The witch's fountain

This is my entry for the #ssc6

Oh! Look! Something not inktober related? Weird.

No warning for this one? Seems suspicious, no? I'm just keeping you all on your toes :wink:

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Keagan stood at the gorgeous fountain, holding an old coin his grandfather gave him. It was an old buffalo head nickel, not worth much, but he was told that if you offered the witch of the fountain something that held meaning  to you, she would give you what you most desired.

The huge stone statue was of a beautiful woman in a flowing gown, blowing out behind her as she walked. Her feet were bare as if she had no cares in the world. Her long hair billowed out behind her as if in a gentle breeze. Her face was soft, yet unafraid, facing whatever challenges lay ahead without fear. She stood gracefully in the middle of the grand fountain, the centerpiece that drew people in from miles away, just to gaze at her majestic presence.

Surrounding the woman was crystal clear water, spanning out 4 feet in all directions. The fountain itself was not round, it had odd shapes bulging out here and there, forming a rather unique but splendid look. There were different colored stones set sporadically about inside the concrete wall and ledges, that would sparkle brilliantly in the sun. Inside the pond, the floor and walls were an azure blue, giving the water a nice blue tint. The pond was filled with gold, orange, red and yellow Comet goldfish, swimming around in a magnificent rainbow, showing off their perfection. The fountain was the small town's pride and joy, everyone would help maintain it and the fish.

Legend had it, in the 1600's, when the town was new, a witch lived there. Unlike other towns, the people here not only knew she was a witch, but they accepted her and protected her from outsiders. When the people from other towns went on their witch hunting craze, the community of Bunford tightened up and came together. It was leaked that Bunford had a witch, no one ever knew by whom, and the crazed, blood hungry hunters came in a huge swarm. As the witch was burning, tied to a pole in the center of town, her friends and protectors had all been forced to watch, crying and screaming for her release. Their pleading, that the witch had never harmed a soul and never would, fell on deaf ears. The witches last words were a whisper that only her daughter had heard. She had promised, that as long as she was in their hearts, she would continue to bless them. Thus why the fountain was made, right where the witch had been murdered.

It is said that as long as you have a pure heart and wish no ill upon others, the witch's power, harnessed from the fountain, could grant you what you desired most in the world.

Keagan watched as the fish danced around one another, their tails caressed the others as they swayed, making the water ripple. The colors all mixed in the most tantalizing way, keeping his full attention.

What did he want more than anything? Keagan had no answer for this. He looked at the dull coin in his fingers as he spun it around, the sun glinting off the dole edges just a little. He wondered if he should just toss it in and let the witch decide. She is supposed to know without being told right?

Keagan flipped the coin in the air and watched as it flipped over itself a few long moments as if time had slowed down. The nickel hit the water soundlessly, not even making a splash. The world seemed to have lost its voice, not able to make even the slightest whisper. A shiver ran down his spine as goosebumps popped up along his arms. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on its end as his heart raced.

He wanted to look around, just to make sure the random people were still there, but his eyes were transfixed on the ripples in the water. No way a simple coin can make so many, nor for so long. They seemed to go on forever, crossing the entire pond. Once his eyes could look past the water, he noticed the fish float under the water, unmoving as if they too had frozen.

Keagan had had enough, his fear had reached the point where the fight or flight took over. There was nothing visible to fight, so the only obvious answer would be to run. Turning on his heels, he ran from the disturbing sight, the weird silence and the maybe not so fake wishing well. But he hadn't made a wish, he never asked for anything. He didn't even have a clue what he wanted most. So the witch can't either. Right? Right?!?

For years the people of Bunford, and the surrounding towns, spoke of Keagan and the well. They told tales of how he threw in his coin then disappeared. How the snow came in June and lasted for three years. How the howling winds always sounded like Keagan screaming in the middle of night. They say if you listen close, even now you can hear his screams on the coldest winter nights.

Pictures were are all found on pinterest, by my love, thanks for helping me, my Dove