The Dark Fur Of The Forest: The True Story of Little Red Riding Hood.

Chapter 1: The Worse Thing About Bacon

     I am normally the sleep-in-kind-of-gal. However, I woke up out of my dream to a smell. It wasn't any smell but the best thing in the world....bacon. I rose from my bed like a zombie and sniffed the air. Yup! It was bacon. I quickly got out of bed and ran into the small door by my bed which was my closet. I pulled out my combat boots, black skinny jeans, and a white shirt. I walked over to the length floor mirror and felt like something was missing.
hmmm.....I looked around my room.There it was, my cloak. I pulled it on and turned back to my mirror. The cloak was bright red with armholes for me to wear it like an overcoat. It still had a hood and at the bottom of the cloak was designs colored golden that showed wolves and other forest animals. I love it!
     It was my grandma who made it ( the one who lives in the woods). I ran out my bedroom door, but not before grabbing my bow and arrows with my dagger that slide into a compartment on my shoes. I ran over to the edge of the upstairs and peeked down at the floor by the kitchen table. They go one way then a platform and then the other way down. I skipped the stairs and slid down like I owned the place and landed on my feet without wobbling. It was a perfect landing. I looked up without being surprised that none of my family saw me. Mom was still setting the table and looked over at me. She had a disgusted face at seeing that I had my weapons with me.
     " Ruby, what did I say about weapons at the table?" she sternly said with a frown.
     " Mommmm, don't call me that and grandma said that having weapons is a good thing. Since I am 18 and we live by the woods and all that. She frowned more but turned around just in time to slap my little brother's hand from snatching some bacon. He grinned up at her showing his two front teeth that were missing.
     I smiled despite myself. I saw that mom had really outdone herself. There were piles and I mean piles of bacon, eggs, and pancakes. That put me on alert. The last time that we had this much bacon was the time that mom asked me for a "little favor". Her little favors were chores that were too dirty, or annoying for anyone else but apparently me.
     I shook my head at the last time she called me for the favor. It was to clean the chimney and that was no fun. I sighed and sat down at the table. Dad had sat down with my little 7-year-old. Mom finally set down the last plate of pancakes and sat down. My dad reached out for the bacon but was stopped by my mom's words.
     " Honey, don't we need to say grace?" she asked/commanded.
     " GRACE!" shouted my little brother and started to stuff his face with bacon.
     "ALEX! Where are your manners, young man!?" She snapped her fingers at him. I held in a laugh. It was funny to see my mom's face got all puffy and her eyes looked like they were about to pop out of her head. Mom called on me to say grace and we said a quick prayer. I shoved mouthful after mouthful of food. I finished and stood up to go clear my plate.
     " Honey, dad and I would like to speak to you." She said. Great.....I knew it was too good to be true. I sat back down at the table with folded arms. I faked a smile and asked,
     " Yes, Mom?" Deep down I was ready to blow fire out of my ears with how many times that she said this to me. If I had a nickel for every time she said this, I would be rich.
     " Well. . . . " she said deeply as she trailed off. Alex was still at the table looking at mom with excitement. " Alex, go to your room, please. I need to talk to your sister alone." he looked sad and defeated but I saw the small smile he hid as he walked upstairs. I knew that he was going to spy on us and was glad. Whatever mom had to say, she can say to both of us. Not like it concerns him anyways.
     " Your grandma is sick!" mom uttered out suddenly. I stared at her for a long time. What! I.....what....grandma sick? It would be more like the creatures around her would be the ones sick or dead. Whatever comes first!
     " Are you sure?" I asked with concern.
     " Yeah, she sent a letter and-"
     " Grandma sending a letter in the middle of the woods that is impossible, it must be a trick!" I interrupted.
     " Calm down. Yes, I know it's very.....unusual. But it is in her handwriting and point is, I need you to go over to help her out." She gave me the look that said if I refuse I will die a gruesome death. She was wrong, I love visiting grandma. I am very close to her and would definitely help her if I needed to. Even if the letter is fake!
     " YES, I will go," I answered back. It seemed to satisfy mom for she nodded her head and pulled out a beautiful basket. It was square and brown with a woven handle. It had a red ribbon tied into a bow on the handle. I grabbed the basket and saw that inside held some food and grandma's favorite soup. Guess mom wants me to go today, that's fine for me. It takes a day and a half to get to her house anyway.
     " Mom this is. . . beautiful." I gushed out.
     " Thank you and now you better get ready and go. For it takes a while to get there." Mom hugged me and my dad. (which I had forgotten he was even there).
     " Can I go TOO!" shouted Alex as he ran down the stairs at top speed. I hid a grateful smile at his childish behavior.
     " No, you have school! Your sister doesn't have school anymore." She replied as she picked him up in her arms.
     " Oof, your a heavy growing boy." She set him down again. I gave Alex a hug and sneaked in a kiss. I ran upstairs and packed what few items I needed to bring. I packed only a few outfits, for my grandma had a whole new wardrobe at her house for me for I spend a lot of time with her. I packed a small blanket and of course food. My weapons always stayed with me.
     I went back downstairs to see that the family had gathered by the front door. " Bye guys see you in maybe two weeks." I hugged everyone again and went on my way. The woods were yards away from the house. I walked up to the very faint trail of the woods. I took a deep breath and cross into the path.