You are so preoccupied with the annoying bird that you do not notice anything else. Not the old woman walking towards you, nor the wheelbarrow passing behind you. Just as you lean backwards to avoid the dive-bombing crow, the wheelbarrow hits the side of your knee, causing you to lose balance and tip up and over with no warning. Just at that instant, the witch cast her spell.
Of course, she never expected you to trip at that exact moment. Which is why the spell zipped past you without you realizing a thing. On the other hand, the merchant walking past with his mule in tow was in for a huge surprise. One moment, he was yanking on the reins of a little stubborn grey mule, the next he turned to find his wares on the back of a beautiful, pure-white thoroughbred filly. The merchant stopped cold in his tracks and rubbed his eyes, wondering if the drink at that last food stand had contained something suspicious.
On the other hand, you were too busy trying to get your feet back under you to even be aware of the merchant's problems. Thankfully, the crow had turned away as you tumbled head over heels. Or so you thought, until you heard a "caw" approaching. Just as you were about to spring to your feet and make a run for it, fruit or no fruit, a vine snaked out of the ground and wrapped itself tightly around your legs, climbed up your torso, and tied your hands to your side as well. Terrified, you try to wriggle away as you look up to see the crow returning, but this time not in the air, but perched on the shoulder of a rather creepy-looking old woman.
"Help, someone!" you cry out in a sudden panic, but to your surprise, no one even turns at your yells. In fact, they continue walking about their business, except for the poor merchant, who is still staring at his mule-turned-horse, scratching his head. It's like they don't even know you exist.
"None of that, now," the old woman croaks at you and twirls her bony finger, at which point the vine wraps itself around your jaw, sealing your mouth shut. "Besides, I've already enchanted the area so no one bothers us." The woman approaches you and stands over you looking down with a frown. "Well, you'll have to do. It is too bad I can't cast that spell more than once a day, but now that I have you, it's just a matter of waiting until tomorrow."
You stare up in a mix of confusion, fear, and horror. What sort of spell was this old hag planning to cast on you? However, you cannot make a move, other than to shed tears of desperation.
"Now then," the witch raised her staff as she began. "Let's get you into more appropriate surroundings, shall we?" With that, the witch banged her staff on the ground, creating a thud which felt like it echoed in your bones. At the next instant, you feel yourself falling, and look up to see the light fading. Not even able to scream, you stare around wide-eyed as you try to make sense of what is happening to you.