Albion Grimm

Douglas's story

“Hey! Hey, are you dead? if not, answer me.” Someone was yelling at me. “Wake up I said!” Some one was shaking me, my head rocking back and forth.

“What is it? What’s going on?” As soon as I spoke, I was dropped to the ground. Towering above me was the man named Douglas, who I encountered in the alley of Grimm Town. My eyes drifted to his hands and sure enough they resembled dog paws, a big bushy tail sweeping the ground behind him. Chocolate brown fur covered his body while his bright green eyes looked down at me.

“Finally.”

“Where am I?”

I have to escape. Douglas was ranting about how strange it was for ‘a woman to be collapsed in a place like this’. I should find some place to hide. I was getting ready to make a run for it, until a howl echoed around before several wolves emerged from the forest. White teeth glistening as they growled, eyes locked onto me. Scrambling backwards I yelled; “Wolves! Why on earth would there be wolves.” A soft growl came from behind me as several more emerged to block my escape.

“They work for me. Don’t you think it would be rude to just run away? You’re the girl who was in Grimm Town with Red, aren’t you? I see that I stumbled upon a treasure.” Douglas narrowed his eyes and his lips curled up in a smirk. “I suppose I’ll use you as bait to lure Red. Knowing him, he won’t abandon you. Makes no difference to me, as long as he arrives.”

Shock ripped through my body, fear keeping me completely frozen. If I try to escape, he will just send the wolfs after me. Despite feeling panic over my predicament, I frantically tried to come up with a plan.

Albion Grimm POV

“There are two victims, poor things.” Red looked down sympathetically at the men who were shredded beyond recognition.

“Your Majesty, if I may speak…” Hansel’s voice was uncertain, as if he expected me to yell.

“Go ahead.”

“There’s something different about the Predator’s actions. There different from previous reports and from what I have witnessed.”

“I had the same thought.” I dipped my head slightly in agreement. “It’s almost as if it was meant as a diversion, but from what?”

“Your intuition is spot on, King Grimm.” Douglas appeared out of nowhere, looking smug, like he had finally won something.

“How did he get here so silently? Without any of us hearing him?” Hansels voice shook letting on just how much it was getting to him.

“It must be his illusion magic again.” Red moved to attack but I held my hand up halting him.

“What do you want Douglas?”

“I’ve got the girl.”

“What girl?” In my heart I knew, there is only one who would make him think he had already won.”

“Get over here.” Douglas tugged on something, and gradually Alya came into view.

“Ouch! Hey, stop it. That hurts!” Alya was outraged and stomped on Douglas’ tail.

“Owe! Why you little!” Douglas grabbed her collar in a rage before quickly getting a hold of himself and letting go.

“Tsk. I can’t kill my hostage.” Alya shrieked as he shook her. Her dress was dirty and torn and she was covered in dirt with leaves and twigs stuck in her hair. Her eyes were wide with fright and she kept glancing to either side of her. Douglas scowled as he abruptly released her with a shove.

“Red, come on your own to the Barbaric Cave. If you don’t, what you see before you will look like a kitty scratch. Douglas smiled in amusement as he faded away.

“Your Majesty, I’m sorry but I must go.” Red was running as soon Douglas had disappeared.

“Hold on!” Hansel shouted, stopping Red.

“Douglas said it had to be me. If I don’t go, he’ll…”

“Still, you shouldn’t go on your own. He’s using her as bait so that he can find the opportunity to kill you.”

“They are in charged until I return.” My voice was cold but I couldn’t help it as I spoke to the soldier’s captain, before marching off. I mounted my horse in one swift movement as he pranced ready to go. Glancing back at Red and Hansel who were still arguing with each other. The soldiers captain shrugged his shoulders, a look of worry on his face, but he wouldn’t try to stop me.

Alya POV

I wondered how much time had passed since I was captured by Douglas. I was sitting on a tree stump trying to brush my hair with my fingers, gently working all the leaves and twigs out when Douglas began to speak.

“Red shot and killed my father. He destroyed our lives without any warning. It’s said that my father was executed for going around killing story characters. But he was my father! Am I supposed to just stand by and accept that?” I frowned as I watched him vent his frustration and anger. I don’t totally agree to just execute a man even if he’s hurt so many others. But Douglas is dead set on revenge. “Red is a nitwit who will do anything Gimm orders, but he’s also one of the best fighters. I’m actually looking forward to this. It’s your life for his. Which do you think he’ll choose?” Douglas looked at me, the corners of his mouth curling up in a smirk.

“Don’t ask me, I have no idea.” I mumbled looking away. I can’t believe I got caught by someone like him. I had to find a way to escape on my own, but that would prove difficult. Until then… “Hey, Douglas. Can I ask you something?”

“What?”

“Were you the one who was calling my name?”

“What?” Instead of looking dubious, he regarded me one eyebrow raised as if to say, ‘what is she talking about?’

“I heard someone calling me in a sad voice, then everything went fuzzy.”

“Maybe you just collapse and were dreaming?” Douglas s quickly lost interest in me turning to check on the wolves.

So it wasn’t Douglas. In that case, who? I heard the sound of hooves gradually approaching as they galloped over the grass and dirt.

“Is that Red?” Douglas smirked gleefully as he braced himself his wolves fanning out behind him. And then from the other side of the trees burst Alb riding his black stallion. He jumped down while the horse continued on, his hand resting on a sword.

“What are you doing here?” Douglas’ eyes widened and his voice hitched. The wolves yelped and ran back into the forest. Alb levelled his cool gaze on Douglas and remained even-tempered as he spoke.

“Douglas, it is not Red you should be holding a grudge against.” Douglas took a step back, eyes wide in shock. “You should hate me as I’m the one who gave Red the order. But you can’t. Do you know why?” When there was on answer he continued. “You won’t direct your anger at me because you know you cannot win against me.” Alb’s voice was cold as he stated everything. “You are right, you’ll never win against me.” his voice was ice cold and I could detect the furry under the surface.

“Shut it, Grimm. You know I told Red to come here, right? What’s the point of me takin’ this girl if he doesn’t show up?” Douglas glared daggers at Alb, clearly in an emotional state. “I’ll kill her!” his body flew backwards and crashed into a wall of rock as he tried to grab me. I couldn’t immediately comprehend what had happened. I think I saw Alb’s arm twitch a little. I blinked in surprise, but all I could digest was that Douglas was lying unconscious. My eyes darted to Alb. His expression was sombre as he slowly closed the distance between us.

Is he angry?

“Alb?” His arms wrapped around me. Was he worried about me? I realised his expression was not one of anger, but one of deep concern. I squeezed him back, his heart pounding along with mine.

“Thanks for coming to save me, Alb.”

“It’s nothing. I’m the King. I have more power than anyone in this land.” His words were curt, but his arms tightened around me. I gave a small chuckle and kissed his cheek before resting my head on his chest, listing as his heart rate slowly come back down to normal. After a moment we stepped back and regarded each other.

“Can you tell me what happened? I can’t imagine Douglas setting foot in the castle?” Alb frowned in confusion as he questioned me.

“After you left for town, I was going to return to my world like you told me. And that’s when I heard a strange voice.”

“A voice?”

“Yes. It sounded so sad. As I listened to the voice, my mind started to become a blur. I don’t even remember how I got here.”

Alb seemed to know something, for he fell quiet as he considered this. Douglas groaned in pain as he grabbed onto a rock and shakily stood up.

“Don’t think you’ve beaten me yet. If I use the magic from this crystal, I can inflict a serious blow against you.”

“You’re tenacious, I’ll give you that.” Alb sent Douglas an exasperated look and lifted his arm, while moving me behind him with the other. I glanced at Alb as nothing happened, Douglas started laughing but was cut off by a moaning sound coming from the back of the cave. The sound grew louder and louder until a black shadow came flying out of the cave.

“What?” Douglas gasped in surprise.

The shadow launched straight at Douglas, and he was engulfed in what looked like a black fog.

“Argh! Stop it! Sto-“Douglas collapsed on the ground before he could finish what he was saying, the shadow following him down. Albs hand wrapped around my head pulling me to his chest dimming the sounds of Douglas’s screams until they stopped. The shadow finally let go, turning to face us, Douglas was gone.

“What? What just happened?”

Alb didn’t utter a word as he steered down the shadow. With a defining growl it disappeared.

“Alb, what was that?” I was grasping onto his coat in fear that it would come back.

“It was the Predator.” Alb turned to me and spoke without hesitation. “We are going back to the castle. Alright?”

“Aren’t you going to chase after it? Doesn’t the Predator attack story characters?”

Alb simply shook his head. “We have no way of finding it at the moment. Besides, for now, I want you to rest, Alya.”

We ended up riding Alb’s horse back to the castle with me sitting in front of him, his arm wrapped around me keeping me steady as he rode with one hand on the rains. Felling warm and safe I snuggled into him and let my eyes drift shut.

“Alya, were home, you have to wake up now.” Something soft brushed across my forehead. “Red and Hansel are waiting for you.”

“Alya! I’m so glad you’re all right. I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.” As soon as he saw me, Red apologized profusely.

“No, it’s not your fault, Red. Douglas me when, um.”

If it wasn’t Douglas who took me then who?

“Don’t worry about him, he was just devoured by the Predator.” Grimm delivered the news as if this happened all the time.

“I knew Douglas was in trouble the moment the King swooped in, but I never thought he’d be attacked by the predator.” Hansel appeared calmer his eyes were still wide with shock though.

“Alya, go rest in your room. I’m sure these two are relieved now that they’ve seen you safe. I will check on you in a moment.”

“Thank you.”