Fairy-tale Remix

Red-Riding Hood

Once upon a time there lived a city boy. He lived in a city that never slept, a city where machines whirred, cars zoomed past no matter the time and sidewalks over flowed with pedestrians. The boy had skin the colour of golden sand and his eyes were hazel. His hair was cropped short and he was tall. His birth name was Reggie but everyone called him Red. This was because he always wore red oversized hoodies his grandmother had made for him. People thought that Red was too lazy to think about fashion but he wore them because they hid his chubby figure and made him feel safe.

One day when he got home his mother was pacing back and forth in the living room. Her lips were set in a straight line as she listened intently over the phone. A few minutes later his mother beckoned him. "Your grandmother's sick. She's telling me not worry but you know her. I can't go visit because I've got the product launch tomorrow. The timing couldn't be any worse." She sighed. "I can go," Red offered. After all he loved his grandma. His mother looked at him gratefully and thanked him.

The very next day Red took the bus to the village. On his lap was a backpack filled with containers of food. His mother, feeling regretful had cooked as much as she could. The bus rumbled on and soon the buildings vanished and they were on a small road with fields of maize and rapeseed on either side. Soon they were going through a wood. Suddenly, the bus jerked and came to a stop. The driver checked and while fidgeting asked the passengers to kindly get off.

Red jumped the step and looked around. The woods were bathed in lazy sunlight and the breeze rustled the leaves, creating an enchanted atmosphere. The trees were apart and there was a small path towards an oak tree few yards away. Red walked and sat down below it and stared at the greenery around him.He was sitting for a while when he heard footsteps and a voice. " Oh, why is da bus stopped 'ere?" Red looked up and was met with a gorgeous boy. His black curly hair was tied into a pony tail and his milk chocolate skin glistened in the sunlight.

He noticed Red and took a step back. "The bus broke. I'm waiting till it's fixed," Red explained. The boy smiled . "Just ma luck. I don't 'ave to 'ike all da way back." Red titled his head. " I live in da next village. Dis morning I was 'iking droo the forest while taking pictures and it seems I went too far. " "That's around 15km," Red exclaimed. The boy just grinned. He plopped himself down next to Red and offered his hand, "I'm Jamie Woolfe. Call me Blue do." "I'm Reggie Flores. Everyone calls me Red." The boy chuckled. "Red and Blue". Red giggled then lowered his head as he felt his cheeks heat up.

Soon they were talking about their lives and interests. Blue was good at sports and terrible at studies. Red was terrible at any physical activity and average in studies. Blue burst into hysterical laughter every time Red told a joke. Both boys talked for what felt like hours, their cheeks burning and their faces stretched in a smile. They heard a shout from the driver and both boys quickly got up. Blue pouted when he realized Red was taller. Red laughed and Blue thought that Red looked even more beautiful when he smiled. They sat side by side on the way to the village. Soon, Blue fell asleep and Red spent the entire journey looking fondly at Blue.

Before parting ways they exchanged numbers. Red started walking towards his grandmother's house. It was at the edge of the forest. Red knocked on the door and waited. A low deep growl was heard. Red felt his blood turn cold. "Grandma!" he screamed. He heard a shout. "Come to the bedroom window!" His grandmother was there peeking out. "There is wolf in the house. I came back from shopping and closed the door only to realize I'd trapped myself in with a wolf. I locked the door of the room but it's scratching it. Call animal control,' she said, shaking. Another growl came from inside the house and then a growling-howl. Red's mind was going blank. He felt his chest tighten. He didn't know the animal control number and his grandma didn't either. With quivering hands he called Blue. As soon as he heard Blue's voice he broke down. He tried to tell him of the situation but only managed to get a few words out. His grandma snatched the phone and told Blue to come with animal control.

Suddenly the front door was being pushed. Red ran and tried to hold the beast in. How the animal had pushed the handle, Red couldn't fathom. The animal pushed harder and soon its snarling snout was sticking out. Red Pushed harder and the wolf's teeth grazed Red's arm, drawing blood. Red kept pushing and pushing, his chest tightening every second. Soon, the sirens filled the area and Blue and a couple of men appeared and shot the wolf with a Tranquilizer gun. They caged the beast. Blue hugged Red and comforted the shaking boy. Both his grandmother and Red were taken to the hospital. Nevertheless, the rest of the week was good. He spent time with Blue and soon they were closer than ever before. He was sad to leave back to the city so soon but they visited each other often.

Red never forgot the incident. The fear that gripped him then still returns once in a while in his dreams. In his dreams the wolf kills and there is blood. When he wakes from those dreams screaming, Blue helps him to calm down. Blue hugs him tightly till he falls asleep, whispering words of comfort.