Girl in the Red Hood

by Brittany Fichter

  "Liesel, how far do you really think you'll get running from the wolves?" For a long moment, she peered out behind her into the blackness of the forest, and as her hand began to burn once again, all hope of a quick escape died. Finally, she turned and stood miserably, looking back into the golden-brown eyes of her one-time savior.

  "Come here, Child." The man she guessed to be his father finally spoke, his order ringing with authority. She stared at him, fear quickly being overcome with anger. Her hand burned even more, a white hot pain, beckoning her to obey, but she didn't budge. She could see displeasure in the man's face at her defiance, and he drew himself up to his full height, which was quite impressive. A small wave of fear rippled through her body. What would he do to her if she didn't listen? As they continued to face off, however, she decided she didn't care. She was beyond caring. This awful family had caused her too much pain. Instead, she glared at him.

  "Father," Kurt said softly. "Give me a moment alone with her."

  "She needs to be-"

  "That won't work with her," Kurt said, giving him an earnest look. "Please. She has had a long night. Ordering her about is the last thing she will listen to." His father gave him a skeptical look. After a long moment, however, he finally nodded and began to walk away, gesturing to the other two men to follow him. Kurt's younger brother, now lanky and even taller than Kurt, with stubble growing unevenly all over his young face, didn't leave as quickly as his elders.

  "Be careful," he whispered to Kurt as he walked by. Kurt said nothing, waiting until they were all gone before speaking. Then he took a big breath and looked at her with an expression Liesel finally recognized. He'd worn it often when they sat staring at her mountain.

  "I know you are angry with me," he started.

  "Angry cannot even begin to describe what I'm feeling right now," Liesel squeaked out through gritted teeth. Betrayal. Lies. Secrets. Everything Liesel had ever trusted in Kurt seemed to go up in smoke before her eyes. And it hurt so much. "All those years," she hissed, "I thought you were trying to protect me! But here I am, and I don't even know why I'm here, or what evil you used to bring me!" As she spoke, she tried desperately to recall the stories the women in Tag had told her, but she couldn't focus. Suddenly more weary than she remembered ever being, she sat on the ground and pulled her legs up to her chest, hiding her face in her arms.

  "The bite." She did her best to pretend to ignore him, but Kurt continued to talk. "My father's youngest brother bit you when you first arrived." Liesel risked raising her head enough to send him a resentful glare. He had known all this time. Then his words sank in

  "Your uncle bit me?" She covered her mouth in horror. Her words came out in a whisper.

  "We're not complete animals," Kurt turned toward the fire, disgust dripping from his words. It was a moment before Liesel could speak again, but when she did, her voice was ice cold.

  "Then what are you?" Any being that could in good conscience kidnap her and then kill her father was the very definition of an animal. Kurt frowned and turned back to face the fire. It was a long time before he spoke again, and when he did, it was barely above a whisper.

  "Two hundred years ago, there was a wizard that lived in these woods. Often hunted by the townspeople for his practices, he wanted a sure way to protect himself. So he crafted a spell that would allow him the mind of a man, and the strength and body of an animal. He even invited others to join him, petty thieves, misfits, those who wanted to stay hidden from the king. Not many joined him, but twelve were better than one. They would be the superior creatures, he promised. Wolves with the minds of humans couldn't be challenged.

  "When he had gathered the people, he cast the spell. It was a failure though," Kurt kicked a pebble in annoyance. "So their descendants have been here for the last two centuries, stuck between worlds. Everyone over sixteen is constantly hovering between being man and wolf. The only thing that has kept us from losing our humanity completely is the union of a pure blooded human to the pack leader. Ever since, each generation has had to send the townspeople of Ward out to find us new Pure Bloods." Liesel felt as though she might pass out, but Kurt kept talking.

  "I know you always wondered why Ward was so desperate to get your family to move here, and why it seemed impossible to leave." He took a deep breath before continuing. "When the steward found your grandparents' vineyard, he was looking for girls around your age. He'd met a number of them along the way, but you were perfect. Living outside of a large town meant your disappearance would go largely unnoticed. Sure, your grandparents might tell others, but you were far from the center of activity. Your absence would soon be forgotten. When Izaak found out about your mother's illness, it was too perfect. Your father was dying to leave. All he had to do was convince your father that you would all be better off here. Once you were here, you were marked, and all we had to do was keep you here until it was time." Kurt swallowed hard before finishing. "And now that my mother has died, it's your turn."

  It was a moment before Liesel could speak. So the cowardice of a man who had lived two hundred years before was to blame. All of the pieces were falling together. The misery her life had been for so long had a purpose. When she thought about it though, knowing the reason for her sorrows didn't bring much comfort. But there was one question she had to ask, tears running silently down her face.

  "Why did my mother have to die?"

  "That was the overzealous doing of Odo," Kurt sighed. "He wanted to make sure you didn't get away. If your mother awakened, he was afraid she would convince your father to return to your grandparents."

  "And why does the town care so much?"

  "That's the agreement. As long as they bring us an acceptable Pure Blood, we leave their daughters alone." That was why the baker had feared so for Karla and Mitsi. And now that Liesel knew why, she couldn't blame him. But what was it exactly that she has saved Mitsi and Karla from?

  "And what does a Pure Blood do?"

  "Marry the pack leader and continue the line," A deep voice boomed from behind them. Kurt's father joined them once again, but without Lothur or Keegan. Liesel's heart nearly failed. Did he mean himself or his son? Kurt must have read her stricken expression because he softly said,

  "My father is stepping down. I will be pack leader after we wed." His eyes were cautious as he studied her reaction. Liesel had no idea as to what he saw though, because she didn't even know what she felt. There was too much to take in. Swallowing hard, she tried to clear the sudden lump in her throat.

  "And where will I live?" Her words were barely audible even to her own ears. Kurt's face twisted in pain and he stood up and turned away.

  "Oh, Liesel," he groaned and ran his hand through his hair. "Are you really going to make me answer that?"

  "You will be here, where you're needed, protecting the pack," Kurt's father answered for him. His eyes were flat. He had a square face, sharper and deeper than Kurt's. There was a resemblance, but only just. Kurt looked much more like his mother. But then, Kurt had never looked that cruel either.

  "No!" Liesel stood clumsily and grabbed Kurt's sleeve. "I cannot live like this forever! I can't live without the sun!" She searched his face for a sliver of pity, some sign of hope. But he wore a mask of resolve, suddenly looking far older than twenty-one.

  "Stop your blubbering," Kurt's father shook his head with disgust. "The magic called you back, and that is all there is to it. Best get on and accept it." As he began to stalk off, Liesel felt Kurt grasp both of her arms. He said something, but Liesel couldn't hear him. The woods began to tilt, and the ground rose up towards her with surprising speed.

  "That was cruel." Kurt's tone was quiet, but disapproving.

  "She needed to hear it." Heavy steps crunched in the dirt as his father walked back in the direction he had come from. His voice was suddenly old, but maintained its ring of authority. Before leaving, he stopped once more.

  "I know you think you know her, but this one will cause you nothing but heartache if you d
on't kill all hope of escape now." He sighed heavily. "She has your heart, and that's how it should be. But you must break her before you can heal her. They're all the same." A hand gently stroked Liesel's hair. It suddenly occurred to her that she wasn't upright. She didn't even have her eyes open. Instead, she was being cradled like a child.

  "Perhaps I don't want my wife to die of a broken heart before she's gray." Kurt's voice was sharper than Liesel had ever heard it, quiet, but cutting and smooth like a knife.

  "Hold your tongue, Boy, and have some respect for the dead!"

  "How many died before Mother? Two? Three? It took a fourth wife to survive long enough even for children. Believe me, I have more respect for Mother than you ever did."

  "Do you really think your girl is the first to get upset?" his father snarled. "Mark my words! When she sees what kind of life you are chaining her to, it doesn't matter how much you thought she loved you. She will try to run, and you will have to bring her back. Sometimes again and again before she knows her place. And even when she stops, she will hate you for what you've done to her. And it will get worse when you give her children, and she watches them change."

  Liesel was still too disoriented to even try standing, but his words cut off any thoughts of trying to leave Kurt's arms anytime soon. The father and son were both silent for an immeasurable amount of time before his father spoke again. All the anger was gone from his voice this time, though, and he just sounded tired.

  "The sooner she can find any shred of contentment, the sooner she will be able to accept it. They all do eventually." With that, Liesel heard him walk away.

  Kurt sat holding Liesel for a long time. The way he cradled her made Liesel want to weep. How many times in her daydreams had she imagined him holding her this close? Even after she left Ward, she had dreamed of Kurt. Why did her dreams have to come true like this?

  Exhausted beyond anything she had ever known, Liesel was nearly unconscious when Kurt pressed his lips to her hair and whispered,

  "I've missed you."

  ***

  When Liesel woke up, she had a ravaging headache. Slowly, she pushed herself into a sitting position before daring to open her eyes, afraid the world might spin again if she tried it too fast. When she finally succeeded, she found herself in a spacious room made of sturdy logs, with a large bed, washstand, bedside table, and wide window. It was still black outside the window, but a large stone fireplace and a number of scattered candles lit the room. A tall, thin bookshelf stood across from the bed where she sat, and a little white desk sat in the corner near the door. The curtains were made of pink lace, but were so old they looked ready to fall apart. The bed covering matched the window, but it seemed a little less dusty. The whole room smelled of cedar. Dried flowers hung from a nail on the wall. If she hadn't been forced here, the room wouldn't have seemed so bad.

  But, Liesel sighed, this seemed to be the room where the dreams of women had died for two hundred years. Each piece of cloth and furniture had a slightly different look, as if each one had been chosen by a different woman. There was a sadness to the air. It was palpable.

  Liesel briefly looked under the door. A guard had been placed outside her room. She had expected no less though. When she looked back down at where she had been lying, however, her throat caught. Not only was there a plate of potatoes, onions, and carrots waiting for her, still steaming, but also something far more precious. Reaching out, she gingerly touched the familiar spine. When she opened it, the pages crinkled just as she remembered. The leather book was a little worse for the wear. But it was hers.

  If nothing else, she would have her grandmother's stories after all.

  12. A BOY’S HOPE

  Voices awakened Liesel. Strangely, they came from the wrong side of the room, and it took her a moment to realize she was no longer in her little attic in Tag.

  "Would you at least consider what he is saying? She believes in magic! She could end it once and for all if she was willing! With her help, we could find a way!" The young man who spoke sounded like Keegan.

  "I consider everything our uncle says, but with more with caution and less zeal," Kurt responded dryly. "Now don't let Father hear you talking like that, or you and Uncle will get an earful."

  As she blinked in the gray of morning, the events of the night before trickled back. Wolves, Kurt, magic, everything returned to her in even the smallest of detail. She could even still taste the earthy carrots. The empty plate now lay on the short bedside table. When she had discovered the food the night before, Liesel had considered leaving it untouched, simply so they would know she wasn't at all in cooperation. But it had been a long while since she had eaten anything, so Liesel had decided to prove her displeasure in some other way. She would need her strength if the moment to escape arose.

  As she lay there remembering, a rap on her door sent her into an annoyed tizzy as she searched groggily for her robe, only to remember that she was still in her dress from the day before.

  "Liesel, it's Kurt," his muffled words came through the door.

  "Just a moment," she huffed. As angry as she was with him, Liesel had no desire to look as ruffled as she felt. If she was going to be kept against her will, she was determined to at least appear somewhat dignified. She ran over to the wash basin and mirror and did her best to tame her rebellious golden locks and chase the dark circles from beneath her eyes. Finally, she opened the door to see Kurt standing there with a plate of eggs and biscuits and a cup of tea. As much as she hated to admit it, the food smelled delectable, and much to her horror, it made her stomach growl loudly. Kurt tried to hide a smile as he held them out to her.

  "As it's nearly noon, I thought you might be hungry." With a sigh, Liesel took the food and went back to sit on her bed. Kurt pulled the chair out from the desk and sat in the doorway. Liesel tried very hard to focus on her food, and not at the striking young man intently watching her, but even without looking at him, Liesel was very aware of the fact that Kurt now looked every part a man. What she really wanted to do was study every inch of his face to see if any trace of the boy she had loved still lingered. Not only would that be highly inappropriate, however, it would also encourage him to think she might actually submit to the pack's plans for her. And as confused as she felt about Kurt, no one emotion would allow her to simply accept this fate.

  "When you're finished, I have something I need you to see," Kurt finally said after an awkward silence. Liesel gave him a cold look, then nodded before returning to her food. Resentment made it taste sour though. If it had been any other circumstance, she would have given him every snide remark she could think of. He'd lied to her. He had known all along what the townspeople and wolves had wanted. And even after he had sent her away, he'd brought her back to this place of loneliness and horror. The only thing that kept her from pouring every ounce of vehemence out onto him was knowing that his mother had just died.

  After dawdling for as long as she could, Liesel finally sighed and put her tea down and stood up. Whatever he wanted to show her must be important. He had that sound to his voice, the same sound she'd heard the day he brought her to see the waterfall for the first time. Grudgingly, she followed him out of the house.

  Once they were outside, Liesel could see that it was the same log house she'd stumbled upon years before, a long cabin situated at the top of a gently sloping hill. This time, she was in front of the house though, and not behind it, and she nearly gasped when she saw that it stood watch over an entire town.

  Sheltered by trees of monumental proportions, little cottages were huddled in clumps as far as the eye could see. They were much like the homes in Ward, made of logs with thatched roofs. People came in and out of the houses, going about their work as they might in Tag or even Ward. But something was off.

  "I know you're hoping to run," Kurt's voice was as collected and calm as ever, as though he were discussing the weather. She met his eyes with defiance, and he gave a small, knowing smile.

  "Don't they all
?" she muttered.

  "Despite the obvious futility and danger involved in trying to escape a town of nearly two hundred and thirty wolves, yes, some do." He frowned as he watched the bustle of the people below them. "But many stay."

  "Why?" Liesel nearly regretted the rudeness of her question, not missing the fleeting pain in Kurt's face. She hadn't meant to add more pain to his loss by insulting him. But the idea of choosing to stay in such a wretched place after being dragged away from everything one knew and loved seemed ludicrous. That, and she was still terribly angry with him.

  "I'll show you." Kurt's voice was a little more subdued as he led her down the first street. Dirty children scampered fearlessly in and out of homes and up and down fences. The adults went about their lives, working and scolding the children, but they paused to look at Kurt and Liesel as they walked by.

  It was somewhat unnerving when the townspeople returned her gaze. There were no smiles, and the only laughter came from the children. No one even spoke so much as a word, just went about their work as silent as stones, pausing only to watch Kurt and Liesel walk. There was no hope. Just a morbid curiosity it seemed.

  "Wait here," Kurt motioned for Liesel to stay put as he turned into a small yard. She couldn't see why at first, and considered making a run for it as he strode up to the front door. Her curiosity got the best of her though.

  "Steffen," he called up above the door. Liesel watched, confused. "I know you're up there," he continued. "If I have to go up there and get you myself, your grandfather won't be very pleased." A moment later, a little head of blond hair peeked out from behind the chimney. Wide-eyed, the little boy stared down at Kurt silently. Kurt called out again, his voice stern but kind. "I told you it's not safe to play on the roof. Now, can you get down, or do you need help?" The boy didn't respond, but a moment later, disappeared and then reappeared on the ground before them, still staring up with wide eyes. Kurt ruffled his hair and told him to go play with his sister before they continued on their walk.