What Am I?

Fools in Love

My life was doomed before I was born. Like any naive young couple, my parents, Hank and Millie, had dreams of a beautiful house in the country. Here, they would raise their children-would grow up to be successful and kind, and everyone would come home for the holidays having nothing but love for one another. They were so in love and so reckless...Their first mistake was buying the land they wanted to build this fantasy on. It was SO cheap, a substitute teacher and barista could afford it. They couldn't believe their luck. They bought it and moved the RV onto it. Hank started to build their house. The land included a beautiful forest. So, when Dad started building, he naturally decided to use the wood on his land. This was the second mistake. For you see, this land and this wood were enchanted. In fact, it was the last safe haven for all things supernatural. Well, Daddy-dearest chopped down the wrong tree. Here is the story my grandmother tells:

An earsplitting scream knocked Hank to the ground. He scrambled to simultaneously cover his head and reclaim his ax, but instead, he found a foot that was radiating a soft, greenish light. And this foot was attached to a very pissed off wood nymph. "What. Have. You. Done?""Wh...what?" My father stammered.The nymph leaned down, putting only 2 inches between them."I said...what the f**k have you DONE!" Her rage consumed the ground around them. "I, I don't know. I'm sorry, I just, I....""You little bastard, you murdered him! You murdered my son!"Poor Hank's face went white as he looked around for a body. But all he found was the fallen tree. "I am so sorry. "he pleaded, "I think you have the wrong person, I can help you...."Just before the nymph stabbed him with her hand that had simehow become like a spear, another woman's voice called out."Dresnia!!"The nymph "Dresnia" froze, clearly conflicted between vengeance and obedience. Slowly, she gave in to the latter as a woman dressed head to toe in heather grey approached from behind. "Dresnia, dear, why don't you go cool-off for a moment while I speak with this young man."Dresnia's eyes narrowed slightly, but she turned to leave anyway, cursing quietly as she did. Hank turned wordlessly to the newcomer."Now then, let me introduce myself. My name is Helena, and your life is about to become a living hell."

                                        *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

Hank's mouth went dry. He had no idea how to respond. His head was still ringing from the scream that now seemed a lifetime ago. He stared, unable to do anything else.

Helena smirked.

"Now, it's obvious to me that you have no idea the tree you just chopped down was a wood-nymph. Not just any, either. No, this glorious pine was Queen Dresnia's youngest, and favorite child. It's a terrible loss. He was so beautiful...betrothed too...." Helena seemed to stare into another world as she spoke. Hank felt as though he was watching a movie, that is, until her gaze came back and settled directly on him.

"You are a stupid human." she snapped."You didn't know any better, so I won't allow Dresnia to end you just yet. Besides, there's no fun in simply killing you." Her eyes began to gleam with a terrifying glee. "No, no, Henry Adrian Smith, I've got very special plans for you..."

Hank jumped at the sound of his name. How did this woman know who he was? And what plans could she possibly have? Human? Wood-nymph? What was happening? Helena interrupted his racing mind.

"It's time for you to go now, Henry. Your wife is about to tell you she is pregnant. If you value the life of your wife and child, you will come back to this place tomorrow at sunrise."

Then Helena was simply gone. No smoke, no snap of the fingers or wiggle of her nose. Just gone, as though she'd never been. Hank began to think he'd been hallucinating this whole time. That is, until he saw the scorched earth where Dresnia had confronted him.

He started running. Down the path to the RV, Hank hurtled. He needed Millie, he needed to see her face. 

She was washing clothes in a wash tub and saw him. He must sense it she thought. And got up to meet him.

Millie caught Hank as he gasped for air. A smile was shining across her face, she let out a giggle at the sight of him. "Millie, oh Millie, my darling." Hank hung onto Millie like she would vanish if he let go.

"What has gotten into you? What's with the running and hugging? You act like you haven't been home in ages." Millie teased.

"I just...I needed to see you." Hank kissed her lightly on the head as he breathed in her scent.

"Well...maybe there's a reason you needed to see me." Millie looked at Hank coyly. "Because, I have something wonderful to tell you." She hugged him tighter around his neck and whispered in his ear, "You're going to be a daddy."