A Tale of Woods

Leela was running endlessly , her stomach was squeezing out of fear .She had to reach her home as soon as possible. There was a rumour that on full moon night a man turns into a beast and ventures into the forest. He kills anything that comes in his way. Leela went to sell the apples of her orchards to the town nearby. It was her daily job, to earn her livelihood and to feed her little brother and sister.

After the death of her parents she was the only one to look after them . But today was full moon and because of heavy rain she couldn't get any commute to her village. So she decided to walk back home but something started following her as she entered the woods. All her fears have started raising theirs heads, “what if this is the same beast? what if I couldn't reach home on time? What happens to my brother and sister if I die? Who will feed them? No, I can't die here, Run faster, Run faster Leela". She was running with all her strength and suddenly she bumped into a Man. Frightened and terrified she looked at him, but couldn't utter a word.

He asked her “What happened ,why are you running and where is your umbrella ? It's raining hard you should be home, today is full moon."

Leela started crying “I got late from work, I have to reach home fast , my little brother and sister are alone and waiting for me, can you help me ? I felt someone is following me" she said.

“Oh Sure , my house is nearby, we can go there, you can sit by fire place for a while and then I can drop you home in my car" he said. 

Leela was skeptical about the whole Idea, how can she trust a stranger? But there was no better way because it would take about one hour to reach home, and what if beast attacked her on the way home? 

She reluctantly said okay, but deep inside she was still scared. They both started walking to the direction of his home when he broke the silence and asked “ By the way Miss, what is your name??"

“Leela" she replied. 

“Do you have any idea of how beast looks like?" he asked again.

Now her heart started thumping again.

“No" she said.

The man started laughing. Leela was puzzled. 

“Why are you laughing? Do you know how he looks like? Have you ever seen him?"

“Oh yeah, I have seen it once, in the woods, " he said

“What ? Were you not scared ?? she said.

“No”he said with a smirk. 

They reached a big house , a house that she never knew has existed . 

“This is a big house , how come I never knew about this" , she thought.

As they entered the house there was a small fireplace where he directed her to sit. She hesitated at first but he said “you can sit on sofa with wet clothes, no issues". The warmth of the fireplace was relieving for her. He offered her a warm drink to have before they set to her home. At first she refused but then took the glass and drank in one go.

“I think we should start now, I don't want to get late" she got up and as she took her first step she started to feel dizzy. He took her in his arms and made her lay on the sofa. 

When Leela opened her eyes she saw a lady beside her .

“How are you Now?" the lady asked.

“How am I still here, I have to get home, what happened to me"?

“You fainted due to weakness, but you are all right , I am your Doctor." the lady said.

Leela was puzzled at first but then the very thought of her siblings struck her.

“I have to go home, they are alone, oh what if the beast...oh.. no no no" Leela became anxious.

“Where is that man who was with me? Who is he? He never told me his name"

“It's because you never asked, I am Niel Goldberg" said the voice from behind her.

“Leela " called the kids in Chorus

“Andrew and Lucy ? How come you are here? Oh I was so worried for both of you..come here" she hugged both the kids tightly.

“Did you bring the kids here Mr. Niel?How did you know my house? I never told you where I lived" Leela asked.

“You are at your house Leela" Said Neil.

“My house? Ah! are you kidding Mr. Neil? I live in a small house in my village across the woods with my 7 yr old brother Andrew and 6 year old sister Lucy. And if such big house is mine then why would I go to the town to sell apples for my livelihood?

“This is your house Leela, I am your husband, and these are your kids , and you went to the town to give apples of our orchards to your old aunt, oh! you forgot everything again? She is your Doctor who is treating you Leela."

“Don't worry Mr. Neil , I think she is skipping her medicines again, You have to have a close watch on her" doctor said.

“Watch on me? What for? What has happened to me? I am perfectly all right, come Andrew, Lucy we have to leave for home."

She tries to hold their hands but couldn't get the grip, she tries to do that again but fails.

• “You can't leave from here Leela, it's going to be midnight soon and you have to take your medicine ... please get into your room...we can't risk anyone seeing you turning into a beast... come ... Let's go"

Neil took her by hand and as she walked into her room she couldn't feel herself anymore.

“Thankyou Doctor..I think the medicine is working.. but let's not take chance, Let me drop you home before the beast sets out to hunt."