Scarlet's Descent Into Harm's Way

Scarlet's Descent Into Harm's Way- CH-3

Scarlet pulls her hood down, allowing a wider range for her peripheral vision, and then sets off again. After several steps, her cloak sweeps up and her fiery tresses rustle as a sudden gust whips through the trees. Wrapping her cloak tighter around her shoulders, she strides on with purpose. Determined. Her feet crunch the goldenrod, crimson, and rusty sienna bed beneath her slippered feet, a rhythmic cadence pacing the cricket’s delightful chorus as she travels deeper into the darkness.

     Her eyes adjust to the unlit path. Treetops shun the moon’s attempts to light Scarlet’s journey. A sharp whistle sails past her ears. Tickling. Unnerving.

     A howl pierces the night’s crisp air, ripping through Scarlet’s consciousness. Faint footfalls gnaw at her soul. Beginning as a well-spaced, monotonous drone, the rate of them increase the faster Scarlet’s own feet move.

     Suddenly, they stop. Everything stops. Eerie silence cocoons her. Deafening. Ohhh shit! She stops, looking cautiously. Nerves fraying. She curses her folly in going this route and prepares to turn. C’mon, girl! Get a grip!

     She steps forward again, feeling eyes on her skin. Their heat primal... inhuman. Her pale skin prickles beneath her tight bodice, goose bumps rising, and hair standing on her neck. She rubs her arms as chills thread through her arteries, icing her blood. Her gaze darts from side to side. Searching. Combing the spaces between the cold shafts of moonlight defiantly streaming through the dense canopy of treetops.

     From the darkness appears a single pair of foreign eyes. Glowing. Sinister. A low growl reverbs. Scarlet’s heart rises into her throat, pulse racing madly as a huge, bristly wolf prowls from the abyss onto the path, blocking her advance.

Snarling. Hissing, it speaks, “Grrrl, it’s a bit late for dinner. Evening snack, are you?”

     Scarlet stares into the teeth of the beast, into the heat of the slivered, lupine eyes, unable to break its gaze. Captive. Fuck! Her red lips purse. She grips her basket tighter.

     “Did you not hear me, grrrl?” the wolf snarls. “Did no one warn you of me? Surely they must’ve.”

     “Your speech is rather proper for a w-wolf.”

     “The better to ease your fears... and lower your defenses.”

     Scarlet’s heart hammers in her chest. Her free hand twitches as she searches desperately for a witty remark to divert the wolf’s mind from devouring her.

     “What’s in the basket?” The wolf snarls, raising his eyebrows, drawing closer. “You smell, I mean, it smells delicious.”

     “J-just some fresh bread and a bottle of wine.”

     “You are just what I need tonight. Say, have the hunter’s all left for the evening? Sun’s retired, hasn’t it?”

     Thinking quickly, she fires, “I just passed three woodsmen just up the path.”

     “Pity,” the wolf said. “I’d love to have you for dinner. I bet you’d go nicely with a Merlot.”

     Scarlet grabs the basket with both hands. How does he know that I have Merlot in my basket? Damn! If I get out of this one alive, I will never travel into Harm’s Way again!

     The wolf paws the earth gently, stalking close to her. She trembles as his nose nudges her leg and hip, opening her cloak, sniffing through her skirt aggressively. Scarlet closes her eyes, clenching her teeth, trying not to breathe.

     “So, where might you be taking this basket?”

     “M-m-my Nana’s house at the edge of the woods–” she stammers in a breathy, loud whisper. Th-the one with the blue door and the stone wall.”

     “Ahhh, yes. I’ve seen the place many times.”

     “Please let me go,” she pleads.

     “Three hunters you say... still up the path?”

     “I can call them if you wish–”

     “No! No, that won’t be necessary,” the wolf snapped, baring its fangs. “Run along then. Perhaps we’ll see each other again very soon.”