Sitting neatly just beyond your feet is an average-looking midnight-black cat with emerald-green eyes, his tail neatly curled about his paws. That cat couldn't be the speaker...could he?
"Really, little miss, you shouldn't take Master's tone to heart, she's like that to everyone. Don't worry, we'll see to it you'll be fine on this side." The cat's mouth moves and the male voice that startled you earlier definitely comes from that direction. As if to comfort you, the cat gets up, walks around you and rubs up against your arms as he passes by.
You are so shocked you just sit there, your feet still held in place by the roots, your hands splayed out behind you, trying to comprehend the idea that you are faced with not only a witch but a talking cat.
"Stop mewing nonsense, Heck," the witch snaps at the cat. "Why should I bother myself with a fool who can't even stay on their own side?"
"Come now, Master," the cat, apparently named Heck, says ingratiatingly as he pads over towards the hag. "We can't just abandon the little miss. After all, meeting her here can only be fate."
"Fate!" the witch snorts. Finally done with whatever she is creating in the cauldron, the witch picks up a glass bottle, and to your amazement, the liquid from the cauldron flies up and into the bottle. Once the cauldron is empty, the witch places a stopper in the bottle, then nods in satisfaction.
"Master, the gates between sides are not usually open to those unaware," Heck begins again, this time in a more serious tone of voice. "That means for the little miss to cross over...someone must have opened the gate for her." This time, the witch says nothing, but looks at you with piercing eyes that remind you of a snake assessing its prey.
"Very well, let's see what's so special about this brat," the witch says after a long silence. "Bring her along, Heck." The witch turns to go deeper into the crypt, leaning on her staff. As she turns, she waves her hand, and the roots which held your feet disappear. You are too dumbfounded to notice that the cauldron has disappeared as well and the fire is beginning to die down.
"If you please, little miss," Heck says, waiting for you to get up and follow. You could swear he was smiling.