Scarlet Mystery

Chapter 1

"In Wellington, everybody knows their power. Whether it be the power of courage or the power of determination, everyone has a special trait that is reserved just for them. Well, everyone except me. Being sickly like I am, not many would define me as courageous and determined. You see, I'm the only one in Wellington with blue eyes and pale skin, but I'm also the best archer...
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"Scarlet, would you please go out to the garden and bring me a basket of apples from the apple tree?" My mother asked from the kitchen. Well, stepmother.

"But I was just about to leave to go to the lake. You said it yourself, I need to practice up on my horse riding skills." I replied with a tightness in my chest.

"What's the point of knowing how to handle a horse if you don't know your place in the kitchen? Now shoo shoo, go pick me some apples. I need it for my new recipe."

I knew she wouldn't wait any longer. If I hesitated she may make me pick two whole baskets full. I opened the counters to find an old wooden basket, fit to hold about ten or fifteen apples. I grabbed it and headed out the wooden back door towards the apple trees. The apples were green, obviously the best. They were also heavy so the tree branches hung low. I didn't have to reach too far to grab the apples, for they were merely an inch away standing from my height.

I don't count as I pick so I've already lost track of how many apples I pick. I glanced at the basket and guess it was about 12.

"That should be enough." I breathe a sign of relief. The rest are too high for me to reach without effort.

I bring the apples back inside. Sure enough, my "mother" was waiting, leaning against the door frame that led to the kitchen.

"Does it really take that long to pick a basket full of apples?"

I wanted to say, "I don't see you picking them,"
But I hold back, afraid she would take away my privileges of riding White Storm down to the lake. White Storm was my horse. He was tall and muscular, and most importantly, he was white. He was pale just like me. That's why I chose him when I first picked out a horse.

"Mother" examined the apples with snake-like eyes. She nodded with approval. "Good. Now, you
may go to the lake on your horse. But Scarlet," she glared at me, "i want you home before the sun goes down, okay, Scarlet May Rosemary?"

I shivered. When she called me by my full name I knew she meant business. That's one thing I didn't understand. How could Father marry someone like her? My real mother was sweet and gentle, now, Mother Snake, as I like to call her, is a demon inside an Angels body. She may be a beautiful woman, but Mother was more beautiful and she had amazing talents. So why would Father marry Mother Snake?

I hesitated no longer and raced out the front door towards the stable in the back yard. I could see White Storm's head poking out from the small gate that kept him in place. He knew that I was coming to get him. No matter what time I come, he's always waiting for me. It's like he had a sixth sense.

I unlocked the gate lock with a key and stuffed the key back in my pocket. White Storm stepped out of his pen. I checked to make sure the saddle was strapped on tightly and I climbed on his back. I felt large on him. Like nothing could hurt me. Unlike those girls that usually hung out with Matthew, the biggest liar and thief in the village. They would always pick on me because of my blue eyes and pale skin. But when I was on White Storm they never bothered me. But one day I will surely show them! I'll practice and practice with my bow and arrows and my knives, and I'll become the strongest woman in the village. I'll finally be able to stand up to them. Being 15, I'm merely weak to them. They also know about my health. My health isn't the best. If I run too much or get too anxious I'll start to wheeze and cough and it'll be hard to breathe.

I lightly kicked White Storm's side to give him approval to move. He started of slowly at first and got faster as we headed down the dirt path that led towards the village.

The sun wasn't quite at its highest yet, I guessed it was about ten o'clock. I would arrive into the village at ten thirty and stay there until six. Then I would arrive back home by seven, when Father got home. Father was a blacksmith on the west side of the village. He crafted knives and swords and armor, all shorts of things!

White Storm let out a snort as he galloped. It was a beautiful day, perfect for practicing with my bow. Nobody knew about my skills except Sky. Sky was my best friend, he was also a boy.

"I know. I'll stop by his place and see if he wants to join me today. Sky loves to shoot bows. Although he's kinda clumsy, he's still good."

I kept my mind on Sky. His blonde hair and brown eyes. I almost didn't notice that White Storm had come to a complete stop. He neighed and rose in the air. I nearly fell off.

"Whats wrong?" I whisper in his ear. He must've sensed something coming. Sure enough, he was was right. I heard the faint sound of voices and footsteps heading our way. I knew exactly who it was. Patrollers.