Summary

Alfred was banished from his home for something he couldn't control and now years have passed by as the lonely boy has grown accustomed to his secluded life in the forest. Arthur simply asks for tea.

Shadow Smile

Chapter One: Tea Time

Little could be said that would deter those around him from fleeing in fear. No comforting word could slow down their feet long enough for him to prove his innocence. Alfred F. Jones was an outcast, a monster, and a demon. He lived in the forest by the river and with his appealing blond hair and sun kissed skin you could almost imagine he was just a normal human child. The trees provided ample firewood and furnishings and even though his small cabin was cramped and lonely, he had always loved the outdoors. He just had a stronger reason to stay there now.

The village he kept watch over was small as well. In fact, everything in his life was. It seemed as if his whole world would shatter if he dared to reach for that little something more and he always wanted more.

When the village was influenced by a desire for witch hunting, Alfred had been framed as something unnatural. It was true, but not in the sense they had put it. Alfred's only crime was that of having wings the color of ravens. Alfred was a dangerous being to the villagers for he was something unexplainable. No one could remember the first time they saw him and neither could they explain away the unearthly mix between heaven and hell that was him. Chased from his home and friends Alfred had quickly taken to secluding himself in the darkness of the forest where his dark wings could not be noticed so easily.

So a century passed without him realizing it. Those he had known died and were replaced again and again by their descendants and the small village grew to a town and then a small city. Alfred had built a comfortable life for himself in the shadows. His shack was now a cabin that had everything a regular house should including a stool to enhance his small stature. He had even built a small garden where herbs and vegetables grew in plentiful bunches blooming vibrantly against the dark backdrop of the "demon's forest." As it would happen, Alfred's secluded life could not last forever for even the devil is not that cruel. A man got lost in the forest. A silly foolish man, but Alfred would take what he could. He had always wanted more.

The man was well educated and a bit snobbish. His eyebrows stood out prominently and his horse had deserted him because he had left it untied by the river. Too cultured to admit his loss he had traversed through the forest to Alfred's cottage where they met for the first time. Alfred was overjoyed to see a person walking in his direction, but he stayed hidden because he was also afraid of the various people who had come in the past to kill the demon's spawn.

Stepping forward through the light brown picket fence, the man made his way toward the front door. Alfred found him quite a curiosity. He had a dark green suit muddied by the road and a hat that sat askew on his jagged bunch of hair. Coming forward a little bit out of the garden, Alfred mumbled a polite hello he hoped the man would recognize.

The stranger turned and made eye contact with Alfred missing his wings which were hidden in the shadows. Noticing this, Alfred's hopes flew high into the darkening sky. His eyes stood attentive urging the man to make a move and prove he was a friend, one he needed desperately and honestly wanted more than anything. The man smiled and the world lit up for Alfred. "Hello lad, I am Arthur Kirkland and I was hoping you would have some tea you could offer me." Alfred was entranced. Someone was talking to him he hadn't heard another's voice in ages. "I am terribly parched and you see…I might have just lost my horse, so if it wouldn't be any trouble," Alfred couldn't believe it this man Arthur wasn't making a move to leave he, he… "I need a place to stay as well."

The Author Speaks

Thank you so much for reaching this part of the page. I hope you enjoyed this small introduction. This story is currently on a schedule for edits to improve the flow of the story and then to continue the usual round of updates, so please follow it to receive notifications of when a new chapter arrives.

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Thanks Again!

Duck

Characters So Far

Alfred- a young black winged angel

Arthur Kirkland- a mysterious traveler