"Hello mother," the little boy cooed, his finger wrapped around his mom's delicate hand.
"Hello my son," she whispered back, caressing his soft, dimpled cheeks.
Wind began to rattle the windows, an unfortunate aspect of living in a cabin.
"Mother, why does the wind howl as it does? Why not make a soft, gentle melody?"
Warmed by his innocence, she joined him on the couch, both now looking out into the fog-covered forest. He looked up to her, a feeling of security enveloping his soul as she wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D9W7JxIwp
"Well, my son, when the wind begins to howl, and the wolves join in its woeful cry, it's a sign of change, a change that must occur."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZhwOVr0JM
Perplexed, the boy asked, "What change?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlj74U7K2P
Putting a leaf in his hand, she said, "A change of seasons. Just like all living things, the season too will change."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAjsAlJqP0
"I hate change," the boy cried out, his small fingers clenched into a fist.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbseXCOcO4I
"But change is beautiful my son. The moon, the seasons, the tide, everything must change someday."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBLWXXjiCj
"What about you mother, will you change?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T3r8VhU3C
The mother began to giggle, her lips pursing into a grin. "Yes my son, even I will change, when the time is right."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrOAXx1cQ4
Reaching out to hug her, he gripped her waist and screamed, "But I don't want you to change! I want you to stay my mother forever!"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWCEnhBrG5
Now kneeling, she peered into his sinless eyes and said, "Then worry not my child, for I will always be your mother."
With the moon now rising, she hurried him to bed, standing vigilant while the stars danced about the sky.
"I will just...rest my eyes," she mumbled, sleep taking hold of her until her hands hung down, limp from exhaustion.
Thud!
She snapped awake, jumping to her feet as the stillness of the night was shattered.
Whispering voices surrounded the cabin, shadows passing by the windows as townsfolk encircled her home.
"Get out here witch!" One of the villagers cried out from the other side of the door. "We know your in there!"
Awoken from his slumber, the boy ran to his mother and hugged her tight, hiding behind her as the crowd grew larger.
Now lighting a torch, the alderman warned, "You can come out of the cabin by choice, or by force."
"What will we do mother?" The little boy asked in a panic.
"Worry not my son. For just as the seasons change to accomplish their will, so too can I. Now go back into your room. Close the door and cover your eyes and ears. No matter what, you are not to uncover them...do you understand?"
The boy nodded and ran into his room, shutting the door and dulling his senses.
As soon as he was gone, the mother's body began to contort, her bones cracking and skin wrinkling. Where once there were tender, loving hands came wretched, bony fingers. Where once gentle blue eyes shimmered in the light came black, soulless holes, a gaping void from which no light escaped. Where once a comley, feminine body, one that drove men wild with passion stood, a gaunt, skeletal frame took its place, worms and maggots crawling about. Flowing hair was made frayed and moldy, her sweet, motherly scent driven out by the foul odor of death.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjcTJUn2zN
Smashing open the door, the hag let out a screech. So deafening was her cry that every town for miles around was awoken, made to tremble at her call.
"Kill it!" They shouted, but to no avail.
Their swords blunted against her rotten flesh, their arrows broken.
Slice, rip, crunch, crack, she rent bone and flesh in equal measure, her slaughter not halted until the last of the townsfolk lay dead at her feet.
Opening her child's bedroom door, she reached out her hand, placing it on his shoulder. Transformed back into her motherly form, he embraced her, tucking his face into her blood-covered bosom.
"I'm so glad that you can change," the boy announced, smears of red dying his white clothes crimson.
"Me too my son...me too."
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