Red Ridding Hood

Chapter 6

A week had now past since Rose's disappearance. The hunt had twisted into the no longer need to finding Rose anymore, many presumed her dead now, but an actual hunt of an animal. How much could they bear to keep sacrificing to that creature? The exhaustion of every father trying to earn enough to feed the family, the every day worry of mothers as they hide their children inside and pray, the village ruled by a mere animal. They had struggled enough. Their patience with their fear had snapped, only the sudden surge to end the beast.

 All the torches were lit even before the hours of dusk came, a fierce red glow. Every household had whatever weapons they had by the doors and windows, safe guarding or ready for the signal to attack. Every cold breeze at night was kept company by the shivering guards who kept watch on shifts. By dawn, a group of hunters would have strapped their swords to their hips and bows on their back, horses saddled, a clothed bag of food for the day hung alongside a bloodied bag of poisoned bait for the wolf. A whistle signalled their departure.

As the faint flow of the sun rose in the morning, the frost began to slowly trickle as droplets down the leaves of grass. The fog seemed to make the air shimmer. The crisp morning chill provided no warmth or comfort. By the gate, a doddery dog yapped a yawn at the guard before trotting back to its home.

A thud, a knife thrown at a tree. Another thud. Again. Sighing, James stood up from the cobble stone and heavily walked towards the tree. Exhaustion hung under his eyes, dark and ill-fitting. His hand grasped for a knife stuck in the tree stump, tugging at it with little energy and intention of removing it. Another futile gentle tug. And another. His forehead leaned on the jagged bark, eyes closed, breathing controlled.

A ragged breath was drawn and a fierce tug at the knife, James stumbled back a bit before tugging the other knives loose. He walked numbly back to the cold stone and sat. A numbness aches his mind. A reluctance to accept the days passing, refusing to feel the reality. The weight on his chest was a thick dense feeling, a constant struggle for breathe. He had to take a gasp every now and then, it felt as though he was drowning. He felt nothing. A billion thoughts raced in his mind,  but his exhaustion made them a incoherent mumble.

Eight slow days had passed. Ten days since they had arrived to the town. 

Guilt counted the hours passing. Fear counted the minutes. He repulsed the idea that Rose was dead, he refused the idea. James argued the possibility she would no longer be back with every bit of hope he clung to so desperately. 

She had told him she heard a wolf's howl, for heavens above! He had reassured her that she would be safe. That he would protect her. That he would never leave Rose's side. They had always worked things out between them, whatever life threw at them. No she was ripped away from him, and presumed dead. It was his fault. He had not seen her worries. He had not been with her when she went out. He had not been enough. It was his fault, he repeated to himself.

James felt to numb to cry out. To tired to lash out in anger. It was his fault Rose was no longer here. No matter how he saw it, James had failed Rose.

It was his fault. A thumb against the splintered tree stump as the knife dug a few centimetres into its layers. James sight went blurry and his fist clenched white. A ragged breathe shuddered his lungs.

The squelch of wet muddy snow sounded through the air. A uncomfortable sound, that James paid no attention to. "James." No response. "James," Not even a flinch of recognition to the name. "James!" The footsteps stopped next to him, and James slowly turned his head to acknowledge the caller. A frustrated grumble, "I swear, you're as damp and broody as the mutts who are forced out each night to keep watch. Show a bit of life." Ivan considered sitting besides James, deciding otherwise when seeing the ice specs on the floor.

James' eye twitched at the suggestion of cheering up. "Say that again, just a bit clearer this time.", he threatened.

"Sure. Stop sulking and get back up on your feet. You are acting as though the world has ended." Ivan grinned. The clatter of knives dropping onto the ground jingled, James had one hand lifting the collar of Ivan's shirt up, his first raised and shaking.

"How dare you?" James snarled. His voice choked up, "Rose is missing and you're here telling me to act fine! How are you so calm? You act as if you are completely fine that she is lost." He held in a sob, "You act like you are fine with her never coming back," his first trembling in the air, "Rose is out there lost, how can I be fine-"

"She is dead." Ivan's lips were in a tight line, "come to your senses already. She-" Ivan was thrown aback by James' punch. Snarling Ivan caught James' next punch with his left hand. "Stop being in denial and accept it already!" Ivan dodged to the right as a kick swung. "And unless Rose somehow magically escaped that wolf, which I highly doubt that-" Ivan took a step back and pushed James elbow up to counter the punch. James eyes were red with the veins pulsing, a glossy gleam. "She wouldn't survive a week out in the forest. She is dead James." A few more hits and doges. 

James shuddered. "Then what," the baggy eyes ached, looking at Ivan, "do you suggest? Because Rose is gone and its my fault."

A glint passed in Ivan's eyes, "Don't misunderstand, I feel awful that we lost Rose. Firstly you have to realise it's that disgusting things fault she is dead. Secondly, sitting around isn't going to solve a single thing." Ivan's words were stone cold, a harsh break in the numbness. James chest weighed inwards, threatening to crush him. He begged for any hope left, to tell him Rose was still alive.

Suddenly James was hit on his right cheek, almost falling to the ground. He stumbled to stand still, glaring at Ivan. Ivan's lips twitched before he spoke, "Let us say that it may have been your fault-", a sharp stab was felt in James' heart, "What will you do about it? Don't you want to hunt that thing down? Don't you want to see it panic as you corner it with its back to the wall? Hear its howls echo when you tie it down, and slowly tear at its limbs. To see the blood ooze slowly out of it, see its begging for mercy. Don't you want to see its life leave its eyes slowly?" The gory images played in James mind. Ivan played a little smirk, though grimaced at his swelling cheek. "We are all sad, James. But sitting here acting as though the world has ended won't solve a thing."

James mulled silently. He hated every aspect of not having Rose here. Every search party came empty handed. His head lowered with the loosing of hope. Feeling anything right now, would help not feeling dumb. "Get out of my sight, Ivan."

Ivan stood silently for a moment or two before walking off through the wet mud.

Sam watched Ivan come back into the barn, and walked towards his brother. "What's up with that grin?" he mumbled.

"I'm tired of doing nothing, and some action might start soon." Sam glared at his brother. Ivan supposed he had enough glares for this morning, though probably deserved. "How is Eliz? You taken her out on a date yet?"

Sam grunted at his brothers poor attempts of humour. He had to be sadistic to be joking at this time. He elbowed Ivan in the ribs and walked towards the girls by the fireside.

Ivan puffed out a huff, leaving the barn again. Perhaps Vincent would provide some entertainment.

The old woman walked aimlessly in the forest, wondering when the boy would make a move.

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I have updated again!!! Had to reread some parts to remeber where I was at..
If you notice any mistakes tell me! I am posting this without checking it.
Hope you like it ^_^