The following day, Ava finally met a human like her in the woods.
She had been walking for hours, she was now weak with hunger. She had found a few sour berries earlier and was chewing them slowly, unsure if they would harm her. Her head felt light. The trees blurred together; the leaves spunned in unison around her.
Then she saw it.
A small but.
It stood in a clearing, almost hidden by creeping vines and low hanging and low hanging branches. Smoke curled lazily from a crooked chimney. Bundles of dried plants hung from the roof like strange decorations.
Ava froze.
Her first instinct was to run; she was terrified. She had heard stories about spirits and ghosts,she had also read about them from books and now, the scenario looked very real.
People in the forest were not supposed to exist....but then her stomach twisted painfully. She had not eaten properly for the past few days.
"If someone lived here... maybe they had food and could spare her some" Ava thought to herself.
She took a step forward; then another,then she started walking toward the strange hut. When she got to the door, she raised her feeble hands to knock but the door creaked open before she could effect the knock.
A very old woman who looked fragile stood in the door way. Her back was slightly bent, her hair was long and grey, braided loosely down her shoulder. Her eyes, however, stood firm and sharp for someone who looked so frail.
What could this old woman be doing in this deep forest? Did she get lost as well? Or was she a ghost? Should I just run? Should I stay? All these questions ran through Ava's mind. She was lost in thought.
"Well", the old woman said, breaking into Ava's thoughts. Her voice was soft and calm but very steady. "You are a long way from home".
Ava was hesitant. She was terrified as well.
I..I...do.. no..t..h..ave...a.. home, Ava stammered in fear.
The woman studied her for a moment. Not with pity... but with something else. Something measuring. She saw fear in the girl's response and she smelt anger in her eyes.
"Come in" the old woman finally said. "You look like you might collapse if you stand there much longer" she added as she turned to go in.
Ava did not move. She stood fixated in a certain position; the one she had maintained since she saw the old woman. Ava stood still, watching the old woman's back.
Why? Ava asked.
Why what? The old woman asked. She stopped as she turned to face Ava again, her eye brows raised.
Why did you decide to help me? Ava asked again, this time with much more clarity.
A faint smile touched the woman's lips. Her eyes brightened up as the wrinkles on her face gave way.
"That is because, I am not cruel" the old woman said. "You are a little girl, lost in this deep forest, you are weak and tired so it would be a shame to me if there is nothing I can do to help you" the old woman added. Her voice was not soft,it was sharp this time although she still maintained the smile.
Then the old woman stepped said, creating a path way for Ava to move inside.
When Ava did not budge, the old woman added lightly: "you can stay out there and test your luck though if you do not want to come inside". The woman turned slowly again as she walked gently into her hut.
Ava looked past the old woman into the hut. The hut was very dim but warm. Ava smelt something cooking - something rich, enticing, welcoming and savoury.
Her stomach decided for her. It roared out as she held unto it; she could not refuse the offer.
She stepped inside the hut as a sweet aroma filled the air. The smell was welcoming.
Inside the hut was filled with strange things,it was crowded. Bundles of herbs hung from every beam. Shelves lined the walls, covered with jars of powders, bundles of roots, different shades of liquids. Ava was confused, nothing in the hut looked familiar to her. She thought of leaving the hut but it seemed as if her stomach smelt the sweet aroma as well. It roared, this time, loudly. Ava pierced her upper lips and lower lips together, resigning to whatever would come her way. The air was thick with earthy scent, mixed with a bitter and oddly scent. Ava observed everything she could see with her eyes. At the far end of the hut, a dirty brown curtain danced to the rhythm of the cool breeze; it flew wildly at intervals.
"Sit" the woman said, almost commanding as she gestured to a small wooden stool close to the muddy wall. The thatched roof above her head had holes in it. The hut seemed like an ancient one.
Ava sat down on the small stool as it creaked.
The woman ladled stew into a bowl and placed it in front of her. The aroma of the stew rose to Ava's nostrils as she began to eat greedily.
"Eat slowly" the old woman warned sternly. Your body will not thank you if you rush, she added.
Ava did not argue.
She sat meekly on the stool and she raised her head, stared at the old woman and continued with her bowl of stew.
She gulped down slowly. The bits of food nearly made her cry. It was warm, flavourful, more delicious than anything she had ever eaten or dreamt to it. She forced herself to eat carefully, although every instinct screamed at her to devour it. She was finally refreshed, she felt better with every gulp that she took. She was not sure if she would die soon but a beautiful last supper would be worth it.
The woman watched her in silence. Her lips curled in a dark smile.