it was a dark, stormy night when i first saw her. she was standing at the edge of the cliff half a mile from our house. wind was whipping her white robes and her long dark hair swarmed around her face. her body was turned toward the precipice and she was looking back at me. her eyes were... tired; the same as that look mom had whenever dad would storm out of the house at night. she looked at me with those tired, sad eyes... and the she jumped. i never saw her again. not once; until yesterday. i saw her in the door way of the old shack.

it was a quiet, overcast day when i woke up. the pleasant thought of not having to go into work that day put a sleepy smile on my face. dan hadnt been home in over three years and mom had been in the assisted living for seven months, so our old cabin was pretty quiet. i had turned it into my own little nest with my tea collection, my books, and scented candles. it had been a cold winter, and snow laden evergreens were a favorite of mine. i was in such a good mood that morning that i just had to get out and do something. so i decided to walk the trail.

the trail is the path where dan and i spent most of our time playing as children. it was also the place i spotted the lady in white that one night years ago.

our back porch is the beginning of the trail. then it winds down into the thick forest that surrounds our property. once youre about twenty minutes away from the house you come to an old shack. dan and i decided a long time ago that it was haunted and that we would never go in there. actually, that was all his idea. i always felt the urge to look inside everytime we walked by; as if there was something in there that was meant to be seen.

anyway, i suited up in my warmest clothes and headed out. when i came to the shack i was again tempted to go take a look inside, but i have a great love and respect for my brother. i promised him i would never go in there, so i didnt. i kept walking. but as i was just about to round the curve in the path to where the shack would finally be out of sight, i stopped and looked back. thats when i saw her. she was again wearing the same white robes and had the same tired, sad look in her eyes. for a moment we locked gazes, and then she turned and walked into the shack.

i tried to keep walking; i really did! but i had to know who she was and why i kept seeing her. i went into the shack.

-and what did you see?

i saw a mirror, but instead of my reflection... i saw the woman in white.

-what did you do when you saw her?

i threw this hammer at the mirror and broke it.

-does she know that she looks just like the woman she described? what did you do after you smashed the mirror.

the next thing i remember is waking up in the snow and you trying to pick me up. thank you for helping me by the way. i dont know why i passed out.

-i was thinking hypothermia.

why do you say that? im dressed warmly enough.

-maybe for a nice spring day in florida! who goes out for a walk in the snow in a flimsy dress anyway?

what are you talking about? i wore my winter colthes. i already told you that.

well lady, youre not anymore. dont you see that youre wearing a white dress.

k.g.

copyright 2015