Frightful Fairy Tales

Mary's Child

She was so beautiful. Her raven hair that matched the late night sky, her bright green eyes that were so pretty, even the trees were jealous. Such a symbol of beauty and she was only just born. Her parents were so happy with their daughter. Someone as beautiful as her is bound to marry a prince or king. But her parents were afraid. Afraid she would never live the life she deserved. You see, they were very poor, and believed that they'd never be able to properly care for their child. They knew they couldn't keep her, but wanted to make sure she was going to go with someone good. That night after her birth, they prayed to any god that would listen, asking for someone to appear, who could give their daughter anything and everything.

Later that morning, the parents were surprised to see a tall woman, dressed in all black, with a hood covering most of her face, knocking on their door. They opened the door.

"Excuse me, who are you?" The father asked.

"Who am I? Well you should already know that. I am the answer to your prayers. You wished for someone to raise your daughter, and I will kindly oblige." Said the strange woman.

The father and mother now both stood at the doorway, unable to truly comprehend the situation.
"Let me explain." The strange woman started. "You can call me an angel, I'm going to take your child somewhere splendid, where she can live the rest of her life happy and free."

The parents jumped for joy. They were so happy, an angel has come to give their daughter a perfect life. "What is your name? Just so I know the name of the person who saved my daughter." Asked the mother.

The Strange Woman responded, "I have many names, but you may call me Mary." She removed her hood. Mary was equally as beautiful as the daughter. She had bright blonde hair wrapped in a bun, and beautiful blue eyes that dulled the very ocean itself.

The father handed her his daughter, kissing her goodbye. Mary took the girl in her arms. And within a blink of an eye they both disappeared. Mary took the girl to a very special place in the clouds. There she stayed for a few years. She would play everyday and have a perfect sleep every night. Normally, Mary was there to supervise, but she had to leave on an important errand. So she entrusted the girl with a set of keys. There were three keys, each key unlocking a door.

"These keys are very special, and are the only ones that can unlock the three doors. You may open the first two, but the last door must be remained closed." Mary told the girl.

The girl nodded and smiled taking the keys from Mary. Mary smiled back and left the girl alone. The girl took the key to the first door and opened it. Behind it was a large beach. The girl explored the whole area. She made sandcastles, taller than herself, she collected tons of shells, and swam in the clear blue waters. After enjoying her time in the first door, she went and opened the second. Behind the second door was a bunch of cute animals. Puppies and kittens, rabbits and adorable little piglets. She went inside and played and pet every animal in the room. After playing with every single animal, she left the room and closed the door behind her. Now Mary had been gone a long time and she still wasn't back. The girl sat there and continued to wonder what was behind the third door.

Her curiosity had finally gotten the better of her and she opened the door. Behind the door was something extremely horrifying. It was indescribable, the very presence of the creature was mind shattering. Although it was horrifying, it called to her. Something about what lied behind the door was almost enchanting. As she stuck her finger passed the door, a searing pain ran through it, she jumped back and closed the door. She looked upon her finger and noticed a burn scar going all the way around it. Shortly after, Mary returned. Mary asked the girl for the keys. The girl handed her the keys, and went to walk away, but Mary stopped her.

"Did you open the forbidden door?" Mary asked the girl. "No", she responded.

Mary asked again, "Are you sure you didn't open the door?" "No", the girl responded.

Mary then noticed the burn around the girls finger. She asked a third time. "Be honest, did you open the forbidden door?" "No, I didn't open it", the girl said sternly.

Mary shook her head in disappointment. "You disobeyed my orders and you have lied to me. A girl like you has no right to call themselves my daughter, until you tell me the truth, you can return to the filth of your world." Mary than stripped the girl of her clothes, and most importantly, her voice. She then sent the girl to the middle of the forest.

The girl lived the next few years of her life homeless. One day, the king was out hunting when he saw the girl. Although she was dirty and couldn't speak, her beauty spoke for her. Her radiance shined through the bruises and mud on her. Her raven hair still soft, and her eyes, still bright green. The king quickly fell in love with the girl and brought her to his castle. There she bathed and was clothed. She was given beautiful garments and lovely jewelry. The king was so awed by her appearance, he married her immediately. A year had passed and the girl had just given birth. A beautiful baby boy, his hair as dark as his mother's, and his eyes the same bright green. Later that night, Mary returned. She told the girl that if she decided to tell the truth and admit that she opened the door, she would return the girl her speech. The girl refused to admit to her action, because of this, Mary took the child and said she would only get it back when she was truly sorry for lying.

When people discovered the child was missing they blamed the girl for murder. They said horrible things about her, they said she sold her son, or drowned him, or even ate him. The king was distraught and the girl was charged with murder and cannibalism. As punishment she was to be burned at the stake. A few days passed as the people readied her execution. Mary saw the girl every day, and asked her if she opened the door. Everytime, the girl denied it. Upon the day of the execution, the girl was tied to a stake, and wood beneath her was set aflame.

Amongst the crowd was Mary, in her black robes with her hood up. The girl stared at her, and finally said it. "Yes, I did it, okay? I'm sorry that I did it, I shouldn't have, and I'm sorry." Mary smiled, and said, "Poor girl, I can tell, you're not really sorry, you just don't want to die, do not think I'm foolish, I know a fake apology when I see one." Very quickly, the fire spread over the girls body burning away at her, her skin, burning and melting at the high temperatures. And Mary just stood there and watched her. She watched as the beautiful girl was turned ugly by the flames, her raven hair gone. Mary returned to her place in the clouds, and wondered to herself, if the girls son, would open the third door or not. Only time would tell.