by Power, Max
Debbie’s disappearance was the beginning of something much worse. Wormhold was becoming anxious. Things were changing and he was becoming restless. There were changes coming, changes that brought him into the village once more, a place he stayed clear of for the most part. The changes were outside of his control and he didn’t like them. Wormhold was patient, but the senses that led him to take Debbie Delicate, were about to truly change things forever.
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX - HE’S COMING
Daisy May Coppertop led her daughter Rose with few words exchanged between them. Rose watched her from a few paces back and could see a determined sense of knowing in her mother. She didn’t hesitate. This looked as though it was familiar ground and that her mother knew exactly where to look for Holly.
In a way that was true but not entirely the whole truth. Daisy had of course been to Darkly Wood before. Her terrifying ordeal, the confused dream of the past, became more real and relevant with every step she took. Everything felt right and she knew now at last that she hadn’t been wrong or crazy all through the years. Being back in Darkly Wood, the feeling of fear returned, but so too did her determination. In truth she had no recollection of which trail she had taken. Trail would be an exaggeration anyway, for the paths were not well worn and Darkly Wood forced you first one way and then another. They were constantly blocked by impenetrable scrub or sudden small but steep rocky outcrops. In Darkly Wood you didn’t follow a trail, you were led.
But while nothing was recognisable, everything was familiar. Daisy knew how it felt to be drawn into the wood. She knew Holly would be led to the heart of the wood and she knew that all they had to do to find her was to let the wood draw them there too. Her determination and renewed vigour drove Daisy May on like a woman possessed. Eventually the terrain and the pace of her mother got to Rose and she called for a rest.
“Mum wait, I have to take a breath.”
Daisy realised that she was relentless and was pushing too hard and too fast, but she feared for Holly. Nonetheless, Rose looked flushed so Daisy stopped and they both sat on a fallen tree to rest. Rose looked skyward.
“You can’t see through the trees to the sky.”
Daisy May didn’t need to look up. She knew all too well what the canopy looked like above. Rose looked at her watch and shook her wrist.
“My watch has stopped? What time is it?”
Daisy looked at her hands. To her they looked like old hands now. The last time she was in this place her whole life was ahead of her and her hands had been pale and soft.
“Never mind the time Rose. The light in this place plays tricks on you. We just need to keep going until we get there.”
Rose was surprised by the statement. It sounded like her mother knew exactly where they were going.
“You know where she is?”
“Yes.” The answer was simple and direct and Daisy dropped her tone as she spoke.
“I told you what happened to me. The same thing is happening now I’m sure. Holly will be led to the centre of the…”
She stopped mid-sentence. A soft breeze lifted the leaves at her feet and a sound she knew all too well drifted through the wood.
“Daissssy Mayeeeeh,” it whispered and she stood up quite suddenly looking left and right, then up. Rose was startled and followed her lead, looking where her mother looked, wondering what it was that she might have seen.
“Daisssy Mayeeeeh.” The voice again softly called but Rose couldn’t hear it. Daisy pointed to the tops of the trees. Something had moved.
“There!”
Rose looked where her mother pointed but saw nothing.
“Can you see it…moving in the trees…look!”
Rose looked but saw nothing. But then there was a shift in the tree line near where her mother was pointing. Something was there alright, but it was too far away and the light was too dim to see what it was.
“Don’t take your eyes off it. Don’t move.”
Rose picked out the place where she saw the last movement and watched it as Daisy slipped behind her. It moved again. There was definitely something moving in the thick leafy tree tops.
“There!” She pointed almost excitedly and expected her mother to say something. Instead Daisy May came running past her before stopping quite suddenly. She had taken a running start and flung a heavy stone high into the trees, right at the spot where Rose had seen movement. It was a perfect aim and Rose was shocked to see her old mum react this way and throw so accurately. But the moment became more dramatic than that.
“Wuuuuuuuuurrrrrcha!”
She hit something and it screamed a bizarre oomph of a screech and then whatever it was, fell through the tree tops, bouncing off branches as it fell before landing with an audible thump on the forest floor about fifty yards away.
Rose looked at her mother who handed her a thick stick. She was holding one of her own. Daisy grabbed her daughter’s arm and backed her away from the fallen creature, only stopping when their backs were against a tree.
Rose had never been so frightened in her whole life. The sense of terror that began to overpower her, made her forget about her daughter for a moment. All she could think of was the sound whatever that thing was had made when her mother hit it with the stone. She watched the spot where it had fallen and it shifted. Rose was truly terrified and what her mother said next only made it worse.
“Get ready,” she said, “he’s coming.”
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN - LADYBIRD
There is nothing as painful as unrequited love. Having once felt the pain no one wants to repeat the experience. For many the solution is to take extra precautions, to be careful in their relationships. They guard that precious part of them that has been hurt and keep the pain at bay. But unrequited love is only one type of pain that comes from loving another where it is not returned. There is an even more dangerous type of absent love.
To never have your love returned is one thing, but to fall deeply, madly, insanely in love with someone that you know will be your soul mate, only then for them to first return but later withdraw their love, can be devastating.
So it was for Wormhold. He was a vile creature in many ways, but no one exists without some desire to feel something tender in their life. How he became the creature he had evolved into, was a secret that one very special and beautiful young girl would never learn. She met him when he was beyond redemption from his pain. When she met him for the first time, her heart stepped up its tempo, but just a little.
He was such a handsome man and full of worldly experience. For her part she was just a slip of a girl, barely a woman and ready to be impressed. Cranby was such a small place and when she went to the annual summer festival at Darkly Manor, there was an unfulfilled desire in her heart. Boys were no fun, certainly not the local boys. They were boys in every way and she preferred the company of men.
There was no man in the village that didn’t at the very least sneak a peek at her stunning form when their wives or girlfriends weren’t looking. She was a little intoxicating and still wore the dresses of a girl when in truth there was something almost shameful in her wearing of them. She was a woman indeed and to add to her beauty, she wandered about town barefoot always. It was truly shocking for most, but her father had influence and let her do as she pleased. Everyone called him Smidger; a man of means who was fond of a snifter of whiskey with fists the size of shovels.
He had been a sea faring man of war in his younger days and rumour had it he ruled his crew with a ruthlessness that made them so fearful of him, that they welcomed the relief of battle. Only in the heat of it, did Smidger smile and become one of the men. He made shrewd investments, largely thanks to the friendship he struck up with Lord Darkly who enjoyed his company immensely. They were opposites it almost every way, but there is that saying about opposites isn’t there?
The combination of his relationship with the Lord, his wealth and shear physicality, gave his wayward daughter licence to do as she pleased. No one would dare sp
eak out despite their disgust or delight at her loose morals when it came to dress sense. But in truth, she was also a delight to be around. Much like her father, she had developed playfulness with words and could hold court just as he did, with great ease even among strangers. Father and daughter shared a special gift when it came to conversation. Smidger’s wife was quite the opposite. Emilia was quite a waif like her daughter, but she was not a well woman. Always sickly in some way or fashion, she complained constantly about one condition or other. That both her husband and only child spent little time with her was unsurprising. Emilia was a difficult, selfish woman who rarely ventured outside her bedroom, let alone the house.
Smidger had been an adventurer and like her epic father, his daughter was filled with that desire to see the world. However, unlike her father, that was so much less likely. Girls back then did not get to see the world. They stayed at home to take care of the household and they waited for their husbands.
A husband was the furthest thing from her mind. Her father called her Ladybird. She was like a ladybird he used to say. She could sit quite still, allowing you to become intoxicated by her beauty and just as you thought she would stay with you like some glorious, beautiful personal prize, she would fly away before you could stop her.
Ladybird was indeed feckless and frivolous all at the same time. She cared little for what anyone dared think of her. The comfort blanket of her wealthy and powerful father was something she relied heavily upon and almost took for granted. She could do as she pleased and liked to let everyone know it. She refused to wear shoes, a thing that had developed from her childhood but became something of defiance, a turned up nose to society. Everything was so controlled for women of her time and she refused to be controlled. In the small worlds of Cranby and with her influential father always close by, she could do as she pleased so she did.
Her first encounter with Wormhold was one of glances exchanged across a room. No words were spoken and she was surprised that her flirtatious glances did not draw him to her. He appeared to be somewhat immune to her charms, something no man seemed to be capable of and it made him all the more interesting. The second time they met was in Cranby Manor and she was determined to get to know him. In her head she had played out several scenarios whereby she might entice him to speak to her, so she could be in control, aloof, in charge.
He had been invited along with a good forty others and the house was a veritable buzz of conversation. Ladybird surveyed the faces all around, watching every newcomer to be announced but there was no sign of the handsome stranger. Just before dinner, she strolled out onto the patio for some air. It was quieter outside and the touch of a warm summer breeze on her cheek was just perfect. When a tall figure emerged from the shadows, she was startled and little ladybird quite literally jumped.
“I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to surprise you. I thought I had the night to myself out here. Forgive me if I frightened you.”
His voice was deep and as he spoke he stepped further into the light. Wormhold was an impressive man. His physicality more than matched her father’s and he had the added bonus of being in possession of the most handsome of faces. She had no intention of allowing her fluttering heart to get the better of her, nor give her away. From the folds of her skirt, Ladybird produced a fan, flicked it open and softly fanned her face, tuning her back on Wormhold as she did so.
“No need to admonish yourself.” She was sharp, trying her best to seem unbothered by his sudden appearance. “It seems we both had the same idea.”
When he didn’t reply, she waited for a few moments but the silence got to her. Ladybird spun around to discover that Wormhold had walked off into the garden without even acknowledging her flirtation. It was infuriating and a new experience for the girl that everyone adored. For a moment she considered storming off and she was already planning how she would return the snub at the earliest opportunity. But there was something about this strange man. His lack of interest in her only made him more desierable and then she spotted his cane. It had to be his, leaning against the doorway it was her opportunity to discover more about this enthralling man. Quickly she scurried over picked it up and without hesitation ran into the garden after him, before deciding to calm her demeanour and she slowed back down to a walking pace. Ladybird called after Wormhold.
“Mr. Wormhold… you seem to have forgotten something.” In calling his name before they had been formally introduced, she gave away her enquiry into the man. She instantly regretted it, but it was too late to take back. Perhaps he didn’t notice she considered, but of course he had.
He stopped turned and watched her tiny frame glide across the grass toward him. She was a delightful creature and he was truly fascinated by her, but he did not show his emotions on his rather stern face. She reminded him of another time and another woman. Wormhold was no ordinary man. She stopped before him and held out his cane which Wormhold took and then he did something quite extraordinary.
Wormhold watched her face sparkle with excitement. He knew she was under his own very special spell. He took one small step forward so they were just inches apart, closing down her personal space and towering above her. In a smooth, confident movement, he slid his free left arm around her tiny waist and pulled her to him until their bodies pressed tight against each other. He tossed away his cane, grasped the brim of his hat and threw that to the ground also. She was held firm in his grip. Startled and excited, she felt his strength and Smidger’s daughter was for once without words. Wormhold leaned down and kissed her.
It was a powerful kiss. She had been kissed before, but never like this. The men who had tried in the past, were graced with a reluctant lip touch or a turned cheek. Wormhold did not ask for a kiss. He did not seek permission, no he demanded a kiss. He took what was his and she surrendered herself to his powerful desire. When he finally released her from that passionate embrace, she was no longer the same. There was something familiar in that kiss, something inevitable and she somehow understood that while it should have been completely inappropriate; in that moment it felt right. She belonged to him. He possessed her completely and she couldn’t understand how such a passion existed from one moment to the next, but it did.
Wormhold stepped back, bent down and collected his hat and cane and without another word, strode away with purpose. She didn’t see him or hear from again for almost a month. It didn’t matter. She knew that she belonged to him. Each day little barefoot Ladybird pined silently and secretly for his return. Every night she felt a passion grow inside her, a desperate need to be with him in the way that she had never been with a man. Everything about how she felt was wrong but it didn’t matter. Wormhold would return that much she knew and when he did, she would be ready for him.
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT - HOLLY MAY
Holly felt her legs turn to jelly. Nothing could have prepared her for what stood before her. At first the fright of the creature dropping down from the trees above, was she thought the height of where her fear could go. Her initial impression was of a scrawny boy that had somehow just swung down from the trees above for as she looked at him, he was indeed thin, dressed in old tattered brown trousers and a ragged jacket and all she could see was the top of his bowed head.
But once he had regained his balance, the boy raised his face to her and Holly literally clasped her hand to her mouth. She had no idea what this thing was that stood crouched before her. Though he looked at her, he seemed somewhat disinterested, more distracted. The boy creature looked down at his feet to survey the squirrel he had landed on. It was a bloody mess. The impact of Woody’s weight crushed it completely. For Woody there was nothing to consider. His feet were covered in blood and squirrel innards, but that had no effect on him. There was quite literally nothing of interest, no more than the barest of curiosity for the boy beast. Holly on the other hand was shocked and when she saw Woody’s bloodied feet, she was filled with an urge to run.
Like her grandmother many years before, Holly had a choice to make. S
hould she trust her first instinct or was that the thing that got you killed? She hesitated just long enough for Woody to re-focus and he looked straight at her again.
He sniffed the air, his purple lips ever so slightly parted, not enough to reveal the savage teeth behind them, but just enough for Holly to see the tip of his tongue barely poke between them as though tasting the air. Still crouched a little, he began to move towards her. His gait was very peculiar. There was a tiny skip to it but it was more than that. Was he limping? Regardless of his possible disability, Holly knew that the time to run was gone. She looked around but there was no solace in her surroundings. She had nowhere to go.
The air-sniffing beastly boy had moved to within ten feet of her now and then he stopped quite suddenly. There was a puzzled look on his face. Woody tilted his head to the left and then to the right. Holly thought he looked like an ugly puzzled dog in that moment. He sniffed the air again, but this time with more gusto. She heard him inhale sharply through his nostrils and then he did something unexpected. He scratched his head. He was puzzled.
Holly had no idea what was going on but she wasn’t going to wait for something to happen. She knew that this had to be the creature that took Charlie. It was important to remain calm and to find some way to defend herself against the creature. But it seemed hopeless. Woody took another step forward and very slowly extended his hand towards her. Holly had no idea what he was up to and she stood perfectly still, waiting for inspiration to save her.