Dancing in the Leaves
The winded whipped across your face. It cut like a series of small knives. You couldn't remember how long it had been since you experienced such a chill. The leaves crunched under your feet. An array of colors dazzled your version. Fall had long set in. The mountains were in what seemed like a race. Leaves fell and twisted about. You smiled at their dance.
You felt your feet move. You matched each leaf's pace. A spin here, a twirl there, a jump up and another long spin to finish the set off. A sound chuckle stopped you in your tracks. You looked towards the source.
A young boy looked your way, his short dark red hair fluttered in the wind. He offered you a smile that melted your heart. You watched as the feckless on his checks move. You were always fond of counting them though it drove the other crazy. You shyly smiled back.
"Brother," you whispered softly. The boy only smiled back.
"Sister, I know you're having fun but we should be heading back soon," he said softly to you. He pulled his green jacket tighter around himself.
You gave the other a frown. You didn't want this day to end. It was rare you and your brother got to play in peace. Your home life was far from peaceful. You turned your gaze back to the symphony of falling leaves. Your dark blue eyes remained fixed on their movements.
You heard a sigh from behind you and the sound of footsteps. A hand came to rest on your shoulder. You lightly placed your own hand on top of his. You felt his arms wrap around you. It was a reassuring hug, one you had come know so well.
He had always been there for you, when the fighting stated, we things went flying, when your bruises needed healing. No matter how beat up he was, he always took care of you first. He was gentle, kind and always smiled. No matter the pain you were in, he would smile. He would smile for you when you had nothing left inside…
"We can explore a little longer then we have to go home," he said quietly. His voice was low as he spoke the last part. He had no desire to return to your so called parents either but to flee would have only caused more suffering for the both of you. You gripped his hand slightly.
You look up into his emerald eyes. They shine back, reflected off your own. They had a soft and reassuring glow. You smiled grabbing him by the hand and dragging him farer down the mountain path. He seemed to understand your nonverbal gesture. Words were not always needed. Sometimes action was all you needed.
You spun and twirled, the wind caught your ruffled dark blue jacket. Your brother trailed along trying to match your fancy footwork. You laughed as he nearly stumbled. You were more graceful than him. He playfully stuck his tongue out at you in response.
You only smiled wider at this and grabbed both his arms. You sent the both of you into a large circle spin. The twirling went on for minutes before you lost your grip. The two of you were sent flying backwards into the piles of leaves decorating the mountain side.
Muffled laughs escape your mouth as you emerged from the pile. Your brother was already out and brushed the leaves away. You smiled at the chance and with a few jumps find your way to him. Your arms wrapped around his waist nearly sending you both to the ground. He steadied you both.
"Almost took a tumble," he said with a laugh.
You smiled up at him. "But you caught me, you always do," you say cheerfully.
Your brother laughed and ruffled your long brown hair. You shook your head and tried to flatten your hair. It ignored your wishes. A flash of pink caught your eye. It perked out of his jacket. He was wearing the apron you had made him.
You were warmed by the gesture. For as long as you could remember your brother had dreamed of being a world famous chef. He talked about making it big; about saving you and him from your parents. He talked of you and him running away to a better life. A life in which you both could live freely. You were always in awe of these speeches.
You hoped with all your heart that one day they would become real. You dreamed of dancing across a stage. People cheering as your body swayed with the music. You could see it so clearly. The audience cheered as rose's lined the stage. You could almost hear your voice singing as a mic was passed into your hands. Your brother was there at the end, ready to whisk you away to his world famous restaurant…
It was a blissful dream but that's all it was. It was just a dream. A small frown crossed your lips as reality slinked back in. Your brother noticed. He half smiled before he playfully pushed you.
"Tag, race you to the end of the path," he said before he darted down the path.
You stood there dumbfounded. How he managed to shake the negatively away amazed you. A smile slowly found its way onto your lips. You took after him. You may have been more graceful than your brother but you were not as fast as him. He was three years older than yourself. Those years really had given him the advantage.
You found yourself at the end of the path. You breathed out hard. You really needed to build up your endurance if you wanted to become that world famous dancer/singer or at least be able to keep up with your brother. He only smiled.
"One day I'll catch up with you," you said between breaths.
"I'm sure you will, one day, maybe when you're thirteen," he chuckled.
You frowned at his comment. Just because you're were ten didn't mean he had to rub it in. You stuck your tongue out at him.
He opened his mouth to make a comment but was stopped in his tracks. A loud howl filled the area. You shivered and grabbed on to him instinctively. He held you close.
"It's okay, I'm here, I'll protect you," he whispered quietly as he pulled a frying pan from his coat pocket. You dug into his coat. You hated the fear that ran through your body. You hated being so weak compared to him.
Your brother slowly rose with you attached to him. He scanned the area. The howls were closer.
"We need to go home now, just follow my lead," he said as he stroked your hair to reassure you.
You nodded and flowed close behind. His free hand clutched yours, the other held the frying pan tightly. Your pace increased almost to a run.
The feet pounded all around you. A flash of silver froze you both in your tracks. A dozen wolves slowly came into view. They fanned out and blocked the path. Your brother took a step back. He growled back at the wolves.
The daylight faded fast. The wolves' teeth glistened in the sunset. You felt your breath stop. Your heart went still. Terrible images flashed through your mind. The wolves devoured you both alive as you screamed but no one came…
A tight jerk pulled you from your nightmares. Your brother screamed. What he screamed about you were unsure. A loud bang and yelp bought you back.
Your brother had just hit a wolf away with his frying pan. The animal flew back howling in pain.
The next seconds rushed by. You both ran with all your soul. Your brother practically dragged you behind him. You did your best to keep up. The howling grew closer. The wolves' feet pounded the ground as they began to gain.
You glanced back and regretted the choice. Their eyes were blood thirsty. The red eyes almost seemed to smile at your fear. You managed to find the motivation to keep running.
The path quickly came to an end. A large cavern drop off fast approached. You swallowed hard. It was jump or be eaten.
Your brother held your hand tighter. You looked up at him. Your eyes were covered in tears.
"Trust me," he managed to say. You only could manage a nod. You did, you trusted him with your life.
You felt your feet leave the ground as you both jumped. You closed your eyes. The ground came a lot sooner than you thought. You hit with a thud, it was painful but not to the degree you had expected.
You opened your eyes. You had fallen on a cliff out crop. It was small and judged out of the wall. You shot your eyes upward. The wolves walked around the opening but did not jump in.
A groan and soft voice caused you to look down. "Are you okay?" asked a weak voice.
You felt your heart beat with new fear. Your brother barely hung on to the out crop. Your hands shot down and grabbed his. You struggled to pull him up.
"Brother," you said, your voice shaky as you pulled upward. A sharp crack caught both of your attentions. The weight added by your brother caused the cliff to begin to crack.
You held him tight in fear. Fear of falling but most of all fear of losing him. He smiled weakly at your efforts.
Your eyes met and you didn't like the look he gave you. "Sister when I say so, let go."
Your whole body shook with anger. How could he request you do such a thing? You raise your voice to protest but he silenced you.
"We can't both be supported. If you let me go then that out crop will stop cracking. If you don't let me go than we both fall." He said sternly.
Tears streamed down your face. You knew he was right but you couldn't bring yourself to do it.
His eyes softened. "If okay," he started, "It is okay if I fall, I will be fine, I'll survive and I'll come back and get you. I promise," he loosens his grip on your hands. You dig your nails into him.
"No, I'll come with you, we both can fall and find our way out," you screamed with all your might as your grip began to slip. You cursed yourself for not having more power.
Your brother smiled sadly up at you. "It's okay, you trust me right?" he asked as his thumb stroked your hand softly.
You shook your head yes but refused to let go. The cliff let out another wailing crack. Your brother gave you one more smile.
"I love you sis," he said has his hands left yours. The rest was a blur. You screamed, you screamed as loud as your lungs will let you. Your brother disappeared into the void…
The sound of gun shots and yelping wolves come to your mind. A strong pair of hands lifted you up. Your eyes caught the moonlight. The wolf hunters try to talk to you.
You speak in ramblings, crying your brother's name over and over…
A month…
A month had passed since that night.
You straightened your jacket out, looking into the void. It was as black as you remembered.
You winced as you dug your nails into your arms. Bruises littered your body. Your parents had not taken kindly to the event. They had blamed you for his death.
You knew they were right. It was your fault. If you had gone home when he had first asked. None of this would have ever happened.
You had took every hit. You had spent countless nights crying.
It was such a selfish thing to do looking back. None of those things were going to bring him back.
He wasn't dead, he had promised to come back for you. He hadn't. But that was okay. It was selfish for him to have to do all the work.
You pulled at your pink tutu, your other hand tightened your ballet slippers. It wasn't the best battle amour but it was the best you had.
All these years he had protected you, rescued you, loved you...
It was time to return the favor. It was time for the protected to become the protector.
You jumped. Your eyes closed shut as the darkness rushed around you.
You felt your body hit the ground but little pain came from it. Golden flowers had broken your fall. You looked around. You seemed to be in some kind of ruins.
A small smile escaped your lips. If you had survived the fall than so had your brother…
You felt emotions rose inside of you, hope, fear, love, anxiety and something new…
Something you couldn't put a word to.
Somehow you felt a sense of integrity…
You creep along the ruins. It appeared to be night. At least that was the best you could guess. This world was so new. You had heard the tale of monsters and humans. You knew the legends but they were just fairytales.
Fairytales they may have been but this world sure look liked it could house such creatures.
A blur stopped you in your tracks. A large shadow slowly approached you. You stood still. As if hoping doing so would cause the creature to leave.
A large furry creature appeared. She seemed like a goat monster of some kind. She dawned a purple dress with an odd symbol you had never seen before.
"My child, are you hurt. It's not often we get human visitors," she smiles in such a way that it gives off a warm glow. Somehow you managed to relax.
You began to process how real those stories and legends were proving to be…