Red

Chapter 3

Then the wolf starts to growl at him and I know he is going to attack Duncan if he comes any closer.

“Duncan stay away he won’t hurt me.” I yell.

“Red it’s a wolf and he looks pretty hungry,” Duncan says, but something in his tone makes me uneasy.

“Duncan I can handle this just give me a chance.” I say going into the basket and getting out a sandwich. “Hey you hungry boy,” I say.

“Red just come on it’s a ‘wolf’” Duncan yells putting too much emphasizes on wolf. What is his problem?

“Duncan I said I can handle it now leave,” I yell at him.

“I’m not leaving you here in the forest at night with a wolf eating your hand!” he yells, and they call me stubborn. He walks closer and the wolf goes crazy.

“Duncan stay away,” I yell at him. “Don’t get yourself killed you crazy imbecile.”

“I’m not stupid,” he says getting upset like he always does. I can’t help but smile.

“Now, really isn’t the time for this, go, I’ll catch-up.” I say trying to reassure him.

“Red for the last time no,” He yells coming closer and the wolf laps on top of him.

“No don’t hurt him please don’t hurt him,” I yell at the wolf and he runs to my side and growls at Duncan.

“Red come with me please,” Duncan pleas.

“I’m going to be okay,” I say and I know it’s true I can just feel it.

“I’ll stay right here but I won’t leave you,” he says sitting by a tree.

“Okay,” I say sitting and petting the wolf until he falls asleep. I get up and lay some more sandwiches out for when he wakes up. “Duncan come on.” I say waking him.

“Do you know that wolf could have killed you? What were you thinking Red?” Duncan yells at me when we get closer to the village.

“Some one’s being a little melodramatic.” I say smiling at him.

“Red this is serious you can’t be in the forest alone, especially, at night. Do you know how worried I was? Then I heard the wolf and I thought the worst,” he says holding me.

“Dune, I’m fine,” I say pulling away from him and seeing the tears pool in his eyes.

“I know I just... you scare me sometimes,” Duncan says rubbing my cheek and I feel this weird flutter in my stomach.

“We should keep going its really late,” I say walking though the branches that have grown so long they cover the road.

“Your mom was going crazy when you weren’t back at noon,” he says smiling at me. “Stop fretting over the banquet she’s been trying to prolong this for years,” he says taking up for her like he always does.

“Sure Duncan whatever you say,” I smile and grab his hand.

“I mean it we both know who’s to blame.”

“You’re great you know that,” I say stopping him from going in to the village gate.

“Yeah, I know,” he says kissing my cheek.

When we enter the gates the village is too quiet. There’s this eerie feeling of isolation. I find myself walking really close to Duncan and watching my every step. The villagers are never this quiet. It’s a relief when we get to the palace and I hear the band playing and see the outline of the jester. “What’s going on?” I ask Duncan.

“Today the first day of festival, and your dad’s birthday,” He whispers, “If you rather go to bed I’m sure everyone will understand.”

“Yeah I’m sure that’s the best thing,” I say going to my room.

“How about I grab Josie and we pig out on the food your grandma gave us,” he says smiling at me.

“Sure,” I say closing the door. How did I forget today is father’s birthday. I feel my body slowly sink to the floor and I start to cry. I don’t know how long it was before the banging started. I’m just lie in bed, waiting for it to stop. It’s like I’m not even alive anymore. It even takes a second for me to realize the banging is the door. And I hear mother calling me. "Roselyn Marie open this door, I know you’re in there.”

I peel myself from under the protection of the covers and head to the door. “Yes mother?”

I stumble back as her arms wrap around me. “Why were you in the forest this late? I was worried sick about you and I sent Duncan, and then neither of you return until fourth hour, are you two insane. Now, Duncan saying you were attack by a wolf.”

“I wasn’t attacked, and that scrawny thing was hardly a wolf,” I laugh but mother isn’t amused, at all.

“Red I’m so sorry about last night I don’t know what I would’ve done if that wolf had hurt you,” she cries holding on to me.

“Mother, I’m fine please stop crying,” I beg as she squeezes me tighter.

***Duncan***

“Father, I’m sorry,” I say hanging my head ready for him to strike me like he always does when I mess up.

“I don’t know how you could let Able get out, and worse, how could you let him find Roselyn. Do you know what this means. He knows she’s still alive, and he’ll try to get her to use her powers.” Father says in a huff. I don’t know why, but I hate myself for messing up. Even though all father wants to do is hurt Red and Uncle Able. I don’t see how he can hate his own brother in such a way.

“I’m sorry father I’ll fix everything,” I say pleading with him.

“Duncan nothing can be done now, Able got away and it’s your fault,” he yells at me and goes to strike me, but he halts. “Duncan you’re right there’s one last thing we can try,” father says.

“What do you mean?” I ask lifting my gaze to his face.

He kisses the top of my head and says, “Don’t worry about it now, go enjoy festival.”

“Yes father,” I say and go to get Josefina from the dining hall.

“Duncan did you find Red?” Josie asks rushing over to me.

“Yeah she’s in her room now,” I say surprise that she's been waiting out side the study all this time.

"I hear you saved her from a wolf. The hunters are talking about it," she says giving me a bandage for my arm. Josie's always there after I have these fights with father, or Red. She's really a great friend. I guess that's how kids turn out when their parents are kind and care. They have no choice, but to be kind and care. It's great that I know I can trust Josie with my secrets and know she won't judge me, or worse, tell Red how much of a monster I am.

"Duncan I think you should tell Lotty what Lord Kane is doing to you. It's not fair that he takes his anger out on you." I don't know how many times I've heard this from her.

"I can't tell Aunt Lotty and you better, keep your mouth shut." I say as we round the corner leading to Red's room.

"What can't you tell me?" Aunt Lotty asks with curious eyes.