Swan Lake

Out of Sight But Not Out of Mind

The rest of the day didn't have any purpose. But, Odette couldn't stop thinking of Fred.

'Fred, what a weird name.' she thought. She couldn't help but to sashay around the cottage and arabesque through the wild flowers while singing.

In frustration, she frappe-ed the side of the cow pen. "I'm behaving like one of those love sick damsels who need saving! I'm not like that, right?" she asked Patricia, the brown cow. But, te cow did not answer and instead continued to chew it's cud. But, it didn't matter. Odette's thoughts traveled, and a carefree smile lay lazily on her dark lips. Her eyes were clouded and dreamy.

"His beautiful chocolate mint eyes. His dark, clean hair the color of warm molasses. His sturdy jaw strong enough to rope an ocean storm..." Odette looked up startled. "What am I blabbering about? Maybe some hard work will get him off his mind." She rushed into the cottage and changed into a beige frock. She got the broom and swept the entire cottage; hoed and raked all the weeds around the cottage and in the herb garden; she washed the dishes; cleaned the pens of cow and goat droppings, placing the manure in the herb garden; she went to the creek to wash the dirty clothes; and found parsnips which she would use for her dinner. She was washing her hands and face at the pump when she heard a voice.

"My dear, how are you today." von Rothbart asked.

"Very well, and you?"

"Splendid." he said cheekily. "If your not busy, I 'd like to talk to you."

She shook her head. "I'm not busy. I just finished actually."

"Great! Let us take a walk." Odette followed obediently.

"As you know, Odette. After that terrible accident with your parents I have been worried about you." Odette nodded. Rothbart continued,"I have been quite lonely, living alone."

"I don't mean to pry, but I thought you had a daughter?" Odette asked.

"She is not important." Rothbart paused, calculating. "It's a shame they left you all alone. But, I'm glad they didn't take you with them. For the world needs your beauty. I need your beauty." Odette frowned at that and schooched away from him, pretending to smell a flower. She didn't not notice him get closer to her until she could feel him pressed against her back. Startled she turned around. Magically, they flew, and he pinned her to a tree losing her breath.

"Moy prekrasnyy, nevinnyy tsvetok." He caressed her white cheeks tinged pink. Odette started to struggle against his hold.

"Let go of me." Odette said calmly, her adrenaline racing.

"No, I want you, I need to have you. Be mine." He slowly cradled her left breast, holding her waist tightly.

"What!? Never! Stop it!" Odette screamed. She struggled harder.

"Oh, you are so innocent." He went out to kiss her jaw when he stopped and stiffened. His scaly hands let go of her. "You! You have given away some of your innocence! To whom!?"

"N-no one."

"Don't lie to me, slut! Who is it?"

Odette shook her head. N-no one! I only love my family." she was shaking.

"You are so pure I know you are lying! You are a very bad liar. Now tell me now or I will take your virginity right now."

Odette gasped. "What?

I'll have seks with you right now against that very tree." he pointed to the tree she was pressed up against. Odette's face drained of all color and she trembled.

"His, his, name is Fred." she replied defeated. "I have a fondness for him."

Rothbart cackled. "Fred? Do not joke with me, wench." He reached for her hemline and she screamed "I'm telling the truth!"

He stopped. Backed up. "Till we meet again." he said, walking into the wood, vanishing from sight. Out of sight but definitely not out of mind.

Odette fell to the forest floor and prayed.

"Dear, God. Please change his ways and protect me. Amen."

After that, she ran to the house and locked herself in forgetting the cows, forgetting the goats, forgetting everything except her prince charming. She hope he wasn't in trouble.