Sez Ulrich In Houghton Hollows [Fiction]

The sharp tap-tap of a cane on the cobblestones could be heard in the quietness of Houghton Hollows. Martha Peabody felt the slight shift in the cool air as she rounded a corner leading to her bakery.

She paused for a moment before raising her cane to prod the body lying on the pavement and got a groan in response. Oh!

“Mornin’ Ms Martha,” whispered a voice from behind. It was Jonas, her neighbour and a trinket seller. “I…who be this lying on the ground this cold morning?”

“Your guess is as good as mine,” she replied. “A stranger, no doubt.”

Jonas stepped close to the body, sniffing the air. “Aye! His smell…ugh,” he grimaced, pinching his nose.

“A strong one. How'd you know it's a he?”

Jonas grinned, puffing out his chest. “Come now, Ms Martha. We men folks know our kind and that, my fine lady, is a full blooded male on the ground.”

Another voice interrupted their debate. “What are you folks on about this morning?” Lydia Wilkins, the mayor's wife, drew close to them, the clicking of her cane muted by the padded cushion at its base. An indication of wealth. “Oh, that smell! How did he get here?”

“A fine mornin' to you, Ms Wilkins. We found him here too,” Jonas replied, turning towards the lovely middle-aged woman. “I reckon we will take him to the town's infirmary.”

“I don't know, Jonas. Can he see?” Lydia asked warily.

Martha crouched beside the stranger and turned him face up. She ran her hands over his face, his neck before lifting his eyelids for a moment and nodded. “Sure thing. This lad can see!”

Then a groan rose from the man on the pavement as he slowly blinked his eyes open, staring at the curious trio. Martha hurriedly moved away to stand beside Jonas.

“Easy, lad. We think you're hurt,” Jonas said, tapping the stranger's thigh with his cane. “What's your name and how did you get here?”

The stranger sat up, his eyes darting around in shock. It was a quiet town slowly waking up to the day. The sun was up in the sky and few people walked on the street, their canes of different sizes and colours clicking in rhythmic symphony.

He gazed at the three people whose heads were bent down towards him, their brows furrowed in concern as they waited for him to say something.

One thing was blatantly obvious—everyone in the town was blind.

“My name is Sez Ulrich. I - I was lost in the bordering forest—” He started to say when Lydia whispered, “Saints have mercy! Not that forest.”

“Is there something terrible about it?” Sez gazed at her in alarm.

“You tell us,” Jonas bit out. “What did you see there?”

“Wolves, sir. Beasts of a size and strength I've never seen before.” The trio clicked their tongues and shook their heads in unison. “I - I ran and found myself here.”

“Alright, Sez. Can you get up? I'll take you to the infirmary,” Jonas offered. “And don't be alarmed, we know you can see with your eyes.”

“H-how?”

Lydia and Martha chuckled and went about their morning business, leaving Jonas with the Sez.

“Lad, the world is a big place filled with unique things and people. We are one of ‘em and see with our souls, not our eyes like your kind. Now, put your hand on my shoulder and let's go.”

Sez Ulrich shook with fear and admiration as the blind doctor and nurse tended his wounds with quiet confidence. They were minor cuts and bruises. He couldn't stop gazing at everyone in wonder. Jonas stayed with him all through.

Once they were out of the infirmary, he blurted. “How do you keep the wolves out of Houghton Hollows?”

Jonas grinned slyly. “Those wolves know not to cross into Houghton Hollows. Our hands, legs and ears are sharper than a blade. They know that and keep to their part of the forest, just as a river never goes beyond its banks.”

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I hope you enjoyed reading this short piece inspired by the idea of living in a world where everyone is blind in conjunction with Freewrite #dailyprompt words "strong smell".

Thank you for visiting my blog.

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