Wandering Whisper Woods - Chapter 1 - New Residence

Chapter 1 - New Residence

The pitter patter from two sets of paw pads echoed lightly against the bare bark and branches of the woods Fizzy and Boo were walking beside. They had been walking for well over an hour at this point following the worn but surprisingly detailed map to their destination; their new home. The housing market was in a state of trouble recently as the prices kept going up and up. Fizzy had been couch surfing for quite some time now while he saved up Sand Dollars to get his own place. The situation got a bit more desperate as he made friends with Boo, who thanks to a certain archaeologist, was also out of a home. By some miracle though Fizzy had won the bid for a home in the woods, while a bit of a hike from the city he couldn't beat the price.

“Is it much farther?” inquired the small ghost dog. She asked not due to any exhaustion, but surprise at the distance that the home seemed to be from civilization.

“It shouldn’t be more than another mile or so Boo, then we will be at our brand new home! It’s supposed to be really big and homey!” Fizzy said with a smile, that ever infectious grin flipping Boo’s concern to mild optimism.

“While it is awesome that you were able to secure us a new place to live while saving a bunch for SD, I am slightly concerned at the fact that you have never even seen the house before you purchased it.” Boo reiterated, she had brought that fact up a few times during their walk, hoping not to find a house with more holes than a nice slice of swiss cheese.

Fizzy turned to his best friend and shook his head. “Seriously, it's gonna be fine! I was assured in the letter that the house is perfectly intact and that we would even have some neighbors!” Fizzy browsed across the letter once more before returning to the map. “...though those same neighbors are not exactly close by, but that's ok! More room for us to run around and maybe make a nice garden!”

The pair enthusiastically discussed what could be grown in the aforementioned garden, which was decided to absolutely have pumpkins when possible, until they stumbled upon what they assumed would be one of their neighbors. Nestled just outside of the woods entrance was a quaint little house occupied by a waterdog couple. A gray sanded waterdog flush with blue and red water and adorned with four tails was tending to a beehive carefully extracting the honey and constantly apologizing to the bees and reassuring them everything was alright. By her side was what seemed to be a witch waterdog of gray and black sand with lovely purple water. She was seemingly spooning out some of the honey and making a nice cup of tea with it, once satisfyingly stirred to her standards she handed it over to the beekeeper.

“Now now my love, I am sure the bees are more than ok.” The witch chuckled before kissing her partner on the cheek. “You couldn’t be more gentle with them if you tried.” She turned to see Fizzy and Boo standing at their doorstep and waving. “Harper my love, it would seem we have guests.” The couple stopped what they were doing and made their way from the backyard to their front gate to greet the traveling duo.

“Hiya, my name is Harper and this is my wife-” The witch stepped swiftly in front of Harper, cutting her off. 

“Zoey. What brings you to our home? If it's honey I'm sorry to inform you that we only harvest enough for ourselves, not to sell.” She said adamantly, seeming to hide her wife from the strangers.

Fizzy pulled out his map and the deed to his new home and smiled. “Nope! Don’t need any honey, even though that tea smells really good! We were actually wondering if you are one of our new neighbors?”

“Neighbors? What do you mean neighbors?” Zoey looked over the map while Boo and Harper chatted quietly about their favorite types of tea, all of which had to include honey. Zoey interrupted their enthusiastic conversation to show Harper where the house was located. Harper covered her mouth with her paw in disbelief as she looked back at Zoey. 

“Uh oh.” Harper whispered.

“My thoughts exactly love.” Retorted Zoey before handing the map back to Fizzy.

Fizzy looked over the map once more and scratched his head, confused at the sudden mood change that hung over the group, like a darkened sky that foretells the coming storm.

“What’s the problem? If it's about possible bugs that are in the woods and maybe the house that’s not a problem, I love bugs!”

Zoey shook her head and sighed, the innocence that Fizzy and Boo displayed had her feeling remorseful for the pair, something unusual for her in regards to strangers.

“There is a reason that Harper and I live on the outskirts of the woods. It is safer here, and we try to prevent outsiders from going in as bad things eventually become of them.” Zoey opened a chest she had on the porch and began to rummage through it. “Some get hurt, some get sick, some get cursed…” She turned around, producing a small pouch that held what seemed to be red string with blue and white beads on them. “... some never leave.” She gestured toward both Fizzy and Boo to produce a paw. They would each extend a one out, feeling no ill intention coming from the woman.

“I know Harper nor I will not be able to stop you two from entering the woods in search of your new home, so we will not try. But for our sake please keep these on at least until you enter the residence you are looking for.” Zoey closed the bag and began to organize the chest that it was pulled from while Harper happily came over to make sure the bracelets were secured tightly around their front legs. “Before you ask, those are wards, ment to help ward off evil and bad luck. These woods are full of both, especially evil towards new souls that enter.” Zoey closed the chest with authoritative force before turning back to them. 

“In the woods lives another witch, an evil witch and her lackey. DO. NOT. INTERACT. WITH. THEM.” She said adamantly, stomping her paw on the ground. 

Harper stood next to Zoey and attempted to calm her down. “She will try to trick you, and we just don’t want either of you to get hurt, So please head right to the home and follow her advice ok? I’d like to share a cup of tea with you two in the future.” Harper said with a soft smile, a gentle kindness soothing Fizzy and Boo along with her love slowly bringing her back to a neutral state. Zoey breathed in deep and released a slow exhale.

“Alright my love, we’ve done what we can. Hopefully we shall see the two of you again, and if we are all lucky it will be unharmed as well.” Harper walked back into the house and Zoey followed suit, before closing the door Harper would wave at them kindly. “Good luck to the both of you, until we meet again!” A gentle click as the front door closed followed by a warm glow creeping out of the windows while a gentle roll of smoke emanated from their chimney. 

“I think i have an idea now, Boo, as to why the house was so cheap.” Stated Fizzy looking at the woods entrance. 

“I think so too.” Said Boo. “Let’s get a move on then. It’s going to be dark soon.”

The pair nodded in unison and began their walk into the Wandering Whisper Woods.