Rating: M
Word Count: Don't know don't care
Warnings: Bad parenting
Don't own Marvel peeps or The Village
Summary:
/ LET THE BAD COLOR NOT BE SEEN, IT ATTRACTS THEM
/ / NEVER ENTER THE WOODS, THAT IS WHERE THEY WAIT
/ / / HEED THE WARNING BELL, FOR THEY ARE COMING
The beginning is in italics because it's a flashback. Kinda obvious but just thought I'd point it out in case anyone asked. I don't know why, but I just think this part is so funny:
"I've sent Ivy to the towns."
"You cannot."
Lolz too late. That's going in the gag reel.
Chapter 14
"Do your very best not to scream."
After pushing open the heavy wooden door with a creak, a cold draft hit Loki dead-on, as if the wind had been confined and was seeing the outside world for the first time in many, many years. Farbauti placed a hand on Loki's back and guided him through the doorway, and Loki held out his hand.
"There's an odd smell," Loki said quietly.
"It is ahead of you."
"What is it?"
"I cannot explain in words. It is just a few more steps."
As Loki continued to inch forward and his hand came into contact with nothing but air, his heart rate quickened. He started to take more shallow breaths, and every footstep echoed inside the room. He let out a gasp when his hand bumped into something that made a hollow wooden sound. Slowly, he wrapped his fingers around the object and slid down. As soon as he felt the sharp tip, he knew what was in front of him.
"Those We Don't Speak Of!"
"Do not be frightened. It is only farce," Farbauti said in a hushed voice as he placed his hands on Loki's shoulders. "Do not be frightened."
The metal hook squeaked as it swung back and forth. The costume consisted of a red hooded cloak with spikes protruding from the back and large claw-like hands of similar material. The mask was based on animal traits. A boar's snout, small tusks, crooked teeth inside a wide-open mouth, and dried brown skin.
Once he was able to get Loki to move his feet, Farbauti led him out of the shed and sat him down in the grass. He left him there for only a moment so that he could lock the door, but even after he had come back, the boy still had not stopped shuddering.
"Loki, you need to know the truth. And the truth is that there were rumors that creatures did exist in these woods. It was in one of the history books I used to teach from in the Towns." "The...
"We created those sounds."
"The Ceremony of Meat."
"We remove it ourselves. An Elder is always assigned."
"The Drills. They're farce, too?" Farbauti nodded.
"We did not want anyone to go to the Towns, Loki."
"What about the animals?" Loki asked in a whisper. "The skinned ones. Are the Elders responsible for that, too?!"
"I believe one of the Elders may be responsible. It will not happen again." Loki looked away from his father and scowled at the ground. "There is no one in this village who has not lost someone irreplaceable, who has not felt loss so deeply that they question the very merit of living at all. It is a darkness I wished...you would never know." Farbauti clenched his hand into a fist until his knuckles were white. "Forgive us our silly lies, Loki. They were not...meant to harm."
"I am...sad for you, Father," Loki said as he placed a hand on his father's arm. "For all of the Elders."
Farbauti removed Loki's hand from his arm and placed his pocket watch in his palm. In Loki's other hand, he gave him a folded piece of paper.
"On this paper has been written a tool of medicine, which is common in the Towns. You will go with two escorts and follow the sounds of the stream. A half day's journey will bring you to a hidden road. At this hidden road, the two escorts will wait as you continue. You, alone, will follow the road...and leave the woods. You are to tell no one in the Towns where we are, and return with haste. I cannot come with you." A tear rolled down Loki's cheek when he said that. "You gave your heart to this boy, and he is in need. Are you ready to take this burden, which by right, is yours and yours alone?"
After he and Loki parted ways near the Resting Rock, Farbauti returned to the village and immediately went to Frigga's house. The door was open, so he walked up the steps and knocked to let her know he was there. She was at the stove with a pot of boiling water, holding white strips of cloth over her arm and pulling one out of the pot. The house seemed so empty without her son's presence. At the sound of footsteps on the wooden floor, Frigga spared a glance over her shoulder before turning back to her work.
"I'm making fresh cloths for Thor. He needs them."
"Frigga, I've sent for help." Frigga stiffened, then she turned around and faced the man. She tucked some loose hair behind her ear. "I've sent Loki to the Towns."
"You cannot," she said in a whisper.
"It is all that I can give you." They were now standing a few inches apart. Frigga looked down at the floor and let out a choked sob. "It is all that I can give you."
"I accept."
Frigga turned her gaze towards him again, but when she inclined her head, Farbauti looked away so quickly that she was nearly resting her chin on his shoulder. With his task complete, Farbauti quietly left the house. A gust of wind blew the hair into Frigga's eyes again, but she did not care to move it.