A Cabin in the Woods

         In the forests stands an old wooden house. The house has a strong foundation and used to have steps leading up to the door. Those steps have been swept away by years of rain and erosion. Now, one has to cross some old wooden planks to get to the door. The door is made of old pine wood, rotten in places. It used to be a good, sturdy door, but now is hanging on one hinge and teeters in the wind. Next to the door is an old window. The glass is smoky from age. There is only one other window near the roof, directly over the door. There are no further openings to the house.

         Inside, the house only has one room with a loft. It is dark. The floors are covered with pine cones, acorns, leaves, dirt, and various dead insects. It smells like the forest. The loft serves as a sleeping area for whoever lived here, long ago. The room is sparsely furnished. There is a small table with two rickety stools under the side window, next to the door. On the table stands an old oil lamp, but the oil is long gone. All that is left is an old stain on the wooden table. In the opposite corner is a wood burning stove. The stove created soot stains on the walls. There are two hot plates on the stove for cooking; a dented pot and rusty pan hang on the wall behind the stove. Along the wall there are nails from which washcloths and towels once hung. In the other corner is a cabinet with a porcelain wash basin and pitcher. The pitcher is painted with small wildflowers while the basin is painted with ivy leaves around the side. Inside the cabinet are some plates and cups, made from ceramics. They are plain white, with creases all over the glazing. They creases make the plates look old; they appear to have wrinkled, just as a person would, with age. Below the loft is a trunk. The trunk is made of heavy oak and looks like the most expensive thing in the house. The trunk has spots for two handles, but only one is left. The lone handle is made of gold plated steel; the plating has chipped in places. The hinges are still in place. The top of the trunk is carved with a boar’s head in profile. The hinges are rusted shut, but can be pulled open with some effort. The inside of the trunk is plain. A blanket ravaged by moths is on top. Underneath the blanket are a few old books, including a small bible. A chess and backgammon game are also amongst the prize possessions of whoever lived here. Other than that, the trunk is empty. There are some nails in the walls above the trunk that likely served as clothing hooks. An oilcloth is laid out neatly between the trunk and the door. This must have been used to wipe the shoes of the owner of the house.

         A ladder leads up to the loft. A straw matrass with a lumpy down pillow are on the loft. There is an old crate with an oil lamp and a candle holder. A few small sketches of birds and an old woman dot the ceiling of the loft.

         Someone approaches. He is a middle aged man. His hair is caked with mud and sweat; his jaw is square and strong. He has a broad nose and mouth; although his face is bearded. Though he looks rough, he is strangely handsome. His eyes are deep-set and look thoughtful. His eyes are hazel, as if his eyes are a reflection of the forest. Broad shouldered and tall, he is wearing a gray, long-sleeved cotton shirt and dark jeans. His boots are muddy. He has a confident, strong stride; yet there is a hesitancy in his movement. He is carrying two rabbits.