When a Young Heart Loves (The Secret of Moonacre Fanfiction)

A Reunion and A Wedding

"Robin, where are you?" Maria called out. She was out in the forest late at night. The cold wind rustled the leaves and blew past Maria's night dress, sending shivers down her spine. The only light was that from the stars, the moon was nowhere in sight. The fog was so thick she could just make out the floor underneath her.

'Where is he?' She thought.

"Moon Princess, I'm over here!"

"Over here!"

"No over here!"

Maria turned to look in all directions, but she couldn't make out where the voice came from.

"Robin, stop playing! Where are you?" She was beginning to feel frustrated. She couldn't understand why she was convinced to come out. In fact, the more she thought of it, she didn't know what she was doing out here.

Snap!

Maria bolted behind a nearby tree. She felt her heart quicken. She heard another twig break. She peaked around the trunk. Although she couldn't see through the fog, she got a feeling that she was being watched.
Maria yelped as a cold hand snaked around her waist from behind. She turned, readying her hand to strike at the culprit.

"Robin!" Maria cried out in surprise. She found herself trapped in his arms.

"Happy to see me?" Robin asked with an arrogant smile as he pulled Maria closer with every word. He was dressed in his black shirt and leather pants, his bowler hat and red feathered scarf nowhere to be seen. His hand rested firmly on her lower back. She could feel his strength as he pressed her against him. He leaned in closer. His nose was a mere inch from hers. Maria could feel his heart beating against her chest and his slow breathing on her face. Her ears burned.

"Robin, what are we doing here?" She asked. "We can't be seen like this."
Maria frantically looked around and tried to pull away, but his hold was strong.

"Don't worry, we won't." Robin took a firm hold of Maria's chin and forced her to face him. His touch was cold and hard. His charcoal-lined eyes had a dark glint. His smile was no longer light and mischievous. It was eager, almost sinister.

"Robin, this isn't you."

"Oh but it is." Robin pulled Maria's face towards him. In a state of panic Maria used all of her strength to push him away. His form vanished and Maria fell forwards, landing on all fours.

He was gone. All she saw were trees and darkness. The few trees she could see through the fog no longer looked like any trees she's seen before. The dark brown trunks twisted and turned, reaching for her. A few dead leaves clung to the branches.

Through the trees she saw a hooded figure, hunched over a large white animal. She got up and walked towards it.
'No, that can't be, it's the white horse!'
As she got closer, she heard the hooded creature's breathing. It was slow, and raspy. There was another sound, munching. Each crunch rang through her ears and made Maria feel sick.

"Excuse me," she called out, there was a quiver in her voice. "What are you doing with the white horse?"

The hooded figure stopped moving. Maria took a few cautious steps. She recoiled in disgust as Maria's foot stepped on something warm and sticky. Her toes were red, covered with the same red liquid that surrounded the creature- it was blood. Then a stench hit her nose. Maria felt her stomach wrench. The smell of raw meat and blood was overwhelming. She reached out a trembling hand and tapped the figure. It released a shrill cry and turned to face her.

Horror crossed Maria's face as she released a blood-curling scream.

"Maria! Maria, wake up!"

She woke up with a start, her heart was racing. Beads of sweat rolled down her face. Her eyes searched, looking for the creature. She had to tell everyone, she had to protect Moonacre. Instead, her eyes met Ms. Heliotrope. Maria was in her room again. It was a dream. It had felt so real. The creature-no, the monster, its face was still vividly etched onto her memory. It was white, wrinkly, sunken in, and had small beady red eyes. Its teeth were sharp and there were shreds of meat stuck to them. Blood covered its face.