Red

19: Human

I was warm. Warm and encased in a soft blanket. Was this what death felt like? I doubted it, I was told in death there was no pain, and my mouth was still lightly stinging. I slowly opened my eyes, afraid of what I might see. After a momentarily blinding light, familiar surroundings embraced me. I was in the living room at my grandmas, lying on the couch. A puffy eyed Gretal sat on the couch adjacent to mine. She was cradling a warm cup of tea in her hands and was shaking ever so slightly. She saw me looking at her and the cup slipped out of her hands, hitting the floor an exploding in a burst of tea and whatever mugs are made out of.

"Oh my god." Grandma ran into the room, looking around frantically for danger. Her eyes fell on me and her hand flew to her mouth.

"Red?" I tried sitting up. I looked down at my pale hands briefly before pushing up into a sitting position.

Wait.

Pale hands? No fur!

I stretched out my arms in front of me, admiring all my humanness in pure bliss. I jumped to my feet and sprinted down the hall. I spun into the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. My red hair was messy, my skin was dull and tight, but my eyes were glistening brighter than all the stars in the night sky combined. I was human. I was normal. I let out a cry of happiness. I ran back down the hall. I grabbed Gretal in my arms and hugged her. I hugged her with all the thankfulness in the world. I let go and looked into her eyes.

"Thank you so much. I can never repay you." She frowned, tears welling in her red eyes

"It's what Hansel would have wanted for you." My happiness was suddenly drowned in empathy and sadness. I burst into tears and hugged her again. It was a different hug this time. A hug built on compassion and understanding.

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