The Enchantress's Curse

Chapter 1

        I ran down the familiar pathway of brick leaving the little village and all its people behind me. I held up the long blue skirt of my dress in my small fists. My light brown hair was tied back at the nape of my neck, and my hazel eyes searched for where the path ended and where the wood began.

        The ground beneath me eventually changed from brick to cool, soft soil. the sunlight shone softly through the emerald leaves of the trees. Several rebellious rays of light cut through the canopy and danced merrily on the forest floor.

        My feet ran on, but the magic of the forest tempted them to slow down.  There was a certain freedom to be felt in that place. My face couldn't help but be lit with a smile as I passed through its beauty. Where I was headed was far more beautiful than this, though. It not only offered me freedom, it offered me safety. Therefore, I did not slow down my running feet for I knew where they were headed.

        And there it was... my cavern. Its rocky entrance was draped in flowering vines, and the gentle sound of rushing water came from within. I brushed back the dangling foliage and entered the dimly lit cave. Some of the corners were to dark too see, but  a glittering waterfall lit the room from the back of the cavern. The steam poured in from the top of the cave from its roof, and in with it came light. The water settled in a small pool. I sat down at its feet and watched it drain in and out, admiring its ability to come and go without disturbing the constant flow and circulation. 

        Suddenly, I heard a strange shifting noise from behind me nearer to the entrance of the cave. My heart raced. Slowly, I turned around scanning the darkness surrounding me. 

        "Who are you?" asked a deep voice from the shadows.

        I was frozen. The air I breathed became hot and heavy.My vision began to blur, and I was getting lightheaded.

        "Who are you?" repeated the voice in the same deep and demanding way.

        "I am M-Maribel Swith." I stuttered timidly.

        "Maribel Swith." repeated the voice, "And what are you doing here, Miss. Maribel?"

        "I-well, I come here to escape sometimes, I suppose." I replied

        "Well then, Miss.Maribel, it appears that we do have something in common." said the  deep voice in an almost polite tone that slightly calmed me.

        "What are you escaping from?" I asked cautiously.

        "Oh Miss. Maribel, it is dreadfully tragic thing that has been done to me." The voice sounded as if it were on the brink of tears. "I have been cursed, you see, with the most hideous facade imaginable, and I hate myself for it - loath myself for it. Naturally I realize that it is not my fault, of course, but oh Miss. Maribel... To answer your question, I am escaping from myself in the darkness of this place!" The strange voice was sobbing, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for it. My heart genuinely hurt for it.

        I folded my hands into my lap and said,"Please don't cry. I'm afraid I have been rude."

        "How so Miss. Maribel?"

        "You have learned my name, but I have not learned your's. Please forgive me. what is your name?" I asked.

        "There is nothing to forgive, Miss. Maribel. My name is Adam Percious Maline." he said politely. The name sounded familiar to me but I just couldn't place it.

        "And what do you wish me to call you?"

        "Adam, please, Miss. Maribel."

        "Adam," I said trying his name on my lips. "Adam, would you please just call me Maribel? The 'Miss' makes my name sound so formal."

        "I think I can manage that, Maribel." he replied with a quiet chuckle.

        "Thank you," I said smiling,"And Adam?"

        "Yes?"

        "I hope that this isn't asking too much, but could you come into the light?" I asked tentatively.

        "You would only be frightened of me, Maribel." he said sternly.

        "I don't think that I would be."

        "You would be, I promise." This he said with a bit of ferocity in his voice, but that did not frighten me. It made me slightly angry, actually.  He had only met me moments ago and he was already making judgments about my character. I became determined to prove him wrong.

        "You will never know until you try..." I said as annoyingly as possible.

        "Alright fine, Maribel! You wanted me to step into the light... Well here I am!" A shadow shifted. It came closer and closer until it was no longer a shadow at all; it was Adam. His frigid blue eyes glared  at me, and his enormous bat-like wings spread out from him sending gusts of wind whirling about the cavern. Twitching from behind him was his spiny tail which moved like a cat's while watching its prey.  His skin glistened with emerald scales like the rippled surface of the sea. His muscular form was shaped like that of a lion, yet he had the head of an imperial reptile. He was magnificent... He was a dragon.

        I slowly rose from my position on the ground. I took one step...  and another... and another toward him. I slowly made my way to him pressing my palm gently against his nose.

        "I am not afraid of you." I said... I lied...