Fire: So, this idea kind of came to me, and I think I can finally write a decent story with this one. A story with actual girth and a plot, and yes, I deleted my other stories because I wasn't happy with them. I am sorry, my loyal fans)': Hopefully, you'll enjoy this one just as much.
"My lady, I do believe it's time to get up," I heard the voice of my nurse maid, Lila, ring out.
I groaned loudly and opened my eyes; the blonde haired woman was tying my curtains back to allow the sun to shine through the large window behind them.
"Do I have to?" I moaned, covering my face with a pillow to shield me from the intruding light.
"Yes, Miss Willow. You have several meetings today and it's your mother's birthday," Lila replied, taking my pillow away and pulling my covers off of me.
I shot straight up, almost bashing my forehead off of her nose, and yelled, "Shit!"
"My lady, such course language!" the maid chastised.
"Lila! I forgot my mom's birthday," I explained, jumping out of bed and struggling to get out of my night clothes.
Rushing around my room, I put on the first dress and pair of underclothes I could find. I brushed my hair quickly and threw on a sun hat and a pair of tan boots. Before Lila could get another word out, I was out the door and rushing down the steps.
"My lady, why are you in such a hurry?" my butler, Caldwell, asked.
"Forgot mom's birthday!" I yelled as I rushed out the front door. I heard the old man chuckle and yell back, "Always the forgetful one, Miss Willow!"
I laughed and ran to the stables; I didn't have time to get a carriage ready. I burst through the door of the stables to see the stable boy, Luke, already standing with my horse, Bridgette. She had all of her gear already on, and his hand was stretched out to me, her reigns resting in it.
"Luke, you are truly amazing!" I gushed, kissing him on the cheek and jumping on to the horse.
I gave the white speckled horse a sharp kick in the sides and off we went. I loved the feel of the wind on my face and had to take a moment to relish in the feeling. I laughed and took my hands off the reigns, lifting them towards the sun.
"This is amazing," I whispered, putting my hands back on the reigns.
After what seemed like an eternity in paradise, I finally arrived in town. I hopped off of Bridgette, and lead her to the fence, securing her lead on the fence post.
Glancing around the town, I wondered what on earth my mother would like for her birthday. A new dress, perhaps? Or maybe some of that lilac soap she enjoys..did I even bring money with me?
I ran back to Bridgette and checked the saddle bag, smiling. I picked up the bag of coins, reading the small note attached to it.
Hey dummy,
You're not getting your mum anything without these.
Sincerely, your life saver.
With a laugh I made a mental note to thank Luke when I got home. I returned to town and began to look around the shops and stands that were set up. I looked through everything from dresses to trinkets to Funtom Company knock-offs; I could not find a thing that I thought mother would like.
Finally, as a last resort, I entered a creepy little shop that rested far away from all of the rest. The outside was painted pitch black with two large gargoyles resting on each side of the porch. A rickety staircase lead up to the front door that read "Lost Souls Welcomed", I shivered; this place was spooky.
I made my way up the creaky stairs and pushed the run-down door open, coughing as dust rolled out from the shop.
"Hello?" I called, walking through the shelves of glowing tea boxes, "This place is creepier than I gave it credit for," I mumbled.
"How can I help you my dear?" a strong, male voice called out from the back of the shop.
"I was looking for a gift," I replied, looking for the source of the voice.
"I have plenty of gifts, darling, what sort of gift are you looking for?" the voice inquired.
Finally the source of the voice revealed himself, and for moment I wished he hadn't. It was a man, approximately 6'2'', with raven black haired that fell messily atop his head. His eyes were crimson colored and bore into my caramel orbs intensely. He wore nothing but a pair of black leather pants and chunky boots. The mysterious shop owner was incredibly handsome with chiseled features, a toned chest and abdomen, and a sex appeal that could charm a nun.
"B-Birthday.." I whispered.
"Hmm, I think that I have just the thing," he said with a devious smirk. He brushed passed me, looking down at me with, a hellish gleam in his red eyes.
I nodded and followed him through the shelves and shelves of tea boxes until, finally, he came to a stop in front of one.
"Ah, here it is," he said with a smile, plucking a red box, this one wasn't glowing, from the very top of the shelf with ease, "This is called Hallowed Night. It's one of the very best teas I have, normally I'd charge very high for this, but I want you to have it, on the house."
"Really? Are you sure? I-I have the money, I'm sure," I stuttered as he placed the box in my hands.
"I'm positive," he nodded, smiling devilishly at me.
"T-thank you," I said, hugging him quickly before rushing out of the shop and back to my horse. I swore I'd heard him cackling as I left, but I couldn't be bothered to worry about it. I hopped on Bridgette and rushed back to my house.
What I saw when I arrived made my heart drop. My beautiful home was up in flames so hot I could feel them from where I stood. I looked around the grounds and saw everything was burning, from the stables to the billowing willow trees of my name sake. I screamed for help, but no one came.
I ran for my home, but a pair of strong arms grabbed me, stopping me.
"Willow, you'll die if you try to go in there," the comforting voice of Luke rang out.
I turned towards the brown haired boy and wrapped my arms around him, crying into his shoulder.
"Are mum, dad, the others.." I trailed off.
"Dead," he affirmed, "Along with everyone else in that house.."
"How are you still alive?" I asked, looking up into his green eyes.
"Because..I did it.." he whispered sadly.
"W-why?" I screamed, pushing him away.
"They told me to.." he replied, pulling a gun out of his pocket and pressing it to his temple.
"Wait! Luke, who's they? Who's they?" I yelled, stepping toward him, but it was too late. In the blink of an eye blood and brains spattered the ground, and the boy I'd grown up with fell with a thud.
I fell to my knees, too stunned to really cry. I shook my head; this had to be a dream, this couldn't be happening.
To my chagrin, no amount of pinching or beating my head off of the ground would wake me up. I laughed darkly, glaring at the sky and watching the smoke billow up into the air, I pushed myself off of the ground and walked over to Bridgette, who waited loyally right where I'd left her.
I pulled the Hallowed Night from my saddle bag and slid down a tree, tears falling from my face. I opened the red box and gasped. Inside the box lay not tea leaves, but a necklace with a heart shaped, ruby pendant.
Surely, this was not what the shop keeper had meant to give me, but in my current state I couldn't care less. I pulled the necklace from the box and slid it over my head, the pendant rested on my chest perfectly.
"You're all I have left now.." I whispered to the object, laughing at my stupidity. It wasn't like the necklace could hear me.
I leaned my head back against the tree, and softly cried myself to sleep.