I ran desperately, hoping to put as much distance between myself and that vile witch. I could hear her spine-tingling cackling in the distance, but her voice was getting further and further away. Apparently, she was breaking off her pursuit, having scared me away from her precious home. It didn't matter. What I had seen in there had shaken me to my core. I kept running, and didn't dare risk a glance back. "That's the last fucking time I ever insult a child's superstition" I thought to myself. From the distance, the fading voice cried out "this will teach you to disturb me." Message received.

I didn't stop running until I reached the small inn down the road about a mile away, where I had been staying. I burst in through the front door and ran up to the front desk, where I gripped it firmly and began panting.

"Whoa, whoa, easy there", said the innkeeper. "What happened out there? You look like hell."

"Sorry", I panted, "it was up on that hill. Up by Mrs. Hopkins' house. I just wanted to see if she'd be interested in...." "Whoa, whoa whoa, I know you're a salesman and all, but even you should know boundaries. I specifically told you that old lady Edna Hopkins is extremely hostile to visitors of any kind. You're lucky she didn't shoot you or something."

"Yeah, I know, and some kids saw me going up there and told me she's a nasty witch. My instructions were clear. I have to knock on every door in this town."

"Well, now you know better. What'd she do to you anyway, point that old rifle of hers at you or something? Or cast a spell?" He chuckled to himself. I just stared blankly. It was all a joke to him. If he only knew what I'd just witnessed. "Anyway, I'll be locking this building up in about twenty minutes. I suggest you stay here and finish your rounds tomorrow. "OK", I said. Thanks Mr. Jameson". "No problem... uhh.. what was your name again." "....Uhhhh....." That's when it hit me. No, it couldn't be. But even then, in those first few moments of shock, I knew it had to be. My name, my name, I searched frantically through my memory, but came up with nothing. "My name? Uhhh... uhhh..." Mr. Jameson was looking at me funny. Amid my panic, a sudden lucid thought hit me. I had to get out of this situation and to my room now, and think of what to do next.

"I'll... I'll... uhhh ... I'd, uh, better get going now". And with that, I bolted away and up the stairs, past the confused-looking owner.

After locking myself in my room, I flopped onto the bed and buried my face into the pillow, and relived that awful experience in my mind. Me knocking on her door and beginning my spiel, only to be cut off by her anguished shrieks, demanding I leave her alone. Me insisting that she at least hear me out, something I had to do in the almost always vain hope they'll actually give me a chance to explain why they can't live without the crap I hawk for a shitty commission-based wage. Her suddenly conjuring up a green ball of energy out of her hands and throwing me back. Her floating, literally floating towards me, mumbling some mumbo jumbo in some weird language, before positioning herself right in front of me and declaring that from this day forth, my name would be forgotten to myself and all those who know me.

I hadn't really given it much thought at the time, I'd been too busy being scared shitless and running for my life. Now? Well, I was still scared shitless, but at least I was thinking coherently. Not that it was much of a help. I still couldn't remember my name, and didn't have the faintest idea of how to find it.

As I glumly pondered what I was going to do, I got up and began pacing, and put my hands in my pockets. I often do that whenever I'm anxious. I was so busy stewing in fear, thinking about what would happen the next time I met family, friends, and co-workers, and none of us knew my name, it took me a while to notice the paper in my pocket. I pulled it out and smiled to myself.

Williams. Benjamin Alexander Williams. That was my name. Heh. Stupid witch. She'd made me and everyone else forget my name, but her spell apparently didn't stop me from learning it all over again and reminding everyone I know.

I was still a bit shaken up over the whole experience, and the fact that I'd actually witnessed genuine magic taking place had shook my perceptions about the world to the core. But I couldn't help walking up to my window and looking out at the witch's house upon the hill.

"Take that, you stupid old bat."