Something scampered in the forest. Scurried through the undergrowth. Lurked on all fours. Dull eyes turned toward the mansion that stood adjacent to the forest. One day...
Elizabeth skipped gaily down the main set of stairs. She had been looking forward to today for what seemed like forever and was so excited. Her hair bounced as she ran and her skirt happily fluttered behind her. As she reached the bottom, she noticed a large picnic basket waiting at the door with a note attached. It read: "Have a good day hun! Nonny xxx". Nonny was one of Elizabeth's nannies, but was more of a mother to her. She was a plump, kind woman with a caring smile and a voice as soft as she was. Elizabeth smiled to herself, imagining her swiftly moving round the kitchen, humming softly to herself while preparing lunch. She could almost smell the bread rolls in the oven and jam bubbling cheerily on the stove. Feeling her tummy rumble, she snapped back to reality and scooped up the basket from the doorway. From behind her, a sharp voice snapped impatiently.
"Where are you going Elizabeth?" Her mother's sharp tongue made Elizabeth flinch. Frowning she replied, "just the garden mother. Nonny prepared a picnic for me so I could have lunch outside."
"Her name is Nona; you're not a baby Elizabeth. But very well, I suppose the garden is okay. Do not get your dress dirty, do you understand? Good." Then, as soon as she had appeared, her mother turned on her heel and walked away. Letting out a huge breath, Elizabeth listened to her click down the Hal in her Louis Vuitton's. Why she had to wear those in the house she would never know. Fishing herself out of her head for the second time now, she swung herself out of the door before she could be ambushed by her father as well. She shuddered at the thought.
Immediately after stepping outside, her lungs filled with fresh countryside air. The bricks of the porch felt cool and inviting and she took off down the garden. Vast stretches of grass framed with beautifully trimmed roses were before her and she strode through it; the world blurring around her. Years of ballet had trained her legs to extend to their full potential, meaning she could sprint like an athlete and was as agile as a predator. She was leaping over ditches, giggling and swinging her basket. She really was free. Looming in front of her, a huge forest emerged seemingly from nowhere. To Elizabeth, it was more of a home than the mansion she had grown up in. The way it closed around her made her feel welcome, the sounds made her feel alive. Usually she stayed in the outskirts in case something happened, but today she wasn't. Today she was going further in than ever.
She took a deep breath.
