Hello, everyone! Glad to be here with another update! Unfortunately, I come bearing bad news.
To start off, you all may not know this, but I had a beta reader and co-writer for this story before. They helped me with chapters 2-5, and at first, they did well, but I soon realized something tragic.
They used ChatGPT when I asked them to help fix the story after I originally made the rough draft for each chapter. I realized it only too late when I saw the direction this story was taking. I had a different idea for the plot throughout those four chapters. If things had gone according to plan, we would have already reached a point where Adam was interacting with all sorts of characters, developing relationships, and expanding the story.
But no. They just had to take the easy way out and ruin the original plot by using AI to rewrite everything. I don't know if any of you noticed it before.
Both chapters 1 and 6 were written, edited, and published by me alone. I've gotten into a conflict with my helpers, and we are sort of in an estranged relationship at the moment.
I need your help. Should I keep the story as it is, despite the lack of true originality? Or should I remake chapter 2 onward to follow the original direction I had in mind? They were actually the ones who forced me to put Adam into a forest instead of the idea I originally had.
Please provide me with your opinions on the future of this story that I'm writing as a hobby. I might make a decision by myself, but a little audience engagement wouldn't hurt.
Peace V
It hurts…
A thought surfaced.
Why does it hurt?
He pondered.
What's happening?
The question sprung, unwelcomed.
Where am I?
Other thoughts came to mind.
Until he asked himself, Who am I?
He gasped, pushing himself up as the light shone down upon him. He sputtered, coughing, and trying desperately to catch his breath. Pain wracked his body, his muscles felt like they were torn from the fibers, and the ache pulsed like lightning across his veins.
He groaned, struggling to move his body as it quickly became apparent how much pain he was enduring. He fell back, his body meeting grass as he controlled his breath, and lied down to calm himself.
"Bloody hell…" He exhaled, having trouble keeping his eyes open.
Everything felt like a blur, like a hazy dream that he can't seem to wake up from. He felt around, trying to make sense of where he was, and what happened to him.
"Get a grip, man, stop acting like a pussy and pull yourself together." He slapped himself a few times, ridding himself from the daze that shrouded his senses as he sat back up. His hands felt the soft, moist grass around his fingers, as fresh air entered his lungs.
He sighed heavily, raising a hand to rub at his temples as his ears picked up the sound of running waters. His eye subpoenaed fully, taking in the scenery around him, which took his breath.
It was beautiful, that much he can admit. The sight of a river, crossing through an open verdant plains, underneath a clear blue sky was enough to put anyone at ease. The breeze blew past him, sending shivers down his spine, and a relaxed sensation overcoming him.
He felt content, relaxed even, but something was bothering him. Something that felt like it needed his full attention, an urgent need for his care and action.
And then… it hit him. A piercing wave struck his mind, memories coming back, flooding like an unending tide.
"Gaaahhh!" He clutched his head, feeling the throbs pulsing within.
"My head!" He screamed, his true voice escaping due to the pain. "It hurts!"
He bent forward, seething as he held on with all his might, until the throbbing eventually stopped. His lungs filled in and out, his hair dangling in waves before him, as his body trembled at the revelation.
"Last night," he muttered, "Last night, it really happened." His voice was shaky and uneven.
"Big… Red… they…they are…" He stopped himself, couldn't find the courage to finish the sentence, as if he refused to admit what had become of them.
He was panting, his breathing came erratic and unbidden. He cried out, a guttural scream originating from his core. One of pain, loss, and undoubtedly — regret.
"They cared for me." Memories flashed from when he first met the two lively characters. "They took me in," Big's gentle demeanor, "Welcomed me," Red's charming aesthetic, "Accepted me."
Both were so different, yet fit together perfectly, which made even him jealous. He once envied their love, their connection, their unitedness in all things, yet now he had come to miss those traits, their behavior, their actions towards his betterment.
"They sacrificed themselves," He was now seething, "For me."
"Why…" He asked with trembling lips. "Why did they have to die!?" He slammed his fist upon the ground. "Why did they have to suffer for my sake!?" He struck the dirt once more. "Why do I keep losing those that I care about!?" With one last slam, his fists crushed the ground, sending tremors that rippled to the river.
"Just… why?" He bawled, "Why is my life like this?"
"Am I fated to lose everyone that gets close to me? Am I doomed to walk alone, no matter in this life or the next?" He raised his head to the sky, the sun peering down at him, yet brough no comfort.
"Is this my destiny… Father?" He whispered, his voice shifting into a solemn tone. "Did you design me this way? Am I simply meant to be by myself? With no one to stand beside me, no one to walk down the same path with."
Tears fell down his cheeks, something that brought no comfort. But then, he asked a question, one that contradicted his belief, his standing, his promises. "Are you even here?"
"Did you leave me too?" His head fell, gazing down, as he sat on his knees, the weight of his countless losses pressing down upon him.
"Why don't you answer me!?" The sadness that overwhelmed him began to shift, morphing into a different emotion entirely.
"Why did you watch me fight a pointless battle? Why did you not guide me towards victory? Why did you let Me — the one crafted in Your image, the creation born of Your breath — fall in the hands of YOUR mistakes!" He screamed from the top of his lungs, fueled by anger and frustration. His emotions running wild and untamed as rage flashed in his eyes.
"Are you happy now, Father? Knowing that your child can't fall even further?" He asked from his deepest depths, winded, and utterly depleted.
Only silence met his question.
He couldn't make himself speak, couldn't bring himself to stand. All he wanted was to lie back down, and let the ground take him.
Until he heard someone groan behind him. His heart quickly jumped, his eyes flying open, as he looked back to see Cerise lying by the riverside. Without thinking he moved, so quick that he seemed like a blur as he went over to check her condition.
He looked her over, finding her pulse, and scanned her for any injuries and discomforts.
A breath of relief left his lips, his shaking hands slowing down, as he felt a sense of calmness washing over him after what felt like an eternity. He peered down at the girl, the one who usually put on a brave face, the one who argued with him to no end, and the one who had lost her parents due to him not being enough to handle it alone.
He didn't know what to tell her, that her parents were gone, that she was now an orphan, a child left alone in the face of this strange and magical world.
But she wasn't alone, "Not anymore."
He surveyed her injury from last night, the cloth he used to wrap the wound was stained with copious amounts of blood. If he left it as it is, it could lead to an infection, or worse. He needed to do something quick, so he looked around, remembering the basket that fell with them.
He quickly found the basket that Red gave him, he brought over, hoping to find something that can help him in his hour of need. Opening the basket, he reached his hand inside, picking up the first thing he could grab, and pulling it out.
What he pulled out was none other than the very guitar that Big gave him the other night, before the series of horrible events happened, when they were enjoying singing by the fire, and were at peace.
"How did this even—" He stopped himself to ask, as he couldn't spare much thought to think about it further and quickly accepted the guitar being able to fit inside such a small carrier.
It was magic, he figured.
He then brought out some bandages, much to his relief. He tried looking for herbs, but found none inside the basket nor nearby. For some strange reason, he managed to pick out a jar of honey from inside the basket, he pondered it over for a second.
"It'll have to do." He then carefully removed the cloth slowly from the wound, careful to not cause any discomfort. The wound on her flesh was deep, yet not life threatening which was comforting to know. He looked down and tore off the remaining cloth that covered his shame, as he dipped it in the river and gently washed away the dried blood around the cut.
It took him a considerable amount of time to fully clean the area around the wound, but eventually he was done cleaning as he unrolled the bandage and prepared for the next step. He doused the bandage with some honey, knowing the antibacterial properties of the incredibly viscous liquid, and wrapped it around the wound.
He applied it with great concentration and care, as he made sure that it wasn't too tight, or too loose, and was just right in the procedure. Soon, he was finished, as he wiped away the sweat from his brows, and drew a sigh of relief.
"That took much more effort than I expected." He said as he sat down to rest, "You better thank me when you wake up, brat."
His gaze then shifted back to the guitar. He grabbed it by the neck, and inspected it closer.
He quickly took notice of the shiny wood used to craft it, how smooth and detailed it was which would've taken extreme care to make such a beautiful instrument. His fingers ran through the strings, admiring the melody and relishing its weight in his hands.
But then, he noticed something etched on the guitar. An engraving across the binding, it read; "Always play from the heart, and let the magic do its part."
"... Well that's stupid." He said, "Wonder what dumbass wrote such a corny line." A small chuckle left his mouth.
"But, even if they were an idiot, they are definitely a master at their crafts." He admitted to the absolute beauty of the instrument, yet can't help but question the strange text that came with it.
"If Big was here, he would've known what it meant." Another wave of sadness filled him, "But he can't. Because he's dead, like how his wife is dead, how my dreams are dead. And even my hope," He paused, pushing down the surge of anguish coming up, "They're all dead."
But then, he turned to Cerise, feeling an emotion he hadn't felt in centuries. He patted her on the head, pushing away the hair that framed her face. Her hood was loose, which fell off as he combed through her silver-streaked locks, as his breath stopped and his eyes widened.
"The kid's got a pair of wolf ears? Huh, no wonder why she was more of a bitch than most kids. She definitely got that from her Dad. Though I can't help but feel like there's a reason why she kept it hidden." He decided to set aside the questions for now and pull up her hood to cover her wolfish traits.
"Whatever, brat, we all have our secrets. Be lucky I'm the one to find out or shit would've gone down." Cerise stirred, looking much more comfortable than before as she looked like waking up any minute now.
He looked at himself, seeing how he was naked, and knew that Cerise would've made a big deal about it when she woke up. So, to avoid the headache, he searched the basket for anything to cover himself with. It wasn't long before he recovered a particularly familiar red fabric inside.
"They kept the blanket?" Confused as he was, he guessed that it was a good thing that they did. "And they even fixed the holes. Neat." He draped it over himself, covering what's necessary, but finding it loose and baggy. He went to the closest tree, and tore off a vine which he used to tighten and secure the blanket around him to not impede his movements.
He further added some leaves, and other greens to make himself more appealing and presentable to not look like some hermit that kidnapped the daughter of Big and Red.
By the time he was done, he looked like a product of nature, adorning the green yet in a barbaric and unclassical way. He had strewn together whatever he could find, wrapping vines along the length of his arms and waist, leaves layering his chest and back, and fronds circling down his legs.
He even went so far as to attach weeds around his feet. Altogether, he made a horrendous outfit where the green clashed against the red fabric, where he appeared to be a spirit of the forest, rather than a living man walking.
He gave himself a once over, before shrugging, "Honestly, who's gonna give a fuck about how I look?"
Once his attire was complete, Cerise already began to wake up. She stirred, and shifted around, before her eyes fluttered open, letting out a yawn as she rubbed her eyes to clear any remnants of sleep.
She mewled, an act that he found adorable as she began to look around, as if searching for something. He wasn't going to like what will happen next, but it's better to face it now, than cower away from it for the rest of his after-afterlife.
"Hey, kid." He spoke up, as Cerise looked back and her eyes landed on an astonishing sight. A strange, weirdly dressed man was talking to her, a scenario that raised concerns as she jumped to her feet and was on guard.
"Woah, woah, take it easy. I'm not gonna hurt you." He tried to explain himself, but Cerise only growled at him.
"Who are you?!" He stopped, his eyes opening wider, as he pondered over the question.
"Um, what?" He said.
"I asked, who are you!? What did you do to me!?" He was stumped, not sure what to do as it was clear that Cerise was out of it.
"Kid, enough with this bullshit you're trying to pull." He said, exasperatedly.
"I don't know what you're talking about! Where am I!? How did I get here?" She yelled at him, which gave him a headache.
"Bitch, will you shut up! You're giving me a migraine!" He rubbed his temples.
"Don't tell me to shut up!" She yelled even louder, her eyes glowing fiercely, "I'll ask you one last time, Who. Are. You?"
It was then that he realized what was going on. "You're being serious? Are you actually for real, right now?"
"I'm dead serious, and I'm absolutely for real! Answer me, right now!" She was afraid, and he saw that.
He organized his thoughts, pondering over the situation, as the answer became apparent.
She lost her memory. There's no way she would've forgotten me after everything I put her through. But then, how am I supposed to approach this with her memory gone? How much does she even remember?
Looking up, he noticed how Cerise was still awaiting an answer. As he was about to provide his name, he hesitated. He already ruined her life, had her parents killed, and would no doubt bring even more trouble with him around.
Leaving her was out of the option, he made a promise, and this time, he was sticking by it.
Need to come up with a name, and quickly!
"Uh, I ah, umm…" He could feel her gaze burning a hole through his head. His stuttering wasn't helping in the slightest as he struggled to form a coherent sentence.
"I'm uh— Ada, no! I meant that I'm… A…m…"
"You're Am?" He blinked as her words brought his mind to a halt, and he decided to just go with it.
"Uh, yep! I am Am! Uh-huh! Always been my name, good ol' Am. That's me!" He pointed at himself with a forced smile, one that made Cerise creeped out and put off by him.
"Ummm… okay?" Cerise said with a quizzical look. As Ada— I mean, Am, pumped his fist in victory.
"I guess you don't really look that threatening, so can you tell where I am… Am?" She asked, still keeping a close eye on him.
"I don't know whether I should take offense to that or not, but I'll take it." Am replied with a grin that made her feel slightly agitated.
"As for why you're here. Let's just say that you've been in an accident and I'm the one that saved you. You're welcome, by the way." Crossing his arms, he gave a snarky comment.
"What kind of accident?" She asked, her eyes narrowing at him.
"One that I am unable to disclose." It only made her more curious.
"And why the hex not?" He refused to answer, instead gave her a question that he needed to know the answer to if they were ever gonna make any progress.
"Look, I'mma level with you, there are just some things that we can't share with others. And I'm all the more pleased to answer your questions, but on the condition that if you answer some of mine, you feel me?"
"I'm not going to put my hands anywhere near you," Her comment made him slap himself in the face, "but the thing about the questions, I guess it's only fair."
"Perfect, and since you already asked for my name and I answered, it's only right for me to ask you this time."
"Seems about right." Cerise shrugged while crossing her arms and maintaining her distance from him.
"Okay, to start things off, do you know who you are?" He said, which made her raise a brow.
"Of course, I do, I'm Cerise Hood. Daughter of Red Riding Hood."
"Uh, you forgot to add your Dad there at the end." He pointed out.
"My Dad is obviously the Huntsman, big whoop." She said defensively, rolling her eyes.
Am fell to the ground, the information crushing him as if he wasn't hearing things right.
"Come again?" He asked, hoping she would clarify herself.
"It's my turn to ask the question, bub." She glared at him, which made him back up.
"Alright, alright, don't get your panties in a twist." His comment made her growl. "Go ahead, ask your question."
"You said that you saved me. Save me from what hexactly?"
He went silent for a few seconds before finally answering, "...Pass."
"Pass?" She eyed him, confused.
"Ask me a different question, I can't answer that one, at least, not for now." He said with a somber tone which only begs more questions.
"Fine, then tell me, where are my parents?" There it was, the question he dreaded to come up.
"Your… Your…" He didn't know how to answer her, should he tell her the painful truth, or a beautiful lie? It wasn't long before he made up his mind.
"Your parents are on a spiritual journey right now, and they told me to watch over you for the time being until they return." He couldn't bear to share the truth, so he hopes this'll make do for now.
"Yeah, right. There's no hexing way my parents left a stranger in charge of me, I don't even know you for this to be considered alright. And even if I did, I'm already an adult, which means I can take care of myself."
"You don't believe me? Fine, I'll prove it." He went over to the basket and began rummaging around for something to get him into the clear. It wasn't long before he picked up two pieces of folded parchment. One was addressed to him which he opened and read the contents.
His eyes scanned the paper, each second that passed felt like a weight on his shoulder. Sweat lined his brows, his heart beating in increasing trepidation, as he gulped, glancing at Cerise, before changing his mind. He pocketed the note as his eyes instead landed on the guitar, he took a chance and made a gamble.
"There, see? Does this guitar look familiar to you?" Her eyes could only widen in response, as her lips parted.
"Why do you have my Dad's guitar? That's a family treasure." She was about to accuse him of theft, but he acted quickly.
"Exactly, it's a valuable item from your parents. Do you really believe they would hand it over to someone they don't know, much less leave their precious daughter in the hands of an untrustworthy individual? Come on, throw me a limb here, kid. If that's not enough, then I'm sure you're familiar with this basket as well, huh?" He showed her the basket.
"Yeah, it's my Mom's." She confirmed it.
"Correct! Just think about it, these personal belongings from your parents are currently in my possession, unless you're thinking that your parents are too incompetent to notice someone taking their things, what could possibly make you think that someone such as I would be able to snatch it without their notice?" He was really trying to sell it, and he hoped it was enough.
Her eyes peered at him with an intensity he was all too familiar with, but then her gaze softened which allowed him to breathe.
"Fine, I'll believe you." He congratulated himself, silently.
"For now, at least." She added.
"Good enough for me, now then." He took out the other folded parchment and realized that it was a map of Ever After. He could see many landmarks, beautiful sceneries, and majestic kingdoms strewn across the lands. And one certain place was highlighted with a bright star.
"That must be the place Red mentioned." He stroked his chin, debating what to do next.
"What is it about my Mom you're talking about?" Cerise got closer yet still mindful to keep her distance as he looked over the map in his hands.
Although he was a little creeped out at how silent she approached him, he shook off his unease and said, "Your Mom told me to go to this place that she marked on this map. She said that the people there can help us."
Cerise saw the marked place on the map as her eyes brightened, "Hey, that's my school."
His head rose as he glanced at her with a raised brow. "Your…school?"
"Yep, come to think of it, the semester is about to start and I haven't enrolled in any of my classes yet. I guess that's why my parents left me with you, so that you can help me enroll while they go on that journey of theirs or whatever you're trying to call it." Cerise said innocently, as he could only sputter nonsense.
"Ah, I mean — Sure, let's go with that." He smiled, since that was all he could do. "Do…you know how to get there?"
"We got a map, all we do is follow the trail and we'll get there in no time." She chimed, making him sound like a fool.
"Only problem is, before we can start traveling to where we need to go, we must first figure out where we are." He said, trying to locate themselves on the map.
"Aren't you the one who brought us here, don't tell me we're lost." Cerise said in a slightly agitated tone.
"Hey, I'll inform you that I once travelled the world with only my hands and feet to guide me, and I don't need no fucking map to tell me where we are!"
Cerise raised a brow, her arms crossed, clearly not impressed.
"But for time's sake, I guess we can use everything we have to our advantage. And seeing as there's only one waterfall near the forest on this map, I'm guessing that we need only follow this river downstream and then we're golden!" He grabbed the basket and led the way, gesturing for her to follow as they began their journey.
Although many questions still linger, and suspicions are rapidly rising, they will set those aside for now, and focus on more pressing matters. They will wait and bide their time until the truth is revealed, be it by them, or from other twists and turns that their stories will come upon.
It was hard to keep faking it. Putting on this mask was quickly taking its toll on him. His smile wavered every time, and his resistance slowly became futile under her scrutinizing gaze.
He wasn't supposed to feel or act this way. This was so out of character for him, so unlike him. Was it because of the promise he was made to accept? To take care of a now orphaned brat? Or was it the guilt eating away at him from the inside?
Whatever it was, it began to suffocate him with each passing second. He was used to wearing a mask, familiar with putting up a facade, but this? This was different. Not like anything he had faced before.
Sure, he had his fair share of managing, caring, and raising numerous children of his own, but bearing the burden of doing it all for someone else's child was somewhat a new experience. This was not similar to taming a ravenous beast, or fostering the absolute safety of his own young.
This was someone's grown-up daughter, one with a rebellious streak, and a nasty attitude to pair with it. He already had difficulties trying to hide the truth, but having to watch over her as his new responsibility was something he needed to get used to.
Maybe he was stressed, or sexually frustrated, who knows? All he could do now was bear with it and hope he could grow into someone worthy of the task that he was given.
"Starting to really miss travelling by wishing well right about now." He thought out loud, despite his prior statement regarding the mode of transport.
Cerise was limping behind him, struggling to catch up. He noticed what was wrong and was about to offer his aid, but she was quick to refuse.
"I got it. I don't need your help." She said, growling at him.
Seems like little miss amnesia here didn't forget her attitude.
He sighed, looking at a nearby tree as he tore off a branch, made a few adjustments, and instead offered her a makeshift crutch to use. She glared at him, but took the crutch nonetheless.
"I said I got it." He rolled his eyes in response.
"Sure, and I'm Prince Charming." His comment made her laugh.
"Ha! You, Prince Charming? In your dreams, pal, you look nothing like a Prince, nor are you Charming in the least." Her words made him scowl.
Did she actually lose her memories, or she's just faking it?
He sighed, not wanting to engage her in this as he checked the map to see how much they progressed. He looked around, and after half a day of travelling, can already see the Giant Beanstalk beyond the horizon.
He wanted to keep going and get to the place as fast as he could, but he was carrying extra luggage that caused problems. By luggage, I meant Cerise, and by problems, I meant—
Growl~
He stopped, his head slowly turning behind him, as he saw her slightly bent forward, covering her face. The embarrassment she felt was very much apparent as Adam sighed and suggested they make camp for the night.
Thankfully, there was an abundance of supplies around. From the trees, to the miscellaneous things inside the basket, Adam safely constructed a small tent out of sticks and stone. It was built sizable to accommodate them both, and sturdy enough to break one's bones.
Cerise learned not to question how this was even possible in the first place and simply watched as the strange man acquired dinner from the nearby river. He brought back some fish, roasted them by the fire, and added a little salt plus a suspicious mix of eleven herbs and spices he found lying around the area.
He offered one to Cerise, "Here, you need to eat, kid."
She was still a little apprehensive, but took his offer due to her rumbling stomach. She inspected the fish carefully, wanting to see if he had done anything to it. However, seeing him eat his own portions without a care brought some ease in her as she slowly brought it to her lips and took a bite.
Once the fish met her tongue, a chorus sounded in the background, a loud anthem of the flavours she experienced was truly so profound and rich that she couldn't help but drool. It was the first time she had tasted something so delicious, yet it felt like she had already tasted such delicacy before.
However, she couldn't pay those thoughts any further as she finished one fish and was hungry for more, but there's no way she would beg for another piece. However, she didn't need to as he simply offered her another fish, to which she gratefully accepted this time and devoured it completely as well.
"Good, right?" He asked, to which she could only nod and went for a third piece.
He chuckled, seeing how much he enjoyed his food, it was enough to bring back painful memories. Deep down, he knew it was a mistake. He shouldn't have gotten attached. He never should've gotten close with anyone, yet he allowed himself to feel a sense of belonging to such a quirky family.
Now they were gone, only their daughter was left, and it was all because of him. He was glad she couldn't remember what happened, he couldn't bear to tell her the truth and see her fall apart like he did in the past.
No.
He shouldn't linger on those memories. Doing so would only compromise his mission, and he wasn't about to let his failures pull him down, no matter how many they may be.
No.
He was better than that. Better than this. And he'll make sure that the whole world will know it. That everyone will know who he is, and what he represents.
For now, just sitting by the fire, enjoying a meal with the daughter of a friend. It was nice, and he was going to enjoy every second of it.
The flames flickered, the crickets chirped, and the moon watched them still, and they went to bed.
Morning came, blanketing the land in hues of orange and gold. Adam was sleeping on the grass, having been kicked out of the tent due to Cerise's insistence as he grumbled and complained to himself to sleep. But he could understand her reasoning, and he was already used to sleeping outside in the past. He probably should've built a bigger tent.
"I wonder if my shack survived." He thought out loud, stretching his limbs as a crack sounded from his neck, "Although, a pillow would've been nice."
He got up, shaking off the last of his drowsiness and knocked on the tent. "Wake up, miss Sunshine, up and at 'em. We still have a long journey ahead of us." He could hear her shifting as she mumbled a confirmation that she was getting up.
Cerise got out of the tent, securing her hood in place, and used the crutch to pull herself up. He took out a single twig from the tent which caused it to collapse entirely as he fed it to the fire to not leave any trace of their presence.
Starting the day off, he went out to gather some berries for them from the nearby foliage and shrubberies. Making sure that they were edible and safe to eat, he gave Cerise a bowl to which she accepted it without complaint this time. He also set some berries aside for now, just in case they get a little peckish or in the event of an emergency.
Soon, they finished their meal, and continued their journey. They slowly made their way to where the Giant Beanstalk stood as it was one of the many landmarks they needed to pass before getting to their destination.
"Hey, kid, have you ever been around these parts before?" He asked.
"No, not really. I don't like wandering too far from home, especially by my lonesome." She admitted.
His brow arched in response. Is she just shy, or is that part of her instincts to stick with the pack?
He decided not to question it, to not cause any further problems between them. He was already on thin ice enough as it is. "Well then, how about we continue our little game yesterday? I believe it was my turn to ask the question, correct?"
Cerise mumbled something under her breath as he began to think of a few acceptable questions to ask her. They ranged from something simple to ones that are more personal, but what he needed to know now was how to get into her good graces if they were ever going to get along.
"Let's see, what does the kid like to do in her spare time?" He asked, to which she gave him a weird look, seemingly put-off by his question.
"What are you, a creep?" She said, in disgust.
"Hey, I'm not a creep! If anything, you're the creep for thinking I'm a creep!" He barked back.
"Whatever after." She sighed, exasperatedly. "I guess I like going on runs and feeling the wind on my face."
Like a dog.
"I also like eating treats and the food that my Mom prepares for me."
Like a dog.
"And I enjoy being around those I care about. Just being with them makes me feel happy and content."
That's literally like a dog!
Thankfully, he kept his thoughts to himself and made sure that they didn't leak out of his mind. "Mh-hm, good to know. Now you ask me something."
"Okay, well, what is it that you like to do in your spare time?" She repeated his question back to him.
"Hmm… I mostly just mind my own business. Doing random shit to pass the time, so nothing peculiar comes to mind." He said, "But, I guess I like to play some music, and sing some songs here and there."
"You can sing?" She asked, genuinely surprised.
"Fuck yeah! I mean, I don't make a show out of it, and I am kinda still uncomfortable about singing around others, but whenever I'm in a mess, or just want to take my mind off things, I realized that singing usually does the trick."
He took a deep breath, "It helps me think, and keeps me calm whenever I feel myself falling apart. I turned to music, for it's what's kept me sane after the life I've lived so far. So many problems, so little solutions."
He passed the basket to Cerise as he brought out the guitar and began strumming the strings. "Sometimes, when everything seems against you, and the world makes you feel so small, I found that a song usually makes things better."
He played a note as he grinned at her, "Wanna hear me play?"
She was taken aback at his offer, "I thought you didn't like singing with other people around?"
"I don't. But you're not other people, you're the daughter of your Mom and Dad, both who I would even so far consider as my friends. That includes you, kid." He began humming, as if preparing himself.
Cerise eyed him, both wary and astonished at what he just confessed. "Hey, you're talking as if you and my parents are close. How do you know my Mom and Dad for you to be speaking so highly of them like that?"
"Ah, ah, ah~" He said, wiggling his finger in front of her face, "That's two questions in a row, kid. It's my turn to ask you this time, and I'm planning on saving it. So how about that song?" He put on a smile, as his fingers idly strummed the guitar, the notes starting off lazy and directionless before settling into a familiar rhythm.
His head bobbed in time with the music, his shoulders loosening as the melody took shape, the weight on his back momentarily forgotten. His lips parted, and the first note rolled off his tongue like a slow, easy breeze.
"Listen, baby~"
He glanced at her, to make sure she was watching, enjoying the weird look she was sending him to the fullest.
"Ain't no mountain high"
"Ain't no valley low"
"Ain't no river wide enough, baby~"
He kept on singing, his notes carrying through the breeze that passed them as their journey never faltered.
"If you need me, call me"
"No matter where you are"
"No matter how far, don't worry, baby"
They stumbled upon a dirt path, allowing them to safely traverse through the land while keeping tabs on the map for any other places they need to pass.
"Just call my name"
"I'll be there in a hurry"
"You don't have to worry"
They went through a forest, the trees resonating with every note his melodic voice brings. His steps were light and upbeat, as if energized and carefree from all their worries. As he did a hop, skip, and a jump ahead.
"'Cause baby there, ain't no mountain high enough"
"Ain't no valley low enough"
"Ain't no river wide enough"
"To keep me from getting to you~"
They quickly exited the forest, their steps not faltering as their pace was still steady with him leading the way. The river splits as they had to jump upon stones to cross over and threaded onward.
"Gonna set you free"
"You know that you can always count on me, darling"
"From that day on I made a vow"
"I'm there when you want me someway, somehow"
They soon came across a fork in the road, two directions, yet only one way to go, as he quickly scanned the map and turned right. Still singing the song, with her slowly warming up to the music.
"Then baby, therе ain't no mountain high enough"
"There ain't no vallеy low enough"
"There ain't no river wide enough"
"To keep me from getting to you"
The path was long and winding, yet they paid it no mind as they walked along, this time with slightly more pep in their step. His voice was singing an octave higher, fully immersed in the music.
"No wind, no rain"
"Or winters cold"
"Could stop me, baby~"
He turned on his heel, walking backward now, facing her head-on as she trailed a few steps behind. Her brow arched, cautious and expectant, but he only grinned.
"If you ever in trouble, I'm there on the double"
"Send for me, oh baby, yeah~"
His golden eyes searched hers, his expression unreadable, yet somehow insistent. Her gaze flickered, shifting slightly, uncertainty creeping in. But after a moment, her posture relaxed just enough — her chin lifting in a slow, almost reluctant nod.
Without another word, he spun back around and continued forward, fingers expertly weaving into the next chords as his pace quickened once more.
"My love is alive, deep down in my heart"
"And though we are miles apart"
"If you ever need a helping hand"
"I'll be there on the double just as fast as I can"
They saw the river up ahead, and a stone arch bridge providing safe passage. He remembered it from the map, and made their way towards it.
"'Cause baby, there ain't no mountain high enough"
"There ain't no valley low enough"
"There ain't no river wide enough"
"To keep me from getting to you~"
He ran towards the bridge, reaching the center where he could get a good view across the verdant expanse. The cool wind brushing past him, the way it caressed his skin and combed through his hair was exhilarating.
She caught up to him, wondering if the song was over, but he then turned to her whilst sending a knowing grin.
"What?" She eyed him with a dubious expression.
"Come on, you know you want to." He was flashing his brows at her, making her feel bothered as she was quick to figure out what he was referring to.
"No, it's stupid." She turned away, trying to remain indifferent.
"Letting your voice free isn't stupid. What's stupid is stopping yourself from enjoying the moment." He said in a sing-song voice while circling her.
"Come on, don't you know?"
"Know what?" She said, as her smile betrayed her.
"I think you know." He winked at her, as she finally gave in, and let her voice free.
"Don't you know that there ain't no mountain high enough"
"There ain't no valley low enough"
"There ain't no river wide enough"
"To keep me from getting to you"
"To keep me from getting to you"
The song ended, their breaths taken, as the moment seemed to last forever. They gazed at each other, before the feeling passed and shook their heads and turned away from each other.
They tried to compose themselves, but it already happened, that small moment in time that seemed so magical, when their voices intertwined.
Am was faking a cough, Cerise brushed her hair back as both weren't comfortable to be the one to break the awkward air around them. Both too embarrassed, and slightly guilty of the thought.
Thankfully, the awkwardness didn't last long as he then pointed out, "Hey, look! There's the Giant Beanstalk."
Making their way closer, the towering plant was true to its name. A beanstalk, so enormous in its proportions that it was more than tall enough to reach high up into the sky and piercing the clouds above.
Am whistled, simply struck in awe at the sight as Cerise wasn't that all impressed. He pulled out the map, checking for where they needed to go next.
"Looks like we need to go around the Giant Beanstalk to get to that school of yours. Are you still holding on? We can take a break if you're tired." He said, but she just clicked her tongue in response.
"Don't worry about me, and let's keep going. The quicker we get there, the better." She said, moving past him, the crutch not hindering her movement at all.
He merely heaved a heavy sigh and moved along, "So, I never pegged you to have a bark that's so different from your bite. Color me impressed, kid."
"What are you on about?" She asked, sparing him a glance.
"I'm talking about your singing voice, it was really beautiful for someone as reclusive as you. Got some real talent there, kid." He patted her on the head, which made her growl and swat his hand away.
"Don't touch me! I don't need your honeyed words!" She barked with a glare.
He put his arms up in mock surrender, but kept his grin, "Geez, relax. I was only giving you a compliment, kid."
"And another thing, stop calling me kid! I'm practically an adult."
"Up-puh-pup, key word, 'practically'. Once a kid, always a kid." His grin widened.
"That doesn't even make any sense!" She was screaming now.
"Well, what do you want me to call you? Baby? Bitch?" Or how about mine?
Of course, he left out the last part.
"Just call me by my name instead!" She was fuming at this point.
"Oh, I never realized we were that close." He added with a bit of dramatic flair which only made her blood boil. And his stupid grin wasn't helping her in the slightest.
Ceris then groaned, "Ugh, you're awful!" She stormed off ahead of him.
"Um, I think you meant that 'I'm awesome!'" He shouted as she let out an annoyed yell in response.
He shook his head, clearly amused.
This was nice. He thought.
Glad to have something to distract him from the darkness that slowly acted to snuff out the light. But for now, he was going to relish every moment of this blissful peace.
It took them a while to get around the Giant Beanstalk. Spending the better part of the day, the sun was already midway in its descent, slowly casting an orange glow that spanned across the lands. They passed many places, saw many things on their journey, and even saw farmlands beyond the plains.
Windmills stretched across fields of wheat, waterwheels turning with rapids, and farmers making about their day. Although they never bothered to get close enough, nor exchange words with other people as they were in a hurry to reach their destination.
"You know, maybe we should've traded something for a piece of bread, kinda getting tired of berries." He said, stashing away what he foraged and kept his pace.
Cerise was starting to slow down, only giving a low mumble in reply as her breath became haggard as time passed by.
"You doing okay there, kid?" She growled at him, but he ignored it as he was worried for her condition.
"I'm fine," she said, "Just need to keep on… going." Cerise lost her balance, the crutch falling from her grasp as her body began to fall. But Am reacted quickly and saved her from crashing into the ground.
He then sat her down, checking on her wound first, his hand carefully pressing against her calf. "It's swelling, we need to hurry before it gets worse." He deduced.
"Can you stand?" He asked her.
She tried to get up, but found it difficult to do so. So she responded with a small shake of her head. She felt embarrassed for someone to see her in such a state, to be seen as weak and fragile.
But before she could fret over her problem even further, she felt him shift in place as he then positioned himself with his back facing her. "Alright, get on."
She bore a perplexed expression, one that he immediately recognized as he added, "You're not going anywhere in that condition, so just hop on my back and I'll carry you for the length of this journey until we find help."
At first, she wanted to refuse, but a pulse of pain surged from her leg and ran through her body. So, with great reluctance, she climbed up his back until her arms rested around his shoulders. She gave him a tap to signal that she was in place as he stood up with surprising ease.
Her eyes widened, as he then took one step forward, and then another, before their journey continued once more. "Funny, usually you would bitch up a storm whenever I get even remotely close to you. What changed your mind?"
Cerise mumbled something faint, curling her head deeper into his nape to cover herself. "What did you say? Didn't pick that up."
"I said that I'm just tired, that's all! And don't get any weird ideas, bub." She sent him a glare that he could feel at the back of his head, he merely chuckled.
"Whatever you say, kid." A few seconds passed, before she spoke up once more.
"H-hey," Her voice hushed.
"Hm?" His ears perked.
"Thank you, by the way… Am." She made a squeak by mistake but the message was clear.
Initially, he was surprised, but then responded with, "You're welcome… Cerise."
Their pace resumed, only this time, both wearing soft smiles, as the day seemed to get better after what they believed was a heartfelt exchange. Their expressions sober, and their mood brightened ever after.
Soon enough, they reached the final length of their journey. A long stone bridge stood between them and their destination. The stone gleaming like marble under the golden shine of the afternoon sun. The crystalline waters below babbled ever so gently.
They stood before the bridge, their eyes gazing upon the place beyond it, where a village was bustling, and a large, majestic castle stood. Its peaks casting shadows across the lands, and the grandeur of it all was evident no matter how far.
"Hm, not bad." He couldn't help but muse.
Wanting to get this journey over with, he took one step on the bridge, and a problem quickly arose. The stone beneath his feet began to quake and stop after the next second. He wondered what caused such disturbance but shrugged as he intended to cross the bridge as fast as he could.
But then, he heard a low rumbling noise echoing from somewhere, making his ear perk and head churn left and right. His brow arched in confusion as he then went forward with his pace, and the noise became even more clearer and louder.
Then, without a moment's notice, something crept out from under the bridge, and blocked their path. He wasted no time to react, his guard was raised, securing Cerise behind him, as he sharpened his senses.
What stood before them was a hideous creature, a rancid smell emanated from it which reflected its grotesque appearance. It possessed sickly skin as green as a marsh, a body as obese as an overfed pig, and a face so disgusting unlike any other. It bellowed, letting out a roar which blew spit and its breath of a rotten carcass.
"Who's that trip trapping over my bridge!" It said, having the capacity to speak.
"It's only us," Cerise spoke up, "We only want to get to the other side."
"Oh no you're not! I'm going to eat you two for my dinner and dessert!" It began slobbering nonsense, as it then began stumbling towards them, but Am didn't let it.
He flexed his arm, and simply slapped the monster away with the back of his hand. The impact was powerful enough to launch the ugly thing off the bridge and fall into the water.
He wiped his hand, bearing a face of annoyance, "Well that was a waste of time." He said, treating the event as only a minor inconvenience.
Cerise, however, had her eyes bulging to the verge of popping. Utterly shocked at his display of strength, she decided to keep quiet for now but was ultimately curious to know more about him.
However, a sudden spell took hold of her. Her vision began to blur, her head felt fuzzy, as she felt faint and dazed. A groan escaped her lips, prompting his attention.
"Hey, you okay back there?" His head turned ever slightly, his hand holding her legs in place as his concern grew.
She mumbled something, something too hushed and low for him to decipher. "Hey, what's going on? Stop making me worry, kid, we don't have time for this."
Another groan followed, as his worries heightened. He knelt, lowering his body and setting her down to check in on her. She was gasping, her chest heaving up and down, her body slightly trembling. He felt a sense of dread slowly seep in, he pressed his palm upon her temple before retracting it just as quick, feeling the heat from her head.
"Shit, you're burning up." He realized.
Cerise seethed, panting as her body rose in temperature. Understanding how serious the situation has become, they needed to seek medical help and fast.
"The… castle…" She muttered in a faint voice.
"Kid, stay with me!" Her head fell back, hair draping lazily around her face as she lost consciousness.
"Damnit," he wrapped his arms around her delicate frame, holding her gently, embracing her tightly, as the muscles in his legs tensed, before he broke off at lightning speeds forward.
The world seemed to fade even further into the background. He sped past a green pasture, his speed made him look like a blur, as his incredible sprint allowed him to enter a village. A lively town filled with many sights, abundant of lively festivities, and rich with all manners of fantastical characters.
But he ignored them, ignored everything, as there was only one thing occupying his mind.
To save Cerise.
He ran faster, blurring even further, his movements made him appear like the wind, breezing through everything in their path. Despite the urgency, he was able to safely maneuver past the crowded streets, cross through bustling markets, and jump over any obstacles in their path.
As quickly as they entered the town, they breached the inner sanctum with the castle now in plain sight. Built upon a mountain, it stood tall and proud, a majestic construct fit for the magic and wonder that is everywhere in this world.
It was a steep climb, and he felt tired already. But he must thread onwards, to ensure they would get the help they need. So, without any moment's hesitation, he continued to run upwards, trekking the incline along a cobblestone path.
"Father, damn it, I really need to work out more." He was exhaling excessively, yet endured as they neared the top.
Soon, they arrived at a stone arched bridge, as the castle was right before them. But before he pressed further in, he saw numerous youths going about their day, and enjoying this time of the afternoon.
His eyes bulged, thoughts racing through his head. "Shit, I can't just bust through the courtyard with all those kids out and about. They'd think that I'm some sort of weirdo."
He paused for a moment before erupting his thoughts, "Hold up, since when did I care for what other people thought of me?... Forget this."
He was about to storm through the congregation of students around the quad, but something stopped him. A low groan coming from his back, which made him fully aware of the stakes. It wasn't just his own listless reputation on the line, but also someone else's.
A stream of empathy began to cloud him, as he himself groaned deep before changing his sights further upwards. He gazed at the highest tower of the castle, one whose zenith far surpassed that of any other. So, despite his inner reluctance, he tenses his legs, flexing his quad muscles to the limit before he unleashes all his strength and takes to the air.
The wind pushed against him but he went on until their trajectory was directed towards the window of the tower. He held Cerise tight, as he gritted his teeth before bracing for impact.
"You owe me for this, brat!" His shout echoed across the sky before curling his body as they crashed into the mosaic glass.
The noise of shattering glass and fragments littering the floor reverberated loudly within the chamber as he rolled across the carpeted floor. His face pressed against the soft fabric atop a hard surface before he gathered himself.
But before he could make sense as to where they were, a deep, stern voice sounded, "I wasn't expecting any visitors this late in the day."
A voice both stern and firm beckoned nearby, echoing with a sense of authority as Am pulled himself together. His eyes first landed on Cerise, to which he could surmise that she was safe as far as he was concerned, before his sights shifted towards where the voice was coming from.
He saw an aged man behind a desk, his brows furrowed with discontent. The man wore a vest in varying shades of blue with golden accents. He possessed a moustache the colour of ash, same as his hair which signifies his elderly state. Yet the emotions behind his eyes betrayed wisdom and showed deep hostility.
"Uh… hey?" Am said unintentionally.
"I will allow you sixty seconds to explain yourself for this untimely interruption. Do use it well, or else." A mystic energy began gathering around his hands as Am started to panic.
"Wait, wait, wait, I can explain!" His hands were raised to shield himself.
"Do go on…" The man checked his pocket watch as Am cleared his throat.
"Okay, look, I come bearing a message from Red. She told me to go to this school, saying that the people here can help." Am stood up and straightened himself.
"Barring the fact that this all sounds rather suspicious, why should I trust your words for even a second?" The man narrowed his eyes on him.
Am scowled, but set aside his grievances for now, "Because, dumbass, I'm not asking you to trust me, but I want you to help her." Am pointed to Cerise who was laid on the ground which he went over to check on her.
"The next Riding Hood? Why is she with you?" The man asked, as Am sighed, feeling a pain knotting in his head.
"There was…an accident, but we don't have the time for it right now. This brat needs help, she suddenly collapsed earlier and I don't know what to do. You shouldn't trust me, I'm not worth it… but please, help Cerise get better." Am's expression was one of worry, his voice laced with a begging tone.
Something stirred inside the aged man, the sight of this stranger desperately seeking aid for an important figure was truly mesmerizing in an impossible way that was hard to explain. Moments passed, until the man closed his watch and pocketed it before he locked eyes with Am.
"Follow me," There was a lapse of mutual understanding and sincerity shared between.
They traversed across expansive halls before the man led Am, with Cerise in his arms, to a room. Inside, there was a furry figure tending to some medical equipment.
"Mama Bear, where is Mother Goose?" The man spoke.
The grizzly figure turned its attention to them as a tall bear with a pink bow on its head welcomed them with a wide smile and gentle demeanor. "Why, she's out tending to her little goslings at the moment. What seems to be the matter?"
The man stepped aside, revealing Am and the unconscious Cerise. "Oh my!"
Mama Bear exclaimed before rushing over to check on the girl. "What happened? Did she fall ill?"
"I-I don't know. She was fine earlier, until she just fainted out of nowhere after a dispute with the troll on the bridge."
"Oh dear, that rude old grump's at it again. Though I doubt a small confrontation with the troll would've subjected this girl into such a state." her gaze trailed to Cerise's other injury.
"And what of her leg?"
"She got caught in something and it left a nasty mark, I did the best I could with what I could find. But I suggest changing them into something more hygienic and suitable. Please, help her." His voice was tinged with worry and anxiousness.
Mama Bear saw the solemn expression upon the man, which made her feel sympathy for what they went through, "I'll see what I can do. For now, leave her to me."
Am nodded, passing on Cerise to the care of the mother bear. But unbeknownst to him, his hold lingered a little longer than he intended, as a part of him feared what would happen if he were to let her go.
Mama Bear brough Cerise to lie down on a bed as she closed the curtains and got to work. Am and the man stood by the door, his gaze holding on before the man placed a hand on his shoulder, garnering his attention.
"While the little one is being treated, I believe we have important matters to discuss, young man."
Am looked back, seeing the shadows behind the curtain as he placed his faith on Cerise's complete healing. "Yeah… yeah."
The door closed behind them as the two went back to the place they were previously in. A set of large double doors greeted them, the man gave a gentle push and entered while ushering Am inside.
"This is my office, by the way," He said as he sat Am down upon a seat before sitting behind his desk to face each other.
"Now then, before you explain yourself, I believe introductions are in order." He said, his deep voice echoing inside the chamber.
Am understood, clearing his throat as he began, "Uh, hey there, again. Well, you can call me Am. There's not really much I can say about myself, but to sum up my life, I'd say that it's pretty fucked up."
The man nodded, his hands folded neatly before him as he straightened his posture. "A pleasure to meet you, Am. My name is Milton Grimm, Headmaster of this famed academy. Where children of all sorts of fairytales, stories, rhymes, and poems come to gather to learn more about their destinies and ensure these tales could live on for generations to come."
Am furrowed a brow in complete befuddlement, his mouth hanging slightly open before correcting himself, "I beg your finest fucking pardon, but the what and the what?" he sputtered nonsensically.
Milton, as he is known, merely gave a small chuckle in response before responding, "Well, in short, young man…"
He stood up, his arms extending outward as his voice resonated, "Welcome to Ever After High."
Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles,
They will run and not grow weary
They will walk and not be faint.