Heart [ON HOLD]

Chapter 8: Heartless

"I do not fear the wolf, for his intentions are clear, but the hunter wears many masks - and there are some who walk within the same shadow as those they slay."

- Choas of Thought JS

The Wolf clapped a hand over her mouth.

"Cora-,"

She thrashed and wrenched herself away from him, breathing heavily.

"Wha- what are you-,"

"The better question is, what are you doing here?" the Wolf asked, his face perfectly blank but for his analyzing eyes.

"I- the Queen told me- she said I-," Cora spluttered. The Wolf raised his eyebrows.

"I'm on my way to my grandmother's house," she managed. The Wolf's eyes traveled to the briars blocking the way behind her.

"It would seem you took a wrong turn."

"Well, I- I mean, I looked at the map and I thought this was where it led, but I guess I was wrong."

"Hm."

The Wolf's grey gaze was half lidded, raking over her, still analyzing in that frigid way. Cora shivered. Something gave her the idea that he didn't buy the story about her grandmother any more than she did.

"I'll, um, I'll just be going then," she said, but didn't make a move towards him. The Wolf didn't budge.

"Your grandmother lives very deep in the woods," he said. "We're miles from anyone. She must be very brave to be out here alone."

"Or stupid," Cora muttered.

The Wolf took a step towards her and she automatically stepped back.

"And you would think that a young lady like yourself would want someone to come along with her. The woods can be..."

The Wolf took another step forward while musing over his thoughts.

"...savage."

His eyes seemed to intensify at the word, burning into hers. Cora took another step back and felt thorns graze her calves. She glanced to each side, but fallen logs blocked any escape route.

The Wolf's steps towards her were precise and slow, the stalk of a practiced predator. Despite the thorns, Cora tried to back up, only to feel the sting of split blood and wince.

"I could protect you," he said, still walking forward. "There are dangers in the forest. On your own you won't make it. No one at the castle can hear a scream from this distance. By the time help came they'd only find your body."

There was an uncontrollable quiver in her bones. Her heart was jolting with terrible speed. The Wolf was so close he could have stretched out an arm to touch her. Cora leaned backwards as the Wolf advanced.

"St-stop playing! I know why you're here."

The assassin was only a foot from her now. It was too close. Far too close.

"She sent you, didn't she? The map was a trap. And you're here to...to finish me."

The assassin didn't speak.

"And then you'll cut me open and eat my heart and leave me to-,"

"I don't eat hearts," the Wolf snarled.

Cora's eyes grew wider.

"But- but you're-,"

"The Queen's best killer?"