Chapter Text
I looked down at my blood-stained dress as I ran from the castle. It's cold, my hands and feet were completely numb making it extremely difficult but I had to leave the village. I’m the oldest female born in my family, meaning I am to be sent to Lady Dimitrescu in exchange for my family’s protection. I am to be sent to the castle in the morning. Once you go in, you don't come back. No one knows what goes on and I didn't plan on finding out. I managed to keep away from the Lycans and found a small abandoned shack just on the edge of the village.
“I’d better not start a fire,” I thought. “The smoke will attract attention, I need to find another way to get warm.” I look around the shack to find a blanket or anything that might keep me from freezing to death. I found a thin blanket and pillow under a pile of broken glass and splintered wood and shook it, trying to get just enough off to use it without cutting myself or getting a splinter. I laid the pillow in the middle of the floor, lied down, and covered myself with the thin blanket trying to get some sleep before I leaving in the morning. It was a long, cold restless night full of nightmares.
THUMP. I was awakened by the sound of something landing on the roof of the shack, I quickly scrambled to hide in an open wardrobe that was half-rotted. It wasn't ideal but neither was my situation. “Please, no,” I whispered to myself as I began to silently cry, I knew it was over. I was caught. But I was too afraid to leave my hiding place. Soon the building was surrounded by Lycans beating on and breaking the walls of the shack. I launched into sobbing uncontrollably, No one has survived a Lycan attack. As soon as it began it ended. It went from thunderingly loud to deafeningly quiet. After what felt like hours I slowly opened the door of the wardrobe. Peeking out the windows the snow was undisturbed, as though I had imagined the whole ordeal. I blinked hard. No, It can't be. Sure enough, nothing had changed. “
“I should probably look for shoes at least, I can't keep walking barefoot in the snow or I'll for sure get sick or lose a few toes to frostbite.” I searched the rest of the tiny home and found a single man's size 8 shoe and a woman size 9.5 both in rough shape. But they were better than bare feet. I slipped them on and continued to look for a jacket of some kind. Which I couldn't find so I wrapped the blanket around my shoulders and tried to build the courage to leave. What if the Lycans found me? What if I freeze to death? I didn't want to think about what would happen if I was caught by Lady Dimitrescu. I adjusted the blanket around my shoulders. If I don't go now, they will surely come looking. I stepped through the door frame and began walking, taking care to make as little noise as possible. The silence was deafening, soon I was at the edge of town. But I froze, I couldn't go any further, something was keeping me from leaving.
“Well, well, well, look who tried to run.” I turned around and saw a very tall elegant woman. She was both intimidating and comforting.
“Please don't hurt me, I... “
“Shhh, It’s okay dear, I promise you'll be okay, Come, let's get you someplace warm.”
The woman held out her hand. I froze, I don't know why but something compelled me to take her hand. She picked me up and cradled me as we walked. She was warm and soft and comforting. I soon fell asleep.