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Twisted Tales
Chapter One
I was rushed off my feet, racing round the house. I was packing up things here and setting things out here. I was so excited; today was my brothers 13th birthday today. I was making sure that everything was perfect. Mum came in the room and said “Anna dear, you’ve missed the table.” Oops I had forgotten to set up the table for tea.
“Thanks mother I’ll get right on it” I said back to her. I finished off in the lounge room and went to set up the table. It didn’t take long. Once that was done I peeked out the front door. No sign of Father and Harris yet. They would be coming home very soon. Father worked at the paper factory and got very well paid for it, well not the best job but it still put food on the table. Harris had gone with Father today so he could show him the ropes, he was old enough now. Living in 1684 wasn’t the best time for people. Most of the world was poor. We weren’t rich, but we weren’t poor either. I looked again and saw them riding the horses towards the house. I shouted over my shoulder “Mother they’re home”
“Go help them put the horses away then come right back here”
I hurried a glance in the mirror on the way out, to make sure I didn’t look like I’d been working all day. I looked the same. My rich red hair was pulled back into a pony tail that hung below my slim shoulders, my skin was pale but not really pale, my large blue eyes were wide with excitement and my lips were still pale pink. I hurried outside to help my Father and Harris. As I got there I smiled widely. Harris was 3 years younger than me though you wouldn’t have guessed. He looked a year older than he was. He was the complete opposite of me. He had dark brown hair cropped short and it when in every direction, He had pale skin like mine but he’s was lusher, He had dark lips and he had serious green eyes. I yelled in greeting and rushed forwards to lead the horses. Father smiled at me and gave me the reins to his horse, Carlisle his favourite horse by far. He was the fastest horse Father had had yet. I walked over to Harris and he offered the reins to me. I took them and led the horses to the stables. After I had tied the horses up I ran back inside the house. Harris was sitting on a stool at the table, blindfolded. I walked swiftly over to the table were his cake was. Mother whipped off the blindfold and Harris smiled widely at us.
“Happy birthday Harris” I said handing him my badly wrapped present. He grinned as he took it. He ripped off the paper and smiled as he pulled out a shiny locket.
“Amazing Anna! Did you make this?” he asked. I smiled and nodded then said
“It’s a matching pair” I pulled out my own from my pocket “Now no matter where I am you’re always with me, and I with you”
Yes I did make that locket, I’m quite a craftswoman. I can bend metal to my will but it takes a while. I heat the metal and bend it with a hammer. Mother calls me her little Blacksmith, because I’m often out in the workshop thinking up new ideas. Harris opened the locket and a little tune started playing. I opened mine and the same tune started playing.
“Anna this is amazing! You should make these and sell them, you’d make a fortune!” cried Father clapping me on the shoulder. Mother smiled and handed Harris their gift. He opened it up and forced a smile
“Clothes.......again? Thanks Mother, Father”
I held back a giggle. I knew he was more interested in my gift than Mother and Fathers. Harris threw the lockets chain around his neck, I put mine back in my pocket, and picked up the clothes. He put them a side and grabbed the knife, he sliced down the cake and handed out pieces. I took mine and sat down. I ate quickly.
“It’s a shame that Auntie and Uncle couldn’t make it” Harris said between mouthfuls. I kicked him under the table to remind him of his manners.
“Yes it is but the war is terrible over their way” said Mother, looking concerned. Mainly because Auntie was her sister.
After we’d finished I went up to our room and quickly changed into my night gown. Harris came up a few minutes later and collapsed onto his bed. Mother And Father’s room was down the hall, and Harris and I shared a room. I didn’t mind, I liked knowing that someone was there.
“Thank-you for the gift Anna” he said rolling onto his side “It’s beautiful”
“A craftswoman always likes to know her work is appreciated” I said sitting cross legged on my bed. Harris rolled his eyes and picked it up so it caught the candlelight. I pulled mine out as well
“Pass it here for a second” I said reaching out for it. Harris sat up and pulled it off. He passed it to me. I flicked it open and pushed a bit of paper into the slot. I threw it back to him and said
“There, I forgot to put that in. Only read it in dire emergencies. I didn’t put it in before because Mother and Father don’t need to know”
Harris stared at the paper, but knew better than to open it until he need to.
“What will it do?”
“It will do nothing but will much rather tell you things you need to know”
“Right” he said falling backwards. He was silent for a moment then he said
“Hey Anna?”
“Yes Harris?” I said pulling out the ribbon in my hair, so my hair fell down to the middle of my back.
“Seeing as it’s my birthday could you read this to me? I know I’m old enough to read it myself but I want to feel like a child again”
I sighed at his request. How could I refuse my kid brother?
“What one?” I asked. Harris grinned and pulled a book from under his pillow. He threw it to me.
“You keep this under your pillow?” I asked raising one eyebrow. He glared at me.
“I take that to be a “Just this once” glare right?” I opened the book and looked at the title
“Enchanted Wonderland” I said
“Long ago there was a happy family, they lived in a broken down house but still they were content. There was the Mother and Father, and two children, a boy and a girl” I looked up at Harris and said “This story sounds a lot like our family”
“Yeah I know that’s why I like it” He said. I rolled my eyes and continued reading.
“One day the two children found a trapdoor hidden in a strange place, the barn where their stock lived. It was hidden under a pile of hay. Curious the children opened it and were suddenly pulled into a world like never before, the trees and ground were decked with a lush green. The sky was a dreamless blue, without a single cloud in the sky and the sun beat down on them. Surprised at what they found, they wandered searching for a town or such. Up and over a hill they went, they spotted—“ I was cut off by a loud snore. Harris had fallen asleep in that short time. I closed the book and placed it on the table between our beds. I laid back and fell asleep.
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