The Little Wolf and Mighty Boy

Chapter 4

Four years had passed since Colt entered Sophie's and Edna's home. He was now 13, Sophie was to turn 13 in two months. The two still got along well, except for their occasional bickering. They acted like extremely close siblings, and Edna treated the two equally as her own children. She even allowed Colt to join in on Sophie's lessons with her, and he had gained the ability to read. Something not many commoners knew, much less those with no last name.

Colt didn't need to worry about his father anymore, as he was too drunk on Edna's money to care for Colt. Apparently his father had left the village to go to a bigger town to experience gambling, leaving Colt freedom to do what he wants.

Colt was originally going to go back to his shack and live there since his father left, but Edna and Sophie told him to stay. Edna made a good argument that Colt would never know when his father would return, and so it would be best to stay with them and not chance running into the man. So Colt agreed to stay with the two.

Not much had changed between the three except for the fact that Sophie had become an unbelievable tom boy. Instead of pink her entire room was decorated in dark green and black, similar to her now fashion sense. No more frilly dresses and bows, all replaced with black cloth shirts and trousers and a bow slung over her shoulder.

Colt's own style hadn't changed much except for the fact that all of his clothes were now always clean and never torn. He usually settled for either brown or black cloth shirts and trousers. Edna often convinced him to dress in a nicer dark blue or green cloth shirt if they were doing something special like attending the village festival.

Colt's appearance had changed quite a lot in the last four years, his once sunken face caused by hunger now fattened up with a childlike vigor. Unfortunately he was still short, but at least his face now held some sort of childlike handsomeness. Though it only seemed to work on the grannies in the village.

Sophie and Colt both specialized in the bow, as they often went hunting together to catch food for their meals. It was one way he tried to pay back Edna for her generosity. Today was one day that the two were going out to hunt, checking their gear in the house before they went through town and into the forest.

"Ughh" Sophie let out in frustration. "Our rabbit trap is broken. How did it snap?" Sophie was inspecting the trap the two had made together for small game. Her loose hair that fell from her high pony tail fell gracefully on her face, and framed her soft features as she grimaced in annoyance.

She had grown to be even prettier as she aged, though Colt made fun of her for her bright blonde hair that was a rarity in this area and light freckles that sat on her nose and cheeks. In return Sophie made sure to mention his short stature every chance she got, as she was taller than him by half an inch.

"We'll just check the traps we already have set up. We can fix that trap tonight." Colt said in response.
Sophie nodded in agreement but continued to pout. It had been her most successful trap and had caught many game, her pride and joy.

Once the two were finished packing they set off through the town, silent as they walked passed the villagers. None of the villagers liked Colt, he was often referred to as a curse or bad omen. They however all loved Sophie, as she was the angel of the village and most beautiful girl. She had already received many marriage proposals, all of which she turned down.

As they passed through the village Colt could once again hear all of the gossip being said about the two, such as 'How could that girl hang around such a cursed boy' or 'She'll never get married if she sticks to him' and 'If only he had disappeared along with his father.'

Colt had grown used to their grumbling, and never felt antagonized by the words. At first Sophie had always retaliated when she heard their words, but after many beggings' from Colt she finally learned to ignore them as well. Colt did this in fear for the villagers, as Sophie could be extremely stubborn and threatening when she wanted too.