Page 19 of Once Upon a Midnight Clear

The man was short, wearing a thick overcoat and a knit cap. He had kind eyes in his aged face. His hands were weather-worn and looked as though they had done a lot of work. The woman was a bit taller than him, with a mess of salt-and-pepper hair, a round face and a bulbous nose. Her cheeks were pink from the cold and concern was written on her face. She also wore a thick overcoat. They looked to be about the same age.

“Well, at least now we know she’s not dead,” said the man.

Ella glanced around. She was in a strange forest with trees rising up high into the sky. Snow drifted down in huge, heavy flakes. She no longer wore the red ballgown. She had transformed back into her tattered servant’s dress. However, she still wore both of the glass slippers.

Her teeth chattered as she looked at the couple eyeing her with curiosity. The woman glanced at her feet clad in the slippers with question in her eyes.

“Wh-what happened?” Ella asked.

“We heard a boom and a crash,” the man said. “Our house is just there.”

He pointed over his shoulder, but Ella couldn’t see the house. She pushed to a sitting position and surveyed the area. Snow fell in earnest now, coming down in thick blankets. She was baffled by the fact she still wore the glass slippers. The last thing she remembered was the clock striking midnight.

“We should get you inside, miss, before you catch your death,” the woman said. “Lukas, help her up.”

Lukas reached a hand down to her. She didn’t hesitate as she took it. Mostly because she didn’t want to freeze to death alone in the forest. She followed the couple out of the foliage.

As soon as she exited the trees, she saw the small stone cottage on the top of a hill. Gray smoke curled upward from the chimney. Each window had an inviting glow. Ivy climbed the outside of the cottage to the eaves of the thatched roof.

There were chickens in the yard pecking at the cold ground even in the snow. The woman shooed them toward the coop. A fuzzy gray cat lounged on the doorstep, its tail swishing in a lazy, contented circle.

“That’s Nicodemus,” Lukas said, introducing her to the cat.

He pushed open the back door and stepped over the cat. But the cat had other ideas. As soon as Lukas lifted his foot to step over him, Nicodemus sprinted through the open door. Lukas stumbled to keep from stepping on him and fell forward into the house. Ella hurried to catch him to keep him from hitting the floor. She grabbed his arm with both hands and pulled him upright. He gave her a relieved smile of thanks.

They had entered the house through the back door in the kitchen, which was small but functional. A fireplace in the living area hosted a warm fire. Nicodemus curled up on the rug in front of it, tucking his head in his front paws. An oversized chair was on one side with a well-worn cushion. A rocking chair was on the other. Next to it was a basket with several balls of yarn in it and knitting needles.

The woman followed them in, closing the door with a snap. She looked Ella up and down. “Let’s get you into something, ah, warmer. What’s your name, dear?”

“Ella,” she said.

“I’m Agnes.” She waved her to follow. “Come with me.”

Agnes led her into a small bedroom with a bed covered with a thick, inviting quilt in a red and white checked pattern. A wardrobe was on one side. On the other, a stand with a pitcher and basin.

A trunk was at the end of the bed. Agnes went to it, shoving it open. After rummaging through it for a moment, she pulled out several pieces of clothing. She gave a glance to Ella with ahmmthen nodded to herself. She placed the small stack on the bed and then turned to the wardrobe, pulling open the door. Kneeling down, she picked up a pair of boots. She pushed them into Ella’s hands.

“Oh,” Ella said on a breath of surprise.

“Not sure those will fit, dear, but give them a try. You can’t be walking around in those.” She nodded to the glass slippers. “There’s a nice thick tunic and wool gown for you, too. When you get changed, come have some stew.”

“Agnes, thank you.”

She bustled around to the side of the bed where she struck a match and lit the lantern. It gave off a warm, inviting glow to the room.

“You’re welcome, of course. And you’re welcome to stay the night. It will be full on dark soon and you’ll not want to be out in the cold. Do you have folks here?”

“I, uh…” Ella wasn’t even sure whereherewas, but she was certain she wasn’t in her home village anymore. “I’m afraid I don’t.”

“Ah, well, that’s no never mind, then.” She gave a warm smile as she exited the room and closed the door behind her.

Ella stood a moment in the room, alone, holding the boots. She shivered, a chill running through her as she realized how cold it was. She stared down at the glass slippers, wondering if they had something to do with getting her here. But if they did, how? If she took them off, would she return home? She wasn’t certain, but it was worth a try.

She perched on the edge of the bed, ready to take off the slippers, but something stopped her. She hesitated, though she didn’t understand why. Perhaps she shouldn’t take them off? What if she did and something dreadful happened? But then, something dreadfulhadhappened. She woke up in an unfamiliar forest with strangers.

Slowly, she slipped her foot out of first one slipper, then the other. And waited.

Nothing happened.

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