Darjeeling (a repost from CA..but it's lonely over there)

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X Angel
Senior Member

since 1999-11-07

Posts 1521
Oregon

0 posted 2000-06-01 06:39 PM

stumbling
breath pained
in her oxygen starved lungs

she ran
on
and on
and on

behind her
deep in the trees
the hound's baying
faded and rose with the
wind's temperamental lofts

shoving the strings
of tangled blonde hair
from her eyes
she ceased her flight
to listen for a moment

there!
the hound's bay grew louder
and once more the fugitive took up
her course
shunning the light
and embracing the shadows

running headlong through a dense copse
hair catching in the fingers of the trees
to pull free, and float like gossamer webs
on the breeze of her haste

her weary feet tangling in the roots
of an ancient oak
causing her to fall into
the clutching arms of the thicket
to the soft moss carpet floor
exhausted from her flight
she lay a moment, stunned
unaware of her surroundings

when she finally gazed up
squinting from the tendrils of sun
that made their way
through the deepest forest
to glint off time-worn crosses
and drip off the leaves of this secret place
to fall to rest, in golden pools
on the deep velvet carpet below

ethereal in their repose
the crosses stood stately and strong
remainders of another time
the girl rose to approach the nearest grave
hesitantly extending her fingers
to trace the design in the headstone

her blood raced in her veins

as she sensed a presence
a warmth
near her feet
fearfully, she glanced down
and what she saw there was no demon
or even a driad spirit
but an oversized ebony cat
curling himself in adoration
around her briar torn ankles
looking up at her with a cool, green gaze
that made her suddenly not feel so alone

bending to scoop him into her arms
she pressed her face to him
and let her troubles
be dissolved by his soft purr
smiling slightly,
she put him a bit away from her
and drank in his feline beauty

when she noticed something jewelled on his neck
fingering the amethyst beads
she turned the collar round and round his neck
until a little gold heart came into view
on the heart was inscribed in an ancient script
'Darjeeling'

Darjeeling....what a funny name
thought the girl

with a soft thud on the ground below
the cat launched himself out of her arms
turning and miaowing to her to come
he padded slowly into the forest
after a short walk, she found herself
on the edge of a beautiful meadow
and on the far side, a lovely cottage
with a curling wisp of smoke
coming from the chimney

mustering all the courage she could
she moved hesitantly across the grass
up the cobbled walk,
between rows of lavendar
to knock on a weathered old door
but somehow, with Darjeeling there
she felt unafraid, mostly

when the door creaked open
and a wizened old woman
peered out from the dark recesses
the girl felt a strange relief
and simply said, "I've come"
the woman smiled in a toothless grin
and bid her in saying,
"I see Darjeeling found you allright"

the girl sat on a willow chair
and puzzled over all of this
while the cat bathed himself
near the open log fire

taking the steaming mug
from the woman's extended hand
the girl soon found herself
in a haze of light and colour
as she slipped to the floor
fast asleep

cackling to herself the old witch
muttered and chanted incantations
while the fire and bubbling pot
danced in tune
and the girl slept and slept
unaware of the spells cast all around

stretching and wakening
the girl yawned and murmured
and stood shakily
weak from her day's trials
looking around
it seemed as if the cottage had grown
or she had shrunk
when she tried to call out to the old lady
all that issued from her lips
was a creaky miaow

Colin
Senior Member

since 1999-06-05

Posts 596
Callington, Cornwall, England

1 posted 2000-06-02 03:25 AM

ooooh I like a good ghost story and this is almost a ghost story... same kinda spooky story anyway and I like it

The twist at the end works well I think. anyway, I like it and that's that

Joel the wolf
Senior Member

since 2000-04-06

Posts 1333
Angels Camp

2 posted 2000-06-02 07:11 PM

Yes to have your spirit thrown into an old body, what a way to go and so soon.
I stay away from old witches.
a great read kid. hahaha

Joel.

I howl a mournful song, that echos within my chambered heart, for all to read? nay for all to feel.

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