The date was February 10th, 1976 when Ryan went missing. He was at a family picnic at the park when suddenly, his cousins turned around and he was gone. Nobody would ever find Ryan, except for those fortunate enough to run in with the Witch of the Wood. His family would eventually recover from the disappearance, but Ryan had a new life to follow
Ryan was walking down the park trail when he blinked and magically appeared in The Forest. It was on a moderate plateau with massive evergreen trees balanced by tiny grass and shrubery. It moved on for what seemed like eternity into fog, other than a dirt path leading up a hill. At the top stood the wooden cottage, rather well visible for the foggy environment. The only decoration was the neatly carved door, displaying text that was indecipherable. And then, a metal slab that read “push.”
Ryan made his way into the hut expecting to find a small room with a bed maybe, but opening the door showed quite a large shopping display. After walking in, the door closed behind him and rang a bell towards the back of the store.
“Hello?” He called. He waited for an answer, but nobody answered. Ryan walked towards the sound of the bell and saw a middle aged woman hunched over a broom... sleeping?
Ryan knocked against the wood harder and harder until the woman woke up with a start. “Puxley, when you return I’d rath- Oohh! New! I enjoy new things, dear. You wouldn’t happen to be Ryan Garrish would you?”
“Tha-that’s me. How do you know me?” Ryan asked.
“I know everyone that comes to this shop because everybody that ends up here is in desperate need of a new life. Had you continued on your path, you’d’ve given up on your dreams and everyone would use you for their own selfish gains. Besides, you’d end up alone and a virgin, which frankly in your terms dear, fucking sucks.”
Ryan was baffled. To have an awful life like that? Not to mention hearing a woman in her sixties cursing like that, trying to be hip. “Okay, so you had said something about a change? What does that mean?” He asked.
“You can either decide for yourself how to fix your life, or you can let me decide. I have to say, most clients are happiest with my offerings! So..” she paused, “..questions? Decisions? Be mindful, I expect you to leave within minutes.”
Ryan didn’t know what to do. He was happy... well, WAS... and he honestly had no idea how to change. But he did wonder,
“What does the writing on the door say?”
“It’s a story of a king and his three sons, each a carpenter. He requests them to build him a throne. Basically the same as the three pigs story, but this one expresses the morality of it better.” She said. “Now, your life changes?”
“I think you should decide. You’re more experienced anyhow.” Ryan told her. With that, the witch took hold of Ryan’s arm and with a match, burned a circle around his wrist. “OW- WHAT THE HELL?” Ryan screamed.
“Relax, it’s our binding contract. Your change is to be my apprentice. With this time I will teach you my magic and when your lessons are complete you are free to leave. Two side effects, however: One, if you go “rogue” I have the power to take your magic away. Two,” she said coyly, “you have a really big dick.”
Ryan stopped and opened his pants. She wasn’t lying, he could see it beginning to swell like a wine bottle. “Oh... okay, well... wow. Thank you,” he said.
“Now,” the witch started, “prove your worth to me. There are loads of people that need a change in their lives. Brace yourself, however, for although I know what’s best for them, they may have other ideas. And I expect no judgement...” she said sternly, “...unless it’s private.” She winked. The witch went to the back and brought out an ancient book. She marked off Ryan’s name and pointed at the next one.
Ryan asked, “We’re helping...