Between A Rose And Its Thorns (ON HOLD)

Like a Dream

Lucinda's point of view

I tense: every bone, cell, and fiber of my being just froze. Because I could feel warm breaths hitting the back of my neck. And if its breathing was hitting against my neck, it had to be bigger than me. Much, much bigger.

The predator growls, I hold back a whimper.

It's a bear, definitely, most certainly a bear!

What do I do, what do I do?! I bite my lip as I thought. It's dark, I can barely seen in front of me. The sun has almost gone down completely. Surely, it could see me in the dark. Maybe I can outrun it? No, that's not possible. No matter how fast I run, there is no way I could outrun it! What am I suppose to do?!

Panic swells up within me.

I have to get away. I need to get away. I curl up my fist. Flight won't due, I need to fight my way out, then, once free, run away as fast as I can. I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I can't believe I'm doing this! I turn, punching the creature in the face.

"Sacré bleu!" I gasp at the deep voice and open my eyes. The beast stands there, hunch over as he grabs his jaw, gritting his fangs. "Bloody hell, woman!" He snarls and falls back against a tree. "What the fuck was that for?!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I thought you were a bear!" I say and hold my hands out in front of me. He shakes his head.

"A bear?" He sighs and steps forward. "Are you mad? There hasn't been a bear in these woods since..." he drifts off.

My eyes widen. Since he had been cursed.

I huff. "I am sure there is a bear, I saw it!" I snap and point randomly into the darkness of the trees.

"Was it a bear, or was it me you saw?" He asks. Oh... I drop my hand. He does give a good point. The beast's ear flickers. "You don't need to worry yourself, there is nothing in these woods that I can't handle."

"Oh, how so?" I bite my lip, my eyes following him as he begins to walk around me.

He shrugs. "The wolves will not be out and about for another hour or two, giving us plenty of time to get back to the castle."

"You could barely handle the wolves, how are you going to be able to fight against a bear?" I ask.

"For the last time, Lucinda," he groans. "There is no bear-!"

He stops in mid-sentence, his eyes no longer glaring at me. I jump at the crackling sound, the sound of teeth clacking and loud huffing. It was coming from behind me.

Beast's eyes flicker down to me then back up. "Listen to me carefully," he whispers, his hand slowly coming up and grabs mine. My eyes widen as I felt him pull on my arm. "Walk towards me, slowly."

"There is a bear, isn't there?" I ask and glare at him. But he wasn't looking at me, he kept his eyes up at the trees behind me. Wait a moment, if he is looking up, then how big is this bear?!

I turn, but immediately stop as I felt Beast's claws prick into my wrist. "Don't turn around." He whispers. "Do not move at all."

I sigh. "Why? Because it's watching me?!" I whisper back, he looks down at me then back up.

"Exactly." I still at his words. It was watching me? Why on earth would it be watching me?!