Mysteria

Once upon a time in a large forest, there was a small village named Mysteria. Like most small villages and towns, there were no strangers, nor were there any secrets among the people. Mysteria was a very happy village, surrounded by mountains and forest. A narrow, dirty street ran through the middle of town. A stream of cold, clear water rippled down from the mountains. Beds of beautiful flowers grew along the street and front of the shops. There were other far away villages in the forest, but the people of Mysteria had everything they needed and seldom left their happy homes. Every year, the villagers held a street festival to celebrate their happiness and good fortune. The women wore their prettiest dresses made by their own hands. The men and children wore their finest clothes. It was a day of singing dancing and merriment for all. One day, during one of the festivals, a strange woman walked into town. She was followed by a shaggy, red eyed black cat. She wore a long black dress, and her stringy dark hair was hanging down from under a large black hat that was pointed at the top. The village had very few visitors, so the villagers wondered where the strange women came from and why she was in Mysteria. She had nothing except the ugly cat that followed her, and a black bag she carried on her arm. She never spoke a word and walked straight through the village into the forest. The villagers agreed, she was a wickedly frightening woman. Every day the woman walked into town, looked around and then disappeared back into the forest. She was always followed by the black cat. She never entered the stores and never spoke to anyone.