the fall of red

girl with red hair

Chloe could hardly believe that only thirty seconds had passed before she found herself standing in another moment in time. She was still surrounded by the trees in the forest, next to the same old tree. But as she looked around, she couldn't shake the feeling that much more time had truly elapsed—much more than four years.

"Guardian." The air was still as Chloe heard the voice calling out to her. She recognised it immediately and stood frozen, refusing to turn around. It felt as though she had just heard the voice moments ago, yet it also seemed like it had been ages since it last reached her ears.
The deep, gravelly voice boomed through the air, causing Chloe to lift her gaze toward the towering, ancient tree.

"Oh, great, you speak too?" Chloe laughed in response but quickly stopped when she remembered Red was in trouble.

Chloe stood amid the dense forest, her voice echoing through the trees as she uttered the words, "How long has it been?" She wasn't speaking to anyone in particular but rather to the vast expanse of the woodland, hoping for an answer from anyone or anything that would listen.

"Time seems to move differently in this mysterious place," the ancient tree vocalised, intriguing Chloe, who responded with a nod.

Chloe attempted to discover how long she had been gone by asking, "Okay, well, do you know how old Red is?" She seemed eager to find out without directly asking for that information.

"The Princess-" the cat began to speak in a soft, gentle tone, but the teen, who had yet to look at the cat, cut his voice off with an abrupt gesture.

"Don't call her that," she declared with authority, her tone sharp and unwavering.

In a clearing deep in the woods, the towering old oak tree spoke in a deep, rumbling voice that echoed through the silence. "Little Red isn't little. That's all we know. She hasn't been here for a while, and we are worried," the tree said, its ancient branches swaying gently in the breeze.

Chloe mumbled to herself, "Well, I'm here, so she definitely needs my help." She started walking, utterly unaware that darkness had fallen around her.

"You don't know your way out," the cat stated with an air of confidence, strutting alongside Chloe. His yellow eyes gleamed in the dim light of the alley.

Chloe furrowed her brow, realising her predicament. "No, I do not," she admitted, coming to a stop and releasing a heavy sigh.

"Follow me. I know the true way. It takes less than a minute," the cat declared, his tail swishing as he began to lead the way, confident and purposeful. Chloe hesitated momentarily before falling into step behind him, casting a cautious glance at the mysterious feline.

The path was illuminated by heart-shaped lights, casting a warm, romantic glow that beckoned Chloe forward. As she followed the cat, she couldn't help but notice how the twinkling lights created a sense of magic in the air. Suddenly, the cat came to a stop, prompting Chloe to turn towards him with an expression of bewilderment.

"I can't go any further, or it'll be off with my head. The queen isn't a friend of mine," the cat spoke, sending a shiver running down Chloe's spine. She thanked the guide for showing her the way but hurriedly departed, her mind racing with urgency. Uncertain of how much time remained before she missed the opportunity to thwart the impending disaster, she quickened her pace, determined to fulfil her crucial mission.

Chloe found herself unsure of the precise reason she had been brought to this particular moment. Despite her uncertainty, one thing was clear to her: Red was nowhere to be found. She had thoroughly checked her room and even ventured out to the courtyard, but there was no sign of the girl. The deserted courtyard was unusually empty, especially considering the late hour of the night.