The Black Cabin part 1

Once upon a time there was a cabin that housed a Young Woman, her Mother and her Little Brother. They lived just outside the local village, between the stretch of land that separated the woods from the mountains. The village boasted a bakery, clothing shops, an inn and of course a legend or two.

The most popular legend here was of a monster that resided in the woods just outside the town's boundaries. The monster was a tall, dark figure that hid among the trees looking for lost or forgotten villagers who would dare venture inside the forest at dark. You knew it was close when you heard a low hum, almost mechanical in sound, and had the sick feeling that you we're being watched. To the villagers, this was an old wives tale to keep bad children out of trouble.

But to one family, it was a terrifying secret that only those living close to the woods would understand. Every day the Young Woman, her Mother, and Little Brother, would spend their time doing the chores, and enjoying each others company. But every night they spendt in silence. In the evenings they would hear a low hum just outside their cabin. As the sick feeling of being watched creeped in, the Mother would lock up the door and say a prayer, and the three would remain quiet until the sun came up the next morning. As long as the monster was not let inside, or the three did not venture outside at night, it could not hurt them. They knew this because that is how they lost their Father. This secret had kept them safe for years.

One day the Young Woman was feeling particulary restless and upset about their position. Why did they have to live in fear every night? Surely there must be other places that do not have such problems that they could live in. The Young Woman had decided to journey into the world and find a place where their family could live in peace. That night, at dinner, the she told her Mother of her feelings and thoughts. The Mother became furious.

“Don't you know what lies beyond the our boundaries?”, she yelled. “If you leave it will hunt and kill you. Just as it did your Father.”

“We cannot live like this anymore Mother.” , the Young Woman began. “I can find somewhere free of this monster and my Father's death. If I leave in the morning I will be well outside of the forest boundaries by the days end. I can find a better place for us to all live in. A place where we don't have to spend every night in silence and fear.”

The Mother started to protest again when they all heard that low, almost mechanical hum. The three instantly silenced as the Mother rushed to the door and locked it. The Young Woman and her Little Brother shaded the windows just before that dreaded feeling of being watched came over them. The Mother looked at the Young Woman and saw a the determination in her eyes. The Mother looked at the Brother, and saw his desperate and pleading face.

They all huddled together in bed that night. Listening to the scratching on the roof and watching the shadow pass by the window. As much as it terrified her, the Mother knew that her daughter was right.

The next morning the Mother packed her a bag with a loaf of bread, a hunk of cheese wraped in a towel, and three silver coins. She told the Young Woman to go into town immediately and take the carriage out to the next village.

“There you should find a local bar. Find a man named Smithy. Tell him who your father was and he will help you get started.”

The Young Woman said goodbye to her Mother and Brother. She promised that the next time they saw her she would be coming to take them to their new home.