Little Miss Hood

Prologue

In the very center of the woods there was a manor. In that manor there was a man. However, this man lived alone with the exception of his son. The son wasn't allowed to live in the manor, because his mother forbid him. This man that lived in the manor was doomed to stay in this manor in the woods. He was cursed to be there. All around these dangerous parts were wolves. Dozens and dozens of them. The manor itself was protected, but the moment he left the estate...wolves would attack. That was the agreement. And so, the son traveled daily into the woods to provide food for his father. Day by day, with a red cloak to warn the wolves he was protected by the man in the manor.

He would walk carefully with the sun still out to avoid the wolves. He would carry a basket in his hands and look over his shoulder. Day by day he traveled. His father always apologizing and thanking him for his troubles. His mother scolding him with every moment he stayed out too late.

Every step he took it felt as if he was being watched. Eyes, bloodthirsty eyes, haunted him. A growl, a glare, hidden in the trees. He tried to find it, many times, to ask why he was being watched, but the answers never came. He was stuck. Perhaps it was because there was a curse placed on his father. Perhaps it was because they wanted to kill him, so that his father wouldn't get food, so that his father would die.

The son never knew the answers to his questions. He only knew that he was being stalked day in and day out. Every morning as he left to go get the food. Every evening as he brought it back. Those glaring red eyes lurked in the shadows, until one night he decided to face his fears once and for all.

He opened the manor's door and took a step outside. He held a torch in his hand with his cloak around him ever still, and walked to the very edge of the estate. He went as far as he could without crossing the invisible line protecting him. He stared at the eyes staring back at him.

"Who are you?" asked the son. "Why do you watch me so?"

"I am...what I am," replied the eyes. His voice silky smooth, nothing like the way the son had imagined.

"You're a wolf?" asked the son.

"You're a human?" replied the eyes, with a bit of snark.

"Come closer, so I can see you," the son said. The sound of sticks cracking and the fire burning by his ear filled the quiet night. The eyes stood as close as they could possibly manage without crossing the invisible line. Black hair, not too long, not to short. Sharp teeth like those of a vampire peeked out from his mouth. A tail, fluffy, very cuddly like, behind him. The son stared at the wolf. He couldn't help but find him attractive. He wanted to pet the ears on his head. They looked just as friendly as the tail. 

The wolf raised his hand and placed it on the invisible imaginary wall between them. He held it up as he stared into the son's eyes. The son raised his hand too. He placed it on the wolf's. They held each other's hands, fingers interlocking, eyes never glancing away from each other's.

"What is your name?" asked the son.

"Sebastian," the wolf replied. "What is yours?"

"Ciel."