Nights were always quiet in the forest. Lots of people found it eerie and a little frightening but Vanda loved it.
There was a trail behind her old shack that led to the river. She sat on the bank and fished by the light of the moon. It was her favorite way to catch her food.
The nearest town was miles away. She didn’t know of any people living close to her. She liked that.
After a horrible childhood and painful adulthood, Vanda fell asleep on a bus leaving St. Louis and ended up in the middle of nowhere in Montana. She was only twenty-two but had already made an entire lifetime of mistakes.
Tired, hungry, and never outside a city before, she was sure she was going to die.
An ancient woman who looked like a strong wind might carry her off was walking down the road. She stopped in front of Vanda where the Greyhound dropped her off.
“You look downright pitiful. Waitin’ on somebody, honey?”
“No, ma’am. I don’t even know where I am.”
“Runnin’ from something?”
“Ma’am, I’m running from everything and I won’t ever go back to any of it. Not my so-called friends or family, the loser men I followed around like a dog, or the dead end jobs. I’m starting over. I want to be alone. Didn’t think I’d be this alone though.”
“Well. Guess you best carry one of these bags then.”
“Ma’am?”
“Come on. I can’t leave you to starve on the side of the road. My place ain’t much but you’re welcome to a bowl of soup, a blanket, and as much fresh water as you can drink. Good enough for you?”
“Yes, ma’am. It sure is.”
“Good. I’m hungry so let’s get home.”
For the next five years, Vanda lived with an old woman who went by Mare. She didn’t talk about friends or family, her history, or the future. She lived in the now every moment of every day.
Mare grew her own food, fished at the river, and lived completely off the grid. She couldn’t write well but loved a stack of children’s stories she kept above the fireplace.
Vanda loved books and picked up a few ten cent copies of stories she thought Mare would like.
Every night after a simple meal, washing up over a pan, and cleaning their clothes for the next day, Vanda would read a chapter of a book. Some nights it was a classic like Pride and Prejudice. Other nights, a few Grimm’s fairy tales. Once and a while, a horor from Poe or King.
Mare loved them all.
The old woman died two weeks before their sixth year living together in peace in the old shack. She left the property it stood on to Vanda. She was grateful for the trust.
It had been another five years since she scattered the old woman’s ashes along the river.
She caught five fish. One for dinner, one for lunch the next day, and three for the friend she’d never met. Making a small fire beside the water, she cooked them like Mare taught her and set three of them on a flat rock.
“Eat well and don’t worry. Troubles are always easier to bear in morning light.” It was something she said every night.
She returned to the shack and enjoyed her fish with a sliced tomato from her garden. Settling down to read, she smiled when there was a single knock on the door.
“It’s a fine evening for a visit.” There was no response. “Another chapter then?” Another knock. “Alright. Where were we? Ah, yes. Jane is about to find out Rochester’s dastardly secret…”
She read a chapter and then another. As her eyes grew heavy, she closed the book. “That’s all I can do tonight. I’m sorry.”
Another knock and a small thump. She blew out the candle and curled under the blankets.
She didn’t know who visited - only that they’d started their nightly ritual when Vanda had been in this place for three years. At first, she was terrified but Mare told her to be calm and allow the universe to keep some secrets.
Since losing her only friend, the secret was getting harder to keep. She wondered what would happen…
If she answered the knock.
© Sabrina Rue
Author’s Note…
I love “what if” stories. I love that Vanda saw the dangerous trajectory of her life and just…pivoted to something completely different without looking back. I’m sure all of us have considered something like this when things get rough. I’m sure one day I’ll expand this one. ~Shayne & Sabrina
Hmm I think I’m would have answered the door..
Looking forward to the expansion of this. Stories only Sabrina Rue can write!!