… werewolf?”
“Of course not,” Frida said, amusement twinkling in her eyes, “there are no such things as werewolves… As far as I know.”
“Then how are you a wolf sometimes?” Finley asked, feeling foolish.
“Because I chose to be,” Frida said, laughing at the sour look on Finley’s face, “and because I’m a witch. At least, that’s what most people call me.”
Part of her thought it would have been better if the woman had laughed at her. That would have meant her world wasn’t about to have her world turned upside down.
“A w-witch?” Finley stammered, her eyes wide.
“Not the wicked witch of the west sort,” Frida said, with a friendly smile, “more like Samantha from Bewitched.”
“What’s Bewitched?” Finley asked.
“A television show from the sixties,” Frida said, waving her hand dismissively, “actually, I’m nothing like her. Forget I said that.”
“Okay,” Finley said.
Frida glanced at her niece, asked, “Allie, shouldn’t you be in school?”
Looking down at her school uniform, Alison said, “I wanted you to meet Finley.”
“It couldn’t wait until after school?” her aunt admonished.
“Um… She told me about the mirror and I… I guess I got a little excited,” Alison said, sheepishly.
“Uh huh,” Frida said, then smiled at Finley, “well, Finley, it is nice to meet you… Again.”
“You, too, Ma’am,” Finley said, wanting to ask her the question burning in her brain.
Amused, Frida said, “Ask your question?”
Can she read my mind, Finley wondered.
“And no, I’m not reading your mind,” Frida said, laughing when Finley gasped, “only your eyes.”
“It really was you in the woods behind my house?” Finley asked, her heart racing.
“I might still be there if you hadn’t come along,” Frida said, lifting her dress a little to show Finley the bandage on her leg, “that snare did a number on my ankle.”
“That’s so crazy,” Finley said, her sense of wonder piqued, “you can turn into a wolf! How?”
“Takes a little practice,” Frida said.
“And the mirror? Was that from you?” Finley asked.
“A token of my appreciation, yes,” Frida said.
Finley surprised both of them by suddenly hugging the woman. With a sheepish smile, she pulled back and said, “Sorry.”
“It’s more than okay,” Frida said, smiling warmly at her, “I feel I owed you a hug, as well.”
“Thank you,” Finley said, then found herself hugging the woman, again.
Laughing, Frida hugged her back, said, “We are even. You helped me, and I helped you.”
“It’s just… my face…The mirror… Is it… Magical?” Finley asked.
“It is a Focus,” Frida said, then glanced at Alison when Finley just blinked at her, “you didn’t tell her, then?”
“No,” Alison giggled.
“Tell me what?” Finley asked, looking from her friend to her aunt.
“The mirror has no magic of its own,” Frida said, meeting Finley’s eyes, “it only focuses the user’s magical abilities.”
“So, you used it to heal me?” Finley asked.
“No,” Frida said, still holding Finley’s eyes, “you healed yourself.”
When I said business was falling off at work, I guess I was wrong. Between Mother’s Day and a slew of high school and college graduation parties, I’ve been extremely busy this last couple of weeks. Still, I managed to write a little more of this story. Hope you like it.
Wow. What a treat during a slow night at work! Definitely not the same impact as when the setting and characters were brand new to me, but a worthy sequel nonetheless!
More, please! I admit I was expecting the wolf was a werewolf, but this is an interesting direction.
Yes yes yes more more more!! Love the idea that they healed themselves. Would also explain why (im assuming) both girls were drawn to the woods in first place. Does bring up a couple of questions though. 1) if shes so magical how does she keep getting caught in snares, and 2) as a follow on why couldnt she just magic her way out of them? Not criticising, just pointing out. Love it, hope to see more (but please can we have another chapter of The Wild soon?)
Because “even the best woodsman can be caught in his own trap when his eyes turn from the path”. As to the why that will be up to Ebo to decide but I’ve a feeling it has more to do with her wolf form
Indeed, experienced woodsman occasionally get caught in a trap or fall off a hidden cliff, or whatever. As for magicing herself out of the trap, perhaps her magic doesn’t work that way, or perhaps the only magic available to her in wolf form is transformation magic, and given the difference in diameter between wolf and human ankles, transforming would effectively amputate her foot. That’s enough speculation from me for now, though. And I agree, more chapters, please!
Sex/ No sex: who cares.
A sad but inwardly beautiful, disfigured girl, had been fixed up.
Doesn’t get better than that. Great story.
THE WOLF 29th
Miri says.
Hello Mr Ebo and everyone, friends, today was the first day my Susy said I drive Philip since my wrist is now better and works and Susy let me drive but tells me off for going to fast. Toniight is storytime and today I drove Philip to shopping. We went to the shops to buy some pretty clothes, for my Susy is taking me back to Spain in a few days. my Susy bought me a new pretty yellow and green bikini and a new sparkling yellow hat the same colour as Philip and we shall be gone for ` a long time, 4 weeks and my mummy and daddy and Jennys will come to have a holiday with us. We shall all have a wonderful holiday at Calahonda. Not yet have they seen our little Jennys pretty garden where we sprinkled half of her ashes and the other half in her pretty Wilderbrook garden. Since we were last at Calahonda the pretty flowers will have grown very tall and very pretty. Now after the busy day it is story time at last and with our pajamas on I got the popcorn and Susy will read to me our super part 2 wolf story. When it was finished I enjoyed the story very very much and my Susy explained to me about Alisons aunty being a witch-lady but a nice witch lady a very very nice witch lady.
Susy says.
To be honest Ebo I started to think of the book, The Woodsman, when I began reading part one and again reading part 2, especially after seeing Fur’s quotation. Well, I was quite mistaken of course but the sequel was just as enchanting as the first episode and holds the promise of wonder. It’s my turn to read and Miri will dish out the popcorn. Sometimes, I think she enjoys that more than reading, possibly because, just like Jen, the little minx, ends up scoffing more than me. When my darling is quiet, she is usually scoffing something. She is also very lucky that no matter what she eats her weight remains constant, unlike mine – up and down like a yo-yo. Last night – however – my darling wasn’t as lucky as she thought she might have been and ended up with a sore bottom and you can probably guess why. I was just drying myself after getting out of our bath and “zap”, my rear end thought it had been stung by a bee. I turned round to see Miri sporting a big smile and waving Jen’s water pistol in my direction. “Sorry very sorry my Susy it was the accident.” I smiled back and said that’s ok Miri, accidents do happen – and she relaxed. “Now come out and get dry”. Sheepishly, Miri climbed out of the bath and I wrapped a big, fluffy white towel around her; scooped her up and carried her to the bed where she went straight over my knee. Impervious to her squealing and cries of sorrysorrysorry Susy, I lifted up the towel and smacked each dainty cheek twice. Not hard of course – I would never hurt my naughty princessdarling – but just hard enough. Then I sat her on my knee and gave her a kiss and a cuddle. Scampering off to put on some panties, she promised not to do it again. I thought to myself, no, of course not – not until the next time. Fur and Ebo, I’m sure you will still be watching this space but do know that I would never, ever, hurt my precious Miri who loves me with all of her heart. Well, our wonderful writer, let me get to your wonderful story.
Miri was very much on the ball in tonight’s story time, recognising, quickly that Alison accepted Finley’s statement about something “magical happening”, because Alison herself was already no stranger to truly “magical happenings” fully acquainted with her aunt’s abilities. Alison had grown up with a witch in the family, “a very very nice witch” as darling Miri kept repeating – even, through mouthfuls of popcorn.
Finley appeared to have no difficulty whatsoever, in accepting the truth of Alison’s aunty being magical – being a witch. One could naturally, wonder why that should be the case but Finley had already experienced and fully accepted, one magical revelation – the return of her face to the normality the fire had taken away. Miri thought this instant acceptance was aided from having recognized the startling blue eyes that were such a strong part of the character in the amazing wolf she had met and helped in her “magical” woods she loved so much – and of course because the woman’s instant recognition of Finley – “my hero”. I suppose it really should be heroine but these days hero is as acceptable as some of we women, wanting equality (whatever that is) to be called an actor and not actress (anyone with me on this point) although Miri and I still wish and want to be treated like ladies. We like it when a man opens a door, or pulls out a chair for us – and so on and we both really enjoy wearing pretty dresses.
Sorry, got off track then but there is one more important point to recognize about Finley – beauty and healing comes from within and was reflected by the mirror. Our true relection to others comes from within us all – maybe. Is that right Ebo?
Just now, we don’t have much more to say about this enchanting story other than to say, please Ebo, please continue this delightful story because, as Miri said during her last mouthful of popcorn gobbled up, “lots of magical things to come my Susy”. I agree, this tale is flying super duper well and Miri has asked that I, “don’t forget to tell Mr Ebo Susy, that it does not need anything sexy.” There, Ebo, I’ve told you.
The final important point I must mention Ebo and reader friends, is that remember, I’m taking my wonderful fiancé to the villa in Spain for all of June and the laptop, will remain at Wilderbrook, so, you will not hear from us again until our return, at least 4 weeks from now. To you Ebo and everyone – see you again in July when we will have a super time catching up with your super stories. We fly out, Thursday 07:00am and we are making earl grey tea at 11:00 and G andT @ Love as always Susy and Mireille. xx
Because my tablet and I are now getting along again…
This story would truly be worth trying to sell at least to me. It’s extremely well written and I think it would do very well as a book on smashword or amazon.
Can’t wait to read whatever your next book will be.
Have fun Susy and Mireille during your vacation. I hope it’s the best you’ve both had so far being together and many more to come.