Short Story Collection Vol. 1

Short Story Collection Vol. 1

By

Sophia DeLuna

SMASHWORDS EDITION

*****

PUBLISHED BY:

Sophia DeLuna at Smashwords, Inc, Los Gatos

www.smashwords.com

Short Story Collection Vol. 1

Copyright © 2014 by Sophia DeLuna

Cover design

Copyright © 2014 by Sophia DeLuna

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

*****

Table of Contents:

Footprints in the Sand

An Unusual Gift

Fénya and Elynor

A Christmas to Remember

The Witch and the Fiddler

The Fool

Footprints in the Sand

It had been four weeks ago that Raya had first noticed them on her daily morning walk on the beach – a solitary person's footprints in the sand.

Back then, she had just wondered who else might be such an early riser as she was, but she hadn’t thought of it much further and went on, enjoying the crisp salty air and the play of colors on the shimmering sea.

From then on she had seen the footprints every morning, but she never saw the person to whom they belonged. After about three weeks, she became curious and decided to get up an hour earlier.

It was still fairly dark when she left for the beach, and when she got there the sun had just started to rise, and ... the footprints were already there.

She sighed. There was no sense in getting up yet earlier, as she really didn’t want to meet a stranger in the dark. Instead, she decided to follow the footprints to see where they would lead her. So, rather than leaving the beach on her usual path, she followed the footprints to the far end of the beach, where the huge forest began. When she couldn’t make out the footprints anymore, she once more gave up disappointed, and turned back. She wasn’t familiar with the forest, yet, as she had just moved here two months ago. On her way home, she decided to get herself a map of the forest, and plan an exploration for the next day.

Prepared with a backpack filled with things she might need, including her cellphone, a map and food, she spent the day in the forest, savoring its beauty, and despite not having found the owner of the footprints, at the end of the day she was happy and fulfilled.

When on the following morning she saw the footprints again, she decided to simply ignore them.

For a full week she tried to ignore them. For a full week she couldn’t help but notice them every single day nonetheless. The previous night they had even followed her into her dreams.

She awoke early, still troubled from her dreams. Unnerved, she threw on her clothes and started for the beach. On the way she made a decision. Would the elusive person not show up today, she would in future take a different route to walk. There was another beach not too far away; she would go there, and stop thinking of this beach and the strange footprints.

When she reached the beach at the break of dawn, however, she could just barely make out that the footprints were already there. Yet, looking over the beach, no one was to be seen. For a moment she thought about going back to fetch her backpack, but she was too unsettled and too impatient. Now she wanted to know, and she was determined to find out this time, so she stomped through the sand towards the forest.

When she reached the end of the beach, she hesitated, cursing herself that she hadn’t even taken her cellphone with her. Taking a deep breath, she entered the forest. Careful not to stumble, she followed the overgrown path deep into the woods.

Some time later she halted. She was getting hungry, and she didn’t even know where she was. There was no path visible anymore. She had just walked on and on, lost in her thoughts, trying to understand why these darn footprints were unsettling her so much. She should try to find her way back home, she thought. But then she squinted into the distance. Was that light? Perhaps she had reached the end of the forest, though that was unlikely, unless she had walked in a circle, since this forest was rather extensive. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she started towards the light.

Shoving a branch aside, she saw it; a large clearing with an old and weathered little hut.

Raya stood there unmoving for a while, not sure what she should do, now that she had found the home of the footprints' owner, as she was certain. For some strange reason, she felt drawn to the hut. She had to see to whom the footprints belonged. She just wanted to step into the clearing, when ...

So, you have found me, after all.

Raya jumped and swirled around to face the person who had spoken. Slack-jawed, she stared at the strikingly beautiful woman in front of her, who seemed to be surrounded by a slightly shimmering aura that made her look like an angel, though her ancient clothes and dirty, bare feet didn’t quite fit with this image. Uh ..., Raya uttered, at a loss for words.

The woman smirked in amusement. Then her face turned serious and she said, Leave now and never come back or step into this clearing and stay for the rest of your life.

The deep voice of the mysterious woman sent shivers down Raya's spine, yet she felt drawn to her like a moth to a flame. She didn’t want to leave, she desperately wanted to get to know this woman, but of course she could not and would not imagine staying forever with someone she didn’t know. She wanted to ask, wanted to tell her, wanted ... but the only words she got out were, Uh ... but ...

The woman interrupted Raya, the penetrating gaze of her shining blue eyes boring into her, making her tremble,

You have heard me.

Her eyes fixed on the beautiful, ageless face of the woman, Raya uttered, I can't.

The woman closed her eyes and nodded. Then leave now.

I, ... I mean I can't leave.

The woman raised her eyebrows, obviously surprised. Yes, you can. Now. And do not come back. And not waiting for a response, the woman stepped past Raya into the clearing, and strode towards the hut.

Raya turned around and watched the woman entering the hut and closing the door behind her without looking back again. Raya’s mind was racing. A mixture of emotions was struggling within her. She just couldn’t understand why this woman insisted on her only having these two choices. But whatever her reasons were, Raya was determined to get to know this woman. She was just as determined to make her see that they could become friends without her having to stay right away. And after all, that hut didn’t exactly look inviting ... maybe they could meet at her place every once in a while ... she had just acquired a gorgeous house with a beautiful garden, not too far from the beach. Yes, she would invite the woman to her place.

Having made up her mind, Raya stepped into the clearing and walked towards the hut.

When she reached it, the door opened.

So, you will stay. It was not a question. The woman stepped aside and gestured Raya to come in.

Not accepting the invitation, Raya explained, Actually, I need to go back. Look, I haven't even had breakfast yet. Hell, I haven't even showered yet. I just came to invite you to come over to my place. She smiled eagerly at the woman, who now didn’t look so mysterious anymore, though her beauty still took Raya's breath away.

The woman raised an eyebrow, and with an inscrutable look on her face she said, I did warn you. I told you, you will have to stay if you step into the clearing.

Yes, but see, you can't expect me to stay with you forever when I don't even know you. Let's take it easy and get to know each other first. My name is Raya, and you don't need to worry. I won't tell anyone about you.

I do not worry. I know you will not tell anyone, said the woman sternly.

Raya shivered at the hard tone, but she forced herself to smile. Great. Well, I will go now. How about we meet on the beach tomorrow morning?

The woman raised an eyebrow and stated calmly, You will be back long before that.

Despite still feeling strangely drawn towards her, the attitude of this woman was immensely annoying to Raya. No, I won't. It's your turn now. If you want, you can find me at the beach in the morning. Otherwise, you won't see me again. Have a nice day. She did not wait for a response, turned around and walked back to the spot where she had entered the clearing. She didn’t look back, so she didn’t see the woman shaking her head, a strangely sad look on her face.

The sun had fully risen, and the forest wasn’t as dark as it had been before, so Raya didn’t have to be as careful when she stomped through the undergrowth, replaying in her mind all that had happened. She wondered why she was feeling so drawn to such an arrogant bitch, and shook her