Dusk til Dawn

-2-

I could be over thinking this right? I bit my lip as my head went through every possibility and reason why my Aunt would give me a wedding dress. Perhaps she had found herself a suitor, in that case it would be a bridesmaid dress. Though why would she invite me as her bridesmaid, and honestly what man would want to marry her. Not trying to be rude, but she isn't the happiest person, or loving person. This is why I am so confused. This is clearly a wedding dress, and it's clearly for me. Who would want to marry me? I am dirty, I have lived in the woods for most of my life. My hair so greasy you could have the rustiest hinges on the door working smoothly. Personally, I don't mind my hair like this, it feels more natural. I probably have lice, I have absolutely no social skills, I can't cook anything more then a rabbit hide and a few vegetables. I am not fit to be a wife, nor do I want to be a wife. I wouldn't wish being a wife upon my worst enemy, the bear down stream that continues to steal the fish I work so hard to catch.

I hear a twig snap in the bushes behind me. Normally I would stay extremely calm because it would usually Spot returning with a dead squirrel, or a bear, probably the one from down stream, but we have a good relationship most days as long as he doesn't steal... This was a different sound though. Usually if Spot was returning you would hear the huffing and puffing sound that he makes when he has been running too much. Or when the bear would come around occasionally you would hear the sound of like half the woods being knocked over, because he really isn't very good at carefully walking through the trees, which I don't blame him because he hasn't really needed to be quiet, mainly because he is the biggest predator in this part of the woods. This was different. As soon as the twig snapped everything went silent. I look down to see Spot with his ears up and eyes pointed directly in the direction of the sound. Clearly something was wrong. Another twig snapped from the other side of the shack. Then about three more from different directions. I reach under my bedding situation (which consisted of twigs and the softest leaves I could find) hoping to find my knife I carved when I was 10. I realised it would be much easier to hunt with a knife rather then just snares. I find my finger wrapping around the wooden handle and holding carefully behind my back. Whatever was outside wasn't going to be friendly, and it was defiantly something I hadn't dealt with before.

I hold Spot close to my side, making sure he doesn't run off. I bring my finger to my mouth giving a quiet 'shush'. He gives me a questioning look, but I assume he understands enough. I can hear more twigs snapping and leaves crunching, but now they are getting much closer. I close my eyes and try to calm myself. "Sydney, calm yourself. You have survived 10 years, don't let your story end here," I think to myself. I open my eyes and stand up straight. I slowly and carefully make my way outside the shack, making sure to not knock anything over creating any sound. The sun glares down into my eyes as I look out the door of the shack to see what I am coming up against. I look around outside and can't see anything unusual. This is weird...

Suddenly, about a dozen men in shining armour bolt out from behind the trees and bushes. Each and everyone of them holding a sword at least fifty times bigger than my knife. I hold my knife out in front of myself. The men stop in their spots, holding their swords out towards me. I glance behind myself, looking for a way out. Men surround me from every angle, no escape point to be seen. The men slowly walk closer to me. This isn't good. " Sydney Miller?" One of the men ask. I continue to stay silent. This is mainly because if I speak, my voice will come out all high pitched and weird, indicating fear, which is something that I most certainly will not be showing them. "Sydney Miller?" He repeats, slightly louder in a stronger tone. I stare him directly in the eyes. I can feel Spot's fur brushing up against my legs. "Of course that's Sydney Miller," one of the other men say," Just look at her, the dirt and the mutt, who else would it be?" Excuse me! Just wow! People have no respect. I give the man a look that says ' if you didn't all have swords, I would kill you, right here, right now.' " Sydney Miller, you need to come with us!" Said the first man in a stern tone. He clearly was trying to keep in laughter from the comment the other guard had said. " Says who?" I say in a cocky little voice.