Vättar/Vätters exist in Scandinavian and Swedish folklore as small otherworldly beings that live around settlements and homes.

The word Vätte comes from an Old Norse vættr, which simply means "(supernatural) being" or "thing".

Whether good or bad is up to interpretation. Sometimes they're mentioned to simply exist alongside humans, and in other cases they will cause disease and sickness if angered or not treated kindly. There are cases of placing food out on hills as friendly sacrifices and prayers for good omens.

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I took this idea of 'friendly sacrifice' a bit further in my story Vätter Child.

Sprouted out of a love for folklore, bones, and dark tales, fueled with spite, anger at the patriarchy, and the hidden desire to become the reason people fear walking in a dim forest - Vätter Child came to live.

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It's a story about bitter-sweet revenge, grim justice, and, oddly enough, belonging.

It follows Aila, a young, 'unruly' girl (on the ADHD spectrum possibly) who's chosen as here village spring sacrifice for the Vätters. Sent to the dark forest to be eaten, she must - quite literally - climb out of the pile of bones of her village's macabre tradition. What starts as pure survival, becomes a spiritual journey and one where Aila finds where she truly belongs.

And the means to get back at the bullies who've made her young life miserable...