The Little Witch and the Lost Boy

by Ronald Craig

‘Fine,’ he huffed, trying to hide the fact that he feared heights. He flew up quickly to get it over with.

  The empty cage reassured Toots. He perched on the edge and noticed feathers on the cage floor. He scooped them up and flew down to Nina.

  ‘Hmm.’ She furrowed her brow. ‘We should get back to the Order and show them this.’

  ‘I can’t see any mirrors, so we must find that frozen puddle. My power has little strength here,’ Toots reminded Nina.

  As they left the room and closed the door to the grandfather clock, Nina and Toots were relieved that they had found nothing dangerous inside the cottage. Both were pleased to be leaving this wondrous place, even though they had only questions and no answers.

  The further they were from the cottage, the safer they felt. As they reached the clearing with the frozen puddle Toots hopped up into Nina’s arms. She touched the puddle and recited the magic words.

  ‘Witchy witchy Woo, hear my cry Mother Nature.’ She reached into her witch’s pouch. ‘I offer you the eye of a frog and the wing of a bat. In coldest night and warmest day, send me through time and space.’

  With a swish, a swoosh and a spark from her wand they were gone. Only small footsteps in the ice threatened to reveal their presence, but in a few moments, they had frozen over, leaving no evidence behind.

  Arriving back at the Order, Nina and Toots stepped out of the Grand Mirror to find a large group of witches and wizards waiting for them, Relck among them.

  ‘Do you have the feathers?’ he asked.

  ‘Show us!’ demanded a witch.

  Toots passed the feathers to Relck, who glanced at them, and then at those surrounding him.

  ‘It looks likely,’ said a wizard in a sombre tone.

  Nina looked confused. ‘How did you know about these?’

  ‘We were informed by the seer, Wilema.’ Relck looked over to where a woman stood by the fire. The reflection of the fire on her red cloak made it seem as if the flames had caressed her.

  He turned back to them. ‘Toots, it is possible that these feathers could be from your grandfather,’ he said softly.

  Toots looked surprised. ‘Does this mean my grandfather is alive?’

  ‘We don’t know yet, but we will do everything we can to find out,’ Relck said, his commitment clear. He turned to Nina. ‘You need to leave. You’re expected at Auntie Paulina’s,’ he reminded her.

  ‘What about Toots’s grandfather? And the people who lived in the cottage?’ Nina asked.

  ‘Don’t worry, the Order will be considering this,’ Relck said with an odd expression on his face. ‘You two go home and get ready for your trip.

  Nina suspected that Relck was not telling her the whole truth. As they stepped back onto her bedroom floor, her annoyance was clear.

  Toots tried to reassure her. ‘You know he just wants to protect you, Nina. After all, you are his little sister.’

  Nina sat on her bed and replayed the conversation in her head. ‘You’re right, Toots, I’m being silly. Let’s go pack. I’m looking forward to seeing Auntie and Grandma,’ she said with a smile.

  Chapter 4

  The lost boy

  Nina walked into her mother’s room. ‘We are packed,’ she said, greeting her with an excited smile.

  ‘I hear you have uncovered a mystery,’ said her mother.

  Nina paused, confused. ‘At the cottage?’ How did her mother know what she had been up to? She wondered if there was more to this, maybe a secret or a test from the Order.

  ‘‘Well, isn’t that where you have been?’ Ruby May smiled, caressing her daughter’s hair. ‘Well done, my sweet, we’re very proud. Come on, let’s get the car packed and head off to see Auntie Paulina.’

  Nina loved visiting her auntie. She lived in a big city that was very different from their home. Nina liked how the streetlights illuminated the hustle and bustle of people going about their business.

  They got into the car and fastened their seatbelts.

  ‘How long will it take to get there?’ Nina asked her mother.

  Ruby May smiled back at them. ‘Only an hour. Why don’t you and Toots see how many different trees you can find, and try to figure out what power they hold? The practice will help you become a clever witch.’

  The journey flew by as Nina and Toots became engrossed in a heated debate over which trees held certain powers. Night began to fall as they approached the city and as they drew closer to Auntie Paulina’s house the buildings and streetlights changed. The night sky made it hard for Nina to make out the buildings, but the lights from within were as bright as suns. To a young girl, it was truly a magical sight.

  ‘We’re here!’ shouted Nina as they pulled up at the curb.

  Toots looked around apprehensively. ‘It’s too busy,’ he hooted grumpily.

  Nina turned and chuckled. ‘You’ll get used to the city, Toots. Just give it a chance.’

  Opening the car door, she stepped out onto the concrete with a stretch and a yawn. Out of nowhere a cold wind started up and a single snowflake floated down into Nina’s outstretched hand.

  ‘A single flake on a dark night.’ She turned to her mother in confusion.

  Ruby May just shrugged her shoulders, mystified.

  ‘But it’s the middle of summer,’ Nina observed.

  As she looked up, the heavens opened and snow began to fall thick and fast. Ruby May hurried towards the building. Nina and Toots lagged behind, staring up at the structure in awe. It looked as if it stretched all the way up into the clouds.

  ‘What floor does your aunt live on?’ asked Toots hesitantly.

  ‘Only on the fifth floor,’ Nina replied.

  Toots hooted loudly. ‘Floor five! That’s much too high to walk up.’ ‘Stop being so miserable. You don’t walk anyway; I always carry you. There is an elevator we can take, although you could always fly,’ she responded pointedly.

  ‘I don’t like to fly that high!’ Toots squawked.

  ‘An owl frightened of heights.’ She chuckled. ‘Who would have thought.’

  As they approached the main doors, Nina couldn’t contain her excitement. The interior of the building was very bland, but Nina knew that her auntie’s apartment would be different. They hopped into the lift and Nina turned to look at Toots.

  ‘Aren’t you excited? You’ve never been here before.’

  ‘Yes, I’m looking forward to it,’ Toots murmured. But Nina could tell something was on his mind.

  ‘What’s wrong, Toots?’

  ‘I’ve heard stories about your Grandma from Raspy. He said that she will pluck all my feathers and eat me.’ Toots tried unsuccessfully to hide his fear.

  ‘Ha! You shouldn’t listen to what Raspy says. Everything will be fine. I’m here with you.’

  Somewhat reassured, Toots hopped up onto Nina’s shoulder as they stepped out of the lift and walked towards her auntie’s door. As her mother knocked, Nina leant forward in excitement. The door creaked open an inch. There was a moment of silence, and then a screech came from within.

  ‘Go away, there’s no one home!’ With that the door slammed shut.

  Nina glanced up at her mother.

  Ruby May smiled down at her. ‘You know how your grandma likes her jokes. Just try again.’

  Nina raised her fist and the door creaked open.

  ‘What’s the password?’

  Toots hooted in alarm. ‘I don’t like this, Nina. She sounds crazy.’

  ‘Don’t be so rude,’ Nina chided. ‘She’s only playing with us, you silly owl. Come on, let’s try to guess the password.’

  Nina remembered how much her grandma liked frogs.

  ‘Is it frog spawn?’ she guessed. A silence came from inside the apartment. ‘You are a clever girl. You must get that from me!’ her grandma bellowed.

  The door flew open to reveal her grandma and auntie standing there with smiles on their faces.

  ‘See,’ Nina said to Toots, ‘there’s nothing to be frightened of.’ ‘Come in, co
me in,’ said Auntie Paulina, grabbing Nina’s suitcase.

  Grandma turned to look at Toots. ‘What a lovely budgie,’ she said. ‘He isn’t very plump though; he won’t make much of a meal.’ She winked at Nina.

  Toots screeched as quietly as he could, so that Grandma wouldn’t notice his fear. Once inside, he saw that the walls were covered in pictures of witches and wizards surrounded by their familiars, as magical animals used to be called.

  ‘Oh no!’ cried Auntie Paulina. ‘We’re out of biscuits. Nina, run to the shop and get some please. It’s only two doors down. I’ll make a pot of tea.’

  Nina eagerly agreed, excited to enjoy this treat with her family. After promising her mother that she wouldn’t talk to strangers she set off, Toots clinging to her shoulder. The lift opened and they stepped inside.

  ‘You were right,’ Toots admitted. ‘Grandma isn’t so bad.’

  Nina laughed at him as they reached the main entrance with a jolt.

  Outside, the shops along the street made for a bright evening. As they opened the door the chilly air struck them. However, it seemed the snow had disappeared without a trace. People hurried past them, not paying much attention to the sight of a young girl and her owl. But Toots was worried.

  ‘Hide me in your coat,’ he instructed. Nina unbuttoned it and Toots jumped in. Nina quickly spotted the shop they needed and set off at a brisk pace.

  As they passed a dark alleyway something caught her eye. Her witch’s instinct told her there was something hiding here.

  Toots hooted in annoyance. ‘Why have you stopped?’

  ‘I can sense something in the alley down there,’ she whispered.

  ‘You should leave it be, it might be dangerous.’

  Nina shook her head. ‘It looks like a child, definitely no bigger than me.’

  ‘Be careful,’ Toots hissed. ‘Get your wand out.’

  Nina did as he requested, taking care to keep it hidden from the passers-by. She crept forward and began to cast a spell.

  ‘Witchy Witchy Woo, Mother Nature hear my cry.’ She reached into her witch’s pouch and sprinkled some magic dust. ‘I offer you the tail of a rat and the wart of a toad. Grant me the power of light.’

  With a swish, a swoosh and a spark from her wand light flooded the alley. A scuffle came from inside the cardboard box, as if a frightened animal had sensed their presence.

  ‘It’s okay,’ Nina said gently. ‘We’re not going to hurt you.’ ‘Who’s we?’ demanded a small voice.

  ‘Just me and my owl,’ Nina replied.

  ‘An owl?’ A round, dirty face peered out from underneath the box.

  ‘Are you a witch?’

  Nina stepped back in surprise. ‘Why do you ask that?’

  ‘My mother has an owl and she is a witch,’ he replied, and began to cry.

  A flash of red and brown shone in the light as Toots flew out of Nina’s coat. He landed on the edge of the box, the young boy transfixed by his bright plumage.

  ‘What’s your name?’ Toots asked, taking care not to frighten the boy.

  ‘My name is Dillwyn Foster. I’m alone and my parents were taken from our home.’

  ‘Do you know who took them?’ Nina asked quietly.

  ‘No, I didn’t see anything. I just felt cold. My father grabbed me and helped me escape through the grandfather clock. This is where I ended up. All I heard was my mother saying, “The Red Witch is here.” That was the last time I saw my parents.’ The boy slumped to the ground with his head in his hands.

  ‘Don’t worry, Dillwyn. We will look after you,’ Nina promised. ‘We’ll help you try to find your family.’

  The boy stood up. ‘Wait!’ he called, picking something up off the ground.

  ‘What’s that?’ Toots asked.

  ‘It’s called the Box of Lies,’ Dillwyn answered. ‘If you write a question on a piece of paper, place it in the box and turn it upside down, you will know the true answer. Every family has a magic totem and this is ours. I can’t lose it.’

  ‘Come on then, let’s get you to my auntie’s house. My mother will know what to do.’ Nina opened her coat and Toots flew inside. She took Dillwyn’s hand and set off towards her auntie’s place.

  Suddenly, a strange man stopped in front of them. ‘Where are, you going?’ he asked. ‘Why aren’t your parents with you?’

  Toots’s muffled hoot came from within Nina’s coat. ‘Don’t trust him, he’s a stranger.’

  The man started, confused at the sound. Nina considered him. He had a scar on his face and his eyes were as dark as the night sky. He looked like a rough sort of man. Not willing to take any chances, Nina pushed past him, dragging Dillwyn along behind her. The man followed at a run. If not for the crowds blocking the streets, they never would have made it. Arriving at her auntie’s building, they dashed up the stairs and slammed the door shut. He stood outside examining the building. Another man with large dreadlocks had joined him. The children ran into the lift and Nina opened her coat to let Toots out.

  They arrived at her auntie’s floor. Grandma was standing in the doorway waiting for them.

  ‘This is a funny-looking biscuit, Nina,’ she smirked. ‘You all had better come inside, even you Dillwyn.’

  Nina and Toots exchanged confused looks.

  ‘Grandma, do you know him?’ Nina asked.

  ‘I know everything,’ she replied cheekily. She turned to Dillwyn. ‘Once, when you were a very small boy, I visited your family. It’s a beautiful place. I landed on the edge of a forest. Being summertime, the trees and plants were blooming in every shade you can imagine. They swayed gently in the summer breeze. I loved every minute of my time there. Your parents are good, kind magic folk.’

  Nina had grown frustrated with her grandma’s ramblings, and wandered into the living room. She did not hear her mention that

  Dillwyn was a wizard and that his parents were also magical, but did not practice anymore. She introduced Dillwyn and began explaining everything to her mother and Auntie Paulina. After listening intently, the two women went to make a pot of tea to calm everyone’s nerves, leaving Grandma to soothe the children. As they gathered around the dining table, Toots perched on the back of Nina’s chair. Grandma smiled at the pair, then suddenly jumped up and started to do a dance, kicking her legs in the air.

  ‘Witchy Witchy Woo, I know you. Witchy Witchy Woo, you don’t know who you are, but I do. Witchy Witchy Woo,’ she whispered, pointing a crooked finger at Nina.

  Dillwyn looked astonished. Nina grabbed his hand and threw him a reassuring smile. They heard the jingle of the teapot and Grandma paused, poised as if ready to run. The kitchen door creaked open and, quick as lightning, Grandma was back in her seat. Nina and Dillwyn giggled, not knowing how to react. Auntie Paulina poured the tea and Grandma slurped hers noisily. She noticed their confused faces.

  ‘What are you two looking at?’ she responded sharply, a drop of tea hanging off her pointy nose.

  ‘Right you two,’ said Nina’s mother. ‘Once you’ve had your tea it’s off to bed with you. ‘Dillwyn can sleep with you in Grandma’s room.’’

  Grandma looked at them with her mouth open. ‘Just leave the old woman on the couch,’ she said. ‘I’ll just freeze to death. I’m sure that’s

  what you want now that I’m old and no use.’

  ‘Oh, behave,’ Auntie Paulina chided, ‘‘it’s the middle of summer!’

  Grandma winked at Nina. ‘Oh, so now you want to leave me in a room in the blazing sunshine, is that it?’ she cackled.

  Ruby May turned to Dillwyn. ‘What can you tell us about what happened to your parents?’ she asked.

  He looked upset. ‘I don’t know anything. All I remember is my parents rushing in and telling me to escape through the secret door in the grandfather clock and to go through the mirror. Suddenly it got really cold, and I heard my mother say that it was the Red Witch. I saw two big green eyes and a black body that looked a cat, watching me through the window as I climbed in.
’

  ‘Hang on,’ Nina demanded, ‘how do you know what happened?

  You seem to know more than we do. A stranger chased us, and you already knew.’

  Ruby May smiled. ‘He is our friend. He’s what we call a watcher. You will find out the hard way about them eventually.’

  ‘Tell me more about this horrid Red Witch,’ said Grandma, looking at Dillwyn. ‘Which one was it? Was she the large, fat one, the tall one, or the clever one?’

  Nina looked at Dillwyn, wondering if there was something she hadn’t been told.

  ‘I don’t know,’ he replied sheepishly.

  ‘‘That’s enough now,’ Auntie Paulina snapped with a warning glance at Grandma.

  ‘Come on children, it’s time for bed,’ said Ruby May softly. She led them down the corridor to Grandma’s bedroom. Dillwyn shot a look behind him, but the old woman just smiled back.

  ‘She’s up to something,’ Dillwyn thought to himself.

  They entered the bedroom, which had already been set up with a spare bed for Dillwyn. It was bright and clean and not what he was expecting. At last the boy felt safe, as if he was with friends. Old black and white photographs hung on the wall and eyes seemed to follow him wherever he went.

  Ruby May sat on the bed and held Dillwyn’s hand. ‘Tell me about your home,’ she asked.

  ‘It’s a beautiful place, with green fields and lovely old woods. I spent a lot of time playing there, until the Red Witch arrived.’

  ‘Have you ever seen the Red Witch?’ asked Ruby May sharply.

  ‘No, that’s only what my parents shouted before they disappeared. But it must have been her. Who else would destroy our home?’

  ‘You shouldn’t believe everything you hear Dillwyn,’ she replied. ‘You should look closely at every situation before you pre-judge.’

  Nina found this strange advice. It was almost as if her mother was trying to tell them something else.

  Ruby May said her goodnights, kissing Nina’s forehead and giving her a hug, proud of the good she had done today. She rested a hand on Dillwyn’s shoulder, not wanting to invade his personal space.

  After her mother left the room, Nina helped Toots onto an old perch on the sideboard, kissing him goodnight. As she passed the wardrobe, she noticed that the door was ajar. She glanced around, and then quickly peeked inside. Through the open crack, she saw a pair of red boots. As her eyes adjusted she could also make out a long red cape. She looked up and saw a witch’s hat hanging in plain sight.