Oh...Well

The girl reached out towards the window. Her breath fogged against the glass. In that fog, something stood out. A whisper of a memory, drawn in the fog. Someone she thought she knew once. Just her mind playing tricks.

She headed out towards the square. Her boots sunk into the snow as she trudged through. Doors were locked tight during the winter. Nobody wanted to deal with the slippery ice or the deep snow. They stayed inside and kept as warm as they could. Heaped blankets over themselves. But someone was always unlucky. Or just needed one more blanket. There was always someone who wouldn’t live to see next Spring.

Amelie was never afraid to venture out. Winter was her favorite season. She could go out and do anything she wanted. She could dance. She could yell. She could cry. She could do embarrassing things but not feel ashamed because nobody would be around to witness it.

Like every winter day, she walked out to the square and sat on the side of the abandoned well in the middle of town. She took her book out of her bag and began to read.

A “CAW” from a bird snapped her out of her reading daze. Odd, since the birds are normally like the people here. Hidden away during the winter, not emerging until Spring. Maybe this bird is just like her.

She’s been coming here for years. She has always been mesmerized by the well, even as a child. Ivy snaked around the well. The bucket long gone. Her fingers ran across the curves of each stone, the uneven pieces cemented together. Forced to fit.

Peering down, she looks inside. Nothing. A black hole, like the ones in outer space that seem like they could suck something in. And if you went in, there was no coming out.

“Hello, Amelie.” She called down into the well. The usual echo “Hello, Amelie” singing back to her. The well comforted her. She knew the voice was only her own. But Amelie was alone most of the time. The only friend she’d ever had turned her back on her without giving her any reason. A mystery. Like why the well was abandoned in the first place. It looked like a perfectly good well. At least from the outside, as far as she could tell. And it was right in the middle of town. A perfectly good spot. Another mystery she’ll always have to wonder about.

The freezing air bit at her cheeks as the sun started to set. Time to go. She couldn’t be caught outside in the winter. That was a death sentence. As she stepped away from the well, an unmistakable echo spoke “Come here, Amelie.” Goosebumps littered her arms. She peered into the well once again. Darkness. Nothingness. Probably just her mind playing tricks again. She had been out here by herself for a long time. Her mind just wanted someone to talk to. She began her trek back home, a little faster than normal.

She curled up in blankets, surrounded by her parents and younger brother. Amelie tried not to think about the well, which proved unsuccessful. She stared at the fire. Scorching. Burning. Wild. Just like her thoughts. Once again, a “CAW” from a bird outside the window drew her attention away. The bird stood on the windowsill. She walked towards him, sitting next to the window. A black bird, same as before. Still, the sky is clear of other birds. Their songs lost in the winter, gone until Spring grows near. Could this be the same bird? Could it have been a different bird? Both options sounded unlikely, but one must be true. Why would this bird follow her? Or is it just a coincidence?

Amelie didn’t speak much to her family that night. For the most part, her thoughts were occupied. She probably just needed some good sleep. She went to bed early and tried to forget everything.

The light of the sun woke her up the next morning. While her family was cocooned in their blankets. Amelie once again trekked to the well. A little more hesitant, but a lot more curious.

She peered over and said “Hello.” The usual “hello” echoed back. She waited a moment. Nothing. Her shoulders sagged in relief. She wasn’t going insane. It’s ok. Until an echo spoke “Where did you go, Amelie?” Her heart beat faster. Terrified, she asked the solo echo, “Who are you?”

Silence.

The silence held no answers. Every second of nothingness, every time she could hear herself breathe, her curiosity heightened.

Amelie listened closely. A mumbled echo this time. She couldn’t hear. She leaned down closer, half her body leaning over the well. “CAW.” The bird again, singing its warning. “Come. Here.” As she leaned in to hear, a gust of wind tore through and her grip on the well slipped.

Her body somersaulted down as she desperately clawed at the air. It’s not true what they say. Your whole life doesn’t flash before your eyes. Just that last moment. The What-Ifs. What If I didn’t lean down that far? What If that wind wasn’t blowing so hard? What If I had stayed home?

Her thoughts crashed to a halt as she hit the ground. The pain seared through her body. But she was able to sit up. She had a few scrapes and bruises, but she was able to stand. A miracle, considering she has no idea how far she fell and how hard the ground was.

Amelie looked up. The blue sky glittered brightly like heaven. Then she looked around to see the hell she was now in. A circle a few feet wide in diameter. Crawling worms and other bugs littered the dirt. Amelie listened. Silence.

“Hello?” She called. And listened again. Nothing. Her back sagged against the stone as she slid towards the ground. Of course there’s nobody down here. Nobody was ever talking to her. She’s been alone and now it seemed she would stay alone.

Oh… well.