Hello everyone. This will be a combination of Charles Perrault's Little Red Riding Hood and Brothers Grimm's Hansel and Gretel and less known tale, The Man from the Gallows. Also, this story will have elements of historic times. Anyway, anyone can read it this story, it's just rated T because of the dark setting and tone. To be honest, I'm terrible at writing horror stories since I don't read or watch them myself. But I try my best to have dark elements in it. If you are easily scared or hate scary stories, turn away from this story. YOU HAVE BEEN WARN! Anyway, enjoy.

Chapter 1: The Stolen Liver

Have you ever wondered why the birds ate the trail of breadcrumbs or how the old woman later became the blind witch? No? I guess so. Then I shall tell you of the dark secrets behind the stories you know so well. This is a dark tale that happened a long time ago, before the story of what you called "Hansel and Gretel", during the time of the starvation and death in Europe. My name is Theresa or what you would known as "Red Riding Hood" and I'll shall be the narrator of this story.

-Narration-

Long time ago, in the year of 1315-1317, it started out with the Great Famine. A woman was unluckily enough to be born at that time. She later grew up to have the appearance of that of a simple peasant girl is her mid-thirties, who lived in a lonely house of hers. She has hazel eyes and some grey in her hair. Because there was lack of food and water, she was always hungry and would crave for something to satisfy her apatite. She was a strange woman, for she was born during that terrible time. Yet, despite even the Great Famine has passed, she never aged quickly, rather slowly. However, despite the Great Famine was over, the country of Europe still had hardships for a new disaster has present itself. Many rats infested the village, causing great sickness. It was even worse than the time of starvation. A tiny little army that cannot be seen, spreading their plague of the Black Death over the country. The woman's mind was filled with the screams and echos of the dead villagers, who died from those gruesome deaths. However, those feelings of hopelessness were soon delayed for the woman has found love... At least, she thinks it is love.

In the year of 1816, the man she was in loved with had black hair and grey eyes. He was once a nobleman, yet because his family rejected his idea of marrying a peasant women, he, in turn, renounces his ties to the noble family to be with the woman he loves. They were just madly in love that one could compares it to the madness of the starving and dying people. The couple decided to start a new life and lived in the county side of Germany, where they got married and thought that they can lived in peace. Many, many years have passed since the Black Death has ended and the couples thought they can finally be at peace. Unfortunately, even in the country side, their lives isn't safe and unreachable for a third misfortune to befell on them. Eventually, there was bad harvest, leading to little money. Little money means not much food to eat, plus the king at that time wanted to tax the people for his own personal greed.

Once again, the mother became hungry and hungry to have anything to eat. Anything at all. It had been a while since she has experience the feeling of huger. It also took time, but eventually, the father realized that his wife was with child thirty-four years later. They were filled with joy, at least, the father displayed it with an genuine feeling. The mother, however, was very glad indeed. For she can look forward to her child's birth.

-Gula's P.O.V-

It has been a while since I have ate. Because of the Great Famine and later on, the Black Death spreading around, I hardly had a single bite. That is, until my child was born. She was an adorable little creature. Even her cute face tempted me. Today, there was a storm. Lighting flashed and thunder boomed.

"You looked very scrumptious, my daughter. My little Magnilda." I sweetly commented on my baby girl. "In fact, you look scrumptious enough to eat!"

I couldn't hold myself back anymore. For so long, I've been waiting for this day to come. The day when I get a good meal. Grabbing for a knife, I was ready for a swift kill. That is, until...

"Darling, what are you doing!" a voice yelled at me.

I turned to see Acelin looking at me. His face covered in shocked as lightning flashed.

"Dear, i-it's not what you think it is." I tried to come up with an excuse.

"How could you?" he questioned me. "We have many food in the house, yet you decided to do this!"

"But I-I didn't do it!" I countered.

"No, but you almost did... If I haven't come in to check up on her!" he scolded at me.

"I won't do it again." I told him.

-Narration-

However, Acelin didn't trust his wife. Surely if it happened once, it could happened again. So at night, while his wife was asleep, he called upon his older brother. Despite the older brother loathes Acelin for him renouncing his family, he still had a little care for his little brother and his predicament. He took the child and left in the middle of the stormy night, promising Acelin that his daughter will be in a safe village, far away from her mother. Unfortunately, against his selfless actions, it will cost him his very life.

Feeling of ease washed over him like the rain against the muddy trail as he returned to his house. However, he was surprised to find that in his bed, his wife was no where to be found. Thunder roared as the feeling of ease he felt a minute ago was replace with dread.

-Acelin's P.O.V-

I didn't know what was going on. Where was Gula? What I do know is that something is not right.

"What have you done with our child?" a fierce voice demanded from me.

I turned to see Gula outside the door. She was soaking wet from the rain, yet her eyes were cold and empty inside. She slowly walked inside just as the howling wind blows the door shut. She continued to walk up to me until she was a little too close for my comfort.

"Where is my child?" she whispered in a raspy voice.

I was frighten by her. Her expressionless face, her emotionless voice, this was not the woman I known and loved. However, I remained tall and brave as I answered her question.

"I took her to a place far away from here. She shall be safe from you." I told her.

Her face was very expressionless until it was replaced with anger and frustration.

"So, you decided to betrayed me. Is that right, Acelin?" she questioned me.

"I didn't betrayed you." I answered.

"You did when you took my child away from me!" she spat in my face.

"No! No, you betrayed me! You used to be a kind and lovely woman. But now... All I see is your desire to eat!" I yelled back at her as the thunder boomed.

"How dare you accused me. I thought that you'd understand me, Acelin, but it's looks like I was wrong!" she screeched as she turned away from me.

"Who are you? The Gula I know was never liked this!" I was now becoming angry.

"Why, Acelin, do you not know? I have always been this way." she slowly turned to faced me.

"No... Impossible." all my anger was gone, the feeling of regret filled me. Was I too much lost in love to be unable to separate the difference between dream and reality? Or was it because I despised my noble life and wanted to start my own?

-Narration-

Gula, using her husband's distress to her advantage, dragged him outside. She continue to dragged him in the cold storm, not caring if she get wet or would get sick. One thing she knows, is that only one of them shall return to the house on this night.

She took her husband to an old run-down farm, a place that was no longer used. Against the husband's own will and complaints, the wife pushed him inside the barn, where she locked the door to prevent him from getting out. While the husband was locked in, the wife started her work in the stormy night. She grabbed for her weapon. An axe, however, it was no ordinary axe. It was cursed. However, that axe will be explained later in the story. The husband, with no where to escape, started to feel anxious as the foreboding events started to unfold.

-Acelin's P.O.V-

The doors opened as I looked up to see Gula standing at the only exit out, lightning flashed behind her.

"Dear, what are you doing?" I asked, trying to stay brave as possible.

"You have betrayed me, Acelin. Therefore, you shall be the first to experience my wraith." she told me as she revealed an axe. It looked like any old axe, but the one in her hands looked different. There was a symbol on the head of the axe. It was a symbol of a pig.

She slowly approached me in a dangerous manner, axe ready in her hands.

"Dear, stop this right now." I tried to be calm, but my voice was trembling.

"I'm surprised you haven't figured it out yet." she told me.

Figured out what? What does she mean by it? I suddenly remembered something. She was born during the time of the Great Famine, that was five hundred and thirty-four years ago, yet she remained roughly the same when I first met her in 1816. Not only that, she would always craved for a lot of food. Realization struck me too late as I figured out what she meant. The pig symbol and her name has one thing in common. Her name was Latin for...

"Gluttony." I muttered as I felt a chill in my spine.

"That's right." she giggled quietly as her cold, wet hands touch my skin. "Like slaughtering a pig."

"Why are you doing this?" I have to asked her, despite I was going to dread her answer.

"To pay the price for taking my child away." she answered.

"I want the real answer." I told her

"Do you really want to know?" her laugh was dark and cruel. "Alright, I'll tell you. Because... I am a witch." she whispered into my ear with delight. "You should have listened to your family."

"Help! Help! Someone he-"

Slat!

-Narration-

Unfortunately, no one came to help the kind man on that dark night as blood drenched his white shirt red and spilled upon the wife's feet. Her face shows no regret as she had killed her husband. Blood stained her hands and some on her face, yet she did not mind. She looked next to the hay to see a rope. She made a noose and tied it around her husband's neck. Going outside, she dragged the lifeless body of her husband out in the cold rain like an animal rather than a human being. Near an old tree, she tied the end of the rope on a tree branch. With nothing else to do, the wife left the farm, taking her axe with her and leaving her poor husband hanged on the tree branch. She was actually pleased with herself, knowing two things: one, she'll have all the food to herself and two... Well, that will be known later.

-Gula's P.O.V-

I now lived alone in my house, the feeling of regret did not plagued my mind. As time passes, many trees have grown because of the many rain storms the weather decided to give. My house was now at the center of the forest. This forest where I inhabit was later called the Black Forest of Germany. However, I eventually ran out of food once more. I was driven by hunger as I have less and less food to eat. As the food I desire decline, so is my desire to gain more. But, on one fateful day, four visitors came to visit me.

"We're so sorry to bother you mam, but can we stay in for the night?" a young man asked.

"Of course, come right in." I opened the door for them to come in.

Knowing that I needed to offer my guests with some food, I looked for something in the fridge. However, nothing was in the fridge, not even a tiny scrape. I frowned at what to make until I remembered the old farm. So I left my house to secretly go to the farm. There, I found him. He remained the same when I last saw him. People might think my axe is cursed, but to me it was just wonderful. Anyone that is killed by it, will not rot. No, their bodies will stay fresh just like it was before their death.

"No hard feelings, Acelin, but you have something that I need." I told the corpse as it swings back and forth in the wind.

With a knife in my hand, I cut a wound in his abdomen and took his liver, both of them. Blood soaked my hands, but it doesn't matter because I have the ingredient I needed. I returned to my house and cooked up the liver. Upon my return, my guest were very angry for the long wait. What an irony. The meal that I shall give them represents anger, yet soon, they will be delighted. I served my guest with liver dishes. They were filled with content and so was I.

I hope you find this chapter not terrifying. And I did warn you, it is dark. This chapter is basically the Man from the Gallows if you are unfamiliar of the tale. Please review.