The Shadow Over Lockland

Rose's P.O.V

I walked through the village heading in the direction of the nearby forest. The village was full of chatter as usual, but there was a new topic in the conversations. A new family had moved into the village from the mainland. Of course this excited me, and I wanted to meet and greet the family to our island of Lockland as well but, I had other things in mind. Plus, from what I had heard I would have to pass by them on my way to the woods.

When I had reached the end of the market where the armor, weapons, and medical supplies were sold and I happened to spot the family. A happy husband and wife and a young man around my age, 16-17, who I assumed to be their son. I pulled my long brunette hair behind my ear to get it out of my face as I smiled at them. They smiled back and I could swear that I saw the young man’s face reden. Seeing this I blushed slightly as well as I walked off.

At the very end of the market was the medical stand. "Good morning Sir. Foy how are you?" I sweetly asked the man behind the booth.

"Ah! Rose, Brown! I'm just fine on this lovely morning, and you my dear?" He asked in a kind raspy voice.

"Just fine Sir. I'm here to pick up more ointment and bandages."

"Ah yes" he said as he leaned down to get them off the cart for me. "Here you are." I then payed him and put the supplies into a basket I had dangling on my arm.

“Thank you.” I replied. I took a quick glance back at the family before turning to the woods. The young man was now holding a new metal and rectangular shield that he'd just bought and was watching me curiously. I smiled at him once more then hurried off to the forest.

I was too excited to get to the woods to notice that someone had been following. Around my village, on our small island, there are amazing creatures that most people saw as a threat or a nuisance to the community. But these creatures captured my attention and I loved to watch them. A few weeks before I had found a drift of griffins. One of the offspring was hurt so everyday I went to take care of it in a small hiding spot. I kept track of the drift as they moved around the island.

As I approached the hiding spot I was greeted by the little cub. I giggled as it playfully pranced around me.

"Why hello there, good morning to you too Glory," I greeted her. I then knelt down beside her examining her hind leg. 'Looks good you’re no longer favoring the leg. Guess I'll use the supplies I bought today for the next injured creature in need.' I thought to myself as I unwrapped Glory's leg seeing that it was all healed. I picked her up.

"Guess you're going home Glory." I said smiling at her as I stood up, still oblivious to my follower.

Minutes later, we located the drift. I pushed through the bushes and brush into the clearing and put Glory down allowing her to bound up to her family. Her mother did a quick once over her, but her calmness did not last long. Next thing I knew I had my arms protecting my face as Glory's mother sprang to attack. But the sharp stinging of claws slicing through my skin didn't come.

Instead, I heard loud scratches and clanging of claws against metal. As I looked passed my hands, there over me in a protective position was the young man that was new to the village. Using his new shield to block the griffin from attacking me.

"Y-you have to... Run" he said as he struggled to hold his ground against the power of the beast. My fight or flight instincts took in and I stood up and ran without thinking. I could only hear what was going on behind me. Not too long after I got up, I heard his feet slide and his body slam against a tree as the griffin pinned him. I wasn't thinking straight. That's when a shooting pain shot up my leg from my ankle as I fell.

I looked down and I saw that I had fell into a rabbit hole. I winced as I carefully pulled my foot out. Just then I felt something warm drip down my face as my vision began to blur. I was becoming dizzy and I swayed as my vision went black, I felt my body go limp, and hit the ground with a thud. But before I totally lost consciousness I could hear the running footsteps of the boy and felt something press against my neck, and that's when I went numb.