.x Fragile Things .x.

Chapter Three

You left me drowning…

Pulling her red jacket tighter to her body, Red's eyes glanced left to right in the darkness of the woods, her feet still upon the path that she had been told to venture away from. Crazy, those Werewolf's words were completely and utterly mad! How in the world was she meant to leave the path in the blanket of night with no light and no way of knowing where she was? She'd get lost, oh she was sure of that, and something would possibly kill her, another thing she was sure upon. But God … curiosity was such a sin within her veins, begging her to do as the Werewolf had said just as he kissed her.

A tender kiss … she silently thought to herself, looking down at the dirty pathway she stood upon. Biting her lip slightly that he had placed his own upon, a hand moved shakily up to play with the ends of her wine locks. The other hand was set in her midnight black jean pocket, holding something small between her ivory coloured fingers. Sharp eyes that were framed by thick eyelashes looked around where she had stood, investigating carefully; her mind working faster then clockwork, calculating all the things that could go right; unable to think of why he wanted her. Her grey shirt underneath her red jacket flowed around her perfectly slim figure, outlining all her curves in the perfect places, adding a strong sense of beautiful Victorian style to her. Finally, she slipped a foot foreword and twisted her body slightly. She had come out in the middle of the night when her Grandmother was fast asleep and she'd be damned if she went back to the house now. She had come too far and even though the air was cold, the wind brushed through her hair like fingers and she could barely see anything, she'd go ahead with it. The house was now out of sight to her eyes, pointless to go back.

Clutching her right arm with her left hand, she stepped off the path and onto the dark grass, skirting between a few trees; their branches clinging to her jeans. As she travelled into the darkness, a few flowers or plants brushed against her feet, something she didn't notice too well. It wasn't important enough to gain her attention.

Walk along the path,

Look up straight: there's no looking back,

Make a break for it,

And run the other way,

You're really, really lost but its okay,

Maybe you'll stay among the trees,

And find something new,

Is there someone out there looking for you?

How did you lose your way?

The simplest path is the easiest one to ignore.

Everything surrounding her looked so delicious to her eyes; her legs now on their own moving, deeper, deeper into the thick of the woods. The moment with the Wolf earlier had been long forgotten about, being with Grandmother was forgotten about. All that mattered was the wonderful woods bestowed upon her that had now gained a slight light to it, outlining the shapes of the trees in a rich violet colour. The sky between the braches that were higher then she could imagine was dark violet, dotted with the silver stars. It was like a hue of colour, a strange light upon the world. A few plants were still their usual shade that she could see was a dark orange, almost brown. Something peculiar was going on, and finally her mind snapped, making her stop in her tracks. Turning her head over her shoulder, she winced slightly. The path now out of sight. Her way lost. Just what the Werewolf wanted, as she recalled but why was this place so different? Why was there an eerie, yes eerie, hue of purple within the air and in the sky? A little rustle in the trees around her made her head shoot to the left where the noise had come from.

Empty. Nothing nor no one was there. Shaking her head, she cursed at herself, forcing her feet foreword again. Nothing would happen to her in the woods. She would just meet up with the Werewolf.

"There was once a house, Red Rose …" she recalled her mother's words as she walked into the dark, eerie shadows of the tall, looming trees that cast above her. As she trailed into the forest, the world instantly expanded, giving her soul more room to grow; her mind more room to wonder and imagine. "Filled with mystical creatures. These were werewolf's, cruel and evil. They lived in this house, deep within the woods. If you ever entered, you could never speak. It was forbidden but if a creature complained to you it was in pain, you were forced to ease it sorrows. If a creature were to complain to you it were hungry then you would feed it. If it had needs … you would satisfy it. If you ever disobey my rule, you will come to this house. Run away if you do, I will not think less of you. There will be nothing less for me to think about if you enter the forest … Then; you will not be counted as my daughter."

Shivering furiously, she shook her head, forcing such words out of her mind and thoughts. This Werewolf would never lead her into a trap. He was too kind as she had seen before, with a kiss so wonderful against her lips. An innocent blush came upon the lost girl's cheeks as she lowered her head, thinking of the face of the man. She remember the licks he had placed within her hair during his wolf form, the heat of his paws upon her sore, heavy chest; his beady eyes staring thoughtfully into hers. His fur was as soft as silk, but she had not realized it then. Even though she had been knocked about his actions had not harmed her. Rather they were ones of desperation, want and need. Her fingers brushed against the cool trees as she passed them, her mind whirling with the thoughts of the Werewolf, his beauty and strength that she was now finding herself wanting to see again. She wanted to see the man she had met earlier in the day, the man that had "attacked" her in the night. He was charming, oh so charming, with dominance that she was curious about. A life she could not deny in her mind. This was why she was travelling in the dark. Not because he told her it would be safe for her to do as such.

Because she would find him.

Unnoticed by her eyes, her feet just passed a clump of dark black and white feathers upon the ground, twisted together with a thin piece of stringy flesh. The feathers had clumped together; the white having begun to turn a shade of gooey red, yet there was nothing left; no bird attached and no skin. The only thing left of what had once flown were some horrible pieces of discarded meat.

Just as excitement began to drift from her fingertips, she noticed an extremely small opening within the trees. Leaves and branches still covered most of the now dark green mixed with blue sky above, but still there was a good space, and within this space was something most magnificent. There was a park, complete with a roundabout painted red that somehow was spinning in the wind, a silver slide and two red swings, identical to the roundabout. Despite the wind, they were not moving whatsoever. Everything within the park was rusty, giving it a unique edge to it; weeds were growing in the soil, giving a different look to the forest she once saw as beautiful. Some flowers had edged their way into the park, only brown ones that just added to the old look of it. Light seemed to have picked up in this certain area, yet again a hue of colour around the world; one that was of light emerald, mixed with an ice blue. Daylight, the brightness reminded her of it. Like a day when most of the sun was covered by clouds.

But as she looked to the other parts of the wood, they were still violet. Only the opening she stood within was of a different shade, which was oh so creepy. But this did not matter. She had met a werewolf not too long ago; colours were not what she was thinking about the most. Yes, it was frightening but Red Rose was smart, she wouldn't let things get to her head too much. A childish side within her made her take a seat upon the swing, her hands reaching up to grab the black chain holding it up in the air.

The wind danced about her, wrapping its cold fingers around her skin to send a shiver down her body. Slightly fearful eyes looked at the bushes that had begun to rustle and she reminded herself over and over again it was just the wind, causing the leaves to move. The werewolf said she would be safe within the thick cover of the forest, she would trust his words. Turning her head to face foreword, she began to kick her legs, making herself swing. After a few long moments she had made an even rhythm of bringing her legs backwards and then stretching them forewords to send her higher, higher into the emerald air; her hair moving in all directions to play and dance with the cold wind.

Another rustle came from the branches, which she ignored completely. Her mind was back in check again, nothing would frighten her. Either that or she was too clouded by the event of the swing to notice anything else. There were a few more rustles as the ends of her jacket began to hang off the seat of the swing and then the creak of the roundabout. This got her attention slightly and she looked down, still moving her legs enthusiastically. There was a movement from the roundabout; it spun ever so slowly, creating a sound you would hear on horror movies. Setting her head away she told herself not to look again – only babies would be scared of such things and only idiots would pay them the slightest bit of attention.

But even despite her words, a snap in the bush of a branch caught her attention sharply. The noise echoed through the forest, and her eyes widened slightly. Red's legs stopped kicking instantly, left dangling off the seat. Her heart began to pump her warm blood quickly around her small body as a second sharp snap came from behind her; one that sounded like someone stepped onto it. There was defiantly someone within the small opening with her. Now she would be stupid to deny that. Her hands clutched the chains of the swing tighter, clammy and sticky with cold, fearful sweat. Gulping slightly, she parted her lips alluringly, a figure much like the shaggy one she had seen the previous night appeared in the corner of her left eye. Moving her head quickly as she let out a large exhale, she saw nothing where she thought a figure was. Only trees along with a few flowers.

Keeping her lips parted, her eyes looked to the other side of her and again there was nothing. The hairs on the back of her neck spiked up as she slowly put her feet on the grass, careful not to make any noise. The swing squeaked slightly as she stood up, her hands and her arms trembling as she folded them, turning her head to look behind her from where the noise had originated from. Her legs did not want to wonder anymore and she felt a pang of regret. Was this really the right choice?

But when her eyes dived straight within another pair, she felt her heart melt like butter uncontrollably, the fear drifted away. He was stood there. The charming, handsome wolf in human form, wearing a pair of black trousers, a white dress shirt and a black jacket. The first three buttons of his shirt had been undone despite the cold air, his hands casually at his sides as he looked to her with an emotionless face. She stared back with just as little emotion, completely and utterly stunned; speechless. His wonderful raven hair had been sleeked back, his face beautiful and clean, smooth. She dyed to touch him, to run up to him and hug him. She wanted those lips to push against hers once more; for those emerald eyes to gaze within her own forever but wasn't such a thing wrong? He was a werewolf and she barely knew his name. His body looked more then a few years older then hers and God knew how old he was really. Werewolves didn't age did they? She was so unsure of such things but she knew it were to be wrong. Soon, she was mentally slapping herself. She was stood in the middle of the strangest wood in the world, face to face with a wolf and her only concern was a love relation with him!

Pushing it from her mind, she twisted her body around to face his properly, the swing between them along with a few yards of grass. "It's a weird place," she uttered quietly, a silent whisper that she wasn't shocked he heard. A small smile spread across his olive face.

"You will get used to it," he told her gently. These words were not right. 'Get used to it'? she frowned slightly.

"How long am I staying here for?" she asked again with a whisper, her throat too dry for her to speak properly.

An awkward expression clouded his face as he looked down, kicking the grass gently. Clearing his throat, he continued to stare down, parting his lips to speak. "I have some things to tell you … That you will hate me for."

Instantly, she took a step back, frowning deeply as she prepared herself for his words. "Excuse me?"

Like a child in trouble, he continued to stare down at the grass, rubbing his arm slightly. "The only danger within the woods you have to face is where I am going to take you."

Panic stuck her. "Take me?!"

"You're such a beautiful girl …" he whispered, now returning his gaze to her. "I have seen you so many times on your ventures to your Grandmother. Your heart so kind, your face of pure beauty and magnificence. I've never seen a women with a heart like your own, a smell as wonderful as yours."

She stared at him, blushing furiously with a dry throat, unsure of what was going on; unsure of the events playing out in front of her. Gaignun took a few steps foreword as she watched as still as a statue. As he walked past the swing, she only realized how unable she was to move; that he had somehow caught her in a grip of fear, confusion and charm.

The hand of him rested on her cold cheek, brushing her skin gently as he lowered his head, inhaling the scent he described. Red could only half shut her eyes, looking away as he drew as close as possible, shadowing her in his figure. Another hand went to her stomach, running over it slowly, causing her to shiver. "I am taking you to my home … Where you will live. I have already brought things for you. You have your own room on the same floor mine is on. You will live in the best accommodation, for I am the Master of the home and I will order everyone to treat you well."

She shook her head slowly, trembling. "I do not trust your words. I will not go. You are a werewolf that has already lied to me. How do I know you are not lying now?"

"You do not," he replied with a deep husky tone. "But you will be coming with me no matter what you decide. You have no choice in the matter. If you fight I will have no more to do then threaten you with my incisors." His voice was threatening yet just as soft as it had been before. She remembered him as a wolf, remembered his unbelievable strength. She had to fight this; she couldn't go with him like that. But she couldn't get herself killed.

There would be a chance to escape from him. She knew there would be and she would take that chance. But for now, she was in his hands. Red Rose belonged to a werewolf named Gaignun Kukai and as fearful as the thought sounded, something twisted in her was excited; it wanted this, wanted his dominance on her. Wanted to belong to him.

Twisted thorns upon ones head,

Hungry mouths, wanted to be fed,

Delicate flesh, decorated white, scarred once and torn before,

Licking lips, wanting more,

Teenagers were once so wise,

And never took in or believed any guise,

Blinded by the strongest emotion of them all,

Disobeying ones mind only lets them fall,

Whatever will become of dear Red Rose?

At the end of this tragic prose?

Hide out until the nature awakes,

And the wolves singing begins to cease,

What will be left of the bloody carcass?

A hand, a bone, a foot and maybe a finger if one is lucky,

And the body of a fallen wolf,

Crying into his palms, salty tears dripping upon teenage blood,

Whatever had lured the young woman to be so selfish?

Whenever did love get its fearsome grip?

Now the fairytale ends its most tragic of times,

With a lover performing the most heinous of crimes.

His hand clutched tightly to her own as they both walked the forest, she completely shocked that he knew of the way. He quite obviously knew where he was every step he took and perhaps it was because of the hues of colours that changed every so often. So far she had seen yellows, violets, greens and blues surrounding them. She had heard a slight singing being carried by the wind and once or twice she could have sworn she heard a howl of wolves around them both; each time she did she moved closer to her companion in fear. A few roses dotted along the grass that she reached down to pick up, Gaignun stood patiently as he waited for her, still holding her hand. It wasn't to keep her nearby she figured. He wanted her close, he wanted to touch her. She was sure of that and something was telling her she would not be hurt but she was still scared.

"How long have you known me?" she asked him eventually to break the silence as they walked. He looked down at her with a smile.

"Ever since you were a young child of seven years," he replied gently. "You had much longer hair and you were so small …" he smirked slightly to himself, looking at her admirely. "I watched you travel to your Grandmother's house alone. You were such a good little girl and stayed on the path…"

Gently, he began to pet her hair with his other hand that was shaking slightly. 'Finally I can touch you, dear Red Rose …' he thought to himself as they made a turning. Within a few more minutes of pure silence, they approached an opening in the woods with another violet hue.

In this opening was the largest building Red Rose had ever seen, protected by he metal gates that were like monsters teeth. A castle was the best place to describe it. Her new home.