Into The Woods

Chapter 2

Some days I wish 

I could go back in life

Not to change anything, 

but to feel a few things

 twice.

My formative years at my grandfather's house were nothing short of amazing. When I first stood on his doorstep, I couldn't help but wonder, what did this old man want from me? I was of no use to anyone. Was he going to sell me off? These were the thoughts that plagued my mind as waited for him to answer the doorbell. I heard the door creak.

"Are you Blue Dunne?" asked a gentle voice.

"Yes" I rasped. As soon as my crackling voice reached its target I was pulled into a warm hug. Although, I was alarmed, I didn't push away. It felt safe. I was 6 years old then. I had never been hugged.

My grandfather mumbled sweet nothings to me as he guided me through his house. Suitcase in one hand and my small palm in another. He led me to my room and sat me on the bed as he unpacked my suitcase. There was hardly anything that I possessed and we were done quickly enough.

"Oh, but we must take you out shopping beautiful Blue."

I warmed up to my grandfather on the very first day I met him. After all, my father hadn't set my standards very high. My grandfather didn't call me a bitch or hit me. That was enough for me as a child. After my things had been properly placed my grandfather picked me up and carried me to the kitchen. 

"Off to eat your Pappie's cookies in the kitchen!"

And he spun me in the air. I laughed out loud. A sound foreign even to my own ears.

"Now, now, I ought to hear that giggle more often my Dahhling. I have only but one granddaughhter!"

He had way of rolling his tongue on the h's.

"Yes Pappie!", I chirped.

I was dumped onto a stool, or so I thought. I really couldn't feel my feet touching the ground. I heard him rummaging in the kitchen. "Oh Blue! I spent the entire day in the kitchen today. You had better like these cookies. They are made with your Pappie's sweat." He must have seen my mortified expression because he said, "Not actual sweat, silly. That phrase means I worked really hard on them."

"You didn't have to work so hard. I can eat anything." I replied.

"Well, well. Now we can't undo my hard work, can we?" And I really don't know if you'll understand reader, but I could hear his smile, and that, meant the world to me.

We indulged ourselves in Pappie's cookies dipped in plain milk. I had had one so many, that when I reached out for another, my hand met with the cool surface of the plate. "Are you still hungry, my Dahhling?"

"No sir."

"Okay then. It's time for bed, but not before we do something fun."

He scooped me into his arms once again and headed towards my bedroom. That was the first night someone read to me. He read me that short children's classic, 'The Ugly Duckling', and when I went to bed that night I couldn't help but wonder how similar we were, but where he got the chance to become a beautiful Swan, I would never.

I had a nightmare that night. My father was beating me because I was unable to thread the needle. He lashed at me. With his words, his hands. I could feel the metallic taste of blood in my mouth, and as I lay there suffering his blows, I couldn't help but wonder what it looked like.

I was woken up my grandfather. He switched on the lights and rushed to my side. I had been whimpering, he said. I told him about my nightmare and he listened. He didn't think the Beta's daughter was faking it to get attention like the others. He held my hand and told me. "You don't need to worry anymore Blue, pappie's here to face anyone that hurts you."

That night he held her hand throughout the night. When she got up he was still by her side. She was touched, and for the first time in many years, she felt her dormant wolf stir.