Vanessa [A Poor Unfortunate Soul]

04. Stranger in the Woods

"We murder the beast!" Her father rallied down the road, but close enough for his follower's chants to be heard.

"Your father" said Sandra, plaiting Vanessa's hair.

"He's always been this way" said Kaleb, entering the room. "He only just now found something to rally about"

"What is he doing?" Sandra asked, even though it was obvious.

"Who knows what he does" Kaleb said. "Off to kill a beast or another. So, I'm guessing he'll have a new fur coat"

"Do put your sister to bed" Sandra told him, finishing the plait.

But Vanessa didn't sleep, not until her father's rally left anyway.

"Are you honestly to tell me, that your medication just leaped from your bag?" Sandra asked, while packing Vanessa's lunch.

"I've never said anything of the sort" Vanessa told her. "I'm just not taking it"

"Are you willing to state your posterior on that?" Asked Sandra, putting a hand on her now large hip. "You'll answer plenty, if I find this anywhere but your bag"

Vanessa gave her a look, as she returned the capped nursing bottle to the bag.

"Maybe change the bottle" Kaleb said, combing his hair.

"Perhaps then I wouldn't mind" said Vanessa, looking anywhere but in Sandra's direction.

"What would have me put it in?" She asked. " A pipkin?"

"I don't see why not" he shot back.

Sandra didn't answer, not in words anyway.

The walk from the shack to the church was long and strenuous. It always was. For the past fifteen years, Vanessa walked the same path. So she knew it well.

The trees of the forest seemed to act as a shelter from the rain. But that didn't stop the leaves from breaking under the pressure. Mud splashed up her heeled shoes. What was she to do? Walk bare-foot?

A branch breaking from behind took her attention. Turning in the direction, there was nothing. Just the path she'd walked many times over. Next, a tumble from the left.

Turning to run, Vanessa was brought to a dead stop. She must have lost track of where the trees were, and ran into one.

But a new sound welcomed her ears. A beating. A heart beat. Vanessa opened her eyes, and looked up into those of the man before her.

"I'm sorry" she said fast, and stepped away from him.

"Why?" He asked. "It was only an accident. Right?"

Instead of saying anything, Vanessa only nodded.

"Your hair" he said, bringing one of her braids close to his inspection.

"Do you fancy it?" She asked, rather awkwardly.

"It is interesting" he said, letting it fall back to her shoulder.

Vanessa's hair had grown somewhat out of the normal. It was mostly blonde, almost white. But her roots were a deep brown. Almost a tease as to what it should have been.

"How do you mean?" She asked, unplaiting one of the braids. Although she probably shouldn't have said two words to this man.

"Nothing" he said simply, shaking his head.

His hair was black, short and stuck up. There was light stubble about his face. And his chocolate colored eyes had struck her dumb.

"Off to school?" He asked.

"Yes, sir" Vanessa said, playing with her fingers. "What of you?"

"Sir?" He asked, discarding her question. "I am but seventeen"

"Forgive me for saying so" she said. "But you don't look it"

"Why should I forgive you?" He asked, she wasn't sure if he was serious or not. "It is your thought. There should be no apologies. For no mistake was made"

She didn't know how to answer that.

"Speaking of" she said, finally remembering herself. "I should be going. Excuse me"

"Have a good time" he said, letting her pass. "Education is a virtue"