Moss and myth

Time had crumbled, slumbered and hid itself beneath moss covered vines. A once thriving city had been abandoned and left to sleep. Beneath this city slept an overgrown, vine covered and prickly proliferation of roots, limbs, leaves and a lovely floral entomological delight of plant and leeching ivy overgrowth. A myth of ghosts and ghouls surrounded the very mention of the city's forbidden name.

Shrouded in mystery, lichen covered and forlorn, long stood the forgotten morose city of Madrigold. No one ventured here after midnight, or ever it would seem, for it had been told of old that no man, woman, child or nary a creature ever were seen again, when they dared enter the dark forlorn city named Madrigold.

Long I stood, one midnight dark and dreary, not far removed from the fabled gates of that dark city. The moon shone her eerie shadowed glow upon this forgotten form. I, a traveler who long had traversed the barren outside world and was now tired, footsore and weary of soul, now does see in lichen covered wretched Madrigold a place to lay my head.

A home that no one dares to enter, perfect for a penniless drifter. I had nought to lose, and a home of dark mystery waiting to be acquired. I hope no one alive there be to challenge my good luck, if good luck it doth turns out to be. My shoulder did I square and lift against the wind and dread, and boldly, though with a bit of trepidation and doubtful fear, pushed open the outer gates which led to the two very large and daunting double doors.

Across the pungent little stream which flowed betwixt the buildings I did jump, then attempted with all my might to push ajar the dreaded moss covered and tufted multi-hued door. For the lichen had long overgrown and entwined itself in various twisted forms amidst the gnarled, viridian, malachite and twisted verdigris patina, which resembled entangled greenish-blue screaming Mandrake roots. Grinning fiendishly, their gnarled freakish humanlike and frightening forms stood beckoning monstrously.

Amidst many colors and hues which invited shoulder or forceful boot to this plant encrusted door, the fibrous aggregates did indeed require many a slam of the shoulder bringing pain and various animalistic grunts of rage and hurtful might. When finally, the great door did give way, an eerie silence was discerned within. Such a pregnant silence within which one does hear one's own heartbeat.

This in itself should have made a lesser brave heart turn and take flight. But not I. I now became the more curiouser and curiouser of this eerie wonder. What dark nebulousness awaited me on the inside of this plant infested, dank and moisture laden fortress of solitude.

I became entangled in a variegated landscape of intertwined cobwebs which all but threatened to engulf and suffocate my senses. I set myself to the task of clearing the miles of cobweb within the rather large entranceway. After wading through this silken mazelike ocean of spidery delight, I perceived the painting of a lighthouse upon the wall. A phenomenon most curious assailed my senses.

The lighthouse within the picture had its light shining from the high turret windows.

I looked around expecting ghosts and ghouls to make their fearsome presence known, for the light now offered me sight to see the interior of the great and once grand structure. Strange. Was this light welcoming me to something pleasing to the soul, or was it a sign that I had sealed my fate by the opening of the fateful door.

My tentative steps into the gloomy interior were stunned and halted, as lights flashed on overhead. I stood rooted to the spot. Such an occurrence should not be possible in a long abandoned moss laden and cobwebbed haven. Now I knew for sure that ghosts of the past and maybe present were walking alongside me this spine-chilling night. Looking around fearfully, and finding my bodily motion again, I slowly spun around like a stupefied canine trying to view his enigmatic tail.

I was surrounded by spirits all robed in dreary black. Yet I felt calm and quite unafrighted by their presence. They spoke not, but merely gestured me onwards to the musky heart of the many faceted passageway that led to the vast mazelike, dank and gloomy haunted rooms.

The lights continued to click themselves on overhead as I walked, my heart sent a thankful prayer heavenwards for this very welcome occurrence. The cloaked presences led me to a room deep within the belly of the gloomy structure. Inside I beheld paintings of what must be ancestors upon the wall, and an antique looking desk covered with papers and scrolls, among other old but still attractive furniture.

I carefully dusted the years and cobwebs from the papers upon the erstwhile desk.

Written on these papers was my name, Erica Rainbow Madrigold. I possessed the name which had driven me on this quest. Yet with not a single inkling that I was in the least bit related to the ancestors of old. I was all alone in the world, it had long ago ceased to be the world that once had been. Disease, famine and evil had laid bare the once thriving existence of a peaceful and happy subsistence.

I had come home!

The ghosts were myths which had been born from the fears of frightened minds and souls who believed unswervingly in their existence. They existed now within the walls of Madrigold. They would be my constant companions from now on.

I found some paint within a much cobwebbed fully stocked outer shed. Fie, it turned out to be purple. I set to work to spruce up the old foreboding place.

Pleasing purple was painted much to my consternation. Yet, for now it would have to do. I had found my way home by some supernatural meanderings of way to way, to a home I previously knew nought of. Yet fate or luck or call it what you will, had guided me to my ancestral home.

Here in solitary adjournment will I spend the blessed and fortunate balance of my given days. Madrigold had welcomed me home to rest at last.

Perchance later I may find some deserving, like hearted souls to share my fortress of solitude and come to find a home here as well.

Myth and ghosts exist side by side with me in this haunted place.

A myth now has been proven to be quite true!