《The Black Dog of Wild Hunt》


 Prolog

    The Mother Goose of the Wild Hunt, a tale once known but now lost to time.


    "TheWild Hunt, it comes, the Storm King''s on his way,


    With minions in black and dark horses at bay.


    Through hell''s fiery gates, they search far and wide.


    The Wild Hunt is nearing, the Storm King to ride.


    Come the morn by the hearth, if a black pup you see, The storm shall then end, set the tempest free."


    There was a time when the world was shrouded in the soot of coal.


    London in the year of 1914.


    In those times, the night fog was believed to carry disease, much like the lingering breath in the lungs of the departed. Such notions might seem mere superstitions now.


    The public, naively enthusiastic and trusting in science, had just begun to view magic as mere superstition. This honeymoon of science and the people would eventually end with the unprecedented mass slaughter enabled by science during World War I.


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    The morning of April 29, 1914.


    An elderly couple recited their prayers before breakfast.


    "Dear Lord, we sincerely thank You for this meal before us. Bless us with its nourishment and fill our hearts with joy and gratitude. Amen."


    Then, their granddaughter, five-year-old Elisabeth, chimed in with ''Amen.''


    It was still difficult for her to recite the prayers along with her grandparents.


    "Well said, Liese. Now, let''s offer a heartfelt prayer for your mother, and then it''s time for breakfast."


    Grandmother Margarete smiled at Elisabeth.


    A gentle smile, like steam rising from the pot, shared with her husband Hermann, directed towards their granddaughter.


    When Elisabeth closed her deep blue eyes and joined her hands at her forehead, the couple also closed their eyes in silent prayer.


    A quietness enveloped the room, a calm stillness, long after a loved one''s passing.


    As the tea in the pot reached its perfect brew, Margarete opened her eyes and, with her granddaughter in her thoughts, conveyed the usual lesson.


    "Your mother Ilse was influenced by socialism and was executed.


    She was always preoccupied with the plight of the poor and neglected our family.


    You must grow up to be an adult who always puts your loved ones first."

 The Gloomy Church

    The tranquil atmosphere of the night, once filled with a peaceful stillness, was by 8 o''clock in the morning transformed, now bustling and heavy with the soot of the day''s beginnings.


    Amidst the morning''s commotion, the family stepped out of the front door, heading towards the church.


    It was because the grandparents were entrusting Elisabeth to the church while they were at work.


    However, there was always a bit of a fuss at the front door.


    Elisabeth would whine about going to church.


    And today, like any other day, she was squatting down, shaking her head, and sobbing.


    ''Today might just be the day you find a friend. Show a little courage.''


    Margarete said, offering encouragement.


    Yet, no matter her words, Elisabeth couldn''t muster the courage.


    Therefore, when Hermann asked, ''Do you dislike the church, my dear?'' Elisabeth nodded without hesitation.


    But Hermann was well accustomed to such reactions from her.


    ''Alright, alright. Then today, let''s bring along our special ace up the sleeve for our little darling.''


    Hermann spoke warmly.


    ''Apfel, it''s your turn. Cheer up Elisabeth.''


    As Hermann reopened the front door he had just closed and called inside, a lively scratching sound echoed from the floor.


    A black dog with a tongue like a large ham came trotting from the back.


    This was Apfel.


    With a runny nose, Apfel began licking Elisabeth''s tear-stained cheeks, as if smiling.


    After Apfel had thoroughly licked away her runny nose, it seemed that the little one''s spirits were finally lifted a bit.


    Elisabeth, still sniffling, began to walk, her hand clutching the fur around Apfel''s red collar.


    ''Look, Margarete, is it really necessary to force her to church if she''s so reluctant?''


    Hermann asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.


    Hermann wondered if it wouldn''t be better to simply hire a babysitter.


    ''If only we could use magic like Goethe''s Faust, that would be nice.''


    Margarete remarked.


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    ''But having been driven out of our homeland, Germany, we can only rely on ourselves.


    That''s why we need good neighbors as soon as possible.''


    Elisabeth looked up at her grandparents, who were walking with somber expressions.


    Elisabeth understood that their somber faces were because she had not been able to make any friends.


    Therefore, she gathered her resolve anew, determined for the day.


    ''Grandma, Grandpa.


    How did my mother in heaven make friends?


    Her wonderful friends like Apfel.''


    Apfel gazed at Elisabeth with a happy expression, thinking she was being called.


    Not wanting to go to church at all, Elisabeth clung to Apfel''s body as she walked.


    This resulted in Margarete scolding her.


    ''My dear, do be cautious. You too, Apfel,''


    Margarete cautioned gently.


    ''I just can''t seem to make any friends.''


    Elisabeth replied.


    ''You''re quite the tomboy, aren''t you?


    Perhaps showing some interest in dolls rather than football would be a good start.''


    Margarete suggested.


    ''How dull.''


    Elisabeth murmured.


    Hermann advised with a kind smile.


    ''Now, now, things only seem dull if you think they are.


    Just give it a try.


    And remember, climbing trees is not quite ladylike.''


    ''How dull.'' Elisabeth''s soft complaint was drowned out by a loud voice from the street proclaiming.


    ''Workers, unite!


    We must band together to shield ourselves from the plight of unemployment!''


    ''Socialist¡­''


    Margarete deepened the furrows of her brow, etched with anguish.


    The street orator was not actually a socialist, but to her, it made no difference.


    To her, any attempt to address the poverty of others was socialism, a term she found distasteful to even hear.


    ''There are more beggars again, and the number of job seekers on the streets is extraordinary.''


    Hermann embraced Margarete''s shoulder, sharing the same expression.


    ''This is England after all.


    We found work even though we''re outsiders.


    If the British aren''t working, they must be choosy.''


    To Margarete, a beggar extended both hands, pleading for mercy.


    Not only Margarete, but also Hermann passed by the beggar without so much as a glance.


    Elisabeth looked at her grandparents and felt as if her breath was being taken away.


    She didn''t know why she felt that way, but she disliked it.


    Sensitively sensing her mood, Apfel walked alongside Elisabeth, gazing intently, but she was so focused on her toes that she didn''t notice.


    Elisabeth arrived at the church with Apfel, and time seemed to have flown by as she quietly watched a group of children playing in the churchyard.


    There were girls jumping rope, others playing house, and some drawing pictures.


    Yet her attention was drawn to boys: some playing kick the can, others spinning hoops, and most of all, those engaged in a game of football.


    But recalling her grandparents'' words from the morning, she turned her gaze to the girls playing house.


    Wondering how to approach them...


    Unsure how to make friends, Elisabeth simply drew nearer to them in silence.


    Her awkward approach only served to discomfort the other girls.


    ''Ew!''


    ''Let''s go.''


    Stung by the girls'' blunt expressions and words, Elisabeth shut her eyes tightly, holding back tears.


    ''I won''t cry... I won''t cry...''


    Elisabeth whispered to herself until her tears subsided, standing there motionless.


    In such a moment, Apfel lay down at her feet, her belly touching Elisabeth''s shoes.


    Once her tears had subsided, Elisabeth headed towards the boys playing soccer.


    Having never spoken to the boys before, she thought they might be different.


    ''Can we... play soccer together?''


    Clutching her hands nervously, she asked with a glimmer of hope.


    The boys, all wearing puzzled expressions, exchanged looks.


    Their response was aloof.


    ''A girl in our game, no way!''


    ''And playing soccer in a skirt? Impossible.''


    One of the boys mocked, eyeing Elisabeth''s deep blue dress that matched her eyes.


    ''I can do it. I''ve climbed trees before.''


    Elisabeth insisted, for some reason vividly recalling the incident where she tore her dress while climbing.


    ''Liar!''


    ''As if you could climb trees in a skirt!''


    ''Let''s leave.''


    ''Wait!''


    Elisabeth called out, grabbing the shirt of one of the boys who had turned his back.


    ''That''s enough!''


    One of the boys said as he pushed Elisabeth away.


    Apfel, unable to ignore this, stepped in.


    Apfel growled, taking a low stance to intimidate the boys.


    She positioned her right side towards the boys, shielding Elisabeth with her left, issuing a warning.


    ''Big liar!''


    ''Become a dog if you''re going to cry to one, dog girl!''


    But the boys laughed off Apfel''s efforts and walked away, because Elisabeth was clinging to Apfel, crying.


    When Apfel sensed the boys had moved far enough away, she lay down and snorted affectionately at her beloved Elisabeth.


    ''It''s fine to be a dog girl. As long as I have Apfel.''


    The church bells rang, marking the end of the children''s playtime.


    Elisabeth, however, remained atop Apfel, clinging to her until a sister came to call.