Red Riding Hood

Chapter Six - William

Williams POV

I sit up straight in surprise. Her grandmother had taken up my offer. I wanted to gradually lean into it, but Reds sudden outburst didn't make that possible. I take a deep breath, and stand. "Nine years ago I found out that my father was working with some people. At the time I thought they were bad. Until one night I followed my father, who said he was going to a business meeting. Once every month he said the exact same thing. All night he was gone. I watched him meet up with the same men. Albric among them." I clenched my fists and jaw and continued, speaking though my gritted teeth. "I watched them drink, and dance around a bonfire. When the moon started rising, everything became odd. Everyone stopped, then sat in a big circle around the bonfire and chanted things about being one with nature. They suddenly stopped and I listened to their bones crack, their pain filled screams. I wanted to run but I couldn't turn away. I watched them, watched my own father, change into a beast. Those I knew as humans, had now become wolves." Red looked intrigued, but it didn't seem like she believed me. "They were savage, tearing at each others throats, leaving and returning, covered on blood. When I finally ran, finally came home, I was scared. I raided my fathers study in attempt to find something to help him with his condition. What I thought was a problem for him. I found a book, a book with a prophecy written in it. I tore the prophecy from the page and continued reading."

Red's deep bronze eyes tore into my figure. She watched every single quake that crossed my body, but it wasn't from the temperature. Her gaze saw every tensed muscle and every word that caused me pain to speak. "The book talked about a flower that goes by monkshood, or wolfs bane. How silver can hurt the beasts, along with pine ash. It talked about a potion that could protect the one who wears the Blood Red cloak from the species they are supposed to protect or destroy. I left home and took the book with me. The last thing I have of my fathers is this ring." I pull out a small iron ring and set it in the middle of the table. 

"I used the book and did exactly what it said to create the potion. Then, once it was finished, I started looking for the one in the Blood Red cloak. For half a year I looked, then as I was coming into town I was attacked by Albric in his beast form. This was just a day before I met you." I faced Red, who then took in a sharp breath. "I learned that your grandmother was a cloak maker. I went to her. She made the cloak for me, but saw the wound that was on my back and questioned me. She knew I would turn, but she didn't know when. Then she cast me out the second she finished my cloak. I then found out that you were her granddaughter and wore the Blood Red cloak. I waited around town until I saw you skip into town wearing the cloak. The single picture in the book matched the color exactly and looking at you now wearing the cloak that finally fits your figure I know I gave that potion to the right person." 

Red sat at the table wide eyed. Surprise was a clear expression on her face. Then suddenly became a cloud of confusion with more questions then ever. "How do you know about this, grandmother?" She asked.

"I have known about it for many, many years. As I also came across a group like the one William described.  I was traveling with new fabrics years back. My carriage was stopped in a riot of the beasts. My companion took hold of one of them and the white fabrics they were carrying, and followed the rampage. Leaving me alone. Soon after I mourned, thinking they had died with the pack of savages. But when I learned that your mother was pregnant, a roll of the Blood Red fabric showed up at my doorstep, with a parchment that said, For your grandchild, soon to come. May it always have a comfortable fit on them. I thought nothing of it at first. I made a cloak, gave it to you when I thought it would fit. Then it seemed to grow with you. I questioned. I went through our ancestors diaries. Your great great grandfathers had written that one of his descendants would be given a Blood Red cloak. The cloak was died with the blood of the beasts. He had created a small dagger which could wound the beasts, that it was for you. I found it and gave it to you the second I realized William would be looking for you."

Red's eyes were darting everywhere, trying to process our stories. She was not wearing my jacket anymore, and I do not know where it is. We had both changed into different clothes and I was wearing my regular long sleeve shirt and leather gloves. She quaked in confusion. Standing quickly she almost looses er balance and I step forward to catch her, but she does so for herself, and takes a step back. "Does this mean, that you, you're one of the beasts in these stories?" Red questions. Her eyes begging for my answer. I try to reassure her with a small step forward, but it only startles her more. "Are you one of them?!" I now walk a few paces back and nod slightly. Then crane my neck, waiting for her to scream in horror, run from me, yell at me.

Yet I hear nothing but the pitter patter of ragged breaths, but the sound is just all of our breaths. Red stands by the table, and does nothing. I feel shame over myself. For I think she hates me for what she now knows me as. "You turned those few weeks before my mothers death? When you got sick then recovered after the strange herbs I gave you?" I nod slightly again, still waiting to feel her hatred pierce me like her grandmothers does. "Did you have a choice, to, you know, reverse the condition?" I swallow hard at this question.

"I searched for a way to reverse it, but the only way it talks about reversing it results in death. I wouldn't be able to protect you if I was dead." I explained, a slight quiver noticeable in my voice. Lifting my head slightly I look anywhere but her, afraid, I don't want her to hate me. She can't hate me, its to excruciating for me to think of. My entire body, tense, painfully my jaw and hands are clenched. 

"So, you have been like this all but those few days before you got really sick?" I try to relax but my thoughts keep overwhelming my mind and I'm questioning if I can keep myself under control. I manage a full nod. Now it's Red who steps forward and I stay frozen in my place. Still afraid to look at her. She is as close to me as ever. Only inches from my face, I inhale sharply. My muscles still tense. I could feel her grandmothers glare directed toward me, but I don't care. In this moment, all I want to do is touch her, feel her skin against mine, but I can't. Red reaches to me, I grab her wrist. Still avoiding her eyes.

"It's hard for us, to control ourselves around certain people. For me, that's you." I freeze at my own words. Even though their true. I want to explain the rest to her alone. I don't want her grandmothers hateful stares penetrating my mind.

"I think its time I leave." Reds grandmother states. Outside a small carriage waits for her. I help her into the carriage and after she sits she tells me one last thing, "William, I know her touch is something you will need eventually. You have my permission. Just be careful, don't scare her. Never hurt her." I feel her hatred fade away from me as I give her a firm nod. She then is driven off, down the hill.

The second I enter back in the house Reds arms are around me, no skin is touching, but I'm afraid it will. Her small figure, draped in red is cuddled up against me, and I still struggle to contain myself.