The Maiden's Mystery

Chapter 1

Long ago, in a far away land, there lived a rich, handsome, young man. He had a big mansion and many servants. To him, his life was perfect. However, he was very selfish and mean. All he cared about was himself and money. He never had any true friends because of his rude behavior. He had no idea all his friends were fake. Then one day, an old woman came to his door and asked for shelter from the cold night air and a warm meal. Because she had no money to offer him in exchange, he turned her away. Just as the young man was about to close the door in her face, the woman began to glow. The man shielded his eyes. Before he knew it, the old woman was not there anymore. In her place stood a beautiful fairy. She looked at him crossly. "I have seen that you have no love or kindness in your heart. You care about no one but yourself and your wealth. You are a very proud man. I hereby curse you," the fairy said, raising her wand. Immediately, his mansion disappeared. In it's place, was an old, abandoned looking cabin. All his servants turned to stone statues. His wealth disappeared. And his handsome face, was no longer handsome. He was now a hideous-looking, young man. "Unless you can learn to be kind, humble, and to love, this curse will last forever." the fairy declared before disappearing. The young man was devastated. He shut himself out from the world. He waited six long years. No one came. The young man never believed anyone would love him in this state. He was hideous, so who could ever love him like that? Who could ever love a beast?

 *six years later*

Emily walked through the town, excited. She was going to the bookstore to find a new book. She really loved books. Mysteries mainly. The young maiden was twenty-three years old and still single. Most men that chased after her, chased after her because she was a pretty young girl. But she didn't want a man that loved her because she was pretty. She wanted some one that loved her for her. Some one that loved everything about her. She wanted a man that she could love back and be herself around. Most of the time, around these men, she had to keep quiet. Emily was a talkative person. Though, sometimes, she could be a little quiet. She was friendly and talkative, but these men never allowed her to talk in their presence. And when she went over to their houses, she was too busy to get to know them. They had her cleaning their house, washing dishes, doing laundry, making his bed, and making dinner. They never even lifted a finger to help her. He just sat in his chair relaxing. She was never able to be herself around them. She had a couple friends, with whom she could be herself around. She could talk and they would listen without getting board. They would talk and she would listen without getting board. She had fun around them and never felt out of place. Sometimes, Emily felt like she didn't fit in in with the townsfolk. But when she was with her friends, she never felt that way. She really cherished her friends.

 Emily had two favorite hobbies. She loved reading, and she loved writing. She loved to go into the woods with a small bag and sit down underneath a tree by some flowers. Then, she'd pull out of the bag, a notebook and pen, or a book. She'd either read or write a story. Either way, she'd have fun. Sometimes, she didn't pull out her stuff right away. Sometimes, she'd just sit there, looking at the beautiful flowers and the butterflies that flew all around them. She was alone in the woods, as far as she knew, so, she was free to be herself. Sometimes, she often thought about her future. What she hoped to be. She hoped to be an author and share her stories with the world. But, one thing she wished since she was a little girl, was to have a family. Be a wife and mother. Now, ofttimes, she would just brush them off as dreams that would never come true.

 One day, while he was looking for food in the woods, a man came upon Emily. He hid himself behind some bushes. She was so pretty. He couldn't take his eyes off her. He watched her for hours. Finally, she packed up her stuff, stood up, and left. He followed her until he came to the edge of the woods. He never went out of the woods. He ran back to his basket of berries, wild mushrooms, and nuts. He picked it up and walked back to his old cabin. Who was this mysterious girl? And why was she on his land? 

 Emily walked back to town. She had a strange feeling that some one had been watching her and following her, but didn't pay any attention to it. When she got home, she put away her things and got out her phone. She then texted her friend, Robin. When she told her about how she felt like some one had been watching and following her, Robin was worried and asked if she was ok. She told her she was fine and that nothing really happened. They talked for a while over the chat before saying goodbye. After putting her phone on her nightstand she went to get something to eat. The whole night, she couldn't shake the feeling that some one had, indeed, been following and watching her. "But who?" she wondered before falling asleep.