Red & the 'Big Bad' Wolf

Chapter 4: Meetings and a Plan

       Vallen woke up in a shean of sweat. Her breath came out shakey and harsh. She tried to swallow the air around her. Grace had welcomed her into her home with open arms last night. Together they ate a little and talked about each other. Grace had then shown her to her room and parted ways.
        Vallen looked out the window to find that the sun was rising and the sky was burning of a new day. She gradully made her way out her bed to the closet where Grace said she had put some spare clothes for her. Vallen looked through the options finally landing on some comfy jeans and a light sweater with her boots. She grabbed her cape and made her way down stairs. Grace wasn't anywhere to be found but a note by her was instead. It read: Good morning! I hope you slept well. I'm sorry I'm not here to greet you but a meeting was summoned. Feel free to raid the kitchen and library. I should be back soon. - Grace. Vallen sighed. She thought back to last night and was still confused.

Jackson's POV:
        Everyone began to pile into Town Hall. Ethan sat on my right and Joyce on my left. Grace came in a few minutes later and sat next to Ethan. "How is she?" I asked once she sat down.
         "Fine. Still alseep." She said I her monotone voice.
         I hum. William sure liked being a pain in the, well you know what. Soon everybody had gathered at the giant round meeting table. He cleared his throat and began with the normal run down of happened at the last meeting, the patrolling, and any other common news. After that he got straight to the point: William and his goonies causing a ruckus. Jackson told them Vallen's  story, but left out the personal parts. The clan's reaction was solemn, most had sympathetic looks - feeling for Vallen.
Clan members also started to add their stories about how they were attacked. It was becoming too much for Jackson to listen to; he loathed how at his people were suffering. He wished his father was still alive. The meeting finished off with new patrolling patterns and adding more guards to important places and people.
After everybody left and it was just Jackson, Joyce, Grace, and Ethan, Jackson posed the question: "Why? Why now? What's to gain suddenly?"
"Maybe he has renewed vigor or hot anger?" Joyce responded first.
"Maybe...What's here that hasn't been here before?...What's coming up soon?" Ethan said while resting his hand against his forehead.
After long silence Grace spoke, "What if it has something to with Vallen and the festival she was at?..."
No one spoke. The words all settling on them. It would make since, the recent activity all started after Vallen's sister got kidnapped. An idea started to bloom in Ethan's mind.
"Do guys remember that there have been a string of kidnappings Vallen's village?", everybody nodded, "Good, so I was thinking maybe they have or know something we don't and the only way to find out is if we make a visit. Good idea right?"
"That's actually not a bad idea there Ethan. " Jackson gave him a thumbs up. All of a sudden they get slapped up side the head, both instantly go to try and to comfort the wound.
"You idiots, how exactly are we going to get there and when we do won't we look suspicious being random travelers asking all kinds of "weird" questions? Hmmm?" Joyce said with a slightly irritated tone.
        Both of the boys hadn't though about that. "Why don't we use Vallen? She could help us." Grace said.
         "That's not a bad idea, but she would have to agree to it first though..." Ethan sighed.
          "She would, if it means to help find her sister then she will." Joyce spoke with the determination that Vallen would say yes.
           Jackson nodded, "Well it agreed on, let's go ask Vallen." Jackson led the way back to Grace's house only to be surprised at the scene he came upon. Vallen was on the porch and had a small group of pups surrounding her. Upon closer inspection, he saw that she was telling stories and little tid-bits of knowledge here and there.  All of the kids were engrossed her story telling.
         When he got close enough to her what was being said he found she was telling the story of Little Red Cap. No one had noticed him yet. When the story was getting to the part were the wolf ate Little Red Cap he crept closer the group of kids. Then as Vallen was about to say that the wolf ate the girl Jackson let out a menacing growl saying "I'm going to each you!!". He also grabbed a poor little girl by the shoulders and putting her gently into a head lock. Almost everybody screamed or squealed.
       When they had finally settled down enough to realize who it was they began to feign terror that the big bad wolf had come to eat them. Jackson kept character, he let go of his first victim only to slowly walk around the group, occasionally faking like he was about to attack. Finally he had neared his target and in one swift move he had pulled Vallen up from her sitting position to a standing one with his arms locked around her. Vallen let out a cute squeal of surprise causing Jackson to laugh a little.
The pups began to surround Jackson trying to save their beloved storyteller. Vallen giggles at pups antics  and at Jackson's.
          "Why Little Red Cap how delicious you look! I almost don't want but to eat you for how pretty you are. But I'm too hungry for that." Jackson said burying his head into the crook of her neck as if he was going to take a bite out her. (Causing a blush to bloom on her cheeks.) The pups reacted with rebuking of yells. They even started to creep in but were backed off when Jackson encased Vallen more into a "more threatening" position.
            "Oh wolf you can't be so bad that you hurt a mere girl sharing delightful stories." Vallen said in a damsel-in-distress voice (while also trying not to giggle).
"Really now, I guess I'll have to just eat you then. Just to prove you wrong." Jackson put his head into the crook of her neck again and even bared his canines. This causes the kids to erupt, they all attacked Jackson. Some pulling Vallen out of his grasp, others hanging on to his legs, and others climbed up him and hung around his neck. Laughter erupted from down on the lawn, Ethan could be seen doubling over from the laughing. Grace had a smile. It soon spread and everybody was laughing.
Slowly the pups clambered off Jackson. "It's about time for lunch don't you this so Vallen?" Jackson said while lifting his eyebrows.
          "Oh yes, hungry children are sad children." She getting the hint.
           "You heard her. Off you go now pups."
           Once inside Grace's house they had lunch, which was prepared by Vallen. After that moved into the living room, decked out with plush recliners and colorful lamps. Jackson sat on the big couch with Vallen to his right. Grace and Ethan both sat in recliners.
"Vallen there is a favor we would like to ask of you." Grace said starting the conversation.
"And what's that?"
"We would like you to take us to your village. So we can ask some questions without being too suspicious."
           "Oh", Vallen paused thinking, "Yes....yes, I'll take you. It will hopefully get more answers as to finding my sister."
           "Then it's settled! We'll start planning and packing tomorrow. If you'll excuse me, I have a couple of things to attend to." Jackson said nodding goodbye to everyone. Soon after both Ethan and Joyce left too.
           Grace and Vallen spent the rest of the afternoon getting to know each other and sharing stories about the their villages. Vallen also taught Grace how to fold paper into flowers. Which she was surprisingly good at. They finished out the day with reading and eating sweet little deserts.

Jackson's POV:
     Jackson tossed and turned in his sleep. Only able to hold one position for a few minutes before readjusting. He finally fell into rough sleep, a dream bloomed.
Jackson was sitting on the edge of the pier. Arthur, his father and pack leader, stood next to him trying to stick a worm to the fishing hook. Despite being a great leader, Arthur could never get the dang worm in the hook he first try. After minutes had passed Jackson got up from just spot, took the hook and worm, and got the wrangler to stay put - on the first try. His father gave him a look that said "Show-off!".  Jackson grinned.
           Jackson turned around and now was back at his home. He and Joyce were hiding just inside the hallway that lead out to the living room, just so that they couldn't be seen. His father and mother were fighting. Arguing over how the rebel wolves were gathering in size and power. Arthur pulled his wife to him, whispering something he couldn't hear.
          Jackson blinked. He was staring at his dad's dead body. Blood had pooled around him, soaking his shirt. It had seeped out his mouth hanging open as if from being shocked. Jackson couldn't understand. He heard the toxic rumors and whispers. "He couldn't handle the mess." "Arthur wasn't meant to be Leader." "We never should have trusted him with settling the rebels."
        He couldn't take it anymore - the words started to wrap around him. Jackson fought against the tightening restraints but couldn't breathe. It got tighter and tighter and tighter.
       Jackson woke with a start. Sweat made his hair stick to the nape of his neck. He sighed. Throwing his hand up to his forehead, he pushed the hair out of his eyes before plopping back down on the pillow. Oh how he missed his father.

A/N:
Hello! So I have to apologize for taking forever and a day to post. It's just that this past month has been kinda busy with school stuff. So...yeah...anyways please vote! And comment! Comments are always welcomed. :) I also hoped you guys enjoyed this chapter. What do think was going on in Jackson's dreams there?? What the visit to the village next chapter? How will the villagers react?? Guess you'll read to find out! Well as soon as I write it....Which I promise to have uploaded soon!! Fun stuff. Anywhos, ta-ta for now.