Living Next Door To Alice (standard:mystery, 2178 words)
Author: Hulsey	Added: Jul 03 2002	Views/Reads: 4512/2509	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Is the mysterious woman next door really a witch?

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

giving it an eerie atmosphere. My eyes were attracted to four large 
pans that were sitting on the hob of the age-old oven, or were they 
cauldrons? 

Alice was standing besides the oven, her green, cat-like eyes fixed on
me, as she smirked. “Hubble-bubble,” she laughed, and she reached for a 
wooden spoon. 

I backed off and she guffawed loudly, before telling me to relax. I took
a deep breath, expecting the worst, when she opened the oven door. I 
licked my lips when she removed the hot cross buns and a large bowl of 
rice pudding. 

Alice winked at me and I followed her to the table. I then realised that
there was only one chair, which she prompted me to use. My mouth 
watered, as she spooned the delicious looking pudding into a bowl. I 
polished off two bowls and still made room for a hot cross bun and a 
jam tart. 

Alice watched me contently, as I held my stomach and offered her a
toothless smile. 

“Well, what do you think?” 

“It was the best rice pudding I've ever tasted.” 

“I thought you'd like it, Timmy.” 

“How do you know my name?” 

“I know everyone's name.” 

“No you don't. That's impossible.” 

“Is it?” 

“Okay, what's the name of my dog?” 

“Goldie of course.” 

“Yikes! You are magic. Are you a witch?” 

She laughed loudly, throwing her head back, her long white hair
distorting her features. “The children like to think that. What do you 
think?” 

“I don't think you are, because you haven't got a cat, and all witches
have cats.” 

She looked past me and smiled. I heard the patter of tiny feet before
hearing the sound I was dreading. “Meow.” 

I was now on my feet, determined to make my getaway. 

“Sit down, Timmy. You have nothing to fear from me.” 

“The other kids call you Alice the witch, but I don't, honest.” 

“Sticks and stones,” she cackled. 

“Why are you always on your own?” 

“Because Timmy, it is God's wish. I've been punished and am still
serving my penance.” 

“Whatever do you mean?” 

“Someday I'll tell you. You won't understand if I told you now.” 

“Please tell me, Alice,” I pleaded. “I won't tell anyone, honest.” 

She smiled, flashing her perfect teeth. “Maybe you're more grown up than
I give you credit for, Timmy. You're a smart ten-year-old, aren't you?” 


“How do you know my age?” 

“How old do you think I am, Timmy?” 

“Dunno. About one hundred.” 

Again, she threw her head back and laughed loudly. “Timmy, I'm a wee bit
older than that... Before I continue, you must promise me that you'll 
tell nobody of what you're about to hear?” 

“Cross my heart and hope to die.” 

“Very well, I trust you,” she said, pouring out a glass of refreshing
lemonade for me. Timmy, I lived in a village in Northumbria many years 
ago. When you're older, you'll understand more what I'm about to 
divulge to you... I was a young girl; pretty, and in love with a young 
man called Edwin. In those days, the Romans ruled Britain, and even 
though we hated the Romans, they offered us security, as we were 
vulnerable to attacks before they arrived. All was well until 408 AD. 
Yes, Timmy, 408 AD. Our rulers were recalled back to Rome and of course 
the inevitable happened.” 

“The Romans; we're learning about them at school.” 

Alice continued. “We were attacked by the Picts, and were defenceless
without leadership and guidance. Edwin and I fled to the forest and 
were captured by those terrible people. A large bearded man with his 
face painted blue, was about to smite Edwin with his sword, and I 
begged him not to. What he wanted to know was the whereabouts of our 
village, in exchange for our lives. Edwin begged me not to tell, and 
reminded me that our families lived in the village, but I was a smitten 
young girl.  I did tell them, and they cut off Edwin's head in front of 
me, before... Well, I'll tell you of my ordeal when you're older.” 

“You're telling fibs, nobody can be that old,” I insisted. 

“I'm not finished, Timmy. I returned to my smouldering village, and
found the ravaged bodies of my family, including my two-year-old 
sister. I wandered around aimlessly for what must have been days, 
before I came across a strange, green glow in the forest. I had to 
shield my eyes from the brilliance of the phenomenon, and a loud 
booming voice talked to me. The voice said that I had betrayed those 
that were closest to me, and that as a punishment, I would be left to 
walk the earth forever.” 

“Wow, was it God?” 

“I don't know, Timmy but here I am. I've seen many things in my time on
earth, and I'm so tired. I long to find peace and to be allowed into 
the kingdom of heaven, but I know in my heart that it will never 
happen.” 

“That's a brilliant story, Alice.” 

“Remember your promise, Timmy.” 

“I promise.” 

My parents scolded me for seeing Alice, but every opportunity that
presented itself, I visited her, as she enthralled me with her 
countless stories of her life. I eventually went to University, but 
looked forward to visiting Alice whenever I returned home. The many 
self-portraits depicted her in her various eras, and I learnt so much 
about this poor woman who was destined to never die. 

I had my doubts of course, but it made sense when I thought about it.
Alice never looked any older, and she went into so much detail about 
her life. I have to admit that I checked out the dates and facts, 
before feeling a little guilty when they substantiated her story. 

Our relationship is growing, as each day, I get a little nearer to her
age. I am mesmerised by her accounts of her meeting Henry VIII and 
being present at the coronation of Queen Victoria. She was once even 
accused of being a witch in the dark ages, but one of her accusers fell 
for her alluring charm and all charges were dropped. It amazes me to 
think that when I am no more, Alice will still be around, marvelling at 
another new era. 

There is a great sadness in this tormented woman, and recently, I found
out the extremes she is willing to go to in her quest for the ultimate 
peace. It was a fine spring day and against the will of my parents, I 
decided to accompany her to the Supermarket. I was now nineteen years 
of age and free to do as I please, and our unhealthy relationship, 
according to my father, would I hope flourish. I felt myself growing 
closer to Alice, and could see the vulnerability in her emerald eyes, 
as she recited her eternal to me. A sexual chemistry was developing 
between us, not physical as yet, but mental. I think Alice could sense 
my lustful thoughts, and encouraged me to find a girlfriend my own age. 


Lecherous stares were directed at us, when we walked along the High
Street towards the Supermarket. We waited at the traffic lights and I 
took my eyes off her for one moment, but that is all she needed. I 
heard the screech of brakes and then the loud dull thud as the car hit 
Alice, catapulting her into the air, as if in a dream sequence. She was 
thrown to onto the road, and I screamed when she disappeared under the 
wheels of a bus. 

Several more screams accompanied mine, and I dashed into the road
blindly. I crouched below the bus and held out my hand, feeling her 
cold palm enveloping mine. The tears streamed down my eyes as she 
stared into nothingness. 

A priest appeared from somewhere and asked her if she would like the
last rites read. My tears turned to laughter when Alice smiled and 
said; “That would be lovely, Father.” 

What happened next was amazing and miraculous. The crowd stepped back,
open-mouthed, when Alice rose to her feet and brushed herself down. 
“Life goes on,” she muttered, and walked away, mingling with the crowd. 
My troubled mind was in turmoil. I did not know if I was happy that she 
had survived, or if I was sad at her failed suicide attempt. 

Now I am an old man and as my life ebbs away, Alice tends to me. As I
lay in her bed, she relates to me stories of a small boy many years ago 
who craved for rice pudding. My hope is that after death, I can be 
reunited with Alice, in this life or the next. 


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