Red Riding Hood

Chapter Five - William

Williams POV

It's been eight years since her mothers passing, since I came here. Though many of Albrics people come to "visit" us at the cottage, they can do no harm to her. Myself on the other hand is questionable. Most if the time they will leave me be, but about once every other month they visit, leaving me bruised and bloodied.

Red has gotten some experience from treating me. Some of the towns folk stop by once in a while for her help. She has grown so beautifully. Though I look similar to her age now I am older than her by almost six years, but the transformation has slowed my growth while I adjusted to the new manner. Red doesn't understand why I don't look older, or why I wouldn't tell her about what happened the day her mother died. After a while she started having blackouts, waking in the woods. I would often have to receive her.

My condition has started to become a problem for Reds knowledge. She is very curious, asking me where I go to every month. I always told her i had gone hunting, to also explain my blood covered clothes, and deer I often brought back. She might be old enough to know about it. I even knew at a younger age, but my condition then was complicated. Red knowing would set her in a position even I wouldn't want to be in. She will find out eventually. I just don't think Red is quite ready for the truth.

*****

"William!" Red yells as I fling a fist full of freezing mud to her. "You! You're going to regret that!" Red exclaimed scraping the mud from her cheek. I chuckle at her as she leans down and gathers a big lump of mud into her palm. Running toward me with her hands and face covered in the muck I turn and jog just out of her range. A small uprooted patch of grass catches my foot and I stumble before seeing a small figure up the hill near our small cottage. I could almost feel the rage piercing me through all the distance that separates us. Instantly I knew who it was and stopped.

Red, not noticing toppled me to the ground. Dirtying my clothes and what I hadn't of hers. The chill from the cool ground did nothing to me, but Red shivered as she giggled, rolling off of my back. I groan planting my face into the mud.

"What is it?" She asks her expression changing as she sits up. I lift my hand and point to the figure on the hill, not removing my face from the ground. "William, she is family, she's not just going to go away." Red spoke, standing from her spot, shivering from the breeze. She offers her hand out to me. Reaching up to grab it I notice my glove missing, I quickly pull back. I then push myself from the ground without taking Reds hand. I quickly dig through the mud in attempt to find it, with no such luck Red interrupts me. "William, what are you doing?" I hesitated.

"I lost my glove." I try to state calmly.

"Why are they so important?" Red inquired.

"I- I can't tell you." The things I keep from her can be painful. Her grandmother doesn't trust me around her. She forced me to promise I wouldn't touch her skin with my own. With understanding, I decided for it. If I touched her the loss of control would be excruciating to hide. That is why most of my kind does the same, being cautious around people is important. Especially around her.

My choice years ago affected her life greatly. Recollecting my decisions make me doubt if I did the right thing. As a punishment for my stupidity Reds grandmothers trust for me is immensely low. Now, unable to find my glove I walk off toward the hill in silence. Red following close behind. 

Clasping my gloved hand she muttered, "Sorry, I shouldn't have asked." I could feel her quivering through the gloves. Swiftly I unclasp our hands, pull off my jacket and swooped it under her cloak, over her shoulders to provide more warmth for her, as I did not truthfully need it. Catching a small glimpse of her face flush she links her arm around mine, the long sleeves of my shirt still separating us from touch. Soon I would have to explain everything to her. Though it might be painful to hear, that people who are like me, have the same condition as me, killed her mother. Albric has always been  someone, I myself can not get rid of. 

Our trip to the top of the hill was a slow journey. Though, I'm not quite sure I wanted it to end. Reds grandmother has hated me since the day I showed up. Nearly eight years she has hated me and she will still hate me even from her grave. If she even dies first. Albric is unpredictable. Now that she is nearly old enough, if he finds out I haven't told her he could just kill me, in result, Red never finds out and I'm out of the way. I can't let that happen. There will always be someone after her, even if I was dead. It's my job to protect her, fighting skills and a dagger will never be enough to keep her alive, I will not let them kill her. 

Just allowing myself to think of Albric angers me. Reds and my gloved hand had fallen together and I squoze, still engulfed in my thoughts. Red stops in her tracks and looks up at me. "William, are you okay? Is there something bothering you?" I turn to face her, her bronze brown eyes piercing me with concern. I flinch at the sound of her voice, knocking me out of my thoughts. I hesitate, she needs to know, its becoming a problem.

"I can't explain it to you now. I wish I could. I'm sorry." Every muscle in my body is tense, almost painfully. Red lifts her hand to touch my face but I turn away to prevent it, inhaling sharply. Red drops her hand to her side, and squeezes my hand to give me reassurance. We continue walking, and when we reach the top of the hill, her grandmother glares at me, at our entwined hands. I release her hand and Red realizes my lack of comfort. 

"I'll make some tea, William can you get some wood for the fireplace?" Red asks, trying to change the atmosphere. I nod, Red starts to walk off into the house, and I pivot on my heels to get the wood.

"William," I hear her grandmother speak, a slight annoyance present in her voice. I turn. "I hope you didn't let her touch you." She continues, "We don't want you two to touch now do we?" I swallow hard, giving her a cold stare.

"No, you don't want us to touch. I'm going to have to tell her soon anyways. The only reason I haven't yet is because you don't want me to. I have tried, for eight years, to have your approval, in any way possible, but you just keep refusing, every time. I will do my best to keep our agreement, but just know one thing, I am the only one on her side. The dagger and the potion are not enough to keep her safe, and believe me, you are not the only one who wants to keep her safe." Rage coursed through my blood, and I could almost feel it move through my body. I struggled to keep my voice calm, quiet enough that Red couldn't hear us. After taking a few deep breaths I continued, "She is starting to question too much, she is old enough to know. I just think it best that you be there when I tell her. So you can explain about the dagger, and the cloak." With that I walked off. 

I prodded at the fireplace with the iron poker. Red and her grandmother, sitting at the table only feet away. Red had brought up her father and her grandmother kept the story vague, handing me a few hate filled glares as she told it. I run my freshly gloved hand through my hair and sat down the fire poker. Taking a glass from the cupboard I glance out the window. The sun is laying just over the hills. It will be dark in a matter of an hour or two. Sitting at the table with the two was almost painful, as Reds grandmother stares at me.

"Why is everyone being so secretive? I do all I can to have your trust, yet I sit here feeling like everyone is miles ahead of me!" She gestures toward her grandmother as she continues, "You hate William! Why? What did he ever do to you?" Then to me, "And you, you leave once every month, not telling me where you go! Then you start acting odd and wont tell me whats going on with you! Can someone just explain it to me?!" We sit in silence. Myself and her grandmother have guilty looks on our faces and we feel ashamed. 

"William," Her grandmother starts, "Tell her."