Black Forest

I quickly dumped my groceries onto the kitchen bench, as I walk-run towards the phone, stubbing my toe on the stool on my way to it. “Ouch!! Coming!” I yelled out to no one in particular, as I reached out to grab the telephone perched on the wall. It felt like it had been ringing incessantly, as though it knew I had just walked through the front door, demanding to be picked up right away. Since I hadn’t invested in a caller ID, I had to make sure I took this call. I made a quick mental note to buy one soon, picked up the smooth black receiver, and caught it by the coiled cord - the ringing stopped. 

“Hello, is that you Joan?”

“Yes…oh hey Becky! How was the beach, it looked too crowded this morning, I didn’t bother going.”

“Joan, glad I got you. I have been trying to call you all afternoon…! Have you heard about what’s happened recently around Peppermint Circle?”

“Sorry I was out, getting groceries. Hmm… I’ve only heard bits and pieces. Carla told me that she saw a for-sale sign outside Eliza’s house! That was it, what else did I miss?!” I asked as I looped the smooth telephone cord around my finger.

“There’s more…hang on…Jamie get off the couch, you’ll get sand all over it! No…don’t! Stop doing that! Go and wash off all that sand please! Sorry Joan, the kids just got back from the beach…you know what it’s like getting sand off fabric, a nightmare! Anyway, yes Eliza! I didn’t expect that, she only just moved here, how long ago was that, five or six months maybe?”

“I think it’s only been six months.…and she moved from Bondi Grove, that really fancy area, I always wondered why she moved to the suburbs, I mean she doesn’t have any kids for starters, she always looked too fancy and kind off out if place in our neighbourhood…don’t you think?”

“Yeah, I agree. She’s in the baking business, remember? I don’t even know if she’s got a husband or boyfriend, she’s pretty private about her personal stuff. But Carla did say, she saw a tatted-up bloke going to hers a fair bit, he seems to visit every week or something. Also, I called my sister, who by chance, has a friend living in Bondi Grove. She gave me a bit of a run down! Get this…she said Eliza was driven out of the community! She didn’t know why specifically but…she did say something about someone disappearing, only to be found in a nearby forest four days later. They all suspected it was Eliza because that’s who this person was with before disappearing, and that person could not even remember what happened. It’s like they had amnesia…Scary stuff…How does that even happen?”

“Oh wow, I did not expect that.”

“Carla told me as much as she knew, she lives across from Eliza. She’s tried to press on about her life and background, but that woman is a tough nut to crack.”  

“I’ve never really spoken to her. She always had this air of mystery about her, something I couldn’t quite figure out. But I’m still curious why they related the disappearance to…”

“Remember the party I had recently?” Becky interrupted hastily; she sounded as if she was becoming impatient. 

“Yes, oh god, I remember now. You ordered that cake from her, hang on, did she show up? I had to leave at six, Cole was vomiting and the babysitter said it came out of nowhere, anyway yes, tell me, did she come?”

“Yes! Initially I didn’t think she would because I hadn’t heard from her. She eventually did, with that tatted-up guy! And I asked them both to stay for the party.”

“Did they?”

“Yes both did, but she only stayed for a while. Anyway, the guy she’s with, introduced himself as her business partner but really, I think he was just an errand boy for her.”

“What? Does he bake as well? That multi-tiered Black Forest cake?! Was it good?”

“No he doesn’t bake. I tried to ask her a few more questions, but she didn’t come to the party…ehh no pun intended. But her guy, Brad or Ben, anyway he had a few drinks. He told me she was into witchy, magical stuff.” 

“Ooo…What do you mean? Like Ouija boards, voodoo, crystal stuff?”

“Mmm something like that. But more of spells.” 

“What? He was probably drunk and talking crazy? That is odd.”

“I am dead serious Joan. It was weird. He said it had something to do with the herbs and being in the forest. He was convincing when he spoke about it…Anyway, he said she goes into the forest once a month for a ritual and collects these herbs, berries and leaves. She then grinds them using a mortar and pestle until it turns into this black powder which she carries around a velvet pouch!”

“Wait hang on Becky, you ordered that cake from her. Did everyone end up eating it? Did you know about this spell powder concoction before you got this cake?”

“Everyone enjoyed it, no, no one disappeared into the forest. I spent a fortune on this cake, I wasn’t going to waste it. And for all I know he was talking gibberish… after all who has tattoos on their face. He’s weird. They both are. I am glad they’re moving away. We can have our quiet, family friendly neighbourhood again.” 

“Did he say anything else? Ben or Brad…whatever his name was?” I asked, still curious and reeling from the conversation.

“No actually, he didn’t. It was a great evening apart from that odd conversation. Oh, someone’s at the door Joan, I’ve got to go, I’ve also got to prepare dinner.”

“Yeah, actually, I can hear my boys too, getting ants in their pants back here. I best head off, go and get dinner ready before their dad comes home from work.” 

“Ok, I’ll catch you at book club this Friday? I am only three quarter way through it...but I can’t wait.” 

“Sounds good, I am nearly through mine, might have to get the boys to bed a bit early so I can have some me time to read. I’m sure you’ll get through it. You always do. And Becky, don’t mind that odd conversation you had with that guy at the party, they’re moving away now…Alright speak soon, bye.” 

“I won’t. Bye Joan.” 

The phone clicked as I hung it back on the receiver. The doorbell rings. I opened the door and felt the cold breeze stung me. Tightening my cardigan around my waist, I looked at the woman before me, before my eyes travelled up to the sky. The full moon glowed eerily in the dark night sky.

“Ah sister, you summoned me,” she said, her thin lips curled into a smile. 

“Indeed, I did Eliza. We must perform our rituals tonight. I see you’ve brought what I’ve requested?” I said as I noticed the purple velvet bag, soft to touch and unassuming, encased with spells. 

“Yes of course, with the black powder from the forest herbs. Let’s head to the basement as usual?”

“Let’s go. Oh Eliza and one more thing…”

“Hmm?”

“We need to get rid of Ben…tonight.”

Eliza looked back at me and nodded, with the familiar twinkle in her eye, her smile turned into a wicked grin.