the riding-hood sisters

Seraphina

This morning at the market we finished selling the goodies then went to get a new black cloak for Alphina.

"Thank you Gwen. You know how messy Alpha can get.  I'm just glad we have you to keep us clothed." I said once Gwen was done hemming the new cloak.

Gwen has lived here for a few years. She is a fashion student and mends the town's clothing. She is the only person we can be around and not have to worry if she will recognize us.

"You must be more careful with your clothes. I can't afford to keep replacing them." She scorned Alpha. She is from Britain and I love her accent. I can't help but giggle at her chastising.

"We have to go now. Thanks for the help, and have a good night." Alpha said as she dragged me out of the shop and into the woods.

We walked for a while before I noticed how nervous she looked. That's when I realized it was a full moon. We had to get home and get her in the cage before-- To late. She started shifting in a clearing about halfway between town and the den. I pulled my portable cage from my goody basket and quickly put it together while she shifted. I learned to put it together in under a minute soon after I got the pocketable cage. I realized that having the cage could save lives.

Next I pulled out my tranquilizer gun and hoped she would get in the cage easily. That's when I sensed it. The hunter.

"Cool it Alpha. . . SHH!!!!!!!! get in the cage, I tranquilized you yesterday, it's not good for you to have that many chemicals in your body! Get in the cage so I don't have to shoot you again!" I persuaded. She let out a growl as I backed her into the cage.

"I know, he's close, that's why I have to get you home sweety. Lets---" I was cut of by a hunter jumping into the clearing. I quickly turned and pointed the tranquilizer.

"Jess she has a---"I heard the moment I pulled the trigger. The man fell to the ground.

"Tranq gun. . .Seraphina don't shoot! Please let me take him home and I won't try to fight you!" I heard the other man beg.

"Who is that?And since when did hunters start working with others?" I asked with full curiosity.

"Since my best friend decided to train me. It's Cocidius! you met me earlier, I bought a pie." He said as he entered the clearing.

I turned and ordered him to get against a tree, then continued to tie him up. I think he just did it because I have the gun. little did he know, I'm all out of darts. He surprised me by asking me to tie his friend up to.

"Now knock me out."He instructed. I didn't want to hurt him and I saw no point in it so I asked,

"Why? Don't you want to go once I'm gone?"

"How would I pull off lying to them then? If you knock me out I can claim I don't remember what happened and you'll be safe. " His words brought tears to my eyes as I realized what he was doing. He was going to cover for me. Whether it was to save himself or help us I had no idea, but I was going to obey his request anyway. I thought of how smart his plan is as I raised the end of the gun.

"Thank you, thank you so much. . ." I whispered bringing the gun down to his head, then he was asleep.

I hurriedly dragged the fighting and snarling Alphina to our den, then collapsed in my beanbag chair.

There I thought about Cocidius and how smart, kind, and brave he is. He made a plan that included saving the same thing he was out to destroy even though it would cause him pain. I eventually started humming a song my mother use to sing to us.

Before I could get to the second verse I fell asleep.