Genevieve couldn't believe she'd actually gone through with it. In her mind, she'd already called herself crazy at least a hundred times for even considering leaving the safety of her home to drive into the woods and see a woman she'd never met. But here she was, standing on Miss Theresa's doorstep, over 120 miles away from everyone she knew.
Her focus shifted from her own uncertainty to the body of the house. It was small and dark, even in the sunlight. The large, menacing trees around it cast a heavy shadow around the area. Genevieve thought that it was fitting considering the stories she'd been told of what took place here. When she was a little girl, she heard Miss Theresa referred to as a witch and "the Devil's bride." Her own grandmother told her that Miss Theresa had tried to steal the souls of two infants in the '50s. Even though she never paid much mind to what people said, now that she was here, she couldn't help but wonder how authentic the tales were.
Suddenly, there was a loud pop, the cry of old wood, followed by the abrupt opening of the door. An old woman's gaze met Genevieve's, and she froze. The woman's eyes were black, or at least appeared so. Her dark brown face bore wrinkles and scars, the signs of a long and difficult life.
"Whatchu want?" the woman asked in a low and cautious voice. Her eyes never left Genevieve's.
"I-I was looking for Miss Theresa," she stammered.
The woman's eyes narrowed. To Genevieve, it felt as if she was looking inside her, and all she wanted to do was to turn around and flee as far away from the doorstep as she could. Her legs refused to move though, and she was stranded.
"What you need from her?"
For the first time, Genevieve really focused on the reason why she came.
"I need to know if she can help me."
As soon as she spoke the words, three large crows took flight. Their black wings soared through the swaying arms of the trees around the house. The old woman frowned a bit, and then turned and slowly walked into the house.
"Come on," she said, and almost as if she was commanded to do so, Genevieve followed her inside.
* * *
Inside, the house was lit only by candles. The scent of jasmine permeated through the air, and Genevieve was surprised by the appearance. She imagined there being skulls, chicken bones, and other clichΓ©s she'd seen in horror movies. Instead, she was greeted by a house that was both clean and bare.
Miss Theresa slowly made her way to a round table and sat. Genevieve quickly followed, sitting across from her. She still didn't know what to make of it all, but she'd already allowed herself to come this far.
"What you need help with, child?" Miss Theresa asked. Her black eyes once again studied Genevieve's.
"I've heard things about what goes on here. I've heard stories and I need to know if they're true."
Miss Theresa moved her seat closer to the table.
"What
kinds
of stories?"
"I've heard about witchcraft... and soul possession."