The sun shinned down on the small village of Rubelite. The villagers
scurried around with their daily duties. Cows called from the pastors as
sheep waked about trying to find better grass. Small shops opened on the
village's main road, inviting to even the oldest residence of the village.
Down near the river, at the end of Hilsburg Lane, was a quaint wooden home as old as the village. The inhabitants were a single mother and her sixteen year old daughter. The woman, who was the village's famed seamstress, was widowed after her husband died in a lumber accident. Her daughter was only five when it happened, and she never quite understood it all.
The woman, who is lovingly called Mother Rosemary to the young children, raised her daughter carefully and fearing men. She told her daughter tales of men who enjoyed in kidnapping young girls and never returning them home. Rosemary's mother, who lived on the other side of the woods, denounced the tales as nothing more than that, tales. The young girl did not know whom to believe.
One chilly August day Rosemary was sitting on her front porch sewing a new shirt for the blacksmith. Her daughter, Reed, was running through their front yard, chasing stray butterflies. Reed reminded Rosemary of her husband. The young girl had the same light brown hair and deep green eyes as the famous woodsman. She got his fair skin and her curly hair. Reed also got her mother's delight in anything that was attractive to the eye. Her small room was decorated with flowers, shinning stones, dolls, and, from time to time, an actual animal.
"Reed, my dear, come inside with me for a minute." Rosemary said, picking up her sewing kit. Her daughter groaned but didn't protest.
The two disappeared into the house. Rosemary went into the kitchen and Reed took a seat at the table. She fixed her curly hair and satin, blue dress. Reed looked around, kicking her feet as if she was five again.
Rosemary suddenly appeared from the kitchen, carrying a basket and a bundle of cloth. She set the basket on the table. With a simple movement the bundle of cloth fell free. Reed's eyes grew wide with joy and amazement. In her mother's hands was a long, scarlet fleece cloak. Rosemary turned it around, showing her daughter the hood, which had a lining of rabbit's fur.
Reed nearly jumped into her mother's arms in the excitement. "Is it for me?" she cried.
"Yes. I made it just for you." Rosemary replied.
"Yay!" Reed squealed. She snatched the cloak from her mother and put it on. Her face brightened with joy and she spun around. "This is beautiful! I've always wanted something like this! Thank you, mother! Thank you!"
Rosemary smiled and planted a kiss on her daughter's cheek. "I'm happy you like it, Reed. There is something I need you to do, though." Reed didn't seem to hear her mother. Rosemary sighed and continued. "Your grandmother has fallen ill, Reed, and I thought it nice that you would go and visit her. I have made some bread and cakes for her to eat. I also put a bottle of wine, which is for her only. I would go myself, but I have work to do."
Reed had come to a stop and was starring at her mother, near tears. "Grandmother is ill? Will she get better?"
"Yes, my darling." Rosemary replied. She gave Reed a hug. "She will recover faster yet if you go and visit her. You know how much she loves to see you."
"Can I wear my cloak?"
"Of course!" Rosemary laughed. "I didn't sew it just so you could trounce around the house with it. It should keep you warm on your journey there."
Reed nodded and took the basket from the table. Being somewhat nosy, she lifted the towel from the food and smiled. Her mother's best breads and cakes were still warm inside. Reed breathed in the aroma and hopped that her grandmother would share some.
Rosemary smiled sweetly. "Do you remember how to get there?"
Reed nodded. "It's through the woods. It should only take me an hour's walk to get there, if I don't stop to look at anything." Her cheeks grew rosy as Rosemary arched an eyebrow of suspicion. "I promise I won't stop for anything."
"Good!" Rosemary replied. She began to lead Reed to the door. "Now, don't forget what I've taught you, Reed. Don't talk to any person, no matter how kind they seem. And above all else, stray away from the men you don't know. I don't want my only daughter to be stolen from me."
"I will do as I was told!" Reed answered, her voice shaking with the thoughts of evil men stealing her away. She forced a smile as she looked at her mother. "I know the path well and I won't get lost. If grandmother is well enough I will be back by sundown!"
Rosemary smiled and wrapped her daughter in a tight hug. "I can't believe this is going to the first time we're apart for nearly a day." She opened the door and wiped a tear from her eye. "Please, stay on the path, Reed, and listen to what I said."
Reed smiled. "Everything will be fine, mother. I promise to give grandmother your wishes." She planted a kiss on Rosemary's cheek and ran down the garden and out the fence. She paused and turned to look at her mother. With one last wave she set off down the village's main road.
**********
It was midday when Reed reached the mouth of the woods. She stopped at the village's last shop and decided to eat before her long trip. She stayed longer than she had hopped, taking in the compliments on her new cloak. Reed was happy with the reaction, but was now pressed for time.
The woods were growing thicker as Reed hurried down the dirt path. Beyond the trees she could see a field of flowers. Above it, like a rainbow mist, was a dazzling array of butterflies. She smiled, but turned her thoughts to her grandmother. She promised her mother that she wouldn't stop to waste time. The sight, though, was almost enough to wipe those words right from her memory.
"Hello there, Rose."
Reed nearly jumped out of her skin with fright. The deep, sultry voice seemed to slither out of the shadows. Reed gripped the basket's handle tightly, swallowing hard as the greeting came again. She shook beneath her cloak and spun around, hopping it was her mind playing jokes on her, but it was not. A tall, slim man stood a few feet behind Reed, dressed in a dapper suit and a black top hat. His black hair fell to the middle of his back, a few strands of silver hair falling into his smooth, pale face. A set of small, red colored sunglasses rested on the man's nose, hiding his crystal blue eyes. He had long, elegant fingers with neatly trimmed nails, which held a cherry wood cane.
Reed couldn't open her mouth to even make a squeak. This stranger scared her, but he held a certain beauty to his malevolent being.
He moved towards Reed with the grace of a cat. He took off his hat and bowed. He stood and looked down at Reed. He smiled, the sun light shinning off the quickly flashed sharp teeth. Reed stood in front of the man and was in awe as he stood over her petite frame. He must of have been, at the most, six feet tall.
"Are you all right, rose?" the man asked, looking down at Reed. "You haven't made a sound, or even batted an eye."
Reed blinked and regained her composure. She took a step back, clutching the basket with all her might. "I was told not to speak with strangers, especially strange men. My mother tells me this everyday." Reed said this, mainly, to keep up her dwindling courage.
The man smiled softly, concealing his teeth. "Your mother is a smart woman." He got down on one knee and took Reed's hand into his. His light lips kissed her hand and he lifted his eyes to her face. Her cheeks were red. "I am Wolfe, a master of a mansion only a mile north of here." Wolfe stood and looked at Reed. "Now you know who I am, and I am no longer a stranger."
Dumbfounded, Reed couldn't find a way to disagree. Regaining herself she smiled her best and gave a deep curtsy. "I am Reed Blaine. It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Wolfe."
Wolfe smiled again. His eyes looked at the young girl with animal like hunger. "How old are you? You seem too young to be wandering in the forest by yourself."
"I am sixteen and old enough to go through these woods on my own." Reed replied. She lifted her chin up in pride. "I have lived in the village of Rubelite all my young life and have passed through here to go see my grandmother. And how old are you, Mr. Wolfe?"
"I am four years your senior and horribly mistaken on your age!" Wolfe eyed the basket in Reed's hands. He lifted his eyes to hers. "Are you off to see your grandmother now?"
Reed nodded with a smile. "She has fallen sick and my mother wants me to deliver bread, cake, and wine to her. I'm hoping with my visit, grandmother will get better."
Wolfe gave a sly smile and walked past Reed. "If any sick soul laid an eye on you, they would believe an angel has come to cure the." He looked at her from over his shoulder. "Do you need an escort, rose? I don't think it is out of my way."
"Thank you for the kind offer, but no." Reed replied. She looked out at the field, unconsciously. "My grandmother's house is out of the way unless that is your destination. As well, I must hurry to her. She should be expecting me."
As Reed began to approach the empty path beside Wolfe, he placed his cane in her way. She let out a stifled gasp and looked up at the stranger. He gave a sharp toothed smile that made Reed cower. Wolfe lifted his cane and held it in his hand.
"Why not pick some flowers for your sick grandmother?" Wolfe suggested. He looked at the field that Reed had admired only a moment ago. "With my help you could be done quickly and be at your grandmother's side before the sun kisses the horizon."
Reed looked down the path and then towards the field. The butterflies were still flitting about the flower tops. She looked at Wolfe and smiled. "If you promise it won't take long, then I suppose I can get flowers. Grandmother loves them dearly."
"You have my word, Rose." Wolfe replied with a sweet smile.
Before Wolfe could blink, Reed had bolted through the trees and was in the midst of the butterflies. She began to laugh like a young girl. Putting down her basket and removing her cloak, she began to chase one butterfly after another.
Wolfe joined her in the field with much delight. He watched Reed jump for the butterflies, his eyes devouring the young girl secretly. Soft smiles would cross his face as more of her legs were shown with every jump Reed made.
After catching a few butterflies Reed approached Wolfe. He was lounging on a tuft on grass, his suit jacket off and only the white, button shirt left. He had rolled up the sleeves up to his elbows, the material catching on the muscles of his upper arm as he held up a small daisy. Reed could feel her cheeks grow warm as she looked at Wolfe with new eyes.
"Do you want to look for flowers now?" Wolfe asked softly, his eyes locked onto her. "Or would you rather sit with me?"
Reed's heart skipped a beat as Wolfe placed the daisy in her hand. She blinked and turned her eyes to the field of flowers. "I. . . . I think we should gather the flowers now. My grandmother may start to worry soon."
Wolfe smiled. "All right, rose! Let's get started."
The two began the task of sifting through the endless field of flowers for the right ones. Wolfe's hand would occasionally brush against Reed's leg as he picked a flower. Reed would blush and move to another group of flowers. Soon it was a game of cat and mouse as Wolfe continued to play with Reed's untouched mind.
After half an hour of flower picking Reed and Wolfe had picked enough for a vase. They walked back to their belongings, Wolfe's arm slowly inching its way across Reed's waist. He pulled her close and Reed let out a yelp of surprise. She shied away and scurried off to her basket and cloak.
Reed placed the flowers in her basket and began to put on her cloak. She paused and looked at Wolfe. He was putting his suit jacket on and fixing his hair. He looked at her and smiled. Reed's cheeks grew red from embarrassment and she turned away.
"Um, thank you for the help, Mr. Wolfe." Reed said, finding her voice. She glanced at Wolfe, who was as he was when she first saw him. "My grandmother will love these flowers. With your help it took no time at all. All I can give you is my thanks."
A devilish smile crossed Wolfe's face. "It was my pleasure, rose." He gave a curt bow and took Reed's hand into his. He kissed it softly and looked into her eyes. "I'll find away that you can repay me." he whispered, raising an eyebrow.
Wolfe said goodbye and disappeared into the woods. Reed's heart was all a flutter as she looked down at her hand. She smiled softly as she smelt vanilla on her skin. She knew it must have been the cologne that Wolfe was wearing.
"I have to get to grandmother." Reed whispered. She said this, mainly, to get her mind off the alluring stranger she had spent half the day with. Fixing her dress Reed dashed into the woods and skipped happily down the path.
**********
Grandmother's house came into view as the woods melted away. The sun was still above the horizon and Reed smiled. She had made it in time, but would never make home before night fall. Reed hopped that her grandmother would permit her to stay the night. Grandmother always loved company, especially if it was Reed.
Reed walked up to the wood house and looked at the windows. The curtains were closed, disabling her from seeing inside. Reed didn't find it odd. The sun could be too bright to an ill person. She knew that from a week's cold she had only a month before.
Fixing her cloak Reed knocked at the front door. She listened to the sound echo in the house. After a moment of silence, she knocked again. 'I hope she isn't sleeping. I don't want to wake her,' Reed thought. The fear of going through the woods at night frightened her more than her fear of waking her sick grandmother.
"Who's there?"
The sick voice seemed to come out of nothing. Reed let out a breath of relief. Her grandmother was awake! Soon she'd be in the shelter of her loving relative.
"It's Reed, grandmother!" Reed said merrily. She looked down at her basket and smiled cheerfully. "Mother has sent me to see you! I brought you some gifts of good health."
"Come in before it gets dark. The door is unlocked, my dear." the sickly voice of her grandmother said. She coughed loudly.
Reed's smile faded at the sound of the cough. She opened the door and crept into the house. The room was dark, but a few candles around the bed were lit. The window above the bed was slightly ajar, letting a soft wind blow through. Reed closed the door, her eyes still on the bed. She could see her grandmother lying beneath the blankets, shivering as if it was the middle of winter.
Placing her cloak on a chair Reed slowly approached the bed side. A chair was set next to it, a velvet cushion gracing its seat. Reed sat down and put her basket in her lap. A few minutes of silence fell over the two. Reed watched the rise and fall of the blankets as the old woman breathed.
The blankets suddenly stirred. Reed blinked, coming out of her daze. She smiled softly as the familiar blue eyes of her grandmother opened and looked at her. Even though she couldn't see her grandmother's face, Reed knew she was smiling back.
Motioning to the basket on her lap, Reed cleared her throat. "I have some presents for you, grandmother."
"What did my little darling bring me?" the hoarse voice asked.
Reed pulled off the small blanket of her basket. She pulled out the small bouquet of flowers and showed it to her grandmother. "I picked these for you today. I hope you like them!"
A sigh of joy came from beneath the sheets. "They are beautiful, Reed. Place them on the table, please. You can find a vase latter."
Reed obeyed and began to pull out the cake her mother had baked. "Mother baked you some bread and cakes. She said that they'll give you back your strength." She reached into the basket again and pulled out the bottle of wine. "She also thought you'd enjoy this. Its mother's homemade wine! She says it can cure anything, even a hangover!"
Grandmother laughed softly but was thrown into a coughing fit. Reed stood, her eyes wide with fear. She placed the basket on the floor and reached for her grandmother. The coughing slowly subsided and Reed let out a sigh of comfort. She took her seat, the bottle of wine still in her hand.
"Darling, why don't you pour a glass for me?" Grandmother said with a soft cough. A shaking hand slithered out of the blanket and pointed to the table that the flowers were on. "There should be some small glasses in the table drawer. Bring a few out."
Reed pulled open the drawer and, sure enough, there were a few glasses. She pulled out three and placed them next to the table. Managing to open the bottle, Reed began to pour the wine into each glass. She was careful not to overflow any of the cups and not to spill on the floor. She knew how her grandmother loved everything to be clean.
"I hope you enjoy this." Reed said, holding out a glass.
"Thank you, my darling." Grandmother said softly. She took the glass, but did not drink. "Darling, why don't you have a small glass? You are old enough to have a taste, and if you don't tell your mother than I wont."
A smile passed over Reed's face. "The wine is for you, Grandmother. I can't take a drop."
"I insist, my darling. You will find it quite good!"
Reed didn't say another word of disagreement. She took the smallest glass and drank some. It was a bitter sweet taste, but very good. Reed drank the rest of her glass and watched as her grandmother slowly drank her own. Reed was happy she came to visit her grandmother. This trip was going very well.
"Come here, my darling and sit on the bed." Grandmother said after placing her glass on the table. Her face was still hidden by the blankets. "I want to see you more clearly. My eyes aren't as good as they used to be."
Reed did so without argument. She wanted her grandmother to be as happy as could be. The bed was soft and she could feel her grandmother stir beneath the blankets. Her body didn't seem to be thin and frail, but Reed dismissed it and thought it must have been the blankets.
"You look beautiful!" Grandmother said. "And your cloak is just darling. It must be the finest of your village. Did your mother make it?"
"Yes she did!" Reed replied, boastfully.
"Reed, my dear, you reminded me so much of a rose as you walked in."
The last comment made Reed pause. 'Rose,' she though. 'That strange man I met today, he called me rose. It must be a manner of chance grandmother said that. Just a pure chance.' Reed nodded to herself and blushed at the thought of Wolfe.
Reed turned her eyes to her grandmother and smiled. She looked at her more closely and noticed the gleam in the woman's eyes. Reed cocked her head to one side, letting a few curls fall into her face. They seemed to be wide with a strange emotion that she never saw grace a person's face. "Grandmother, what big eyes you have."
Grandmother's eyes blinked. She stirred in the bed, her face slightly coming out from the blankets. "All the better to see you with, my dear."
"Grandmother," Reed said gasping, "what ears you have!"
"All the better to hear you with, Rose."
Reed's breath caught in her throat. It was the pet name Wolfe had given her. This couldn't be just pure chance. She looked at Grandmother, who was slowly inching her way out of the blankets. A toothy grin crossed the woman's face. The teeth glistened in the candle light and looked as sharp as knives.
"Grandmother." Reed said, slowly standing. Fear crept into her mind. "Wha- what big teeth you have."
"All the better to eat you with!"
A blood curling scream escaped Reed's petite body as Wolfe suddenly jumped out of the bed. Reed ran towards the door, Wolfe still standing at the bed side. She reached for the handle but screamed as the bottle of wine shattered above her. Reed spun to see Wolfe advancing towards her, no longer dressed in her grandmother's clothes.
Reed dodged Wolfe's grasp and tumbled over a rug. She crawled until she could regain her footing. Wolfe's sharp nails ripped at Reed's skirt, causing her to scream again. He laughed as she came to the last corner of the house.
Reed turned and trembled as Wolfe advanced upon her. Tears began to stream down her face and she began to whimper. Wolfe gave an alluring smile as he ran his hands through his black hair. He placed his hands on the walls that had trapped the cowering girl.
"I think its time that you repaid me, Rose." Wolfe said in a husky voice. His tongue came across his upper lip as his eyes looked at Reed hungrily. "I am very hungry and you look like a delicious little creature."
With a cry of fear Reed pushed Wolfe away. She ran towards her grandmother's bed. Her only plan of escape was through the open window. Reed climbed onto the bed and managed to grab the curtains that flopped in the wind. She began to pull herself towards the window when a pair of strong hands threw her to the bed.
Reed screamed again as Wolfe pinned her arms down. "Please don't hurt me! Don't eat me!" she cried. Tears began to run from her eyes like rivers. "I don't want to die."
Wolfe smiled. "There is no need for tears, Rose. It will only make things worse."
With a sob Reed began to kick wildly. Wolfe took action and straddled the girl, disabling her from kicking him immediately. Reed continued to cry and beg to be set free. She knew that Wolfe had the intentions of killing her. It was as her mother said, but the warning was too late. Slowly the tears became a drizzle and her body was growing weak from Wolfe sitting on her.
With a sniffle Reed managed to find her voice. "What did you do to my grandmother? Did you kill and eat her as well?"
"Oh no!" Wolfe laughed. "The house was empty when I got here. It was lucky for me that the window was open and I climbed in. I knew you would come soon so I dressed in her clothes and decided to lure you in like a fish." Reed felt a little easier that her grandmother was alive, but didn't know what would be come of her.
Wolfe lowered his face to Reed's. His hair tumbled around his face, lightly brushing up against Reed's tear streaked temples and cheeks. "And like a fish, Rose, I will eat you until your nothing but bones."
Reed let out a deafening scream.
**********
Sunlight crept through the open window. The golden rays kissed Reed's face and slowly coaxed her from her nights sleep. Her eyes fluttered open and she slowly sat. The blankets fell from her body. She looked down at herself and smiled softly. She was still in her dress from the day before.
Reed looked around the room. Everything was clean. 'It must have been a dream,' she thought. The memories of the night before crept into her mind. 'Just a dream. There is no broken glass and the rug doesn't look like I tripped over it.' Reed sighed happily and lay back down. She knew it must have been a dream about Wolfe and her mother's warning. It couldn't have happened; the chase, the tears, Wolfe sitting on her, and then. . . .
A knocking at the front door brought Reed out of her thoughts. She sat up straight and looked at the wooden door. The knock came again. She climbed off the bed and hurried to the door. She paused and fixed herself. She still had to look clean for guests, even if it wasn't her home.
Reed opened the door and smiled brightly. It was one of the woodsmen from the village, a neighbor of her mother's. A relieved smile came across the man's rugged face as he saw Reed. He leaned against his ax and let out a sigh.
"I am happy to see you here, Reed." the woodsman said. "I was sent here by your mother, to make sure you were all right. Your grandmother was taken to your house some time yesterday. Thankfully you managed to get in here."
"My mother should know I could take care of myself." Reed laughed. "I would have returned home today as soon as I awoke and readied myself."
The woodsman gave a weak smile. "True, but the village received word of a wolf man roaming the forest and kidnapping travelers. People have been reported dead and your mother was dreadfully worried about you."
Reed's mind wandered to Wolfe. She smiled, keeping the image of the strange man in her mind. "I ran into nothing in the woods, except for the usual animals. If I see anything strange I will report it when I get to the village."
With a quick farewell the woodsman began walking away.
A pair of strong arms slowly slithered around Reed's waist. A soft smile came across her face as a familiar body pressed against her back. The smell of vanilla wrapped her in a cocoon of euphoria. A kiss was planted on her neck and then another on her shoulder.
"Who was that?" a sultry voice whispered in her ear.
"The woodsman." Reed replied. Another kiss was planted on the nape of her neck. "He was warning me about a strange wolf man that was preying on travelers."
"Hmmm."
Reed turned around and looked up into the crystal blue eyes of her friend. "Would you know anything about a wolf man?" She kissed the owner's mouth softly.
A toothy smile crossed Wolfe's face. "I've never even heard of such a creature." He lowered his face to Reed's and kissed her passionately.
Down near the river, at the end of Hilsburg Lane, was a quaint wooden home as old as the village. The inhabitants were a single mother and her sixteen year old daughter. The woman, who was the village's famed seamstress, was widowed after her husband died in a lumber accident. Her daughter was only five when it happened, and she never quite understood it all.
The woman, who is lovingly called Mother Rosemary to the young children, raised her daughter carefully and fearing men. She told her daughter tales of men who enjoyed in kidnapping young girls and never returning them home. Rosemary's mother, who lived on the other side of the woods, denounced the tales as nothing more than that, tales. The young girl did not know whom to believe.
One chilly August day Rosemary was sitting on her front porch sewing a new shirt for the blacksmith. Her daughter, Reed, was running through their front yard, chasing stray butterflies. Reed reminded Rosemary of her husband. The young girl had the same light brown hair and deep green eyes as the famous woodsman. She got his fair skin and her curly hair. Reed also got her mother's delight in anything that was attractive to the eye. Her small room was decorated with flowers, shinning stones, dolls, and, from time to time, an actual animal.
"Reed, my dear, come inside with me for a minute." Rosemary said, picking up her sewing kit. Her daughter groaned but didn't protest.
The two disappeared into the house. Rosemary went into the kitchen and Reed took a seat at the table. She fixed her curly hair and satin, blue dress. Reed looked around, kicking her feet as if she was five again.
Rosemary suddenly appeared from the kitchen, carrying a basket and a bundle of cloth. She set the basket on the table. With a simple movement the bundle of cloth fell free. Reed's eyes grew wide with joy and amazement. In her mother's hands was a long, scarlet fleece cloak. Rosemary turned it around, showing her daughter the hood, which had a lining of rabbit's fur.
Reed nearly jumped into her mother's arms in the excitement. "Is it for me?" she cried.
"Yes. I made it just for you." Rosemary replied.
"Yay!" Reed squealed. She snatched the cloak from her mother and put it on. Her face brightened with joy and she spun around. "This is beautiful! I've always wanted something like this! Thank you, mother! Thank you!"
Rosemary smiled and planted a kiss on her daughter's cheek. "I'm happy you like it, Reed. There is something I need you to do, though." Reed didn't seem to hear her mother. Rosemary sighed and continued. "Your grandmother has fallen ill, Reed, and I thought it nice that you would go and visit her. I have made some bread and cakes for her to eat. I also put a bottle of wine, which is for her only. I would go myself, but I have work to do."
Reed had come to a stop and was starring at her mother, near tears. "Grandmother is ill? Will she get better?"
"Yes, my darling." Rosemary replied. She gave Reed a hug. "She will recover faster yet if you go and visit her. You know how much she loves to see you."
"Can I wear my cloak?"
"Of course!" Rosemary laughed. "I didn't sew it just so you could trounce around the house with it. It should keep you warm on your journey there."
Reed nodded and took the basket from the table. Being somewhat nosy, she lifted the towel from the food and smiled. Her mother's best breads and cakes were still warm inside. Reed breathed in the aroma and hopped that her grandmother would share some.
Rosemary smiled sweetly. "Do you remember how to get there?"
Reed nodded. "It's through the woods. It should only take me an hour's walk to get there, if I don't stop to look at anything." Her cheeks grew rosy as Rosemary arched an eyebrow of suspicion. "I promise I won't stop for anything."
"Good!" Rosemary replied. She began to lead Reed to the door. "Now, don't forget what I've taught you, Reed. Don't talk to any person, no matter how kind they seem. And above all else, stray away from the men you don't know. I don't want my only daughter to be stolen from me."
"I will do as I was told!" Reed answered, her voice shaking with the thoughts of evil men stealing her away. She forced a smile as she looked at her mother. "I know the path well and I won't get lost. If grandmother is well enough I will be back by sundown!"
Rosemary smiled and wrapped her daughter in a tight hug. "I can't believe this is going to the first time we're apart for nearly a day." She opened the door and wiped a tear from her eye. "Please, stay on the path, Reed, and listen to what I said."
Reed smiled. "Everything will be fine, mother. I promise to give grandmother your wishes." She planted a kiss on Rosemary's cheek and ran down the garden and out the fence. She paused and turned to look at her mother. With one last wave she set off down the village's main road.
**********
It was midday when Reed reached the mouth of the woods. She stopped at the village's last shop and decided to eat before her long trip. She stayed longer than she had hopped, taking in the compliments on her new cloak. Reed was happy with the reaction, but was now pressed for time.
The woods were growing thicker as Reed hurried down the dirt path. Beyond the trees she could see a field of flowers. Above it, like a rainbow mist, was a dazzling array of butterflies. She smiled, but turned her thoughts to her grandmother. She promised her mother that she wouldn't stop to waste time. The sight, though, was almost enough to wipe those words right from her memory.
"Hello there, Rose."
Reed nearly jumped out of her skin with fright. The deep, sultry voice seemed to slither out of the shadows. Reed gripped the basket's handle tightly, swallowing hard as the greeting came again. She shook beneath her cloak and spun around, hopping it was her mind playing jokes on her, but it was not. A tall, slim man stood a few feet behind Reed, dressed in a dapper suit and a black top hat. His black hair fell to the middle of his back, a few strands of silver hair falling into his smooth, pale face. A set of small, red colored sunglasses rested on the man's nose, hiding his crystal blue eyes. He had long, elegant fingers with neatly trimmed nails, which held a cherry wood cane.
Reed couldn't open her mouth to even make a squeak. This stranger scared her, but he held a certain beauty to his malevolent being.
He moved towards Reed with the grace of a cat. He took off his hat and bowed. He stood and looked down at Reed. He smiled, the sun light shinning off the quickly flashed sharp teeth. Reed stood in front of the man and was in awe as he stood over her petite frame. He must of have been, at the most, six feet tall.
"Are you all right, rose?" the man asked, looking down at Reed. "You haven't made a sound, or even batted an eye."
Reed blinked and regained her composure. She took a step back, clutching the basket with all her might. "I was told not to speak with strangers, especially strange men. My mother tells me this everyday." Reed said this, mainly, to keep up her dwindling courage.
The man smiled softly, concealing his teeth. "Your mother is a smart woman." He got down on one knee and took Reed's hand into his. His light lips kissed her hand and he lifted his eyes to her face. Her cheeks were red. "I am Wolfe, a master of a mansion only a mile north of here." Wolfe stood and looked at Reed. "Now you know who I am, and I am no longer a stranger."
Dumbfounded, Reed couldn't find a way to disagree. Regaining herself she smiled her best and gave a deep curtsy. "I am Reed Blaine. It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Wolfe."
Wolfe smiled again. His eyes looked at the young girl with animal like hunger. "How old are you? You seem too young to be wandering in the forest by yourself."
"I am sixteen and old enough to go through these woods on my own." Reed replied. She lifted her chin up in pride. "I have lived in the village of Rubelite all my young life and have passed through here to go see my grandmother. And how old are you, Mr. Wolfe?"
"I am four years your senior and horribly mistaken on your age!" Wolfe eyed the basket in Reed's hands. He lifted his eyes to hers. "Are you off to see your grandmother now?"
Reed nodded with a smile. "She has fallen sick and my mother wants me to deliver bread, cake, and wine to her. I'm hoping with my visit, grandmother will get better."
Wolfe gave a sly smile and walked past Reed. "If any sick soul laid an eye on you, they would believe an angel has come to cure the." He looked at her from over his shoulder. "Do you need an escort, rose? I don't think it is out of my way."
"Thank you for the kind offer, but no." Reed replied. She looked out at the field, unconsciously. "My grandmother's house is out of the way unless that is your destination. As well, I must hurry to her. She should be expecting me."
As Reed began to approach the empty path beside Wolfe, he placed his cane in her way. She let out a stifled gasp and looked up at the stranger. He gave a sharp toothed smile that made Reed cower. Wolfe lifted his cane and held it in his hand.
"Why not pick some flowers for your sick grandmother?" Wolfe suggested. He looked at the field that Reed had admired only a moment ago. "With my help you could be done quickly and be at your grandmother's side before the sun kisses the horizon."
Reed looked down the path and then towards the field. The butterflies were still flitting about the flower tops. She looked at Wolfe and smiled. "If you promise it won't take long, then I suppose I can get flowers. Grandmother loves them dearly."
"You have my word, Rose." Wolfe replied with a sweet smile.
Before Wolfe could blink, Reed had bolted through the trees and was in the midst of the butterflies. She began to laugh like a young girl. Putting down her basket and removing her cloak, she began to chase one butterfly after another.
Wolfe joined her in the field with much delight. He watched Reed jump for the butterflies, his eyes devouring the young girl secretly. Soft smiles would cross his face as more of her legs were shown with every jump Reed made.
After catching a few butterflies Reed approached Wolfe. He was lounging on a tuft on grass, his suit jacket off and only the white, button shirt left. He had rolled up the sleeves up to his elbows, the material catching on the muscles of his upper arm as he held up a small daisy. Reed could feel her cheeks grow warm as she looked at Wolfe with new eyes.
"Do you want to look for flowers now?" Wolfe asked softly, his eyes locked onto her. "Or would you rather sit with me?"
Reed's heart skipped a beat as Wolfe placed the daisy in her hand. She blinked and turned her eyes to the field of flowers. "I. . . . I think we should gather the flowers now. My grandmother may start to worry soon."
Wolfe smiled. "All right, rose! Let's get started."
The two began the task of sifting through the endless field of flowers for the right ones. Wolfe's hand would occasionally brush against Reed's leg as he picked a flower. Reed would blush and move to another group of flowers. Soon it was a game of cat and mouse as Wolfe continued to play with Reed's untouched mind.
After half an hour of flower picking Reed and Wolfe had picked enough for a vase. They walked back to their belongings, Wolfe's arm slowly inching its way across Reed's waist. He pulled her close and Reed let out a yelp of surprise. She shied away and scurried off to her basket and cloak.
Reed placed the flowers in her basket and began to put on her cloak. She paused and looked at Wolfe. He was putting his suit jacket on and fixing his hair. He looked at her and smiled. Reed's cheeks grew red from embarrassment and she turned away.
"Um, thank you for the help, Mr. Wolfe." Reed said, finding her voice. She glanced at Wolfe, who was as he was when she first saw him. "My grandmother will love these flowers. With your help it took no time at all. All I can give you is my thanks."
A devilish smile crossed Wolfe's face. "It was my pleasure, rose." He gave a curt bow and took Reed's hand into his. He kissed it softly and looked into her eyes. "I'll find away that you can repay me." he whispered, raising an eyebrow.
Wolfe said goodbye and disappeared into the woods. Reed's heart was all a flutter as she looked down at her hand. She smiled softly as she smelt vanilla on her skin. She knew it must have been the cologne that Wolfe was wearing.
"I have to get to grandmother." Reed whispered. She said this, mainly, to get her mind off the alluring stranger she had spent half the day with. Fixing her dress Reed dashed into the woods and skipped happily down the path.
**********
Grandmother's house came into view as the woods melted away. The sun was still above the horizon and Reed smiled. She had made it in time, but would never make home before night fall. Reed hopped that her grandmother would permit her to stay the night. Grandmother always loved company, especially if it was Reed.
Reed walked up to the wood house and looked at the windows. The curtains were closed, disabling her from seeing inside. Reed didn't find it odd. The sun could be too bright to an ill person. She knew that from a week's cold she had only a month before.
Fixing her cloak Reed knocked at the front door. She listened to the sound echo in the house. After a moment of silence, she knocked again. 'I hope she isn't sleeping. I don't want to wake her,' Reed thought. The fear of going through the woods at night frightened her more than her fear of waking her sick grandmother.
"Who's there?"
The sick voice seemed to come out of nothing. Reed let out a breath of relief. Her grandmother was awake! Soon she'd be in the shelter of her loving relative.
"It's Reed, grandmother!" Reed said merrily. She looked down at her basket and smiled cheerfully. "Mother has sent me to see you! I brought you some gifts of good health."
"Come in before it gets dark. The door is unlocked, my dear." the sickly voice of her grandmother said. She coughed loudly.
Reed's smile faded at the sound of the cough. She opened the door and crept into the house. The room was dark, but a few candles around the bed were lit. The window above the bed was slightly ajar, letting a soft wind blow through. Reed closed the door, her eyes still on the bed. She could see her grandmother lying beneath the blankets, shivering as if it was the middle of winter.
Placing her cloak on a chair Reed slowly approached the bed side. A chair was set next to it, a velvet cushion gracing its seat. Reed sat down and put her basket in her lap. A few minutes of silence fell over the two. Reed watched the rise and fall of the blankets as the old woman breathed.
The blankets suddenly stirred. Reed blinked, coming out of her daze. She smiled softly as the familiar blue eyes of her grandmother opened and looked at her. Even though she couldn't see her grandmother's face, Reed knew she was smiling back.
Motioning to the basket on her lap, Reed cleared her throat. "I have some presents for you, grandmother."
"What did my little darling bring me?" the hoarse voice asked.
Reed pulled off the small blanket of her basket. She pulled out the small bouquet of flowers and showed it to her grandmother. "I picked these for you today. I hope you like them!"
A sigh of joy came from beneath the sheets. "They are beautiful, Reed. Place them on the table, please. You can find a vase latter."
Reed obeyed and began to pull out the cake her mother had baked. "Mother baked you some bread and cakes. She said that they'll give you back your strength." She reached into the basket again and pulled out the bottle of wine. "She also thought you'd enjoy this. Its mother's homemade wine! She says it can cure anything, even a hangover!"
Grandmother laughed softly but was thrown into a coughing fit. Reed stood, her eyes wide with fear. She placed the basket on the floor and reached for her grandmother. The coughing slowly subsided and Reed let out a sigh of comfort. She took her seat, the bottle of wine still in her hand.
"Darling, why don't you pour a glass for me?" Grandmother said with a soft cough. A shaking hand slithered out of the blanket and pointed to the table that the flowers were on. "There should be some small glasses in the table drawer. Bring a few out."
Reed pulled open the drawer and, sure enough, there were a few glasses. She pulled out three and placed them next to the table. Managing to open the bottle, Reed began to pour the wine into each glass. She was careful not to overflow any of the cups and not to spill on the floor. She knew how her grandmother loved everything to be clean.
"I hope you enjoy this." Reed said, holding out a glass.
"Thank you, my darling." Grandmother said softly. She took the glass, but did not drink. "Darling, why don't you have a small glass? You are old enough to have a taste, and if you don't tell your mother than I wont."
A smile passed over Reed's face. "The wine is for you, Grandmother. I can't take a drop."
"I insist, my darling. You will find it quite good!"
Reed didn't say another word of disagreement. She took the smallest glass and drank some. It was a bitter sweet taste, but very good. Reed drank the rest of her glass and watched as her grandmother slowly drank her own. Reed was happy she came to visit her grandmother. This trip was going very well.
"Come here, my darling and sit on the bed." Grandmother said after placing her glass on the table. Her face was still hidden by the blankets. "I want to see you more clearly. My eyes aren't as good as they used to be."
Reed did so without argument. She wanted her grandmother to be as happy as could be. The bed was soft and she could feel her grandmother stir beneath the blankets. Her body didn't seem to be thin and frail, but Reed dismissed it and thought it must have been the blankets.
"You look beautiful!" Grandmother said. "And your cloak is just darling. It must be the finest of your village. Did your mother make it?"
"Yes she did!" Reed replied, boastfully.
"Reed, my dear, you reminded me so much of a rose as you walked in."
The last comment made Reed pause. 'Rose,' she though. 'That strange man I met today, he called me rose. It must be a manner of chance grandmother said that. Just a pure chance.' Reed nodded to herself and blushed at the thought of Wolfe.
Reed turned her eyes to her grandmother and smiled. She looked at her more closely and noticed the gleam in the woman's eyes. Reed cocked her head to one side, letting a few curls fall into her face. They seemed to be wide with a strange emotion that she never saw grace a person's face. "Grandmother, what big eyes you have."
Grandmother's eyes blinked. She stirred in the bed, her face slightly coming out from the blankets. "All the better to see you with, my dear."
"Grandmother," Reed said gasping, "what ears you have!"
"All the better to hear you with, Rose."
Reed's breath caught in her throat. It was the pet name Wolfe had given her. This couldn't be just pure chance. She looked at Grandmother, who was slowly inching her way out of the blankets. A toothy grin crossed the woman's face. The teeth glistened in the candle light and looked as sharp as knives.
"Grandmother." Reed said, slowly standing. Fear crept into her mind. "Wha- what big teeth you have."
"All the better to eat you with!"
A blood curling scream escaped Reed's petite body as Wolfe suddenly jumped out of the bed. Reed ran towards the door, Wolfe still standing at the bed side. She reached for the handle but screamed as the bottle of wine shattered above her. Reed spun to see Wolfe advancing towards her, no longer dressed in her grandmother's clothes.
Reed dodged Wolfe's grasp and tumbled over a rug. She crawled until she could regain her footing. Wolfe's sharp nails ripped at Reed's skirt, causing her to scream again. He laughed as she came to the last corner of the house.
Reed turned and trembled as Wolfe advanced upon her. Tears began to stream down her face and she began to whimper. Wolfe gave an alluring smile as he ran his hands through his black hair. He placed his hands on the walls that had trapped the cowering girl.
"I think its time that you repaid me, Rose." Wolfe said in a husky voice. His tongue came across his upper lip as his eyes looked at Reed hungrily. "I am very hungry and you look like a delicious little creature."
With a cry of fear Reed pushed Wolfe away. She ran towards her grandmother's bed. Her only plan of escape was through the open window. Reed climbed onto the bed and managed to grab the curtains that flopped in the wind. She began to pull herself towards the window when a pair of strong hands threw her to the bed.
Reed screamed again as Wolfe pinned her arms down. "Please don't hurt me! Don't eat me!" she cried. Tears began to run from her eyes like rivers. "I don't want to die."
Wolfe smiled. "There is no need for tears, Rose. It will only make things worse."
With a sob Reed began to kick wildly. Wolfe took action and straddled the girl, disabling her from kicking him immediately. Reed continued to cry and beg to be set free. She knew that Wolfe had the intentions of killing her. It was as her mother said, but the warning was too late. Slowly the tears became a drizzle and her body was growing weak from Wolfe sitting on her.
With a sniffle Reed managed to find her voice. "What did you do to my grandmother? Did you kill and eat her as well?"
"Oh no!" Wolfe laughed. "The house was empty when I got here. It was lucky for me that the window was open and I climbed in. I knew you would come soon so I dressed in her clothes and decided to lure you in like a fish." Reed felt a little easier that her grandmother was alive, but didn't know what would be come of her.
Wolfe lowered his face to Reed's. His hair tumbled around his face, lightly brushing up against Reed's tear streaked temples and cheeks. "And like a fish, Rose, I will eat you until your nothing but bones."
Reed let out a deafening scream.
**********
Sunlight crept through the open window. The golden rays kissed Reed's face and slowly coaxed her from her nights sleep. Her eyes fluttered open and she slowly sat. The blankets fell from her body. She looked down at herself and smiled softly. She was still in her dress from the day before.
Reed looked around the room. Everything was clean. 'It must have been a dream,' she thought. The memories of the night before crept into her mind. 'Just a dream. There is no broken glass and the rug doesn't look like I tripped over it.' Reed sighed happily and lay back down. She knew it must have been a dream about Wolfe and her mother's warning. It couldn't have happened; the chase, the tears, Wolfe sitting on her, and then. . . .
A knocking at the front door brought Reed out of her thoughts. She sat up straight and looked at the wooden door. The knock came again. She climbed off the bed and hurried to the door. She paused and fixed herself. She still had to look clean for guests, even if it wasn't her home.
Reed opened the door and smiled brightly. It was one of the woodsmen from the village, a neighbor of her mother's. A relieved smile came across the man's rugged face as he saw Reed. He leaned against his ax and let out a sigh.
"I am happy to see you here, Reed." the woodsman said. "I was sent here by your mother, to make sure you were all right. Your grandmother was taken to your house some time yesterday. Thankfully you managed to get in here."
"My mother should know I could take care of myself." Reed laughed. "I would have returned home today as soon as I awoke and readied myself."
The woodsman gave a weak smile. "True, but the village received word of a wolf man roaming the forest and kidnapping travelers. People have been reported dead and your mother was dreadfully worried about you."
Reed's mind wandered to Wolfe. She smiled, keeping the image of the strange man in her mind. "I ran into nothing in the woods, except for the usual animals. If I see anything strange I will report it when I get to the village."
With a quick farewell the woodsman began walking away.
A pair of strong arms slowly slithered around Reed's waist. A soft smile came across her face as a familiar body pressed against her back. The smell of vanilla wrapped her in a cocoon of euphoria. A kiss was planted on her neck and then another on her shoulder.
"Who was that?" a sultry voice whispered in her ear.
"The woodsman." Reed replied. Another kiss was planted on the nape of her neck. "He was warning me about a strange wolf man that was preying on travelers."
"Hmmm."
Reed turned around and looked up into the crystal blue eyes of her friend. "Would you know anything about a wolf man?" She kissed the owner's mouth softly.
A toothy smile crossed Wolfe's face. "I've never even heard of such a creature." He lowered his face to Reed's and kissed her passionately.