Silence lay over the tiny village like a thick, cool blanket. The autumn wind blew gently, making everything seem quiet, calm and controlled. But in every house the lingering fear waited. The fear, something every villager held, took hold of them on nights like these. Nights when the sky is so dark and starless, and the moon is so eerily white. Lanterns hung out front of each house, fending away the shadows that loomed throughout the village.
All was calm. All was quiet. All was peaceful. The villagers lay in their beds; false safeties helping them sleep well. Their dreams were warm, holding them captive like blankets. But blankets can only protect one so much. Thus, their dreams were broken on this night as galloping hooves echoed through the village. The villagers stirred, their hearts pounding as they grabbed their candles, running through the house trying to find their family members.
These villagers lived in fear.
"Come on, Jodie. We're almost there." Philip whispered to the horse, his hands gripping the reins carefully, and his back straight so that Rebecca had something sturdy to hold on to. When they reached the middle of the village, Philip stopped Jodie, panting all the while. Rebecca shivered as she looked to the sky. Where were the stars?
The two got down from the rather tall horse and kept close, their hearts beating quickly. Philip looked around, hoping no villagers would come out. Rebecca wished the opposite. She hoped someone could help them, and fast.
"The Wolf wouldn't come into the village, we're safe for now. But we must find shelter and-" Philip began, but was cut off by a voice behind them. The two whirled around to face a man with a lantern. He was tall, taller than Peter had been, and he had been over six feet.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" The man growled, his rough voice echoing through the tiny village.
"I am Marcus Delaney and this is Rebecca-"
"Rebecca Smith, sir. My grandmother lives here. Rosa Smith. Do you know her?" A look of relief washed over the large villagers face as he sighed.
"Oh good. Yes, I know her. You nearly gave us all a fright. What are you doing out here so late? No, don't answer that. Come with me, we shall see your grandmother in the morning." Rebecca glanced quickly at Philip. Marcus Delaney?
The two were led to a large house in the middle of the village. It was a beautiful house, newer than the ones around it. There was no doubt this family was very wealthy. Another man greeted them at the entrance, taking Jodie and disappearing towards the stable. When the three entered the house it was dimly lit. The man led them to a darker room, lit only by a few candles. There were a few other men sitting around a table when they entered. But their faces showed the same relief the other man had shown when he realized that Rebecca had family in the village.
"Who is that Callum?" One of them said, pointing to Philip and Rebecca. Philip reached out and pulled Rebecca gently closer, putting his hand on the small of her back in reassurance. She shivered slightly, actually feeling as is he wouldn't let anything hurt her.
"This would be Marcus Delaney and Rebecca Smith, Rosa's granddaughter." The man, Callum, said.
"Well hello there. Why not take a seat." Philip pulled out the chair for Rebecca and she sat, then he took a seat next to her.
"I'm sorry I was so intimidating back there. I just… Well, we're sort of keeping eye out for… someone." Callum said, shifting in his seat.
"Give them the whole truth, Callum. They traveled through the forest, remember. They probably know more about it than we do. I mean, they survived." Philip and Rebecca exchanged glances then cleared his throat.
"What are you talking about?"
"Well… Marcus is it?" Philip nodded and glanced at Rebecca to keep her mouth shut. "There's a creature in the forest, a creature that won't rest until, well… we don't know when it'll rest. But it's killing off our livestock and terrorizing our children. We have no idea what it wants. We've tried to kill it. But-"
"Is it a wolf?" Rebecca spoke up. The men looked a little taken aback, for a proper lady like she normally wouldn't speak up so bluntly. One of them nodded and she shook her head. "It was after us. It is… It is after-"
"-someone." Philip finished for Rebecca, giving her a look that said 'Shut your mouth'. "We aren't sure who, but there is a child he is after. We don't' know what age she or he would be of and we aren't sure if they live in this village or another, closer one. But it has been my job to capture this wolf, and I need your help."
"Your job? And where does Miss Smith here come in with all of this?"
"I was merely passing through the forest and Marcus escorted me out, we had a little encounter with the wolf."
"An encounter with the Wolf? How on earth did you survive?" One of the men asked, his eyes wide in surprise at what Rebecca had just said. Rebecca and Philip exchanged glances and Rebecca looked at her feet, not sure what game Philip was playing at. How much did he want her to say? What was she supposed to do? Callum looked at Rebecca, his eyes soft. He sighed and put a large hand on her shoulder.
"It is late, and I can see how much of a scare you've had. Why don't I show you to a room, Miss Smith. Marcus here will stay, won't you, son?" Philip nodded and got up as Rebecca did. He turned to her and slipped his hand into hers then gave it a quick squeeze. Rebecca left the room without another word, following Callum into the small room where a bed stood. It was a very pretty room, Rebecca noticed. It was obviously a girl's room. There was a mirror in the corner with a hairbrush and perfume bottle neatly set on the tiny table.
"This used to be my daughter, Andrea's, room before she was married. I'm sure you will be comfortable. There are a few dresses she left behind, along with a nightgown that you may wear if you would like. I will bring you to your grandmother tomorrow. Goodnight, Miss Smith." Callum smiled then slipped out, closing the door behind him. Rebecca sighed, took one look around the room and then sat on the bed.
She turned and caught her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was rather messy and her dress was covered in dirt. But something else she noticed shouldn't have been there. Her eyes were so dark, the brown no longer the light, beautiful color it had once been. Now it was a dark, chocolate color almost. In an instant Rebecca found herself in tears. With a shaky hand she pulled a pillow to her face and muffled her sobs, hoping no one would hear. Why is this happening to me? Her mind screamed. When will this nightmare end?
A knock at the door brought her to her feet, wiping the tears from her eyes. She took a glance in the mirror then opened the door. Philip stood there, his hands trembling. Rebecca knit her brows and opened the door wider, as if saying 'Come in' He did so and she shut the door quickly. In a second the tears returned to Rebecca's eyes but she pushed them away, her heart feeling as if it were ripping in two. She turned to face Philip and saw his eyes on her. Those gentle, caring eyes that she knew would haunt her if she ever got to sleep.
"Rebecca. I have only known you a day, but I feel as if now that I know you, I don't want to lose you. We will kill this wolf, I promise you. Even if it takes my life." He said, his voice low and velvet, like always. Rebecca thought for a second and then nodded. Now she really couldn't hide those tears. They began to stream down her face. Philip moved forward and took hold of her. She cried into his shoulder and he covered her as the tears wet his shirt.
As the tears stopped, Rebecca looked up and saw that Philip himself had been crying. She smiled and held onto him tighter. As they stood there, in the middle of the room, holding each other, the moon outside was covered with shadow. Rebecca sighed and, even though she didn't want to, pulled away from Philip.
"I should go. You need to sleep. And they are eager to know how we escaped the wolf." Philip wiped his eyes, though they did not show the tears that had once been there, not like Rebecca's did. She smiled and nodded while Philip sighed. He looked at her, his eyes studying her face, for a few more moments. Then, as though nothing had happened, Philip stood up straight and turned. "Goodnight, Little Red." He whispered, opening the door, letting in shouts and laughter. Rebecca smiled and watched as he shut the door, disappearing.
"Goodnight." She whispered back. With a sigh she undressed and put on the nightgown Callum had been talking about then slipped into the bed. As her head hit the pillow her last thoughts were not filled with terror as she thought they would be. Instead, they were filled of those eyes. Yet, they were not haunting her. Instead, they were loving her.
