The Thorn and the Rose

Chapter 2: Trespasser

My night was not restful, dreams full of monsters, falling, and sometimes just blackness and I wake early, the sky is barely beginning to lighten. Getting up, I dress quickly and try to eat breakfast, though my nerves make my appetite small. I sit at the table, staring out of my squat window at the line of trees I can barely see between all the buildings. Sighing, I finally decide to go out. It’s the weekend, and maybe a long walk will help me relax, being among trees has always helped before.

When I was younger, when my body began to change I distanced myself from everything. While all my friends had new hair growth, the boys especially showing their little moustaches off, I began to get rough patches of skin. My parents thought it was some kind of rash, the doctors calling it eczema gave me cream, which didn’t help at all. My parents didn’t listen to me and I gave up trying to tell them. The rough skin gave way to small black scales, which I knew wasn’t normal. Then while the other girls breasts began to fill out I also gained strange bony bumps on my back, sometimes it ached so much it hurt. My parents called it growing pains, but I knew it was more, that I was different. When the pain became too much, I ran into the woodland behind my hometown. There I found solace and calm among the trees. The world was quiet there, it helped me to cope with what was happening to me. That woodland became more my home than the house, I’d go there after school and not go back to my parents until the sun touched the horizon. I knew I was different, and as my wings grew out, a tail following them, I knew people would hate me, maybe even fear me, but the trees held no judgement, the animals looked at me as they would look at anyone. Right now that’s what I needed.

I check my wounds and rebandage them, they are still bleeding a little which worries me a lot. After a night's sleep that should have stopped, maybe I just moved around too much with the nightmares, not letting them begin healing like they should. I grab a small jacket, the morning air will still be nippy this early, and head out. I live a bit of a way from the edge of the city but decided to walk it, sitting tight in a car or on a bus just didn’t feel like fun right now, I just need to be on my own. It takes me a good hour to get to the tree line, but seeing the tall trunks instantly makes me feel more at ease. I take in a big breath and let it out slowly, trying to let all my tenseness out with it. This woodland became a national reserve after some kind of rare deer migrated and began living here. It’s open to the public on the condition the animals aren't harmed. Most of the paths are fenced off so people have to stick to the marked out trails. However there are some unknown paths that are not, I found these a while ago and have explored much of this woodland. I am careful to stay away from the deer like all the signs say, but it’s very rare to see them anyway. Once I'm walking these deserted trails I let my mind wander. It’s not often I see people this way and, being so early, I shouldn't see a soul. 

I let my feet lead the way, not really going any place in particular, while I think about lots of things. First I think about my childhood, how lonely I became, but how much I ended up loving the woodlands, how I finally accepted my difference and threw myself into my work to get good grades. I remember deciding early that if I was to be alone then I wanted to have a happy life in other ways, that meant a good job and that meant hard work. I’d always been average to that point so I surprised many of my teachers when my grades began to shoot up. Everything worked out fine, I followed my plan and I had what I wanted. Coming to this city I had settled into a routine, working, playing games on my PC in the evenings, then archery practice on the weekends. I was content, so why did some monster have to jump me and ruin it all?

I sigh, frustrated, closing my eyes for a moment to try to relax again. Ahead of me, I hear a twig snap and, looking up, I see a man. He stands tall and firm, I change direction a little to go around him. I’m a little surprised to see another person out here, it even irritates me a bit, since I wanted to be on my own right now. What's even more irritating is he copies my movements, blocking my path. I furrow my brow and put my hands on my hips as I stop in front of him, getting a good look. He seems somehow familiar, tall, muscled, mousy brown hair. He has rather small hazel eyes which look me over from head to toe. His brow also furrows, but it looks more like he’s confused at me being here than anything else. 

I take in a breath, drawing myself up to my full height, I’m probably only an inch shorter than him and not intimidated in the slightest. “Hey, what’s the big idea? I’m walking here,” I call out, feeling exasperated.

He looks me over again before responding. “You can’t come this way, turn around.” His voice is deep, but there’s a softer tone to it. He’s obviously not used to being commanding.

I look confused now. “What are you on about? This is a public park, I can go where I want.”

“Er, well...” He looks a little confused that I’d responded rather than turned around. I guess he is used to people being intimidated by his form, rather than having to actually confront them. “Look, I’m sorry, you just can’t come this way. Go back to the paths or something, it’s dangerous.”

His stance widens a little and his hands ball into fists while his jaw clenches, I feel like I recognise him again “Who are you?” I ask as I take a step towards him. “I feel like I've seen you somewhere.”

He looks a little panicked by this but continues to hold his ground. “Er, what? No… I’ve just got one of those faces. Please, I don’t want to force you, just go home.”

I take another step forward, peering at him. He tenses at my continued scrutiny, his jaw closed tight, giving his face a rather square look to it. “Wait… you’re...” I quickly take back the steps I had just traveled as recognition dawns on me. He’s the monster from last night, the thing that was the cause of the wounds in my side. Fear quickly flooded my system.

“No, that wasn’t… I didn’t… I’m sorry…” He seems at a loss for words, I can almost see the cogs turning in his brain as he tries to figure out a response. “Look, we er, we got off to a bad start yesterday, and I really don't want to hurt you now. My name is Dean, these are our woods and I’d really appreciate it if you left.”

I narrow my eyes at him as he takes a breath, his fingers uncurl and he takes a step towards me. I take a breath myself, getting a grip on my fear, a quick look around confirms to me that I can easily escape if things go south and I wasn't about to back down so easily in daylight. “Well, nice to meet you Dean, but these are public woods and I will go where I like within them.” I pull my best haughty face and attempt to once again move past him.

Of course he gets in my way again, his features beginning to show worry. “Don’t make me fight you. You have to leave before…” He pauses and seems to listen for a moment.

I have my hands on my hips again and watch him closely. “Before what?” 

“Before he gets here.” His response is with a heavy sigh and a hung head.

A second later, I hear a call from behind him. “Dean? Why hasn’t the trespasser left yet?”

I look up to see a second brute of a man walking towards us from between the trees. He’s taller than both of us by a good half foot, he’s got short black shaggy hair, dull brown eyes and large lips. His most defining trait, at least right now, is he’s wearing nothing but sandals and a pair of shorts. My first thought is he must be damn cold.

Dean sighed and turned with a half wave. “I’m trying, man, but she’s a persistent one, wants to know why it's dangerous.” 

The newcomer furrows his brow with irritation. “Then show her, damn it, we don’t have time for this.” His voice is loud and commanding, much more so than Dean. He scared me a little.

“I can’t do that, she’d go and tell someone!” Dean responded. 

I was a little confused at this. I assumed they were talking about being able to change into monsters, but Dean knew I wasn't human too. Either way, I won’t let this opportunity pass by, so while they are arguing, I shrug my shoulders and attempt to slip away between the trees to continue my walk. I was very curious at this point of what they are protecting ‘trespassers’ from. I thought I’d gotten away with it, but no, about 10 yards later I hear Dean yell. Turning, I see the newcomer launching after me.