Little Red Riding Hood

Accalia, otherwise known as Red riding hood, is the outsider of her village because of her trademark outfit and her anti-social behaviour. Many a man tried to woo her but none would prevail, none coul

Chapter 1

Flowers

Sweet humming danced playfully around the rose garden. God's star smiled at the young lady in crimson clothing as she sniped a single rose with silver scissors. She trimmed the stem and placed it in her yellow locks while she meandered back into her cottage. A clatter came from the door. She quickly traveled to the source. The mailman held out six letters to her with a smile. She took them with a rolling of her eyes.
"I'm going to assume one is from you." The mailman blushed. She shuffled through the pink envelopes until she found one from her grandmother. She opened the letter with her red painted nail.

To my little red,
I will not be able to come to village for some time.
I have contracted a disease, you see, making it hard for me to move.
I do not wish to be a burden to you
but I would request you bring me food, if it wouldn't be too much trouble for you.
Love your grandmother. 

The crimson dressed girl dropped all the letters and snatched her woven basket from the coat hanger. She pushed passed the mailman as he stared at all the pink envelopes on her floor. 

"Granny!" The young lady yelled as she flew into the room.
"Quiet down, Accalia, i'm quite fine."
"But-!"
"But nothing child." Accalia hung her head and slumped down next to her grandmother's rocking chair.
"I brought food." Her granny smiled as she ruffled her hair.
"Thank you my little cub."

Accalia entered the forest once again to deliver food to her grandmother. While following the regular path she was distracted by a peculiar white butterfly. Subconsciously she followed the flying cloud into a darker part of the forest. Realizing where she had lost her self  Accalia adjusted her hood uncomfortably and slid her hand around her small waist. She shuffled with vigilants throughout the eerie woodlands. Her heart thumped as creeks, howls and other unearthly noises echoed within the intertwining branches of black trees, which blocked any light from God's star. She shivered at the chilling winds. A roar came behind her. Red riding hood clocked her head slowly behind her with fear. Fiery eye's glowed with murderous intention within the foliage. Accalia shirked. She clutched her basket of food as her legs hastily carried her away from the beast.   

She tripped; fell to the ground. Her heart raged in her chest as if it was about to burst. She turned on her back and sat up slightly to see a bear about to land on her. The blackness in her eye's expanded. Before the impact she slammed her eyes shut. A jolt to her side hit her and she was lifted off the ground. She reopened her eyes and raised her sight. His skin was pale, expression worried with a shade of anger, rugged copper hair flying about and...ears?! 

The 'man' set Accalia down. Like a scared rabbit he scurried off behind the neighboring tree. He peeped his head out like a child and gazed at the breathless beauty. The girl quickly glanced at her basket. Some bread had fallen onto emerald floor. She picked up the large bread roll. As she looked back up to her savior she noticed his attention turned angrily to the food. Accalia stretched her arm out - his body mirrored. His brunette tail wagged furiously. 

"You can have it if you want." Accalia smiled at the creature. On all fours the wolf-man edged closer. He took the bread in his hands. As soon as the damsel released the food he shoved it in his mouth not bothering to chew. "Guess you were hungry." The 'man' sniffed around her basket. "Uh-uh, that's for my grandmother." It whimpered. "Sorry but i think she needs this more than you."

"You like flowers?" The wolf's husky voice blurted. Accalia's jawed dropped. "You like me to rephrase question?" 

"No I understand the question perfectly fine it's just...what are you exactly?" The 'man' tilted his head as Little Red studied his fur covered legs. 

"Is not obvious?" She shook her head. "I wolf."

"But you have a human body." She countered. He repeated his simple words. "Ok...do you have a name?" Again he recited the two words. Accalia shrugged. "Well thank you for saving me...Wolf." She smiled. Wolf returned the grin, revealing white canines. "What big teeth you have!" Wolf hung his head. Puzzled, she petted him. He lifted his eyes. "That's a good thing for a wolf!"

"I don't like teeth. Teeth are bad. Teeth are dangerous."

"That may be the case but for you they'll really...." Red tried to find a complementing word to describe the cosmic canines."....calming." Wolf beamed and sat proudly. 

"You feed me?" He slid closer. 

"I'm sorry but like I said before this is for my grandmother."

"I give you flower." He placed a hand on his heart.

"I think I have enough flowers!" Accalia laughed. 

"Not theses flower." He disappeared momentarily. When he returned he held the most magnificent flower in his hand. It sparkled like diamonds, had petals like lily-blossom's and had tiny thorns upon the stem. "You have this flower?" Her head gestured no as her eyes fixated on the floweret. "You want flower?"

"Yes, but I have nothing to give you return." Wolf shook his head rapidly to contradict her. "I do? Then what?" 

"You bring food. If you bring food I tell you flower's secret." The wolf-man wagged his tail excitedly as he waited for answer.

Accalia stood in the bakery waiting for her order. As she sat, Charles, the mayor's son, entered with the usual 'I'm God's gift' walk. He was the worst kind of person; he could talk the talk but couldn't walk the walk, making him a lion with no teeth or claws.

"Ah Accalia what a coincidence!" Charles over-reacting infuriated Little Red.

"I come in here every day at the same time." Her blunt tone deadpanned one of her many admirers. "Is there any important reason your conversing with me or are you going to get on with your business?"

"I would like to ask you on a...date."

"I said important."

"Red, your order is ready!" The brown dressed baker hollered. A smile of appreciation appeared onto her face as she paid the baker. Charles interrupted her exit. A wild glare filled her blue eyes. A nervous smile hid his fear.

"Please at least take this and think about my offer." Accalia snatched it and continued on her way not before ripping and dropping the note in clear view of Charles.

"Wolf!" Little Red Riding Hood called for her savior. Seconds later copper hair 'wolf' crawled from out the bushes. He sniffed the air strongly and almost leaped to the young lady. She giggled at his excitement. Not wanting to tease the creature she unraveled his food and placed it out for him. "Is that enough?" Wolf began to munch on the nourishments. "Guess that answers my question." Accalia stood, basket in hand and embarked on the journey to her granny's.

"You not stay?" His animal voice whimpered.

"No, maybe I'll come see you tomorrow?"

"But you not have flower."

"I'll come tomorrow promise." She petted him. "I really must be off!"

"So what's this big secret?" Wolf grinned as he presented the flower.

"Flower keeps youth when persons sing to flower." It took a moment to arrange his simple words.

"So if I sing to the flower I will stay young?" Rapidly the wolf man nodded his head. "Really?! Wow, never knew such things existed or even creatures like yourself." She snapped her hand back before she took the flower. "And all you wanting return is food?" He nodded once again. She gazed into the amber eyes of the beast in front of her. Was he lying?

"I not like wolf, I like dog. I loyal like dog, protect you like dog only if you care for me."

"You want a friend."  Red whispered. "Your not a dog, Wolf, you are human." She hugged Wolf.

"They call me a wolf, they want to kill me." His low voice growled in her ear.

"I don't want to kill you." Red pulled back. "I want to protect you. You are more human then anyone I have ever met!"

"Even if I don't give you flower?"

"Wolf friendships are more then gift giving." She stood up and took his hand. "I'll come see you everyday and we'll have picnics and I'll teach you how to speak human tongue and I'll sing to you and whatever else you want. I owe you my life Wolf, I'll do whatever you ask of me." Wolf's eyes glistened like warm fire in winter. She kissed him on the head and smiled. "It's Accalia by the way."

"Accalia..." He purred as red painted his cheeks. He held up the flower to her. She took it gladly and placed it in her basket.

"I must be off now Wolf, I'll come by earlier tomorrow ok?" A bark of agreement came from the wolf-man.

Chapter 2 

Contrast

A knock came from the door of Accalia's house. 
"Odd...the mailman has already come." Shrugging she unlocked the barrier and pulled it back. A man, with an un-visible face due to the overly large bouquet of roses, stepped into the house while Red was dumbfounded. Realizing it was Charles she slammed the door but his foot refused the door of shutting. 
"For you, my lovely lady."
"I don't remember being yours." Accalia crossed her arms and pushed the flowers away as she continued to the kitchen. 
"Yes, apologies." Charles awkwardly nodded as he followed her. 
"Is there a real reason why you’re here?"
"Yes, your trips into the woods are mighty minacious and I would like to send someone with you-"
"No!" Red accidentally exclaimed. As she tried to coolly cover her mistake Charles noticed the fanciable flower beautifully being displayed in a hand-made holder.  The mayor’s son instinctively stomped over to it. Not wanting to look more suspicious she kept quiet.
"Who gave you this?" Charles growled.
"How do you know I didn't just find it?"
"That exact sentence tells me so." He shot red a stare of fury.
"What's it to you?! You don't own me! Who gives me flowers is none of your concern!" Little Red charged over to him while pointing her finger in his face. Very calmly Charles leant closer to Accalia:
"If I don't own you, then I’ll make sure I will." 

"What wrong?" Wolf hurried to her. Red immediately threw her arms round Wolf.
"It's nothing...." she wept, "I'm just being silly."
"Silly? No, you beautiful you like pretty flower!" Wolf handed her another of the enticing flowers. Accalia laughed slightly and stroked his face after taking the flower.
"Why isn't everyone like you Wolf?" A childish shrug came from the beast. "It's ok, you don't need to know." Stepping away she revealed the goodies she brought for her Wolf friend. A broad grin expanded on Wolf's face.

"Where are you taking me?" Accalia giggled as she sprinted with Wolf who was fondly gripping her hand. Without warning the wolf-man put her on his back - Red let out a playful scream. Little Red Riding Hood gasped as she realized what her friend's plan was. "Wolf you can't make that jump!" Ignored, he picked up his pace. Holding on so tightly she thought she might hurt him, Wolf leaped across the grassy canyon. 
Everything felt slower - like time's hand stopped itself from ticking so Red could enjoy the moment. The river below them peacefully swayed to the sea, the clear light blue sky smiled and the ball of fire illuminated them.
Wolf landed skilfully, using his big feet to break the fall, causing them to slide. Accalia shakily got off his back with a breathy giggle. Barely giving Red a chance to catch their breath he pulled her along again. Without resistance she followed. 

Back into the foliage Wolf constantly looked back onto Accalia, as if holding her hand wasn't enough to know she was there. Though she didn't mind, honestly she thought it was cute.
Every man in her village was either a shivering wreck, an abusive drunk or was a stuck up arrogant fool but Wolf, he was kind, strong, caring, handsome - something she had never experienced before. 
"Close eyes." Wolf finally talked.
"Ok...?" Trusting him she did so and was gently pulled along. When the excited command was given to reopen her eyes the hugest apple tree belittled her. The trunk was five times as big as her, even the branches were thick as a normal tree trunk would be. The leaves were the ripest green ever to be seen and stood - hung everywhere upon the branches. The fruit glistened like rubies in the sun’s light making Accalia want to take a bite out of them. "It's magnificent." Red breathed.
"Tree is friend, tree gives me food, like you." Wolf soothed the brown wood.
"You eat fruit?!" He nodded. "You never cease to surprise me." Red came to his side.
"Fruit you want to eat?"
"Yes, but only if you say it correctly. Repeat after me .Do you want to eat the fruit?'" Wolf attempted the sentence but failed. "Close. Let me go slower-"
After a while Wolf got it:
"Do you... want to eat the...fruit?" Wolf happily smiled as Accalia praised him.
"Now how about that apple?"

Chapter 3 

Secrets

Charles stormed into his room with frustration. His loyal servant jumped at the action - though he was use to his childish outburst. 

"M-master Charles what is the matter?" The shivering man stated as Charles torn down the book case. After turning his undeserved room into a wasteland he rotated to his servant with a plastic smile.

"Everything is quiet all right Carter." Charles growled.

"Are you sure you-"

"I said I am fine! When I say i'm fine what does that mean Carter?!" Charles gripped the poor man by the neck.

"I-it means you're f-fine...!" Carter choked out.

"Good, you're not a fool after all. I acquire your assistants, what say you?" Carter couldn't breath nor let out a single word.  Charles  released him to the floor.

"What is troubling you master?" Carter asked when regained himself.

"There is a girl I wish to marry but she is not in love with me."

"Porpostrus! You are the most handsome man in the village!" 

"Quiet but her interest holds not in me but another!" Charles slammed his hand on the table he was next to.

"What if we eliminated the interest...?" Carter began to cackle along with Charles steady, evil laughter. 

"You are a good servant!" 

Wolf sniffed for Accalia but she was nowhere to be found. Just as he began to worry she sprang out the bush like a rabbit and jumped on him. Not ready for the impact they went rolling down the steep hill which Wolf was next to. Holding on tightly to the wolf-man she giggled at their misfortune until she realised Wolf was on top of her. 

"Are you ok?" Shocked that the animal had the words of a human tongue. He sounded just like a real man - a handsome, low voiced man...no, he was still a beast.

"Y-yes, i'm fine," Accalia giggled as she pushed Wolf off. The wolf-man gasp suddenly. He leaped over to a trodden on flower. Lifting his head up, he howled a mighty tune and the flower bloomed anew. Honestly Little Red shouldn't have been as surprised as she was due to having a flower that gave her eternal youth but despite that she looked down on Wolf awe as she happily gaxed upon the plant like his own masterpiece. "Why do you protect the flowers?" Accalia knelt down beside the yellow bud. 

"Flowers protect world." 

"But there only flowers." Red examined the plant. So fragile and beautiful, how could such a small thing protect something so big? 

"Flowers special, Wolf protect them, Wolf love them, flower love Wolf." Accalia still didn't understand but agreed with him. He was an impossible being so she was sure he knew what he was talking about.  

The lay down next to a quiet crystal river. Accalia watched Wolf as his eyes wondered about the summer sky. He smiled at the birds that flew past, they seemed to tweet a hello in return. Accalia poured of his origins. Where was he from, did he have family were there others like him? Before she could open her mouth to speak Wolf was surprising snarling at a raven who was edging closer to a thin flower bed. Red sat up and slightly watched. She's never seen Wolf angry, she didn't think he was capable of such an emotion. The raven soon departed and the wolf-man calmed. 

"Do you not like them birds?"

"Raven, crow evil, black wings kill flower." Accalia stroked his auburn hair.

"Wolf...?" he looked towards her, "are there others like you?" 

"Yes, many. Different but same. They not like many human."

"Do you have a family?" Wolf crossed his legs and twirled his hair. Accalia realised she had hit a soft spot. "Tig! You're it!" Little Red sprung up and began to run. With confusion he chased her. They laughed and giggle. Ran all around the plains. Wolf lost his footing and sent him, with Accalia underneath him, to the ground. He wrapped his hands around her and made sure she fell on top. Red sat at his pelvis. The two of the breathed heavily. Wolf was enchanted by Accalia. How warming she was, how different she was. Red was no flower, he sensed as much, but there was something else, something familiar inside of her. He sat up, moving Accalia to his top legs. Wolf took her tiny hands in his giant, wolven ones. He gazed into eyes like the summer sky. Wolf hesitantly pressed his lips agasit her pink ones. Each felt there heart increase a thousand times more, their bodies tingled with excitement. Accalia admired Wolf's hazel eyes. Half man, half beast but kinder than any animal and more human then any she met. 

"Accalia...?" the wolf-man softly hummed.

"Yes?"

"I....I...love...I love you....!" with embarrassment Wolf glanced up at Little Red.

"I love you too!" Accalia threw her arms around Wolf. This was all she ever wanted. Some one to love and some her to love back just as much.

Wolf tightly clasped Accalia's warming hand. She said she was leading him to somewhere he could stay and have company. While Wolf did in truth have his wariness about the situation, he truly trusted the human. They approached a clearing in the woods. A small white brick, thatched roof cottage sat in the middle. Wolf held Red's hand tighter as he sensed something like himself in the house. Accalia opened the door to her grandmother's house. She told her animal friend to wait outside. 

"Red...I thought you had forgotten about me." Granny swayed back and forth in her rocking chair. 

"I'm sorry Granny but there is someone I'd liked to introduce you to." The kind old women raised her eyebrow. "Wolf!" Accalia loudly hollard. The wolf-man entered and quietly approached the two women. Granny gazed at him in awe. "I know it's a lot to take in but he's so loney and when i'm not here he can take care of you." Accalia held her Grandma's and Wolf's hand. 

"I'd been more than happy to dear."

"Really? Oh Granny thank you!" Little Red hugged her granny tightly.

"I thought you kind decayed." Granny spoke out when her granddaughter departed.

"Me, family are last of kind. Yours only remain."Wolf sat down next to the sick woman. "Why you not tell her?"

"I don't want her to be inflicted by the eternal cycle of pain and love - she is fine just the way she is."

"I love her. If we together Accalia miss cycle." Wolf almost begged in his gruff voice. 

"If you do this for me i'll be forever grateful, but be warned man is dangerous, there not all like her. If you truly love my granddaughter you'll hide yourself from the world the best you can - there is sadly no place for your kind," Granny took Wolf's beast hand, weakly, "you'll do well to remember that."