Paths

chapter 2

The sun begins to rise and peak over the hills shinning on the city as the villagers begin to wake and blow their lanterns out. Shops and small businesses open, the market full of freshly made breads and fruits filling the air. She makes it to the town, she hides behind a tree and chants a soft spell as gold coins form in her hands she smiles at her success and walks to the market watching carriages pass by her as the men and women inside watch her walk.

She walks around the market and walks up to a fruit stand and picks up an apple a man's hand catches hers "drop it maggot." He snaps "I was going to pay for it I swear.." she holds up the coins he rolls his eyes and pulls a blade from his side. "Get out of here before you leave without a hand." She pulls her hand away and looks at him before slightly frowning and walks to a couple stands over. A bread stand holding fresh loafs as a tall women with blond hair tighter into a bun. She smiles down at her "how can I help you dear?" Rosanna smiles "one loaf please." She holds up the coins "no need to pay dear." She smiles and hands her the loaf. 

"Thank you ma'am." she turns and walks off and heads to other stands and purchases other goods before leaving town and heads back to the cabin she looks back after hearing a loud snap of a twig. she sees a group of men they give a mischievous smile, the older looking gentleman steps closer "what you got there dear?" he asked as he creeps closer. she steps back and hides the good under her small cloak and looks up at  them "nothing..." she spoke softy. 

The other three men step closer and begin to surround her, she looks worried and hides her face with her hood. "my what a gorgeous young girl you are." said the younger looking male. she tries to fight past them, one grabs her by the arm causing her to drop her goods to the grass below. she lets out a scream. "let go of me." she squirms trying to break free of his grasp another male reaches and grabs her other arm another male rips her cloak off revealing her worn out white dress with small holes and dirt patches, her dark soft brown skin with light patches, her golden eyes that glow softly as light tears full of fear stream down her cheeks.

She continues to scream as they grab hold of her, a loud howl of a wolf is heard echoing from the forest around them. she looks over sensing the energy, a big black wolf with glowing white eyes appear from within the trees. the men release her except for the older man. two run off at the sight of the wolf, the younger males slowly backs away showing he wont do anything more to harm her. the older male grips tighter as she yelps a bit "even better we can rob her then feed her to that wolf." he smiles and walks toward the wolf dragging her with him. the wolf growls causing the younger male to run away back to the town. the older male takes her coin purse from her side and throws her towards the wolf she falls to her knees and looks up at the wolf who calmly looks at her and walks past her making his way towards the male who threw her. he backs up nervously and gives a smirk "what are you doing go to her?!" he yells at the wolf.  the wolf creeps closer growling as it stares at the male. he steps back again and stumbles and falls to the grass below his feet. "alright have it back ill go." he scoots back dropping Rosanna's coins and stares at the wolf in fear. he slowly stands up and runs off without looking back. 

She stands up and looks at the wolf who looks at her in return, she smiles at the wolf "thank you." she holds her hand out to it, the wolf placed his nose in her small hand. she laughs softly and watches the wolf walk off back into the woods, after he leaves she goes back to her goods and picks them up, dusting them off. she grabs her ripped up cloak and walks back to the cabin. after what seems forever she arrives to the cabin she smiles as the sun shines down on her through the forest tree tops, the birds chirp in harmony all around her, she smiles at the sounds around her.

She sees her brother Max laying in the grass facing away, she runs toward him "Max! I got food that will last us for a few days." she says happily, "Max?" she asked and kneels down and shakes him and turns him towards her. his jaw is missing, small pieces of skin hang from his face, blood soaks his white torn blouse, his laces missing from the top of his shirt. 

She stares as terror fills her face with tears building up, "Jason! Robert!" she yells out to her older brothers, no answer but a loud bang within the cabin, she slowly stands up and walks towards the door, "Hello? You guys this isnt funny." a figure stumbles out from the shadows within the cabin and stands at the doorway swaying. "Rosanna.... our brothers have joined our parents in the other realm....care to join them?" Robert laughs and steps closer, blood soaking his shirt and his  face as he gives a toothy smile. his leg cut deeply as blood streams down his leg, a piece of skin hangs there like it's been freshly cut by a butcher. It slowly heals as the blood absorbs into his skin like a sponge.