Griselda

Chapter 1

Griselda’s POV

It did not took long before two boys appeared in front of me.

They must be brothers, I thought even though their difference is evident from each other’s faces.

They might hurt me here, thinking I am just a monster waiting for the right time to attack them, but this boy, the eldest I must say is calm. Only the boy behind him, probably also around my age shows the same expression I often see to our neighbors’ faces whenever they see me back at home.

“I’m Bernard, and this is my brother Brian.”

I sighed in relief when I saw this Bernard boy smiled to me. Finally, I found someone who does not get affected by how I look.

“My Ma left me here saying this is a safe place for me, but don’t worry because she’ll come back soon, with my Pa and they’ll bring me home—”

“When’s that happening? Haven’t you thought that maybe they just brought you here so they can dispose you and be happy with their lives?”

That struck me. Brian has a point, I know my parents went through a lot of shame having me as their child, they went through a lot of embarassments because of me. Because they were trying to protect me all these years from the harsh words of old people and of course the hurtings of other children on my age.

“Brian, you should not say that to—” he gave me an awkward stare that I understood was asking for my name.

“It’s Griselda.” I announced.

“Right, Griselda’s our visitor. You should be nice to her.”

“How can I be nice to someone whom I barely know which also looks exactly like a vicious bear?” He does not like me, that is for sure. And well, no one does. So nothing is new.

As Brian stormed inside of the mansion I looked back to Bernard who is really looking so calm.

“You looked exhausted. Were you running on your way here?”

I cannot believe he noticed that. With my face that was perfectly described by Brian awhile ago? Even I do not know how I look right now, worst I believe but I do not know. I stopped looking at my reflection long before since I also get scared sometimes whenever I see myself— too much for others but it is the truth.

“You can wait for your parents inside—”

“Do you know my parents?”

For the shortest time I hoped that he at least knew my parents, or my Ma at least since she was the one who took me here and said that this is a safe place for me away from the cruel world outside.

But, “No, I don’t know them. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. No one really knows my family outside the woods. They said we just appeared in the neighborhood and they think we’re here to kill them and they decided that it’s me who will put an end to their lives.”

I can never forget their accusations. No matter how hard I try. Even if I was showered with all the love that my parents can give just so I could stop thinking of the harsh words and judgments of the people around us, I just cannot forget about it. I pretend to be fine for their sake but I always get hurt everytime.

“Uhh, I cooked us a meal for dinner, and luckily I always cook extra for myself because Brian always get hungry in the middle of the night but don’t worry about it. I can cook for him again after I feed you.”

I was about to decline his offer and instead stay outside to wait formy parents to come but I panicked when I heard the howl of the wolves echoing all around the woods that is why I pulled Bernard beside me and we rushed inside the mansion. I made sure that the door was locked too.

I am actually fearful of wild animals. Specially wolves, I dreamt of them one time, I was picking up our family’s food from the garden made by Pa in the woods and a pack of wolves appeared and tore me to pieces until I died.

It was gross but it definitely made a mark on my mind that wolves will kill me once they sees me. After all, I look like a bear, and bears do not really get along with wolves. They are enemies, as I learned through the books we have at home.

“I’ll leave you here first, make yourself comfortable—”

“Where are you going?”

“To the kitchen? I’ll serve you the food I was talking about.”

I watched him walk to the aisle of their mansion and that gave me a chance to look around, this is indeed big for two boys to live in. Do they live by themselves?

“Griselda? Let’s eat!”

I brushed off my thoughts then I followed him to their dining area to eat.

“You should not be afraid of wolves, Griselda.”

“They are dangerous.”

“How old are you?”

“I’m 12. Turning 13 on November 22.”

“Really? You have the same birthday as Brian. That’s great news.”

I wanted to ask why but the food he served was delicious and it was taking all my attention so in the end I focused on my eating.

I volunteered to wash my own plate as I am used to doing that back at home in which Bernard tried to stop me but I refused. He already gave me shelter and food tonight, I cannot be thankful enough by just saying that I am.

“Do you mind if I show you a bedroom where you can stay for the night just in case your parents can’t fetch you tonight?”

To be honest, I do not even know if they will ever come back for me again.

Ma made it clear that it may be our last time seeing each other but I must hold on to my hope that they will come back for me, soon.