Chapter Two – Marriage? Not on your life!
"With Mr. Botsford, and Bob [1]," said the narrator, somewhat darkly to get the readers into the mood.
Tim looked around at his surroundings. The sky was dark, and trees lost most – if not all – of their once green lush leaves. Bob began to grow worried and skittish. "Don't worry Bob, where almost there," said Tim reassuring the scared horse. Tim let out a small sigh and looked down at the map clutched tightly in his hand. He paused as he came to a fork in the rocky dirt road. Tim let out a thoughtful "Hmmm," as he tried to decide which way he would go. He scanned the two paths and looked over his map. Tim nodded his head as he decided where he would go. He tugged on the reins and guided Bob toward a path that looked dark and twisted. Bob had a confused look and looked toward the other path. The other path looked calm and peaceful. Bob tried to go to the other path, but Tim kept pulling him toward the dark twisted path "Come on Bob, my map says that this is a short cut," Bob shook his head remembering what Tim's wife and Becky had said "Remember to stay on the right path…" "No short cuts…" Bob wished that Tim could understand him. Sadly he couldn't and they were both soon on the dark twisted path. Bobs hooves clapped against the dirt road. Tim grow tense and tightened his grip on the reins and bit his lip. "Maybe we should…" Tim was interrupted by a sudden growling noise. Bob's eyes widen and out of instinct he ran as fast as he could, away from the growling noise.
.O.O.O.
"Back with Becky and two of her friends," said the author in a cheerful happy tone.
Becky let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Her friends Violet, and Scoops sat beside her on the grass near Becky's home "I sure hope they're ok," Becky mumbled. Violet gave a reassuring smile and placed a hand on Becky's shoulder "Don't worry Becky, your father will be fine," she said with soft kind eyes and that same quite soothing voice Becky had grown so familiar to. Becky smiled lightly and her worried eyes softened to show some happiness in them. Scoops nodded "Yeah, I'm sure he's fine," he added. Becky felt all bubbly inside whenever she heard Scoops voice, or see him, or even think about him. Even if Scoops was engaged to Violet, Becky still had a small crush on him. She was ashamed of herself. Falling for her best friend's fiancé like that. It sickened her, and she did everything in her power to keep Scoops out of her mind that way. Becky let out a sigh "I sure hope your right…" Becky mumbled trailing off.
Some time passed and it was soon evening "Well, Becky, I hope to see you soon," said Violet with a small smile. Becky returned the smile "I hope to see you as well," she replied. Violet and Scoops waved good bye and headed back to their cottage. Becky sighed and laid down on the grass, staring up at the light blue sky and the snow white cotton balls floating in the sky.
"Penny for your thoughts?" asked the narrator.
Becky let out a small sigh "I'm just worried about my dad, and Bob," she replied with a light frown forming on her face.
"Don't be. Your dad and Bob are fine," said the author reassuringly.
"Uh-huh, knowing you, I bet there JUST fine," said the narrator sarcastically. The author growled "They are fine!" she snapped.
Becky rolled her eyes and smiled "You two fight like an old married couple," Becky commented through the author, and narrators bickering.
"No we don't," the author grumbled "We don't…." The narrator mumbled.
Becky giggled "Is that so?" she asked with a raise of her eyebrow.
"Yes… Yes it is," the author huffed "Now if you excuse me, I have to go see what my siblings are doing,"
"I'll be sure to fill you in on what's happening," said the narrator.
Becky folded her hands on her stomach and gazed up at the sky "It's such a nice day out…" Becky said sighing contently "Becky!" Sally called. Becky sat up and looked in her mother's direction "Yes?" Becky asked "Your brother and I are heading out for a walk, could you come stay in the house please," Sally said. Becky nodded and stood up. She flattened out her dress and headed inside. When she walked in, she grabbed her book off the book shelf and began to read.
.O.O.O.
"As we last saw Tim and Bob, Bob was running through the forest, fearing for his life," said the narrator with excitement, fear and darkness twisted in his words for the reader.
Tim tightened his grip on the reins. His knuckles almost turned white. Bob was running through the dark twisted forest trying to get away from the wolves that he had heard. "Calm down, Bob," Tim said pulling on the reins, trying to stop Bob. Bobs ear twitched and he stood up on his hind legs. Tim's eyes widen at the sudden change in Bobs position. Tim felt his body falling to the ground and slamming hard into the cold wet dirt "Bob?!" he asked in fear and worry as he saw Bob gallop away into the darkness of the forest. Tim bit his lip and stood up slowly "Bob?" he whispered out into the darkness. The only reply he received was the howling of the wolves that where nearby. There was a loud clash of thunder and the sky began to pour down rain. Tim bit his lip and began to walk through the forest, hoping to find someplace to stay for the night.
Tim sighed in relief and happiness as he found an old looking castle. Tim walked up to the huge iron ebony gates and slowly opened them "Hello?" he asked in almost a whisper. Tim walked up to the massive wooden door and opened it. He squinted his eyes to see through the darkness "Hello?" he asked once more. "He must have lost his way in the woods" came a voice. Tim's eyes widen and he looked around the dark grim castle "Quiet. You know what the master will do if he finds out there's someone in his castle… Just imagine what he'll do to US," another voice mumbled. "I don't mean to be a bother or trespass, it's just that… I lost my horse, and I need someplace to stay for the night," Tim said to the empty lifeless air that surrounded him. "Of course! You can stay with us!" came the first voice. Tim quickly picked up a candle stick and looked around the room, searching for the voice "I'm over here," said the voice. Tim looked behind him to see emptiness "Where?" Tim asked. Tim felt a tap on his head and he looked at the candle stick in his hand. The candle stick had a face, and it also had an additional candle stick (much smaller) on the left side of it, it even had whiskers. "Hey there," replied the candle stick. Tim gasped "Holy cow! You can talk?" he asked in shock "How in the world is that even possible?" he asked "Never mind that!" cried a clock. The clock looked scared out of its wits. The clock had a face and it also had a sandwich for a head, which Tim thought was strange considering that it was a clock. "I'm Two Brains, and that scared clock is, Chuck," said the candle stick. Tim raised an eyebrow "That's a strange name," he commented "I know, Chuck is a strange name," Two Brains replied.
"Um… I think he was talking about you," said the narrator.
Two Brains rolled his eyes and glared at the sky "Any way," he said looking back at Tim "You look like you've been through a lot today. Why not go and take a seat?" Two Brains said gesturing toward a chair. Tim smiled "Thank you," he said placing the candle stick down and heading over to the comfortable chair. Chuck bit his lip "Oh no! You can't sit there! That's the master's chair! He's going to be so mad when he finds out about this…" Chuck said. Two Brains rolled his eyes "You worry too much, Chuck," said Two Brains heading over to the chair. Tim let out a soft sigh as he rested his entire body in the soft chair. A cart quickly rolled up by the left arm of the chair and came to a halt "Would you like some tea dearie?" asked an old looking tea pot. The tea pot was a nice cream and gray color with kind eyes "That would be nice, thank you," replied Tim with a sweet smile. The tea pot poured a nice hot cup of tea into a small cup. Tim picked it up and took a small sip. "I wonder if the tea cup has a face as well," Tim thought. He stopped drinking the tea and sure enough, he found a face on the small tea cup "That's my grandson, Eugen," said the tea pot "Why hello there," Tim said with a smile. The tea cup spoke softly "Hi," he said lower than a whisper. "I'm Granny May," said the tea pot. Tim smiled and placed Eugen down "It's nice to meet all of you," he said with a smile. There was a sudden purring sound by Tim's leg. He looked down to see a small foot stole "Well, hello there," he said petting the stole. The stole purred and rubbed into his hand. Tim smiled "You all sure are nice," he said with a smile. Two Brains grinned "Well it's been a while since the last time we actually saw a person here," he said rubbing the back of his candle head. Granny May frowned.
There was a sudden loud growl "Who let him in here!?" came a voice. Chuck ducked under the rug and Two Brains flames snuffed out "Um… W-well… S-see, master, um… He was lost in the w-woods and he n-needed a p-place t-to stay," said the now scared candle. Chuck was shuttering under the carpet "It wasn't my idea!" he yelled from under the carpet "I don't care whose idea it was! You know the rules!" snapped the voice. Tim shivered and felt goose bumps crawl on his skin. He's once joyful care free eyes, grew scared and horrified. The creature growled "You came to stare at the beast haven't you!" he growled "N-no! I just needed a place to…" Tim was cut of "You want a place to stay?! I'll give you a place to stay!" he snapped picking Tim up by the back of his clock that he was wearing "No! Wait! I have a family that I need to get back to!" he yelled struggling to break free from the monsters grip. The door slammed just behind the beast and Tim.
Chuck slowly came out from under the rug, still shivering "I-I told you he would be m-mad…" Chuck mumbled. Two Brains frowned and let out a long sigh "I know… I just wish that SOMEONE… ANYONE… Could see that he wasn't a beast… I wish that he would accept people in return," Two Brains trailed off and his gaze fell to the floor "Maybe one day…. Soon I hope…. Someone will come to the master's aid…" Chuck nodded in agreement.
.O.O.O.
"With Hunter and Amazing Rope Guy near Becky's cottage,"
Hunter grinned "Alright! It's time for me to ask, Becky, to be my wife," he said. Amazing Rope Guy nodded "I have faith in you!" he said. Hunter rolled his eyes "I don't need faith! I have my good looks!" he said picking up a red rose. He planned to give this to Becky for the wedding. He grinned and slicked back his hair.
Victoria, Eileen, and Sophia sobbed quietly at their failed attempt to make Hunter fall for them. They watched in the distance longingly. Wishing that they could be with Hunter. "What does he see in that girl?" Sophia asked "Who knows," said Victoria "She's nothing special," said Eileen "If you ask me, she's just a big weirdo," Sophia said crossing her arms over her chest.
"Wow… That's harsh…" the narrator mumbled.
"Well it's true!" the three girls snapped in anger.
"What'd I miss?" asked the author. There was some shuffling noses for a few seconds. They quickly subsided.
"Well, Hunter is about to propose to, Becky," said the narrator.
Victoria, Eileen and Sophia burst into tears. "Why has our prince left us for that strange girl!?" the three of them yelled.
The author let out an agitated sigh "Let's just switch sense," the author mumbled annoyed by the three idiotic girls who continued on with their sobbing.
.O.O.O.
"With Hunter," said the narrator and author in unison. The author smacked her forehead "You broke the pattern!" she yelled slightly annoyed "The pattern was already broken!" the narrator argued "Do you two MIND!" snapped a very aggravated Hunter "I swear, you two should just get married already," he mumbled.
The author mumbled something under her breath that was incomprehensible, and the narrator stayed silent.
Hunter let out a sigh and knocked on Becky's door. Becky looked up from her book and placed it on the table. She walked over to the door "Wonder who that could be," she thought slowly opening the door. She rolled her eyes in her mind "Hunter, what a nice surprise," she said sarcastically. Hunter grinned and entered her house "Well, I am full of surprises," he said with a cocky grin never leaving his face. Becky rolled her eyes in her head. Hunter didn't even notice her sarcasm. Becky backed up into the cottage. Hunter followed her "You know, Becky, there's not a girl in town that wouldn't love to be in your shoes," said Hunter leaning on a nearby table. Becky raised an eyebrow "This is the day your dreams come true," said Hunter. Becky backed up by her dinner table and walked back toward the book shelf. Hunter followed her "What would you know about my dreams?" Becky asked, peeved about how Hunter just waltzed right into her house. "Well, picture this," Hunter replied. He sat down and kicked up his muddy boots on the table. Becky bit her lip. His boots where dripping mud all over her book "Someone give me one good reason why I shouldn't slap him," she thought, but kept her composer "A nice hunting lodge…" Hunter kicked off his boots. Becky rubbed her arm "How rude could this guy be," she thought "My latest kill roosting on the fire," Hunter continued "My little wife… Massaging my feet," he said with a grin. Becky gritted her teeth "Say what?!" she thought in both shock and disgust. She made a face of disgust and placed her hand over her noise "While the little one's play on the floor with the dogs," he said. Hunter stood up and got close to Becky's face "We'll have six or seven,"
"Dogs?" Becky asked.
"No, Becky! Strapping young boys. Like me…" he said. Becky picked up her muddy book and checked to see if it was damaged "Imagine that," she said sarcastically. She placed the book on the book shelf satisfied that it wasn't entirely damaged by Hunters muddy boots. Hunter still had that grin on his face. "You know who that little wife will be?" he asked placing a hand on Becky's shoulder. Hunter spun Becky around so they were face to face. Hunters hands where pressed against the wall. Pinning Becky to it. Becky grow nervous and tried to get away from him. "Let me think," Becky said not liking where this conversation was going "You, Becky," he said. Becky's eyes widen in fear and she ducked under his arms. She began to walk backwards toward the door watching every move Hunter made "Hunter… I'm… I'm…" Becky was at a loss for words. She put on a fake smile. Her back pressed against the door. Hunter began to come closer to Becky "I really don't know what to say," she said. Hunter placed his hands on the door, once again pinning Becky to the wall "Say you'll marry me," he said with a grin "I'm very sorry, Hunter…" Becky began. She struggled to get her hands on the door knob "But… But…" she felt her hand clasp over the cold metal of the door knob. Hunter puckered up his lips as if waiting for Becky to kiss him "But… I-I just don't deserve you," she said. Becky opened the door and jumped out of the way making Hunter fall face first out the suddenly open door. Becky grinned and waved. She quickly shut the door.
The author and narrator held back a laugh "Wow," "Talk about embarrassing,"
Hunter glared up at the sky "Shut up! Your just voices!" he snapped.
"Narrators," they both corrected him
Hunter rolled his eyes. Hunter had fallen into a mud puddle and was soaking wet. Hunter winced in pain as he felt his boots hit his head. Becky had thrown them out the door. Amazing Rope Guy ran over to Hunter "So, how'd it go?" he asked. Hunter gritted his teeth and took hold of Amazing Rope Guys caller throwing him into the mud puddle. Hunter stood up and wiped off the mud on his face "I'll have, Becky, for my wife, if it's the last thing I do," he growled walking off back to Fair Town.
"Well this can't be good," said the author "This has trouble written all over it," the narrator added.
Becky pocked her head out of the door scanning the area around her "Is he gone?" she asked looking up at the sky.
"Yep" the author and narrator replied.
"Thank god," Becky mumbled with a sigh of relief. Becky grabbed a bucket of feed for the animals that she had to take care of "I'm just glad my mom and TJ were in town for that whole Hunter fiasco," she said walking down to the barn near her house. "Can you imagine?! He asked me to marry him!" Becky said, anger laced in her voice. She placed down the bucket of feed "Me!" she continued "The wife of that boorish, idiotic, brainless…" Becky trailed off as music began to play in the background "I think where in for another musical number," said the narrator.
Becky: "Madame Hunter!" Can't you just see it?! "Madame Hunter!" His little wife!
Becky accidently kicked the bucket off feed up into the air. Scaring some of the animals.
Becky: No, sir! Not me! I guarantee it!
Becky walked out into the field she sat in with Violet and Scoops, gazing up at the sky.
Becky: I want much more than this provincial life… I want adventure in the great wide somewhere…
Becky laid down on the soft grass looking up at the now orange, and purple sky.
Becky: I want it more than I can tell…
Becky let out a small sigh and picked a stock [2] from the ground. She gazed at it, as if in a trance.
Becky: And for once it might be grand to have someone understand… I want so much more than they've got planned.
Becky smiled at the stock. She loved those types of flowers. They reminded her of herself, in a way. Becky's eyes widen as she saw Bob running toward her "Bob?!" she asked in shock. Becky quickly stood up and grabbed onto the horse's reins "Where's, dad?" Becky asked. Bob let out a few nay's [3]. Becky's eyes grew wide "What?!" she asked in utter shock. She bit her lip wondering if she should leave her mom a note before she just waltzed off into the inevitable. Becky shook her head. There was no time for that. She had to go see if her father was ok. "Bob, I need you to take me to where you last saw him and help me find him," Bob nodded in understanding. Becky quickly climbed on the horse and rode off into the woods.
[1] Bob is a horse in this, just in case anyone forgot or is confused
[2] A flower
[3] I'm pretty sure I spelled that wrong… It's the sound a horse makes