Little Red
A story by MelancholiCoercion:
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Morning dew, from a golden leaf of fall, dropped onto her face. Her face scrunched together, her eyes slowly opening as the morning sun reflected off her skin. A big yawn came out as a squeak, as she stretched her arms wide open.
Taking a look around her, she saw some of the others, laying in trees, or near the river in the meadow. A few had already awakened but it was relatively peaceful. She took a stand, wiping off the dew that dripped on her skin.
She made her way towards the center of the village, where the everglowing fire laid. This is where many people came to eat, talk, or do business with each other. She nodded to the others, without the need for chatting. It was a calm day today. Quiet.
This would be the perfect time to take a bath, she thought to herself. Taking some ash from the fire, she brought it with her toward the brook and stepped into the cooling water. She stared into her moving reflection, as the water took away the remnants. As she cleaned herself, she sang softly with the birds. She wondered what today planned for her. She must see the Overseer for her duties.
She washed the rest of the ash off of her hands, before handling her wings. They were delicate, and easily tainted by color or bent by touch. Sitting in the water, she allowed the current to clean them, with gentle persuasion from her touch.
When she was done, she threw the rest of the ash into the water, returning back to shore. As she came back into the village, she saw the Overseer. She went up to her, and the Overseer smiled.
“Little Rou,” the Overseer said, smiling, “just who I needed to see.”
Rou smiled. Little Rou was her nickname as a child, mostly because of her sunburnt-orange colored hair.
“We just heard that there’s a problem in the village of Delicas, just near the mountains. They need medicine. We have already made a few vials, but until we make more, we need these to go to the sickest. Would you be able to go?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Rou said.
“It passes by the Village of the Humans.”
Rou was a bit taken back. The village of the Humans. She had been before. Many times– it was easy. But she had never been alone.
“If you still feel unready, I can ask another to go with you.”
Rou straightened herself up, “No, I’m ready!”
Overseer smiled, “Well then, remember to wear proper attire and lay low. You may go into the Closet for clothing.”
Rou nodded, heading towards townhall. She opened up the closet doors, and walked inside. The outfit ranged from everyday wear to ballgowns.
Unlike the Humans, Fairies didn’t wear clothing. But, since she was going through the Human Village, she needed to blend in. Although every human she had met was kind, there were many stories of those who weren’t. If Fairy’s weren’t careful, they would be taken, or sometimes deemed as worse, their wings cut from them. So, they were instructed to cover their wings with cloaks.
She pulled a gentle green bodice dress, pairing it with a satin white shirt to cover her shoulders. Brown boots that came just below the knee and a red cloak to finish the piece. The clothing weighed on her and she wouldn’t be able to fly. But, fairies were very observant and resilient in the face of trouble.
Looking into the mirror, she felt it was just enough to pass for Human. She confronted the mirror, staring at the stitched pieces and imagined growing up as Human. The people she had met when she had gone to the Human Village were always so kind. Kinder than any story that included Humans and their supposed monstrosities. She noticed when she had grown up playing with the Human children, that they played a bit more violently than other species she played with, but that was what it was. Play.
Granted, there was a boy who played more gently than the others. Who often kept to himself, playing with his slingshot. When physical play was too much for her, she would come to him, and he taught her his skills of Aim.
They would build little shelters and tell about their life. Of course she couldn’t be too specific, she had secrets she was supposed to keep hidden. But… he felt trustworthy.
‘I’m a fairy.’
Then a pinky promise, to keep it.
How in the same breath, could they be called monsters?
The image of the cut fairy wings in the Village Guide Book, flashed across her memory.
That familiar tinge in her chest returned. She took a deep breath, settling the tears that wanted to rise. She shook her head, chasing the thought away.
“Remember your training,” she repeated to herself.
Calm. Conceal. Cautious.
She focused back into the mirror, staring at her attire. It was heavier and weighed on her wings. She adjusted the back of the outfit to give more breathing room.
“I don’t know how Humans do this everyday.”
She made her way to the Witch’s sorcery. There she received the medicine. 10 vials. She needed to leave quickly.
As she walked, others stared at her interesting attire. If they hadn’t known any better, they would’ve been sounding the alarm for trespassing. But, it was just Little Rou.
The now awoken curious children followed her towards the village edge with their incessant questions.
“Are you going to the Human village?” asked one child.
“Yes, dear,” Rou spoke.
The children gasped, all whispering to themselves.
“But, I heard they’re monsters who eat fairies,” cried one little boy.
Rou stopped and held his cheek, “that is why my training has taught me to be safe and one day, your training will teach you to be safe from humans.”
The boy, quivered his lip, bursting into tears and hugging her leg, “But, I don’t want you to goooooooo!”
Some of the other children started to hang onto her to prevent her from leaving.
“My little fledglings, please! Listen to me,” she said, her soft voice, soothing their little racing hearts.
They stopped pulling, but still held tight to her.
“The Delica Village is experiencing a sickness and if I do not get this medicine to them, they will be in much pain. Although it’s a risky journey, someone must do it. I’ve done this dozens of times before and always I get back home safe. So, please trust me, my dear.”
The children held her tight, but then let go. “Yes, Rou…”
She smiled, patting their little heads.
“Now run along. This is too far for you to be.”
The children ran off with reassured smiles.
She turned to return to her duty and saw one little girl still there.
The girl took off a necklace, handing it to Rou.
“Is this for me?” asked Rou.
“You must promise to return it,” said the girl, kicking her feet against the leaves. “Then you’ll have to come back.”
Rou smiled, almost tearing up. “Oh, dear. You mustn’t. I promise, I’ll return. I don’t want it to get lost.”
“No!” and the girl ran a few feet away, before yelling back, “Promise!”
Rou lightly chucked to herself, she felt so much love in this moment. “Yes, dear. I promise.”
The girl smiled her little toothy grin and ran back with the other children. Rou placed the necklace around her neck and continued past the gate.
—
She smelt it before she saw it, when she approached the Village of the Humans. She had forgotten the smell of butchered meat and fish. Dogs roamed the street and mud across the ground. She was glad she brought her boots. She already felt the need to bathe.
One thing that differentiated between her and the humans was the cleanliness. Much of their attire was dressed in its own layer of dirt. She could feel the eyes of the market as she walked by. She kept a mental note to relay that back to the Village Overseer. Until then, she kept her head high and walked with intention past the glances.
Act like you belong and you will.
The humans were big and loud– that was one thing she remembered. They were also quite aggressive with their marketing.
“Does your father want a sword for this upcoming Battle of the Brawns?” A sword close up to her face.
She politely declined, “No, thank you, sir.”
As she passed by the market, she kept her head on a swivel. Keeping a look out for anything both the villages would need and any possible trouble.
“Hi, dear,” a voice said from behind. She quickly turned to meet a man, a bit lanky in appearance. “Did you lose your mother? Father?”
She gulped and took a deep breath. “No, sir. I’m quite fine.”
“You shouldn’t be in a town like this alone. You need a grownup with you. That’s the rules.”
She backed up, “Yes, sir. I’m aware. I’m an adult and I’m not alone.”
She was alone, but she knew not to mention that.
“Adult? You? I’ll need to see some ID.”
Suddenly, a person came up to her, holding her arm. “Do you know this man, darling?” Rou looked up to see an older woman, and a child holding tightly to her robe.
She was too bewildered to respond.
The man, a bit stunned as well, spoke, “I just wanted to make sure she wasn’t alone. That she was safe. You know the rules and all.”
“Well, she is. I just needed to get something quick. Now, Missy, let’s catch up with the rest of ‘em.”
The lady looked at Rou, and her eyes were stern and gentle.
“Yes, Mother,” Rou responded, playing along.
As they walked away, Rou held tight to the Lady’s arm.
“My name’s Alona, darlin’ and I could clearly see that man had other intentions than enforcing the rules.”
“Thank you, Ma’am. I was able to handle it, though.”
“I’m sure you could, but if I saw my daughter experiencing that, I would want someone to step in to lend a hand.” The lady touched the head of the child, still holding tightly to her robe.
“You aren’t from around here, are you, sweetie?” asked the lady.
“I’m just passing through. I’m going to the mountains.”
“The mountains? What’s over there?”
Wait, she thought to herself.
Calm. Conceal. Cautious.
She took a deep breath. Calm.
Rue couldn’t mention the fairies. Conceal.
“I just need to help… my grandmother. She’s not doing very well.”
“Oh, darlin’. You’re such a sweetheart. I want to make sure you get where you are going safe. May I walk you to the end of the market?”
Cautious.
Rou took a second to think and observed her surroundings.
The lady seemed sweet, very nice. She had saved her from that man, but… what if she was bad?
Rou looked down to the girl holding tightly to the Lady’s robe. She hid her face with the fabric, with big eyes looking up at her.
As if the lady was reading her mind, she spoke, “I understand if you’re a bit nervous. I just wanted to offer just in case. But, no pressure, dear .”
Rou nodded. “I appreciate the offer, but I just want to focus on my surroundings right now.”
The lady smiled and held Rou’s hand.
“If you feel safest. I’ll be prayin’ for you, love.”
The lady let go and disappeared into the crowd.
Rou slightly smiled, before returning to surveilling the markets. She needed to get out of these markets. She didn’t know who was watching her. Once she was in the woods, where she was the most familiar, she would feel safe.
She quickly made her way to the end of the markets, it caught her eye.
A sign.
Real Life FairyTale: Souvenirs.
Her breath stopped.
It couldn’t be… right?
She casually walked by the boutique, glancing, as if she wasn’t interested.
It was innocuous at first. Crystals. Flowers, she’s seen in storybooks and in real life, once upon a time ago. But, then it started getting into preserved butterfly necklaces… and in the middle of the shop, preserved in glass.
Fairy Wings.
Her heart stopped. Her chest grew tight and her eyes grew red.
Stop, she thought. Calm. Conceal. Cautious.
Be calm. She took a breath, trying to hold back her tears, but one escaped. She quickly looked up to the sky, using her sleeve to slyly wipe the escaped away.
Once she seemed to have collected herself, she went up to the person behind the stands.
“Hello, young lady! What can I interest you in?” The teller said, chipperly, like they didn’t have someone's livelihood locked in glass.
She took another deep breath. Calm.
“Hello… I was wondering if that’s real Fairy Wings?”
“Sure is!”
Her heart panged, again. She didn’t speak, afraid of what she’ll reveal.
The teller kept speaking, “But, don’t worry. It was before the ban of Fairy Wing Harvesting. It’s grandfathered down from generations. So, it was before they became virtually extinct. Completely legal. I have the papers and everything.”
She tried to control her breathing, but she felt like her chest was about to break. Rou had tight fists under her cloak, but she unclenched them.
Calm. Conceal. Cautious.
“Are you interested? I have a few people interested, we’re starting a bid on it soon.”
She needed those wings back, how could she walk by, while one of her own, had their soul put on display.
“I am… how much is it starting for?”
“25,000 Journées”
She could get that from her village. Her village had no true use for money, so they had a small bank for outside trading when needed. They were definitely willing to save another Fairy’s wings.
“I would like to set a bid.”
The teller handed her a paper, which she wrote her name down.
“Return back tomorrow and we will have the winner.”
Rou nodded. She looked at the Wings one last time, determined to return them home.
—
As she walked through the forest of the mountains, she finally made it to the cobbled stone of the Delica gate. The villagers were already enthusiastic for her arrival and she could barely get through the gate without people asking for the medicine. The phenomenon had brought on intense headaches and weakened their numbers. It wasn’t known to be fatal, but they didn’t want to find out. When she had found the Villager’s Overseer, he was found in a dark room in bed, kept from the light.
When she entered, he used all of his energy to sit up, and greet her.
“Little Rou. We are so blessed to see you. Quick, we must bring you to the sick.”
She followed him out of the dark room, where the light made him squint.
“Are you alright, Overseer?”
“Yes, dear. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to go first?”
“No, no. The elderly and the young first. They shouldn’t bear this.”
Rou stopped pressing and followed him to the medicine room. The windows had been kept shut and the sound of running water in the corner.
One by one, the doctors supplied the medicine.
Rou turned to the Overseer.
“Overseer, the people count on you. If you are troubled, how can you provide guidance in this trying time? We will have more medicine soon, but you should be quickwitted, sooner.”
The Overseer turned to Rou and gave a trying smile. “Little Rou, you’ve grown so mature. Perhaps soon, we should talk about you being an Overseer.”
Rou smiled, before pulling out the last capsule from the bag. She turned to a doctor, who helped administer it to him.
“Rou,” said the Overseer, “Thank you so much for your help. We have a room for you on standby for tonight and food and gifts to bless you with.”
“Thank you, Overseer. I really appreciate it.”
A guide helped Rou to her room.
Finally, alone. She removed the cloth from her and she finally felt light again. She spread out her wings, allowing them to stretch and flutter. There was a tub full of water already heated for her. While she bathed, she ate the fruit provided.
That night, as she drifted to sleep, she knew her work wasn’t done. She thought about the wings back at the markets. Whose they were and if they were still with them. Although there were fairies all over the world, they were all connected. She needed to talk to the Delica's Overseer tomorrow morning. She might’ve saved the most at need, but there were much more to save.
—
The next day, the Overseer looked more well. More energetic.
As they sat around the Village’s Fire, Rou spoke to him about what she saw that day at the markets.
“Overseer, I’m very troubled,” she whispered, so only he could hear.
“Why, Little Rou?”
“When going through the markets yesterday… I came upon Fairy Wings.”
The Overseer’s expression became very serious, but not surprised.
Rou continued, “and… they were starting an auction tonight. I won’t be able to get to my village in time for the auction, so I was wondering if we could borrow your Journée Reserves to return the Wings home.”
The Overseer nodded, “Yes. Ofcourse. There is no better way or thought. We’ll get you the Journées ready for your departure.”
Rou smiled. “Thank you very much, sir.”
That day, he had brought the bag of Journées to her himself. She saw hope in that bag. Placing it in her carry-on, she hugged him before being let out of the gate.
—
While she walked through the forest, she suddenly heard loud howls of something in pain.
She quickly ran towards it but as she approached, hid behind the trees.
A man was turned on his side, screaming. A wolf trap had taken his foot.
She quickly came to him.
“Sir! I’m here.”
“Get this fucking shit off me,” he yelled.
Her mind raced as she tried to figure out what to do. She tried to keep him still but he was moving too much.
“Get it fucking off. Get it off.”
“Hold still! I can’t see the mechanisms.”
With his best efforts, he held more still, as she inspected the trap. It held him tight but there was much blood.
“The springs, the springs,” he said exasperated.
She looked at the springs and messed around with it. When she pressed down, the teeth slightly opened.
“Fuck,” he yelled out.
She pressed harder until it fully opened.
“Okay! It’s open. Take it out!”
He dragged his foot out and she finally released the springs, shutting again.
She went to him as he held his leg tightly towards him.
“Fucking dammit, that fucking hurt.”
“Let me inspect it,” she asked. She lifted his pant leg, trying to see the wounds. The teeth of the trap had penetrated his skin, and blood fell from his wounds. His orange hair got matted on top, making it hard to see.
“You need something to clean the wound.”
“I don’t fucking have any.”
She thought of her medicine bag. Surely, there was something in there to help him.
“I may have something.”
She looked through the bag and took out some alcohol and gauze.
“Fuck no!” He yelled, pulling his leg away.
“It needs to be sanitized."
“Let me do it!” he yelled.
Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself that he was in pain. He was not trying to be rude.
She handed him the alcohol and he slowly spilled drip by drip onto his wounds. He seized in pain.
She shook her head at the thought that it would be quicker and less painful if he allowed her to do it. Humans were so inefficient.
As she watched him, she started to take in his appearance. He was quite big, hairy, with a large orange beard.
“Do you think you might be able to stand?” She asked.
“I just got a fucking wolf trap straight through my leg, what do you think?”
She grimaced and stood up.
“I am trying to help you. You’re being very rude.”
He looked away, sighing through his nose.
“Fine, I’m just in a lot of fucking pain. I was just trying to take a piss and now I may be out of work and how am I supposed to feed myself?”
She sighed, staring at the wound as she thought. Humans were often very selfish. She forgot they were known to often ignore each other in times of need. Some were kind. Like that lady at the market.
But she couldn’t carry him to the markets. He was far larger than her. She looked inside her bag and saw what could help but her better instincts told her no.
There was something that could help quickly, but it wasn’t well-known. Quick healing syrup only found if you knew where to look. But the Fairies had one of the only domains of it and it had been years since Fairies and Humans traded peacefully.
She looked at his wound and back to him, who had quieted down but had an afflicted look in his eyes.
She sighed, before taking out the vial.
“I may have something that could help.”
He looked up at her, as she started to untwist the bottle.
“No, I’ll pour it.”
She looked at him with a serious eye. “It won’t burn. I will do it.”
He relented this time.
She slowly poured drip by drip into the wounds. Just as she finished around the leg, his breathing became calm.
“Woah, is that… like anesthesia or something? It barely hurts anymore.”
“It’s a wound calming solution. In about half an hour, it should be good to walk on.”
He stared at the vial before looking back to his leg. The bleeding had stopped.
She took the gauze and started to wrap his leg. “Afterwards, you should still be careful to keep it clean. You don’t want it to get infected.”
He nodded.
“Thank you,” he said. His voice was more gentle. She looked up to him, and smiled.
“You’re welcome.”
She stood up.
“Would…” he started, “Would you stay? I don’t want to be in these woods alone while injured.”
He looked at the trap, “Especially with supposed wolves around.”
She nodded.
She laid down on her legs in the crunchy leaves.
“How did you find yourself here anyway?” She asked.
“I was on my way to the markets to set up, but I needed to take a piss. Then the next thing I know, all I see is red.”
She hummed. “I’m sorry to hear.”
“Ah, it’s whatever. I’ve been through worse beatings.”
“Beatings?”
“As a man, you have to deal with a lot of shit.”
“We have to deal with a lot of challenges too.”
“Yeah, well, y'all have men to protect you. We have to protect ourselves.”
She stayed quiet. She wasn’t going to argue.
“Why are you alone out here anyway? A girl shouldn’t be out alone.”
“I’ve been through this path for many many years. We know how to protect ourselves.”
He laughed, “you’re nothing against an average man. You’re so fucking small. A leaf could run you over.”
She didn’t find it very funny, but she smiled to appease him.
He moved his foot around a little.
“Wow.. This shit’s a miracle. I barely feel anything. What is that stuff?”
She hesitantly smiled. “I got it from a doctor. They have the best stuff.” That wasn’t a lie.
He stood up and he seemed stable enough to stand on his own.
When they sat, they were closer to similar height, but now that he stood, there was a clear difference in frame.
“I should get to my horse. She must be worried,” he said.
He started his way towards the road.
“Well, it was nice knowing you,” she said.
“Do you need a ride anywhere? It’s the least I could do,” he asked.
“Thank you, but I must be on my way. I have to attend to the markets.”
“I’m already on the way there. I took up so much of your time. Humor me.”
Rou smiled. She wanted to appease him, but she knew better than to wander off.
“I thank you for your offer. But, I must go. You should tend to your horse.”
She started off but he grabbed her wrists.
“Please, don’t go, dear.”
Quickly she faced him. Faced with the acute awareness of the silence of the woods. How big he was and how alone she was.
She tried to remember her training.
Calm. Conceal. Cautious.
She tried to take a calm breath.
She said, sternly, “Sir. You are frightening me. Unhand me. Now.”
He pulled her close.
“You don’t have to be afraid. I just want to help you. It’s not safe out here. There are wolves.”
He started to pull her through the woods, the crushing of the leaves underneath them. She could feel her blood pumping through her chest, up her neck, and loudly past her ears.
Fight. Flight. Fawn.
But, he had gripped her sword-wielding hand. He was far too big to take down physically. But, if she was able to reach, she could grab some acid to take away his grip. She could most likely outrun him.
She reached into the side of her medicine bag, searching blindly for the acid, but the vials felt similar.
She pulled them discreetly looking for the names, until she found it. She tried to single-handedly unravel the bottle, but it was securely tightened.
Just as she was able to, she swung the liquid at him, but it mostly fell across his clothes and the side of his head. He yelled out, letting her go.
She started running back into the forest, and she could hear the crunch of the leaves and his grunts chasing her. She felt the urge to fly, but the human clothes weighed her down.
She got a hold of her sword, releasing it from its sheath. She jumped past a small creak and her foot hit the side of some rocks, briefly destabilizing her. She turned to face him, to fight but her face hit the ground and the weight of hundreds of pounds pinned her small frame.
“You fucking bitch,” he grunted, pulling her hood off her and grabbing her hair.
She couldn’t move under his weight and could immediately sense how at mercy she was to him.
“I’m sorry. Please, let me go. I have a family,” she cried.
“You fucking threw acid on me!” he yelled.
“I’m scared. You’re scaring me!”
“I was just trying to fucking help you, you cunt! You shouldn’t be alone. You should always be with someone.”
His knee in her back, pressed on her wings.
“Please, you’re hurting me!”
“Should I pour acid on you?”
“No! No! I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
He kept pressure on her back, as he used his hands to search through her bag.
“What did you even have in here,” he said. “Fuck, you better still have that pain cure. My face is killing me.”
“It’s in the front pocket. Just take it! Please! Let me go.”
He poured it into his hand, and rubbed at the boils across the sides of his neck. Quickly it worked and the pain subsided.
“This shit is fucking magic,” he said. “Where did you get this?”
“A market.”
“You said you got it from a doctor.”
“I- I did. It was a doctor at a market. Please, it was a long time ago. I don’t know the name.”
“Hmph. You’re a fucking liar.”
His knee was breaking into her back, she could feel her wings twisting underneath him.
“What do you want!” she cried.
“I want to know where you got this shit.” He searched through her medicine bag again.
On the inside of the bag was the wording, “Remeda.”
“Remeda. Where do I know that name?” He said.
She couldn’t let him figure out her village. “You’re hurting my back. Please, have mercy on me. Take the bag.”
He laughed out loud again. He looked to see her sword laying across the ground.
“A sword?” He grabbed it. Looking at the details.
“I’ve never seen something built this way.”
He looked at the handle and there was a butterfly, with the word Delica, underneath it.
“Remeda… Delica…”
It was quiet.
She knew he had figured it out.
“No way… No way.”
He flipped her over and started to undo her cloak.
“Please, sir. Take the bag. Take everything. Please, let me go. My family…”
But, she could see that only greed relayed in his eyes. She tried to fight off his grip, but his hands were large and pinned down her hope.
As her body was exposed to the wind, he flipped her again to see her iridescent wings, shining in the sunlight.
“No fucking way… No FUCKING WAY!”
Rou began to tear up. There was no going back. Why did she go on this trip? She shouldn’t have gone alone.
“A fucking fairy! How fucking lucky am I?”
She felt his hands roughly rub against her wings.
“Please! Gentle!” she cried, “they’re fragile!”
“Oh, my lord. I thought they were extinct.” He said, “I wonder how much I could get for you.”
“I… I…” she started to tear up. “You can’t. There’s a law. You won’t be able to sell them.”
“Fuck that. I’m sure I could get something for it.”
Her heart was beating out of her chest. She wasn’t sure how she’d get out of this.
“I… I have money. There’s an auction for legal fairy wings. You’d be able to get it. Please, just let me go.”
He was quiet as he caressed her wings. “No… No. I just want you.”
She felt his hand reach towards the wing's base, pulling. Pain shoot through her body.
“Stop! Stop!”
He paused.
“I saved you. Your leg. I saved your leg. We’re equal now.”
“Nuh uh… no way in hell you’re equal to me… You’re worth… a lot.”
“I’ll give you the cash. Of how much it’s worth. I’ll give you the cash for me to keep them.”
She could feel his rough hands, caressing her wings.
“Please… sir… Don’t take my wings. It’s all I have.”
She could hear his heavy breathing as he thought.
“How much do you have?”
“50.000 J’s.”
“Hm,” he voiced. Seeming satisfied.
“Why shouldn’t I just take your wings and the money?”
“I… I…”
She felt herself tearing up. Why couldn’t he?
“I saved your leg… Please… save my wings.”
It was quiet.
Then, she felt his hands across the side of her leg. “I want more.”
She held tight to the leaves under her.
No… no, she thought. Please, don’t let it come to this.
“I want to experience… a fairy.”
He touched in between her legs.
She felt his beard fall across her skin, kissing her back.
“I…” she started but then her better sense surrendered.
“Just take what you want… Just leave my wings.”
She felt his lips smile across her neck.
“Deal.”
He kissed her neck and body, but his roughness never seemed to spare her wings.
Her tears watered the ground below her, she felt the pain would never cease.
He aligned himself with her. Gradually, but firmly, ripping into her cocoon.
She cried and pushed against him, but her fight was gentle compared to what he’s fought.
He twirled inside her silk, feeling her intricacies, his roughness ripping at the seams.
She began to imagine when she was little. Playing with that little boy at the market. When she had told him she was a fairy. When they promised to keep it a secret. Where was he? Did he keep it? Was he a bad man now?
She was brought to where the man held her hair. He positioned himself back to her lips but she held her mouth shut tightly.
“Open,” he said.
She turned away, “Please… I can’t breathe.”
“Fairy don't need to breathe as long as humans,” he said.
That was blatantly false. If anything, fairies needed more oxygen because of how much they burned through for flying and their high metabolism.
“Please, sir. I don’t want to die.”
“Then open your fucking mouth,” he demanded.
She slightly opened her mouth, and he forced himself inside.
This repeated. The coughing, the choking. He exploited every last heartbeat carrying oxygen.
When he was done with her, she was barely able to move and was barely conscious. He picked her up, her medicine bag, and started walking back towards his carriage.
She tried to open her eyes, stop him from taking her. But, he had fulfilled what she asked, “to take everything, but her wings,” even if that meant her every last breath.
She looked at the tree canopy, it reminded her of home. Suddenly, she remembered the little girl. The necklace she gave her. Rou held the necklace in her hand, rubbing the ridges.
She couldn’t give up. She couldn’t.
“Please, sir. My family… You promised to let me go.”
“When you make me enough money. I’ll let you go.”
“I can get you money. Truly.” She said, but it seemed to not phase him.
She wasn’t sure how she would get the money anyway. She would die rather than lead him to her village.
He loaded her into the back of the carriage. He tied her hands behind her, bounded her wings, and restricted her speech. He placed her red cloak around her, hiding her value. He would go straight home, without stopping. He wouldn’t risk losing something so rare.
—
She awoke to the carriage bumping across the gravel. She was naked other than her cloak around her. She could hear talking outside, but she couldn’t scream. Her mouth was covered. It sounded like the markets.
She was afraid. The thought of her being sold, haunted her.
The thought of her wings being separated, killed her.
She huddled in the corner of the carriage, praying to the higher beings for protection. Anything other than this.
But soon, the voices started to fade and all she heard was birds. Was she in the forest?
Hours went by and her body was aching from the wood scraping against her bare skin. Soon, the carriage came to a halt and the man reappeared.
She tried to disappear into the corner of the carriage, but he grabbed her, pulling her out into the open. He set her on her feet, and walked her towards a house. She tried to take in her surroundings, looking for ways to escape.
He took her up the stairs to a room, and in that room, took her to a smaller room. It seemed more like a big closet. He sat her down on the floor, before disappearing back out.
She still couldn’t move her hands or wings, but she could move her legs.
She heard the handling of metal chains being clacked together that made her stomach drop. There were many things worse than death and she knew she was beginning to face it.
She found her balance and lifted herself up with the help of the wall. She looked out the closet and saw him sorting the metal, looking for unrusted pieces.
With her light body, she slowly tip-toed behind him, making it all the way to the top of the stairs, but it squeaked below her.
She heard his surprise and abandoned quietness, running down the stairs and out the front door. She tried to scream through the gag in her mouth, but it was worthless.
She felt herself thrown to the ground, bumping the gag out of her mouth.
She immediately screamed as loud as she could. The sound erupting the birds in the trees. He was quick to pick her back up, forcing her mouth shut with his hand. Despite the struggle, it was quiet in the woods and her hope slowly started to die as he dragged her back into the house.
She stared at the green leaves of the trees before he slammed the door shut.
He lifted her back up, this time with her over his shoulder, and took her to the room again.
He sat her in the corner, while he stood blocking her. He watched her as he held the chains in his hands. His anger seemed almost calm. This scared her more than she could imagine.
She was beginning to believe maybe giving up her wings would be less worse than what he was capable of.
She saw the door open behind him and stepped in a man with a bow and arrow. The squeak of the door made the man whip around.
There were two now…
“Who the fuck are you?” said the man.
The Hunter had the bow pointed to the man.
“What!” said the man, “You want her?”
The hunter didn’t take his eyes off of him. “Unbound her and put your hands up.”
The man laughed, “Look man. We can negotiate something.”
The hunter raised his voice, “Unbound her! Or I’ll put this arrow right through your eye socket.”
The man laughed again, but with less confidence.
“Fine.” He went towards Rou and unbounded her hands. Her wings still covered with her cloak.
The hunter spoke to Rou but didn’t look away from the man. “Get out of here, run as fast as you can.”
Rou was afraid to move. She wasn’t sure what to trust anymore. One cage to another?
The man looked to her, “I’ll find you.” He laughed, maniacally.
Suddenly, blood shot across Rou’s face and screaming filled the room.
“Fuck Fuck Fuck!”
The hunter had shot the man.
Rou stared in horror as the man fell across the floor. Blood gushed onto the floor.
“Run!” yelled the Hunter.
Rou looked at the man and her body finally took a side. She ran down the stairs and raced out the door.
A sole horse stood outside. The Hunter holstered Rou up the horse. Before getting on, the Hunter went to the horse with the carriage, cutting him free. The Hunter got onto his horse and they set off into the woods.
She didn’t know where she was going. Too much was going on. The man’s blood. The chains clanging on the floor. She held on tight to the hunter as the horse galloped. She just wanted this to end.
She felt wind go up under her cloak and against her wings.
Her wings!
She no longer was held back.
She undid her cloak, letting it fly into the wind. She pulled at the bounding on her winds, and she was released into the air.
The man looked back and saw her iridescent wings shining in the sunlight. He halted to a stop and stared with big eyes.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Before disappearing above the tree tops.
Free.
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Little Red
A story by MelancholiCoercion:
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