Hello hello hello and welcome to The Witch's Apprentice! This story will be a collection of cohesive short stories, that details the training of Elizabeth Malkin, better known as Bony Lizzie. As of right now, this fanfiction is rated T for some violence and gore to come in later chapters. Unlike all of my previous works, this story will not be containing any graphic adult content, So without further ado, let's get on with the story!

I held my eyes shut against the howling wind, whipping past my ears and stinging my cheeks with its harsh chill. Fear pounded through my heart as my mind swam with terror, as if desperately trying to wake itself from the terrible nightmare unfolding. I could hear my blood pumping through my head, pounding in my skull like a drum. Goldshaw Booth was a large section of Pendle, so large in fact that a person's nearest neighbor could be miles away. Despite the bitter cold of the County January, I walked slowly. It seemed as if my life could not get any worse. My mam was dead, my sister had gone off to live with relatives in Roughlee, and I had been sent off to live with my grandmother who would train me to become a witch. Soon, it began to snow, falling in delicate white flakes, covering what remained from the previous night's storm with a soft sheer blanket. I always loved the snow and would play in it often as a child. Agnes, my sister, and I would always have snowball fights atop of Pendle hill and build snowmen by the large oak tree just outside of Witch Dell. It saddened me to think about that chapter of my life coming to an end, and I was certain that soon there would be no time to frolic in the snow, perhaps I wouldn't even desire to do it anymore at all. For the first time in all of the thirteen winters I'd seen, the sight of snow sickened me.

It wasn't long before I spotted a light in the distance, growing larger the closer I came towards it. A moth moving toward a flame that eventually would consume it. I managed to make out the shape of a cottage though the snow which had begun to fall faster by the minute, the weather had taken a turn for the worse. I was certain I'd catch my death if I stayed outside much longer, so I quickened my pace, not stopping until I reached Mother Malkin's front door. I rapped on the door three times, in a loud steady rhythm. The door swung inward almost immediately, and my blood ran cold as I caught a glimpse what stood just behind it. I had half expected Mother Malkin to answer the door herself, but instead was I met by an abnormally large man with too many teeth to fit in his mouth. I had no time to introduce myself or to state my business before he brutishly took me by the forearm and pulled me inside. Mother Malkin's cottage was filthy, weeks of dirt and grime caked the floor, and the smell of mold and mildew permeated the air. It unnerved me to be standing in such squalor, even though we didn't have much Mam took pride in her home. I noticed a small piled in the corner of the room, and upon closer inspection I realized that it was a pile of bones, some were undoubtedly human, and some were small enough to belong to a child. The metallic tang of blood wafted under my nose, causing me to gag and have to use the side of the mantle to support myself, I felt faint.

Although it must have only been a few minutes, it felt like hours before I finally lifted my head to take in my surroundings once more. Strangely, I remembered something my Mam once told me, it was about all things being born with natural instincts. Just like a baby bird wanting to take flight, something deep inside told me to follow the grotesque scent. I inhaled deeply, and eventually was led into the next room. A fire blazed in the mantle piece, above it hang a large black pot filled with a rich red liquid that looked as if it was just about to boil. That was the blood for sure, the sight of it almost brought me to tears. I sniffed again, and sensed that someone was right behind me. I heard the familiar click click of pointed shoes and a voice say " Well girl, looks like your training begins tonight."

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of this story and that you stay tuned for the next chapter, which will be hopefully be coming to you very soon. I wanted to have this posted for Halloween and I wish there was more for you guys. My recovery has been a slow one and I hope you guys can bear with me as I heal and get everything sorted out once again.

Check out my profile for updates on all my other fanfictions (including this one)! So as always, review/follow/favorite N' all that Jazz!

PS: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

- DaringDauntless XOXOXO