Chapter 51 Chapter 51

Chapter 51 Chapter 51
Kyla's POV

After my bath, Pamela gave me a fresh pair of skirt and top. It was a flower print flair knee length skirt with a matching crop top that exposed my navel and lower back.

She had applied ointment on my wounds lovingly, and plastered my wounds.

But when she had gone to bring food for me, I slipped out of the room, through the backyard and into the woods.

Kendrick would not allow me to go, I had to find a way for myself, hopefully I'll not come across those terrible places Kendrick had mentioned.

As I pulled myself through the woods, I looked around for a tree, if I could find something to eat.

My stomach growled in hunger and I pushed it in as I kept walking. I had no strength to run.

Then something struck my sense of smell. The calling scent of warm bread.

I turned around sniffing. “How?” I thought out loud. “I'd my mind playing tricks on me now?”

Trailing the scent, I walked into the heart of the woods– maybe it was, because I had walked a long way.

There was a cottage in front of me, with a short fence made with bamboo and twigs around it.

It was oddly quiet, the wind moved the wooden gate attached to the fence and it creaked and I hugged myself as goosebumps ran up my arms and neck.

It would be better to turn back, but I could see the smoke coming out the small window at the side of the cottage.

The sensation of freshly baked bread hit me again and I gulped, pushed the gate open and stepped in.

The door was closed, but when I tried to knock, it opened.

“Hello? Anyone home?” I asked, peeking inside.

“Who cares to visit?” An old woman opened the door, she was thin and had wrinkled pale skin. All her hair, eye lashes and brows had gone white.

One of her eyes had gone grey, and the other dull green. It seemed she was blind in one eye, and when she smiled, her remaining teeth at the side of her mouth were brown.

“How may I help you child?” She asked softly. Her smile was pretty, I'm sure she was pretty in her youth.

I jumped back, shocked to see her. “Go– good morning, ma. I'll just take my leave.”

My stomach growled again and it felt as though something was biting me in my insides.

I held my stomach and groaned in pain as I turned to leave. I didn't feel comfortable around her.

Plus the crazy folklore we were told as kids, under the moonlight had pointed to an old woman who lived in the woods as a witch.

She would capture innocent wanderers, steal their souls, drink their blood and eat their flesh.

That was the thought that came into my mind the moment I saw her– I better get going.

“I made porridge, roast beef and baked bread.”

I paused halfway, swallowed out of need and the next minute, I went back in with her.

It was better to die, satisfied, than to starve to death in these woods.

“Sit.” she pointed at the dining table with five chairs around it.

The house was incredibly cleaner than I expected, well decorated with beautiful picture frames hung on the wall.

It seemed to be bigger than I thought, on the outside, had a room and a sitting room with the dining table by the side.

I sat on the chair, looking at her quickly, she went into what looked like a kitchen and she brought out the dishes.

After she placed it in front of me, I waited till she started eating and then I consumed my ravenously.

“Do you want more?” She asked, sliding her plate over to me. I smiled at her and ate it too.

When I was full, I leaned back on the chair and heaved a deep sigh.

“Are you satisfied?” She asked.

I smiled and nodded. “Thanks, grandma.”

She frowned and got up slowly, I raised a brow as she walked over to the window and she looked out.

Did I say something wrong now? I thought as I stared at her.

“Come see this,” she said and I got up and went to her side.

The sun reflected beautifully in her little rose garden at the back.

Many years ago, my granddaughter planted a rose over there.

I smiled. “Wow. It's now a whole garden.”

She nodded. “After she left, I kept looking after it, because that was the only memory I had left of her.”

I sighed and shook my head. “She left?”

The old lady nodded her head. “She left and never came back. My eyesight isn't that good to go after her, so I'm just waiting and hoping that one day, she'll remember what she left behind.”

“I’m sorry about that.”

She nodded her head and shrugged. “It's fine, she'll be back.” She had a bright smile on her face and my chest tightened.

I hoped she was really going to come back, so that grandma might get to see her, someday for real.

Grandma turned toward the picture on the wall. “There she is,” she pointed at the picture and I turned to it.

My jaw dropped when I saw who it was. I knew her.

“That is Joey, my granddaughter.”

“Daciana?” I muttered as I stared at the younger version of her. Her hair was tied in pigtails as she grinned in the picture.

“Yes, that's what she's called. You know my granddaughter?” The old lady asked me as she grabbed my arm. “Take me to her, at once.”

I swallowed hard, looking from her to the picture and then outside where Kendrick must be looking for me by now.

Daciana hated me, obviously. How do I tell her grandma that she isn't this sweet little girl anymore?

She was mean and rude– and what if I took the old lady to Daciana, and she didn't want to see her?

Kendrick would get to me, because I returned and Daciana would hate me more.

My life would be in a worse mess.