The Bones of The Rabbit

Chapter 1

The night was quiet and cool. The nipping winter was replaced with the awakening spring. Making your way around the village, you were lucky to not be scooped up by the Dimistrescu house, newcomers were often warned of the woman and her daughters, but you didn't mind being a rabbit in a wolf's forest. After all, why not live on the wild side for as long as you can?

Balancing and walking along stones, you subconsciously followed a heavily treaded road. Keeping your eyes on the stones in front of you, the stones got smaller and smaller until it was just grassland and the gates of a castle.

Castle Dimitrescu.

The full moon didn't do the castle justice, the moonlight lightly touching the stone walls and tall heights. The mist that fluttered along the ground gave an air of creepiness. You were practically walking into the wolf's mouth now, it was only time until you brought yourself here. Was it subconscious curiosity, or the joy from the bottom of your heart to embrace the gnawing question in your head. Who is Lady Dimitrescu, and who are her daughters.

Looking around as you felt eyes bore into your flesh, you quickly made your way to the doors. The wind was picking up and this little bit of shelter was all you needed to be away from the cold wind. The eyes felt as though they were above you, watching you. You weren't going to just walk into Lady Dimitrescu's castle, that would be very rude and you weren't invited in. Sitting by the doors, the moon was already falling and the sun was climbing. The village from up here looked happy with the spring sun coming to bring the village to life. Everyone looked like ants down there, little busy ants.

Zoning out as you watched the village citizens wander and mingle, you felt someone pull - no - yank you into the castle. Snapping into reality, you made eye contact with a brunette, or at least you think she's blonde. "Fresh blood-" she hissed, lunging towards you. The cold floor and the sound of zipping insects brought out your fight or flight response. As the brunette had pressed her teeth against your arm, you snapped back with the same. Your teeth met her arm holding the sickle, lashing around and kicking. A loud shriek erupted from her, making you let go of her. "Yeah, doesn't feel good, does it?" You hissed, glaring at her. "You little shit, how dare you..." She growled, touching her wound and bristled with anger. She raised her sickle. You were ready to kick her in the gut to buy yourself some time.

This is it, I suppose. At least I fought.

"Cassandra, show some kindness to our guest." A voice called out. Your eyes trailed from the raging woman in front of you to the woman at the top of the stairs. She was pale, very pale, with an equally pale dress and a black hat that matched her equally dark hair. Though, from where you were, she looked like a looming shadow, her eyes. Those were the eyes digging into you. "Yes, mother." The brunette grumbled. You both bore your teeth at each other in a snarl.

"You're not hurt, are you?" The woman asked, making her way down the stairs. Her shadow covered you, your eyes making their way from where she stepped up to her eyes. "Just a small bite. I've had worse." You got up, pulling a cloth out of your pocket. That Cassandra lady just broke skin, nothing deeper. "Do you know where I can wash this wound?" You looked back up.

Run! Run! Get away from here! What are you doing? Fucking RUN!

Your instincts told you to run, and yet, you couldn't. The woman's cold hands gripped your wrist, carefully pulling your arm out to be studied. "I have some alcohol pads in a closet. My daughter, Cassandra, can get that for you." You met eyes with Cassandra again, feeling a mutual distaste that's rose in the both of you. With a loud huff, Cassandra left the room, coming back with a first aid kit after a couple of minutes.

The woman applied the alcohol to your bite, then wrapped it in a bandage. "Should be better in no time." Giving a small grin to the woman's words, you could see Cassandra tending to her wound in the corner of your eye. "If you don't mind me asking, could you be Lady Dimitrescu, the famed Lady Dimitrescu?" You asked, feeling your legs build up energy to run, but you couldn't run.

"Indeed, I am."