A/N: Thank you so much for taking the time to read! Your suggestions are wanted and appreciated, so please review! I should be adding a second chapter soon.
Clutching the sturdy wooden pail in her small pale palms, Valerie headed to the stream just before the dark forest, remembering her mother's long worn words of warning. "Fetch water and come straight home, don't talk to strangers." She smirked thinking that in the village of Daggerhorn there were few strangers, practically everyone knew everyone. The village had foreign visitors, but Valerie had little interest in speaking with strange grown men that were there in Daggerhorn on business or to trade goods.
She tipped the bucket below the stream's surface and with both hands, lifted it to the bank. She then rushed home with it as fast as she could without spilling, pushing the door open with her foot. She set the pail on the kitchen table and called out for her mom. Strange. She thought. Her mother wasn't home. Probably at the market. She concluded. She ran out of the small home back to the stream. She plopped down on the bank and watched the water trickle by.
"Val."
The sound of her name made her jump. She turned to see a young dark haired boy holding a sheathed knife out to her. She smiled at her friend, taking the weapon and shoving it into her belt.
She laughed. "You scared me, Peter." He smiled back, taking the girl's hand and lifting her to her feet.
"I thought nothing scared you." He teased. She followed him into the woods, moving quietly as possible.
"Everyone here is afraid."
"Suppose you're right." He admitted, pulling back a branch so she could pass beneath it. "I have the traps set, but I'm sure we'll be waiting a while. When does your mother expect you back?" He asked, lying himself out on his belly beneath the trees. She joined him there, palming the sheath, moving it up her side away from her hipbone.
"I have hours. She only really worries during the moon." The girl explained. "Anyway, Lucie is sometimes out with boys all day."
Peter's brow furrowed. "Boys? What for? She doesn't have any boys for friends." Valerie shrugged.
"Roxanne says she kisses them."
"Kisses them?" He asked, surprised. Valerie nodded. They both laughed, causing an immediate shift in the high grasses.
"Ugh, think we lost our prey." Valerie said, disappointedly turning over onto her back. She braided blades of grass, lost in her thoughts of her curious sister.
"There'll be more." He assured. She nodded sleepily. She fell asleep, dropping the braid on her stomach. He picked it up, studying the amateur braid before placing it into his pocket. She was so pretty, so peaceful in her sleep, and he wished they could stay here forever, safe in this glorious moment. For the first time he thought of running away with her. Considered escaping the only existence they'd ever known of enslavement to the wolf that plagued Daggerhorn.
The high grass shifted again, loudly this time, suggesting something larger than he had planned for. It wasn't safe to run with whatever it was so close, so he scooted closer to Valerie, careful not to wake her. He slid the blade from its home at her waist. The rustling grew louder and came closer before he heard a giggle. It was a woman, and ahead of her came a man. Henry's father, he recognized, but what came next was shocking. Valerie's mother, holding the man's hand and sitting cross legged on the grass, a mere ten feet from the trap. Their hunting plans were spoiled now. He wanted to wake Valerie and leave, but something told him he had already seen too much to risk revealing their presence.
"I feel terrible. I love Cesaire, I do, but he's gone most nights, long, long nights, and works all day. I hardly see him. I cannot go without a husband anymore." Suzette cried. The man brushed tears from her cheeks, pulling her into his lap. "We have to be strong, my love. For our children. You can always come to me, Suzette." He brushed the blonde curls from her face and she quickly turned to capture his lips.
"Adrien!" She moaned. Pushing herself on top of him. Their hands moved quickly, his hands unstringing her shirt, pulling her breasts free. Her hands were on his belt, unbuckling and unbuttoning, reaching her hands deep into his trousers. Adrien grabbed her breast, taking a rosy pink nipple into his mouth. Peter clamped his wide disbelieving eyes shut. Valerie, He thought I have to get her out of here. He covered the girl's mouth and her eyes flew open.
"Shh!" He whispered "You have to run with me." He ordered. She nodded, quietly getting to her feet with him. They ran, fast as they could, back to the stream. They were both out of breath, panting, their small hearts pounding.
"What is it, Peter?" She asked, alarmed.
"I'm not sure. Something we shouldn't have been there for."
"What did you see?" She asked.
"Do you trust me, Val?" He asked and she nodded wholeheartedly. "I can't tell you what I saw. I don't know what I saw."
Eight years later...
Peter scanned his oldest friend from head to toe. When had she grown up? And how so lovely? He cleared his throat, approaching her in the forest. Her big blue eyes followed him, a large smile on her face. "I've missed you, Peter." He smiled.
"I haven't been far, but they're keeping me busy with lumbering, they say I have a lot to learn." To his surprise, she took his hand, leading him down by the stream. They often came here as children, lessening more and more over the years. She pulled off her socks and shoes and hiked up her skirt to her thighs. Peter watched this ritual carefully, chewing his tongue to disguise his potentially inappropriate captivation. He mirrored her moves, pulling the legs of his black trousers up to his knees. She sat at the bank, slipping her feet into the cold water and gasping at the temperature. Still watching her, he carefully bent to sit beside her. Her eyes were closed, her head tilted back in the summer sunlight. Her hair glowed radiantly, curls bouncing off her breasts; taking all the breath from him.
"I feel something bad coming." Her words sobered him. She was usually right when she said things like this. He clasped her hand and she gave it a thankful squeeze, looking forward now.
"Like what?" He asked.
"Death."
Please give me some feedback, I have quite a few ideas for upcoming chapters, but your ideas help as well!