Red Ride

The naturistic smell of fresh cut grass wafts into my nose. Our neighbors are mowing their lawn. My mary janes wait at the end of my bed, slipping them on I make my way to the [[living room]] downstairs. I have to go to grandma's house today, shes going in for surgery soon and needs to prepare.

The smell of //blood// envades my nose when I walk in. A gruff man asks what I want with a giant cleaver in his hand. //I dont recognize him// I feel a bit nervous to respond, but I manage to say, "Can-n I get-t th-three chuck steaks-s please?" Without saying anything he goes in the back to weigh and wrap the steaks, that I ask for. I pay him and whisper a "thank you-u" hurrying up to get out of there. I can feel his stare piercing the back of my head as I [[walk out the door]].

The shop had an antique feel, that most places dont give you these days. My mom's friend is the owner, and she said business hasn't been great since the mega market opened up a few blocks away. Her daughter who is around my age was at the counter taking orders, while her younger brother went and got the breads people asked for. "The usual?" she inclined. "Yeah, but add a french bread roll too." Her brother hurried, but the bread I wanted was still in the oven. "Sorry miss, but you'll have to wait over [[there]] while it's in the oven, shouldn't take longer than 10 minutes." I brought a waxed canvas tote and put the french roll inside.

This is the usual place my mom and I get our produce, so it's not unwelcome when the owner askes, "What can I do for ya Red?" Since i'm visiting grandma today while my mom is at work and she plans to meet us there later I should get more than usual. "Ummm Id like a dozen eggs, a pound of cow cheese, and a pint of fresh yogurt" "sure thing girlie, anything else?," he questioned. "That's it for me" He stopped me before I left to ask, "You're going to your grandma's right? There's an [[alley]] outside that leads to a trail, that should go right past your grandams house." "Thank you so much"

Mom is frantically looking for her keys, shes running late for work. "You're going to granny's today right?" she was able to ask, signaling with her hand for me to hurry up and asnwer so she can leave. "Yeah, im headed into [[Town]] now." "Good, i'll see you when I get off work at 7pm" and walks out the door.

The bustling of the morning environment in the plaza, many people going to their respective work place. The //alleys// between shops scare me, shadows lurking in the darkness even in broad daylight. I was thinking about going to the [[Bread Shop]], the [[Meat Market]], or the [[Animal Produce Shack]], but which one?

It smells more like yeast in here than in the main room. Someone else is waiting in here with me as well, but they seem daized. The guy turned to look at me and said, "What are you doing getting so much bread?" //Why is this guy asking me that? I wonder what he wants// "Just getting it for dinner later." //10 minutes later// "you best be careful in those woods," the man said unexpectedly. "Hey miss," the little boy yelled. "Here it is all wrapped and ready." "Oh, thank you" I turn back to the man, but he was no longer there. I should get going on my [[way]].

This is the way my mom and I went when my grandma first moved into this house. From what I remember it was a pretty straight-forward path. As i'm walking along I notice a small childrens hat by a tree. Thinking that maybe it's a lost item I kept going on that trail, when all of a sudden a loud noise occured. //SWOOSH// And all of a sudden I was in a net and very discombobulated. Many little kids run out from behind the tree and demand I give them all that I have. "Give us what you got, and nobody gets hurt," a kid squeaked out who seemed to be only 7 years old. They all had sharp sticks and started poking me with them. //Do they want my [[money]] or [[food]]//.

It's right outside the shop, and I can see the forest behind the building, along with a little dirt path. As i'm walking through, I notice a //[[man]]// next to the dumpster. It smells a lot like blood out here. //I dont know if it's a good idea to talk to him.// I should probably keep going, and get on the [[trail]].

He smelled like liquor and the scent of blood was all around him. He had dark clothes on, so I couldn't tell if he was bleeding or not. I wanted to know if something was wrong with him so I asked, "Are you okay?" He started mumbling about not going to the //forest//, but if you do; stay away from //Winding Meadows//. I walked away quickly, I didnt want him to get up and attack me or start to follow me. So I quickly ran to the [[trail]].

Fresh pine and oak seep into my nostrils. Trees always have a calming aura around them. The trial isn't too distinguished, but you can make out the way ahead. My hair is slightly blowing from the breeze through the [[forest]], bringing in a coolness that is not unwelcome.

Fully enveloped by the trees now, the white noise of creeks that linger nearby could put me to //sleep//. Approaching a sign that reads //[[Winding Meadows]]// to the left, //[[Mushy Jelly]]// straight ahead but with and "X" crossing it out, and //[[Dark Blossom]]// to the right. From what I can see the left is darker and has more brush covering the trail, while the right has a distinct path that goes by a pond. Straight ahead, it seems like it barely exists and the undergrowth gets thick. //Is that even still a path?//

Taking the path to the left, small meadows form at my feet, and the path starts to get jagged. I hear the brook stronger the more that I go. I dont know how long i've been on this path, it seems to go on *forever*. I never seem to get close enough to the sound of the running water. //How do I leave?// Running off the path doesn't help, and I come back to the small meadows that never get any bigger. //How long have I been here? Months? Days? Hours? Minutes? I wish [[death]] would come for me.//

I noticed why this path must be named this. In the pond, these big dark purple flowers open up to catch the sun. They seem to be everywhere around it, from in the middle to the outskirts on the other side. I stop to take in the scenary of it all. I have never been down this trail before, I hope i'm not //lost.// Just following along this path, I make out the side of my grandma's little [[community]]. The path starts getting hard to see when the trees start to clear, but luckily I can still see where i'm suppose to go.

This way gets pretty rocky. It's starting to make my feet hurt with all this uneven terrain. Walking further down the path, [[two giant trees]] stand stoically. I don't see another route to go futher and nothing distinct stands out. //I dont remember the way to get back.// Im //[[lost]]// I don't know where to go.

My grandma just recently moved here, its a pretty small neighborhood. She has to come to where my mom and I live in order to get food or house utilities. Or we bring them to her. I see my [[grandma's house]] in the distance, I make a run for it, desperatly wanting to rest.

These trees seem to be hundreds of years old. A small plateau is between them with a singualar flower. It's eminating a strong sleepy auroma. Walking closer, I get a better picture of what it looks like. A cream orange, with purple spots near the middle. It's stem is thick with many small thorns on it. It seems to be in full bloom. I want to //[[pick it]]//

I'm lost I don't know where to go. Someone just tell me where to go. I want to go home. I stumble over a decaying deer while frantically trying to find my way, it's rotten guts all over my clothes. The sight of [[death]] makes itself known. Im not even wearing my bag anymore. //Where did it go?// //Im getting so hungry// //Im getting so cold// I shouldn't have went this way //Why am I just now realizing this?//

Grandma is sitting in her chair, watching some daytime T.V. She hears me come in, and I put my belongings on the table to envelope her in a hug. She tells me she loves me and I her. It's time to relax and start cooking.

Purple spores come out of the middle of the flower like a puff of smoke. It envelopes my head, invades my senses. //I cant breathe// //I cant breathe// //I cant breathe// //I cant breathe// [[death]]

I go into my pockets and pull out about 20 dollars. I throw it to the ground and the kids scramble and pick up everything. Then soon let me down after collecting what I handed over. "We're sorry for doing that to you, but we were just so hungry that we had to do something," the oldest one said. The others looked ashamed of themselves. "It's okay, you could have just asked though, and I would have gladly gave you it. I know the people at the Bread Shop, tell them that Red sent you." "Thank you so much," they said while running down the trail back into Town. Still feeling kind of dizzy I keep going on my [[journey]] to grandma's house.

Having a slight headache coming on after the rush of adrenaline starts to fade. I stumble my way down the path. Looking around and breathing in the scent of Oak fills me with relief after avoiding a close call with those kids. They were nice after the fact though, and I'm glad I was able to help them, and they were able to guide me in the right [[direction]]

Having a slight headache coming on after the rush of adrenaline starts to fade. I stumble my way down the path. Looking around and breathing in the scent of Oak fills me with [[nastalgia]]. I remember my childhood of my grandma's old backyard, that was full of giant oak trees. My grandpa had made a small wooden swing that was attached to a sturdy branch of the tree, that my cousins and I would spend hours playing with. //I miss how care free I was//

Being overwhelmed with subconsious feelings, I didn't realize that something was following close behind me //stalking// its prey. I turn around to face a giant bear standing on its hind legs when its claw slashes straight across my head. It knocks me down and the bear bites out a chunk of my arm before I can try and fight back. One final swipe is all that is needed as he snaps my neck and immediately...[[death]] is around me.

Maybe a bit too relaxed while walking in the woods because I didn't realize that something was following close behind me //stalking// its prey. I turn around to face a giant bear standing on its hind legs when it's claw tries to swipe at my head, but a wooden spear was stabbed into the back of the giant animal. The little kids were making sure that I got to my [[destination]] intact. A few more stabs into the bear and it runs off with a spear sticking out of it's arm. "Are you alright miss?, he exclaimed. "I don't know what would have happened to you if we weren't around to help"

Arriving to the neighborhood //Little Oak// where my [[grandma's house]] is with the kids in tow. I tell them thank you for practically saving my life. "It's alright Miss, i'm glad we were able to help," the oldest said with a smile on his face. "My name James by the way," he said blushing a little and looking down at his feet. "Nice to meet you James, I'm Red," I said while pulling out some money from my pocket, so that they are able to eat something later on.

With the carriage, the trip shouldn't take longer than an hour. I try not to make eye contact with the guy, or engage in his small talk. I just want to get to my //grandmas house// already. After about 30 minutes of silence between us, the whole carriage starts to wobble, probably the wheel coming loose. He stops the carriage and opens the door to inform me that it is indeed a messed up wheel, and that it should take about 45 minutes to fix. I debate on if I should just walk, but I'm aleady sitting here so I decide to [[wait]].

He closes the door and I can feel the carriage being moved around, so I know he is fixing it. I didnt bring any form of entertainment, so I decide to just take a quick nap. //30 minutes later// I wake up to the sound of vicious growling. //I wonder what's going on outside.// A loud bang that starts to tip over the carriage. I can't make my way ouitside before it falls over. I'm scared to go outside, but a lulling voice calls for me. "Come [[outside]]...Red"

I open the door that is now above me and peak out through a small crack, but see nothing. The man is torn to pieces and his guts have already been eaten. The door is suddenly ripped off it's hinges and the beast looms above me. //Yellow eyes glowing// We stare at each other, I dont know what to do, i'm frozen in fear. "Come...out" I slowly climb out of the carriage, but I guess it was too slow because he grabbed my shirt, and threw me out onto the ground. "I smell it, give it or ill take it myself" I don't realize what he's talking about at first, but glance down at my bag and realize hes talking about the meat. A only have [[two]] on me, I guess one fell out while the carriage flipped over. //Do I [[mention it]]?.//

"H-here here, this is a-all I have," I toss my bag over to him, it rests at the foot of the vehicle. He jumps down to where the bag is, and swiftly looks through it, pulling out two steaks in prime condition. A loud aggressive laugh comes from his so called lips. He looks right into my eyes, touching my soul, and says, "Wrong answer, but i'm glad you chose it." I don't see much but feel a sharp slash across my stomach, a swift quick movement and I am being ripped open. I look down, and my guts are falling out of my abdomen, the beast has my blood on his claws and my intestines in hand. "Should've mentioned that other steak," is the last thing I hear before [[death]] takes over.

"Good Girllll" he says while he took out the one from the carriage and slowly put it into his mouth. All while staring directly into my eyes. "If you would have left out information on me girl, i'd be eating you right now" "[[Go]], before I change my mind and eat you //and// your grandma."

Scurrying along the path, I run. Straight ahead, my heart pounding in my ears //I keep running.// My legs are burning and my side is cramping, but I will not be dinner or play his sick games. In the distance I can see the sign reading "//Little Oak//." //closer and closer// I get. I stop at the sign assuming it's safe, I turn around to see //yellow eyes// glowing in the darkness. I run again, straight to [[grandma's house]].

Giving them my tote filled with all the bread I had, they scurryied towards it. Taking a closer look at what the kids are wearing I notice that they might be homeless or orphans. I dont feel as mad about the situation especially since they didn't really hurt me, and put me down soon after they ate all the bread. "We're sorry for doing that to you, but we were just so hungry that we had to do something," the oldest one said. The other looked ashamed of themeselves. "It's okay, you could have just asked though, and I would have gladly gave you it." "Where are you trying to go?" he then asked as I turn to leave. "Im going to my grandma's house that's in //Little Oak//, do you know where that is?" "Yeah it's straight ahead, should be about an hour walk from here" "Thank you, I guess i'll get [[going]] then.

Entering back into the area surrounding the //Meat Market//, it's bustling more now than when I went it. A man is near a carriage on the other side of the road, offering someone a seat for 5 dollars that will go straight through my grandma's town of //Little Oak//. I look both ways before crossing the street and ask the man if I can take this spot. "Sure Miss, Just as long as you dont stink," he says while going in to smell my hair. "MMmmmMm, smells like //honey//." I feel a little creeped out and wonder if I should still take this [[ride]], but before I can say anything he grabs the 5 dollars out of my hand and tells me to hurry up and get in as he makes his way to steer the carriage.