Ilda's Worst Nightmare (Solo)

It wasn't long after Ilda caught that dumb chicken that she grew weary from running around all day, and thus she was grateful that the farmer and his family let her stay with them for the night, including a full meal and warm smiles that would melt the most frozen heart.

It was at sundown that Ilda wandered to the guest room, taking a tattered nightgown out of her travel bag to prepare for her slumber. Sitting on the bed, she noted that it was quite hard, contrasting the extremely soft pillows and fluffy pink bedding in a way she couldn't quite comprehend, nor did she try. "I got lucky getting a bed to sleep in," She mused to herself. "Maybe I'll get lucky in my dreams, too."

Sadly, she did not.

A bloodcurdling scream resounded in her head as she recalled through her dreams devastation created by a single touch of her hand. She could see as a third party a younger version of herself, maybe ten years old, cowering in fear as a stranger hit her square in the face with a hard slap, leaving a hand print almost as red as her hair on her cheeks and nose. "Don't you dare touch my child again, you monster!" The word echoed in her skull like a knife being jabbed into every crevice, her smaller body curling up into a ball to try to block out the chanting of the phrase.

The nightmare grew even more traumatic as an unruly mob full of pitchforks and torches appeared before her eyes, the flames dancing to try to enrapture her while reminding her of her sinful existence. She tried to run away, only to trip on a pebble thrown in her direction by a child, the same child she'd unintentionally harmed with just a touch of her hand.

She emerged from slumber with a wailing cry, causing the farmer's daughter to rush in and check on her. The closer the little girl got, the more Ilda cowered from the memories that haunted her, causing her to try to shoo away the little girl with all her heart. "Don't cry Illy," The little girl mused. "It was just a bad dream, promise."

"It's not just a dream, Sally. It's a reality... Or was. It was a memory from long ago, you see."

"You just said it yourself, didn't you? It happened a long time ago. Illy is A-OK now!"

"No, I'm not." Ilda stared at her hand, still gloved even as she slept. "I'm a monster, Sally. Without this glove, all I bring is pain to the people around me."

"You didn't hurt me," Sally mused. "And you brought home Clucky safe and sound, you know? At the very least, I don't think you're scary Illy. I think you're a nice mage. You made everyone in the house very happy with what you did... So please don't cry and say such scary things."

Ilda didn't even realize she'd started to tear up- they just fell silently along her cheeks. Thankful for the lesson and reminder of her mission to release the old idea she was nothing but a monster, Ilda hugged the little girl, who crawled into her bed to return the favor. "Thank you, Sally."

"Night night, Illy." The girl cooed, cuddling close.

"Night night..." Ilda, holding the little girl that calmed her, returned to slumber. This time, there was only a peaceful silence- a silence welcome to the woman until daybreak would lead her to a new chapter.