An apron hugged firmly across the curves of a woman, as she swayed her hips to the side. Emma hummed to Elvis singing, 'Devil in Disguise'. Drums and a guitar sang in sync with the king of rock and roll. She used to chant out every song alongside her mama. It had been years since Emma had seen the woman before running away from home with Daniel. Remembering the vicious arguments between her parents, she did not regret the memories made afterwards. Emma now had a charming boy who would play along on the piano whilst she sang, 'l can't help falling in love with you'. Setting the pork ribs into the oven, Emma rinsed her hands, bringing out her book of notes to write down ideas. She fetched out a pencil always on hand out of her pockets. Emma though would much rather, use her beloved typewriter of silver. She had heard lately about the new technology of computers, but still used typewriters even now in the year 2007. Daniel the bastard wanted to get a computer for her, yet she had a personal bond with the old fashioned instrument. Emma's grandmother had gifted the lustrous machine before her death to her.

Emma cleaned the typewriter swiping away any speck of dust every day. The effort was worth it. She handled it like a treasure, placed beside her bed for whenever dreams gave birth to ideas. Lately, it hadn't been working properly though, and Emma was forced to write instead. A book positioned in front, an empty canvas containing no words of art. She twirled around the pencil on the tips of her fingers. Emma watched it swirl around in circles as she focused on the endless motion.

She sighed, "What to write?"

The words had been on repeat constantly on her mind for several days, and nothing came to fruition. From horror to fantasy, Emma had no clue which genre to choose. Her prior book drew inspiration from past surroundings of misery. Anger was embedded into each individual word she wrote, easy to discern for anyone that read her novel. Tales of a woman surviving the difficulties of love. It attained ludicrous fame spreading like flames across fields. Many people praised the book, and the unknown author Love is Pain. Emma hid behind the alias blushing every time anyone spoke of the name. Embarrassed at the alias she came up within the spur of the moment. She became anonymous to the world of writing. Only a few people knew her identity, such as Sophia her literary agent and son. She expected a call from Sophia in a month, an update on the next book. Children had it so easy, no bills, mouths to feed and the cruelty of love, Emma thought.

Glenn was her second treasure, the poor boy was still slightly bruised amongst the cheeks. She'd lately noticed him having new habits of avoiding eye contact to scratching his wrist. Her son had transformed so much, in only two years. He also kept secrets from her, Emma recalled the sight of soaked shoes and layers of dirt underneath his bed. The boy had some explaining to do. Slumping more into the chair, Emma wished her son hadn't given up the violin. The boy was gifted by the god of music Apollo, capable of playing any instrument he pleased. Emma believed the violin had sought out Glenn, as partners until death, yet it seemed she was wrong. Forgotten, it slept in the slumbers of her room yearning for its master's return. Standing up, Emma retrieved the lonely instrument and placed it in the corner of Glenn's room. She stored it within its case, as it watched the young woman walk away to her seat.

When Glenn played it at times, he became one with the violin. It became a way for her son to express himself in the first shines of light to the last shadows of night. When he struck the keys of the piano, it became a tool for music rather than for the boy to sing his emotions.

Emma shook her head swiftly, carrying all distracting thoughts to oblivion. Settling her attention to the paper that languished in front of her, awaiting to become a gem. There was only silence, neither scribbling of words or fingers drumming onto the table resounding in the room. A pencil crashed onto the wall, tumbling to the ground. It rolled away from the woman now sagging into her chair, weeping ever so quietly.

"Why can't l write...hic...was l just lucky before?"

Despair brewed in the heart of Emma lost in the rivers of sorrow. She wanted to be the hero of her own story, not the maiden in distress. Steadying her cluttered breathing, the mother no longer wanted to be an absolute mess. She had taken inspiration from her surroundings before and would do it again. The pencil trailed strings of words across pages of paper. Everything that had fallen in the past recent days became compressed into short tales.

A lost wanderer, vagabond, lonely traveller or Noah. He comes by many names and fell upon two unfortunate souls. Leaping out of the bushes, he pushes onwards for answers. Asking away with no manners. leave he did, and bid farewell to the mother and kid.

There were once Children bickering. Muttering words of a duel to each other. Limbs were thrown about, as a boy was rescued by his mother and the girl saved by her father at the last count. The judge Mr Harold part monster, part man ruled over the audience of King Trevor dressed in wealth and Queen Emma of faith. No blood was spilled, and neither parents killed in his presence, or forbid the consequence.

Gwen the knight of law, masquerading behind her armour of charm. She swore an oath to protect all from harm. The knight had aimed and fired an arrow of love towards a damsel. A broken vessel she was for love, but once met with the arrow caught it, and flew away like a dove.

"Ha l still got it...now how to write this into a story."

Emma sighed but smiled at the small progress she made. Any step forward would be in the right direction, she had faith. Glancing at the clock that loosely hung by the wall, it read four o'clock. Her boy would commonly arrive at home by three-thirty, yet he was half an hour late. Ring the oven called out. Emma placed on her oven mitts to seize the perfectly cooked pork ribs. She almost drooled at the mouth. The savoury meat steamed with warm air, and the smell rose to her nose. She inhaled the exotic aroma of herbs and sauces infused with pork ribs. Emma could imagine the sight of her boy leaping up and down at the sight of his favourite food. He was a picky eater, a meat lover at heart. Glenn should be here any minute now, I'll just continue writing, she thought.

Most mothers cherish their children, sometimes that love turns into obsession and infatuation. In this instance, Emma's worries had taken another turn, she feared for Glenn's life. It was four-thirty, oven-baked pork ribs now cold opposite from the woman biting her nails. It was a habit she had as a teen whenever angst took over. Old habits die hard it seemed. Gwen the female police officer, had mentioned children going missing within the town two years ago and just last year. Persistent thoughts of her baby boy getting kidnapped made her dread. Emma was ready to call the police from her Nokia N95 phone. No longer being able to wait in the solitude of concern, she dialled for the cops. Halfway between mashing buttons, a bird squawked outside her house.

Knocks thudded behind the door, a boy called out, "I'm home."

Emma could recognise that voice anywhere. Springing out of her chair, she hurried to the door embracing Glenn into a tight hug.

"Mum? Are you okay."

Tears dripped down onto the boy's shoulder. He gently patted her back, confused why his mother was crying.

"Where were you, young man?" Emma asked with tears.

Still, in an embrace, the two stood together hugging until a bird answered for Glenn. It shrieked in fear of being squashed by the large bosom of Emma. Surprised by the screeching sound, she stumbled backwards and gasped at Glenn's shirt coloured in blood. A bleeding crow lay in her boy's arms, riddled with wounds. Two piercing eyes glared at the woman, as the crow flapped it's obsidian tinted wings.

"CAW CAW CAW"

"I found this bird and wanted to save it ma," Glenn said innocently still cradling the crow.

Emma shuddered her boy into the house, calling for Glenn to change his bloody shirt. They sat together on the dinner table now eating the microwaved pork ribs. A crow slept in the warmth of heated towels no longer screaming. Emma was the first one to speak, "Glenn l was worried for you. Where did you even find this...crow?"

She pointed to the bird that cooed in its dreams, encased in soft towels.

"In the woods," Glenn replied.

Emma stabbed at the pork ribs with her fork staring across the table, "Why were you in the woods?"

"Some friends...were showing me around the place," Glenn uttered without batting an eye.

"It's good you're making friends." Emma beamed at the news but frowned again.

"Don't ever make me worry like that again young man, l nearly called the police." Emma sighed, continuing to watch her son devour the pork ribs.

"Sorry ma didn't mean to be late, I swear," Glenn said with a stuffed mouth of food.

Emma felt her boy was hiding a secret. "It's ok, bring your friends along next time. They can have dinner together with us if they'd like to."

Glenn shivered at the mention of bringing his so-called friends, Stacey and Jonas or her followers. He continued to stuff his mouth muttering, "Sure."

Retrieving back the memories regarding Gwen's tellings of the children that had vanished. Emma said, "Make sure you're careful dear. l just heard from a nice officer, that a boy and a girl went missing."

Glenn recalled Mr Harold mention of Stacey's brother's disappearance. It wasn't an excuse for the haughty girl to bully anyone, all because she lost her brother, Glenn thought. Yet, he understood her feelings of wanting to liberate those raw emotions. She simply brought wrath onto others, whilst he released it upon himself. The second person being kidnapped was new to Glenn's ears though. Curious as usual he asked, "Who was the girl?"

"You don't seem surprised, did you already find out about this?" Emma inquired.

Glenn mentioned his teacher, "Mr Harold told me of the boy went missing, but not of the girl."

"Hmm.. well the girl was the daughter of a butcher. I met him today actually. I was thinking of baking a gift for him as an apology." Emma said.

"What did you do ma?" Glenn's curiosity was eternal, never halting in its tracks of questions.

"I gave him a pitiful look like everyone else. Poor soul must be dying inside, l would too if l lost you, dear." The fantasy of Glenn being gone one day from her life nearly poured rivers of tears down her cheeks.

"Anyway enough about me, what have you been learning in school." Emma tried to discard the thought away, more interested in Glenn's school life than the terrifying imagination.

"I learnt about the town and some wars."

"Oh, do tell."

"The town's name Mount Giest means mountain of ghosts. It was deserted by its original settlers before German travellers overtook the town immigrating to their new homes. Mr Harold also talked about witches." Glenn said in between his bites.

"What about witches?" Emma urged on. Her brain flashing now for any sign of inspiration. A witch matched Gwen the police officer more per se than a knight. She had charm, but a hint of mischief following alongside her as well. The memory of a kiss, being gently planted on her fingers made Emma's cheeks rosy.

"The witch hunts happened here in this town. Mr Harold tried to frighten the class saying, there may be witches still in the woods. Waiting to unleash vengeance upon humanity." Glenn said, ignorant of his mother blushing deeply.

Emma's brain ringed out bingo, she kissed her boy on the forehead. "Thank you, dear, l think you've given me an idea, l can write on."

"Oh, are you finally writing your new story?"

"Yep, the writing world better be ready for the hurricane. Me."

"Can l read it?" Glenn asked with sparkling puppy eyes.

"Too early dear. Maybe in a year, or ten," Emma said. She Reddened at the plot fabricated right on the spot, hoping her son would never lay his hands on the book. Noticing Glenn's plate empty and his round belly, she took him to bed. When they both entered the bedroom, the boy immediately witnessed the case of his violin lying in the corner. Whining as always, "Mum.."

"You can complain all you want tomorrow morning. There's something more important l need to ask you."

Resting on the uneven bed, she sat beside her boy. Emma trusted Glenn with all her heart but for his safety, she must investigate.

"Glenn?"

"Yea ma?"

"Why was there dirt underneath your bed, and soggy shoes?" Glenn's pupils stretched wide in shock, he tried to play it off.

"Ma I'm tired, can you ask these questions tomorrow?" He pulled the blanket over his head, trying to cover his expression of worry.

"Dear, be truthful with me like l told you before, I'm not mad at you. Have you been taking your pills."

The question struck like thunder. It shook the boy to his core. Caught red-handed, Glenn slowly rolled the blanket away from his head. He had a face of guilt, as he said, "...No."

"Why haven't you dear? You know that they help you sleep, and other prob...Mr Phil said they're crucial for your recovery."

"Ma, I don't need all those pills. Can't l want to be a man? I don't need any help!" Glenn shouted, frustrated that his mother didn't understand.

Stunned by the words hurled at her, Emma slumped onto the bed facing the back of her son. Reaching out with hands trembling, she hugged the boy. He tried to escape the tight embrace but crumbled up in a moment of defeat.

Emma asked as gently as she could. "Dear, you don't need to be a man. Not now at least. Why would you want to be an adult of all times now?"

Glenn fumbled with his hands. Scratching at the wrist as he whispered, "To protect you."

Emma was shaken by the statement, speechless with a mouth shaped like the letter O. Many times had arrived that called for tears. News of when her father died after she left. When her mother never accepted her love for Daniel or the time, Daniel left her. The moment where her boy locked himself in the bathroom. None made her break down such as now. I'm meant to protect you, idiot she thought as they wept once more together. It seemed today was foretold by the gods to be gloomy with blue.

"Can you answer my other questions, dear," Emma asked with dry tears.

Glenn snuffled trying to not dampen the bed with his running nose. He spoke quietly still trying to regain his calm, "Ok..."

Emma waited peacefully. Whether her boy told the truth, or lie, she was determined to listen no matter what.

"I saw Daniel again."

"What where?" Emma almost stood up wriggling her arms away from her boy.

"Near the woods ma, but don't worry l think it was my imagination playing tricks on me."

No longer ready to call the police again, she prepared herself mentally to hear out her boy's story.

"After not taking any of the pills, I fell asleep. Ma l swear to you, l could hear fa...Daniel again. The voice woke me up, and I ran after the voice trying to catch up to it, in the rain. Chasing for minutes, l was led to the woods and finally l awakened from the illusion. The voice was gone."

Glenn always called his father in speech as Daniel. She knew the pain he must've bottled up to not even consider the man as his own dad. Now, Emma rested beside the boy no longer confused. The dirt underneath must've been from the woods. Soggy shoes from the rain, and his tired face from not being able to sleep properly. Unbeknownst to her, Glenn mixed lies with truth as he left out the part of meeting a legend.

"Ma can you sleep here tonight please?" Glenn proposed still facing forward, afraid to reveal his tears to Emma. It was not that the boy was embarrassed to showcase them, rather the possibility he may bawl again at the sight of his mother breaking down even more if she viewed his dry tears.

"Of course sweety."

Men, women, children and animals all slept in tranquillity snoozing to a land of dreams. A child dreamt of one day becoming a man. The mother that breathed beside him silently imagined a time of witches, and a certain woman who swept her off the ground away from the horrors of the world. A crow cooed in the next room, groaning every time it moved, and a forgotten legend napped in her cave. Watching above no longer a full moon, The large grey circle prayed to see the love of its dreams. In its journey, It noticed a wolf howling in the corners of a peaceful country, a man dressed in black gripping onto a gun in a war-torn country. The moon observed monsters that lurked within this planet from the vampire that searched for prey to the mystic creatures roaming around.

Another peaceful night for Mount Giest. God wondered how long would it last for this small town, so many chess pieces at play from the wanderer walking in camouflage attire to the naughty girl sleeping with a black eye deserving of punishment. Too bad the all-powerful had other amusements to pay attention to. Laughing at the curse it bestowed onto the moon and sun, running in circles to never see the other. God looked at this world as only a grain of sand in a desert reaching far lands.