Ch. 10: Distance
"How is she," Smiley asked softly.
Ever since the nightmare, Kaelyn hadn't been able to stay in the same room with Eric. Occasionally they would take small glances at each other when they passed each other but most of the time, Eric was out of the cottage or Kaelyn was in the bedroom.
On this day, Eric was out in the forest with Smiley, hunting. Eric glanced at Smiley and sighed, shaking his head, "Grumpy told me she's just quiet. God Smiley, it was horrible and so violent. This skull creature shaped into her father and when she had….it crushed her"
"She can't blame you," Smiley argued.
Eric shook his head, "She's not blaming me. I'm blaming myself."
"Why?"
Eric pulled an arrow out, crouching down. "I promise to protect her," he explained as he stood up, firing the arrow at the deer, hitting it immediately. The animal dropped as Eric stepped forward, pulling his arrow out as Smiley crouched down to skin the animal.
"Eric, it was black magic. You couldn't do anything about it."
Eric shrugged and shook his head.
Y&S
Kaelyn sat on the doorstep of the cottage watching the forest. Since the nightmare, Eric and she were avoiding each other. "Kaelyn," Sicky sneezed as he walked out and sat next to her, "you okay?"
Kaelyn looked and nodded, "Yes, just thinking."
"About what?"
"It's nothing," she retorted while she continued to stare at the forest. A chill ran up her spine that made her wonder if the skull figure would appear out of the forest.
"They'll be back soon," Sicky told her.
"I know…"
"He worries about you, you know?"
Kaelyn looked up before they heard a loud crunch. Kaelyn stood up wit Sicky went in front of her before the sound of happy whistling came.
Sicky looked at Kaelyn then let his gaze move toward the forest when Smiley came out of the forest holding Eric's bows and arrows with Eric carrying the heavy bag that held the deer meat. Kaelyn looked down at Sicky stood up, taking the bag away from Eric.
Both Eric and Kaelyn's eyes locked before they looked away from each other. Smiley watched as Eric began to walk another direction, taking the bows and arrows from him. "Eric, where are you going," Smiley wondered.
Eric shrugged, "Roof." He then walked away, leaving Kaelyn with Smiley and Sicky.
Kaelyn stood up, turning around walking back inside causing the dwarfs to look over at both directions. Smiley sighed as he shook his head slightly, "We need to get them to talk to each other."
Sicky shook his head, "Grumpy and Sweetie already tried. We are going nowhere fast."
Lady Andrea approached the mirror starring at it, "Show me the boy." Immediately the mirror's face disappeared to show an image of Eric staring up at the sky. She smirked, as Eric's eyes looked confused and hurt. "Tell me what's running through his mind, mirror?"
"He questions his feelings and his ability to protect her, Your Highness," the mirror explained.
Andrea smiled widely at this statement and immediately turned around, returning to her cauldron and potions. She looked down at the wooden table while letting cauldron show an image of Eric. She chuckled as she opened the spell book, reading the spell.
Eric had his eyes closed as he let his thoughts randomly go from the nightmare to Kaelyn. He rested on the roof, trying to stay isolated and as he gradually began to fall asleep, a voice came into his head.
"Close your eyes, let the mind wander…let another take over you…using your body as their own…"
"What the-" suddenly Eric felt a burning sensation in his head as he groaned loudly.
"Let me take possession of the mind I want…do my deeds and let me take over your body…my mind in yours…"
"No…"
"Your mind is mine, Eric."
Suddenly Eric's eyes turned from hazel to dark brown eyes and a evil grin formed on his face.
I'm sorry this is short but this is kind of leading to this next part. Andrea is out for blood as you can see. So be prepared for everything to happen! In addition, guys, I'm amazed that even after it was finish, 'Beauty Underneath' is still being read and reviewed and favorited! I want to say thank you for your amazing support!
