Wickerwoods

The woods were almost pitch black. I only found my way by keeping my feet on the asphalt of the road. Luckily I made it to the next town in a couple of hours. I reached the edge of downtown Wickerwoods. It has a decent population but it certainly had more people than buildings. Most of the structures are old sturdy brick or lodge style logs.

It was beautiful on its own and yet this town finds a way to ruin it. Every door and window was locked shut. Metal grates and fencings were sealed with clunky iron locks and chains. Any outdoor plants, chairs, and even tables were gone. The spots the items normally set have scuffs from their removal.

I sighed while reaching the front of a bar. The windows were glowing with warm light from inside. The muffled sound of chatter coming from it. It was the most known bar in the town that her dad always talked about. It was run by the same guy he suggested talking to for advice, Marley.

Taking a step into the bar was like going through a sound barrier. The quiet chattering quickly becomes a loud roar from all around. I could barely even hear the door closing behind me before I made my way to the barstools.

At the counter mixing a drink was him. Marley was a mule with naturally sad eyes and an even trimmed coat of fur. He gave the drink to a customer before strolling straight towards me. A nervous smile crept out as I tried to be polite, “Excuse me, Marley?”

Marley stopped on the other side of the counter in front of me and said the same line he’s said about a million times, “What will it be then?”

“T-the-” my words fumbled over each other for a brief moment. Noticing my own hands trembling, I stuffed them away in my pockets and tried again after clearing my throat, “R-Rowan. He uh. Rowan sent me here. He said you could help.”

Marley’s gaze quickly became curious on hearing the name. He turns his head to one side to get a second look at me before responding in a much more relaxed tone, “Rowy?” He leans over to the side to glance back at my strange tail behind me, “Judging on that tail I wouldn’t suppose you’re his daughter are ya?”

I gave him a quick nod, “Yes. Michael Nore. I was hoping you would know a cheap place to stay.”

Marley nods, “Plenty of cheap housing here but hardly any of them are safe. I don’t know how much your dad’s shared with ya but Wickerwoods is a town of crime. Murderers here and there but thieves especially. Those shop shutters aren’t locked tight at night for nothin.”

I nod back, “I understand.”

Marley then gestures at her pants, “I’d also recommend storing any cash you got somewhere other than your pocket. It’s like laying cheese by a mouse hole.”

I nodded again, taking my handful of cash out of my pocket and looking down at myself to find a better place. I then slipped off my shoe, putting the money on the sole before putting it back on.

Marley laughs some, “Just don’t get knocked off your feet then.”

After getting my shoe back on I gave a forced laugh. He was a family friend after all, “So uh. Do you recommend anywhere in particular?”

After a moment of thought, his eyes open a bit more on having an idea, “I think I know a place better suited for ya and it’s as safe as can be without emptying your shoe.”

I comment, “Oh… and preferably no family.”

Marley continues, “Not related at all. Ya won’t have to worry about that one. It’s a lodge up north of the town. Barret lodge. Ran by Wendell Barret. It’s one of the cheapest options right now and murderers wouldn’t dare go up there.”

I give a quick nod, still keeping my hands hidden, “Thank you. I’ll owe you one.”

Marley shakes his head, “No need. Your fathers more than paid for any debt you could owe. But be careful. There’s a reason a place so safe is cheap. But I wouldn’t recommend it if I didn't think you could handle it.”

I give another thankful nod while backing up to the door, “You’re a life saver. See ya later.” Marley politely waves, dismissing me as I turn to the door and leave.

Walking down the sidewalk with a layer of money in one shoe was a bit uncomfortable. It seemed like wearing two completely different shoes and I couldn’t help but feel like I was walking like a pirate with a peg leg. Surely I will get used to it soon enough. It was going to be my new life anyways.

Headed North of the town I was distracted from my thoughts by the buildings I passed by. With not a single item being left out, the town’s problem with thieves must have really gotten out of hand. But does a place so cheap to live in have thieves to begin with? If money isn’t an issue here then why would you steal? Money would be why people steal, right?

I debated the idea for a while before eventually making my way to a large sign on the side of the building. It was some kind of bulletin board for the community. I had seen one in my own town where people would be free to put missing papers for pets or even job listings for free. It had to do with keeping telephone poles clean to make people’s jobs easier. But the one where I grew up was always cluttered with anything you could think of. Layers of paper on top of each other to the point you couldn’t see the board anymore.

For Wickerwoods however, it seems the thieves loved it too. There were only holes left in the cork hoard where all the bulletins once were and all of the papers were stolen as well. That is except for one. A small business card with a golden pin is in the center without a single scuff. On it was some text, “Barret Lodge. 892 Mosswart Road.”

I turned to the roadsign by the bulletin board that also pointed in the direction of the lodge. Marley’s warning that it was cheap for a reason was now causing more concern. But this was my best shot. I continued down the road with less of a wobble as I got more used to the uneven shoe. The road now reaches to the outskirts of town past a small baseball field and just behind a tree line. Nestled in the barrier of the woods by the field was the lodge. It wasn’t insanely large but the building itself was still impressive. Its large pointed window gave view to a chandelier of antlers hanging on the ceiling from inside. All of the exterior walls framing it were well sealed large logs making feel as if it was a fairytale cabin in the mountains despite being just a couple feet from seeing town. I almost had to double take behind myself to be sure I wasn’t deep in the forest without knowing.

I made my way across an intricate brick driveway and up the steps of the porch. Immediately knocking on the door as I reached it, hoping someone was awake at this hour.