Into Winter

Gwen gets picked up by her Grandmother to go to her Dads for the Holidays.

It's cold.

I wrap my gloved hands snugly around myself and rub my arms.  It doesn't help.  My hair is damp from the chill in the air and the ends are quickly freezing, fringing out of my hood like tiny spears. Not a good sign. I've been waiting at the bus de-po for ten minutes now, suitcase at my feet and headphones pulsing around my ears.  If Goodwitch doesn't show up soon, I'm sure to turn to ice. 

It's so cold.

My breath escapes through my chattering teeth in vaporous huffs.  I focus on the run down Greyhound sign, half concealed by the undergrowth of the surrounding forest, watching for her car.  It's green here.  Green and glossy.  The pine needles resemble glass; the tree bark is grey like stone.  I've never liked the forest near my Dad's cottage.  To this day the barren tree's tower into the air like spikes, their branches jutting out, thin as toothpicks.  They creak ghoulishly whenever the wind sweeps through. Worse is the constant film of fog that creeps along the forest floor.  It's not a place one would want to get lost in. 

I hear something.  Eyes fixed on the sign, they dart over to the navy blue truck barrelling down the dirt road.  I hang my headphones around my neck, pick up my suitcase and start walking towards it.  Goodwitch's wispy head peeks out above the high steering wheel, her beady eyes alight.  She pulls into the bus de po and throws the truck into park.  I chuck my suitcase into the back and open the truck door.  Warm air rushes past my face, melting my frozen hair, inviting me in.  

"Gwendolyn ! How are you girly?" Goodwitch calls, her toothy smile bearing down on me.  I cringe at the sound of my old name.  When I turned ten I decided to shorten my name to Gwen, since Gwendolyn sounded like something one called an old maid, and even though the transition was easy for my family, Goodwitch never got the memo.  

She leans over awkwardly, her bony arms outstretched in what I think is her attempt at a hug.  I pull myself in, shutting the door behind me, and fold my arms around her frail frame. 

"Oh, Gwendolyn you're freezing," Goodwitch says, pushing me away.

Well yeah, I think eyeing the woods, Have you seen outside?

I shrug.

"Hows Dad?" I ask, buckling up. 

The engine spurs to life.

"Same old, same old," she replies, as we head off down the road, "Though he cleaned up the cottage real nice for you.  Cleared out the spare bedroom and everything.  He even got you a new bed."

"Oh good," I sigh in relief.  My Dad is not known for his cleanliness which just about drives Goodwitch up the wall.  She tried for years to tame my Dad's mass of stuff but eventually gave up and now only tends to her side of the cottage. 

"He's really excited to have you for the holidays Gwendolyn, as am I." 

I wince. 

"My name is Gwen now Goodwitch, remember?" I tell her. 

"And my name's Goodwitch, you," she counters. 

My eyebrows collide.  She's doing that thing where she purposefully makes no sense to throw me off guard. 

"Yes," I state, "I called you Goodwitch." 

"And I called you Gwendolyn- oh I love this song!" she jumps turning up the dial on the radio system. 

Stubborn old bat, I smile, deciding it's not worth it.  I slide my headphones over my ears and crank up the volume full blast. 

As we drive, it begins to snow.  Clouds of fog splash off the side of the truck and rumble off into the depths of the forest.  I stare at my iPod screen afraid of the tricks my eyes may play if they wander.  Occasionally my curiosity gets the better of me and I look up, but to my dismay I find my sight is limited to a 5 metre radius before the surrounding wall of mist hides the rest of the forest.  How does Goodwitch know how to navigate these roads?  Her eyes only just make it over the steering wheel.  

Author's Note

First draft of my opening chapter. Let me know if it is visually stimulating. How is the dialogue? Any pointers, grammar, ect. Let me know thanks :)

Reviews

[Sarah L]

"Clouds of fog splash off the side of the truck and rumble off into the depths of the forest. "
I love that line. Good start!