Expected Strangers In the Night

It began on a dark and stormy night. Per the usual. Of course. Never doubt that it was dark and stormy. It is autumn and winter is close on hand. A vicious wind was pushing the trees that enclosed a little cabin to their limits. The atmosphere of the cabin was quaint and simple but had the basic needs for one or two people. There is a fireplace with an arm chair placed very near its warmth. A bed is on the other side of the fireplace which was covered in quilts and afghans that were clearly made with love. Next to the bed was a small table with a little lamp and traditional alarm clock and a candle with some matches. Opposite of the fire was a window that had curtains on either side. Below the window was a sink, a petite pantry cupboard to the right and table big enough for two people to sit at on the left. Cooking clearly had to be left to what was going to be made over the fireplace. A small bathroom was just off of the main room which was an understatement in the sense of small. Limited to just a stand up shower, toilet, and sink, there was barely any room to turn around in.

Directly across from the bathroom was the one door to the whole cabin. If one was to enter the cabin, they would find the fireplace and cozy chair on their left and the table and window on their right. Small, but cozy. Anything that needs to stay cold, stays out in a box next to the door outside. The temperatures keep dropping and finding food is going to become harder. You have to go to town to stock up on the few dry goods that you need to survive. Basics such as flour, coffee, tea, yarn and materials for mending, and bandages for injuries. Everything else has been planted and harvested over the summer and autumn seasons. Now that winter is close, it is a time for relaxing and keeping warm.

The resident of the cabin was seated in a comfy chair wrapped in a worn, yet warm blanket next to a crackling fire reading a book. Suddenly there is a burst of loud knocking on the door that sounds like a boom in the night thanks to the wind whipping the trees around the little cabin. The door is thrown open with a burst of gusto that was accentuated thanks to the wind. The owner of the cabin looks up from her book calmly almost as if she was expecting the door to be thrown open. Surprised to see such an individual sitting in the cabin in such a calm state, the intruders pile themselves into the tiny space and quickly shut and bar the door against the wind. The strangers are wet and dripping with rain. They start to shake off the water from their cloaks.

Cabin Owner: Good evening. Please, come in. I was expecting you.

Stranger 1: Good evening. How is that possible? We have not yet met…

Cabin Owner: The wind and trees told me. They spoke greatly of your struggle in the storm. Come, the fire is warm.

Stranger 2: Thank you ma’am. Is this your cabin?

Stranger 3: Do you have anything we could possibly eat or drink? We have used up the last of our rations and may have gotten turned around in the storm.

Stranger 1: Manners young one. Ma’am he speaks the truth. We have gotten turned around in the storm but we need not bother you for food. We have some dried food rationed for the next few days. Do not let his young appetite fool you.

Cabin Owner: Never you mind. Supper is ready on the table. And please, call me Mabel.

As Mabel finally rises from her chair, she puts the book that she was reading on the cushion of the chair. She walks over to the table and where there were two chairs, there was now a third and where there was an empty table there was a full spread of humble food fit for any traveler. There was warm bread, honey butter, milk, mulled wine, a block of cheese, and dried meat. It was a small spread of mouthwatering food that made all three travelers feel like it was a feast for a king. As the travelers made their way over to the table to sit, Mabel tends to the fire. It is noted that the fire never gets too hot and never gets low. Mabel waves her hand over the fire and a grate appears with a kettle on it. The water is hot but not boiling. One can drink tea right away without burning their mouths. Mabel also takes the cloaks of the travelers and places them on hooks near the fireplace to dry. As the guests eat, she goes back to her book.

Once the travelers are finished with their meal, they offer to help with dishes and clearing the table.

Mabel: Thank you kindly but I have taken care of that all already.

Stranger 1: How is that possible? There is so much that we have to clear…

Stranger 2: The table, the food…where did it all go to?

Mabel: Sweet child, I put it away. I said it once, I will say it again: I have taken care of it already. Come, sit by the fire and warm yourselves.

Stranger 3: Ma’am, are you a witch of some sort? It is rather stormy out…did you cause the storm to lure us here and make us helpless after eating-OW! What was that for?

Stranger 1: Where are your manners? Learn to hold your tongue. I should have left you at home.

Stranger 3: What? And miss my chance at adventure? I was asking an honest question?

Strange 1: You were insulting our guest. Plus she said to call her Mabel. Insolent fool.

Mabel: There is no need for quarrels.

Stranger 2: Forgive my comrades, Mabel. How long have you lived here? Is this your home?

Mabel: Oh yes. I have lived here for many years. Solitude has been my friend but I have not been alone. Especially in the last hour. That was a joke dear. Close your mouth or a fly will get in.

The third stranger was clearly the youngest of the trio and also the most confused. The older two seemed to have had some experience in dealing and interacting with people like Mabel.

Mabel: Now dears, you will want to rest. It will be a long night. Take rest. I get the bed.

The strangers look over to the bed and see that near the bed and on the floor are mats and blankets ready for a weary traveler to lay rest. The older two thank Mabel and go to retire. The youngest is standing with a confused look and starts to protest until Mabel looks at him and asks:

Mabel: Are you going to stand there all night like a statue or are you going to rest like the rest of your friends?

Ashamed of being caught staring and also bewildered, the third stranger lays down unwillingly. Once laying down he falls asleep instantly. Mabel walks quietly to the fire and puts a hand out, palm down towards the flames. The flames lower but do not go out. The room becomes comfy, but also dim. Mabel walks to the window and looks out at the trees. The wind slows and dies to a light breeze. The trees sigh in relief as they stand back up to their height. Mabel smiles and goes to her own bed. It was no accident that the strangers came to her door this evening. She was needing a little excitement and was looking forward to the backstory of the travelers in the morning over coffee.