Chapter 3
Charlie's Journey
The sun was just beginning to rise when Charlie an Elizabeth started out. They rode out on the road until they came upon a village where Charlie fed Elizabeth, then got himself lunch at the local tavern. The sun was a quarter of the way down when they finally got on the road again. They continued down the road until they came to a fork in the road. The sun was beginning to set and it made it almost impossible to read the words on the signpost.
"Ok. I'll do eny, miny, miney, moe." Charlie concluded.
The results came up the left road.
"Alright, we'll go that way."
Therefore, Charlie turned Elizabeth to the left and continued. By and by, they entered a dark forest. Soon the wind began to pick up, making to trees creek and groan. The rain, which was a light drizzle began to pour in buckets.
"Well, it couldn't get any worse." Charlie said, trying to be optimistic.
However, just when the words left his mouth, a wolf began to howl. At that instant, Elizabeth freaked out and plunged full out into the forest. Charlie desperately held on as he dodge tree after tree as they rose up before him. Then lightning struck a tree near by which made Elizabeth rear and unseated Charlie in the process. He fell flat on his back and knocked the wind out of him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Elizabeth take off galloping in the opposite direction.
"Man! Bella is going to murder me!"
Slowly, he got up and looked around. Then, something in the front of him made him catch his breath. In front of him stood an elaborated gate. However, what made him stare in awe was about two yards from the gate. It was a massive castle. As the rain continued to pour, he suddenly remembered how wet and cold he was. He got a burst of new strength and went up to the gates. He opened them and ran to the castle. When he reached the castle doors, he tried the handle and was surprised when the door was unlocked. He opened the door and when he got inside, he shut the door behind him. He stood in the main foyer, shivering.
"Hallo?" He called out.
He started walking forward.
"Halloo?"
"Finally! Someone new around here!" a voice loudly whispered.
"Hush Emmett, keep your voice down!" another voice whispered.
"Is someone there?" Charlie shouted.
"Now Emmett, keep your mouth shut!" the second voice whispered urgently.
"I really don't mean to barge in like this," Charlie said nervously. "But my horse ran off and I just need a place to stay for the night."
"Of course you are welcome to stay for the night!" a soprano voice replied suddenly behind him. Startled Charlie turned around. Standing behind him was a short, pixie like, thin girl. She had a very small face with short, spiky black hair.
"Come. Let's get you warm."
"Now you've done it Alice. Are you forgetting the rules?" The speaker, who is now briskly walking up to them, was taller than 'Alice' with a lean muscular build with short honey blond hair.
"The master said…"
"O come on Jasper, He's locked up in his room. What he doesn't know won't hurt him." The new speaker was not quite as tall as 'Jasper' but had a stronger build a had dark brown curly hair.
"That must be Emmett." Charlie thought. Then Charlie let out a violent sneeze.
"Achoo!"
"Come on sir, we need to get you warm." Alice said promptly. She took him by the hand and lead Charlie, thru an archway, into a cozy drawing room where a warm fire was brightly blazing. Close to the fireplace was an embroidered armchair.
"You can sit right there." Alice said brightly. "Esme will be right with you with some tea."
"Ok this has gone far enough! He needs to get out before the master finds out!" Jasper said urgently.
"Jasper, will you relax! Everything will be fine, right Esme?" Emmett asked.
"He is right Jasper."
Charlie turned his head and saw that Esme was a small, slender woman with a heart shaped face framed by waist length caramel-colored hair.
"He is our guest and you should treat him with kindness. Don't worry about him sir," Esme said kindly to Charlie as she set the tea tray down beside him.
"You may stay here for as long as you need to."
"WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO SAY SUCH THINGS!" roared a deep animal-like voice. Immediately the fire blew out and everyone in the room fell silent. Then Emmett spoke up.
"Ok buddy, just clam down, and let me explain. See, this gentle man got lost in the woods and…" He was interrupted by a loud roar, which caused him to loose his balance.
"Umm master?" Jasper said hesitantly. "I tried to make the man leave but they will not listen to me!"
"SHUT UP!" snarled the voice.
"But Master Edward…"
"I DON"T CARE! I WANT HIM PUT IN THE DUNGEON! NOW!"
During this interrogation, Charlie sat in the chair frozen in terror and fear. Suddenly, there was complete…total…silence. Then Charlie felt hot, moist, misty breath on his neck. He slowly turned his head to the left. Then there was a flash of lightning and in that brief moment, he saw a huge, ginormous, monstrous beast right in front of his face. Almost nose to nose.
"What are you staring at?" The beast said, growling thru his teeth.
"Nnnoooththining." Charlie replied, trying his best not to stare.
"Hideous, am I not?" The beast asked testily.
Charlie tried not to speak but the first thing that came out of his mouth was. "Yes!"
"YOU SHALL PAY FOR YOU INSOLENCE!" The beast roared.
Then Charlie felt something hit him in the head and he knew no more.
