Things to Run Away From Really Fast

08/11/10



I'm travelling through a village. Their level of technology seems medieval at best. A little girl is suspected of being a witch. I help her escape.

We wander up a path through an idyllic countryside, hilly and covered in green. I lead and the girl, ten or so, trails slightly behind me. The hinges of the wooden gate creak as they move, and I hold the gate open. The girl shrieks in delight and runs onto the field. A dark brown horse is running towards us. It has odd, light-coloured streaks painted across its side. As it approaches the girl, it slows down. The girl jumps up and down, asking if she can ride it.

"He doesn't like anyone, even me." I say, studying the horse. I smile when the horse snorts. "Especially me. I think he might like you, though."

The girl climbs on the horse's back, and the two of them gallop across the fenced enclosure.

Later, we're sitting inside a log cabin that resembles a barn. The black horse is now a black owl, perched on a railing. I sit across from him, and we watch the girl explore the building as we talk. She runs back over to us, smiling as she sits down on the couch.

"We're going to have to winter-proof the house if she's going to stay with you." I tell the owl seriously.

The girl turns into a bird. I catch the bundle of feathers between my hands, gently. "You are far too domesticated." I tell her.

I will the cracks in the wall to close, making the wood grow back together, sealing out the wind.

It's winter the next time I return to the cabin. We play on the hill, sliding down packed snow and laughing.

Shapeshifting Children. Scare Factor: 1.