The Old Witch of the Forest
Part 4. Those Tender Cuts

Claudia then heard Jack moan and thrash about as the water became hot.  She noticed steam rising from the cauldron.  She fainted when she could take no more.  Eventually Jack fainted too, just before the water started to boil.  Then his skin went really, really red as he cooked.

When it was done it was Igor’s job to set the table and serve lunch.

“Now you give me the eyes and those tender cuts.  You can have the rest my faithful hound,” said the old woman impatiently sitting at the table.  So then Igor went to work with his chopper and knives until the boy was all cut up.

“Dere you go my mithress.”  Igor filled the old woman’s plate with the utmost care.

“MmmmMmmm.  Very scrumptious indeed.  There’s nothing like freshly cooked boy to make your old bones grow stronger.  Miiihehehehe.

“Id is very yummy,” said Igor munching on an arm.

“Now, now, Igor, where’s your manners.  You must swallow your food before speaking.”

“Sorry Mithress.” 

When the old woman had finished she left Igor to finish off the boy and turned her attention to Claudia.  A few little slaps revived her and she looked at the witch with dull, defeated eyes.

“Don’t look so glum my blond haired fairy, I’ve kept you for a special treat.”  And the witch got right up close to Claudia’s face and blew some foul smelling powder into her face.  For a moment she coughed and spluttered but then her eyes widened and she went into a really deep trance.  The old woman’s face became larger and blurred until all Claudia could see were the fat oily pores of witch’s skin.  She felt very light headed almost as if she was floating and somehow leaving her body behind.  The last thing she heard as she slipped into unconsciousness was the witch’s evil cackling. 

 

 

A happy little reunion

They had lost track of time.  Agnes had been really happy with Richard.  But now he was getting worried.  His children were still gone and it was not like them to be gone so long.

“I’m going looking for them Agnes.”

“What did I tell you about letting them run off like that.  I tell you, that little vixen Claudia will be the death of me.”  Agnes was furious, more at herself, but she could take out her frustration on her husband.

“Wait there, I see Claudia, she’s running this way.” 

In the distance she could see little Claudia was sprinting towards them, little legs pumping fast and long hair streaming behind her.

 “Claudia my dear, what is it?  Where’s Jack?” Agnes said with a panicky voice.

Running into her mother’s arms, she burst into tears and pointed behind her.  There was another figure coming their way but it wasn’t Jack.  This was a giant of a man with great loping strides and a big club.

“Agnes, where’s my knife.”  Richard was not a fighting man, but he was strong and always carried a knife to scare off bandits.  So he went forth and met this huge one-eyed man who attacked him without hesitation swinging his great club.  Richard didn’t stand a chance.  He ducked the first swing but the giant’s fist slammed into his face knocking him sprawling.  Then the club came down on his head again and again until there wasn’t much left.

Agnes shrieked and ran towards her husband.  For a moment the big brute just looked at her as she fell to her knees beside her fallen Richard, screaming out her anguish.  Then with a powerful swing of his club, he cracked her head right open.  Her cries had really annoyed him.  For a moment he just looked at Claudia dumbly and Claudia looked at him.  Then she did a little twirl and skipped along in the grass.  “I’m free and young and alive.  Yippee!!!  Come my faithful Igor, they’ve left some food.  It’s time for afternoon tea and I feel like a picnic.”

 

And so ends one of many legends concerning the old witch Helgar.