Cursed Creatures: Chapter Two

Pearl left early the morning after Belle vanished inside the castle. She left even before Snow and Rose had a chance to see her leave. She traveled out the gates of the village and down the narrow dirt path leading into the woods. Not many traveled through there these days as rumors spread far and wide since the monster had taken over. There were others too, ones that Pearl had heard whispers of on the wind. Strange voices coming from the trees and in the eyes of the animals. Something deep in the forest was screaming and it had been for a long time now.

She pulled the red hood around her, fastening the pin that glittered like a drop of blood. She adjusted the pack she carried with her. The journey she was about to make would take her a few days and she wasn't sure how long she would be staying. Taking her first steps in she heard a low rumbling above. Glancing towards the sky she saw the big fat rain clouds that were gathering in the horizon.

"Of course," she grumbled irritably as she continued inside.

It had been a long time since she had to make this journey and already she was noticing great changes within the forest. The first thing that gave her great pause was that it was quiet. No birds sang, the brook was a small trickle, and deep in the shadows she sensed a great number of eyes watching her.

She rubbed the stone on her hood and closed her eyes. "Protect me, mama," she whispered as she ventured further.

She could remember when she was little and Rose was just a toddler how their mother would bring them into the woods. The birds loved her and would sing close to them as she bathed Rose in fresh water. Pearl could remember the way she would find things in the water, beautiful stones and sometimes gems, a broken cup, a bundle of lavender.

This wasn't the forest that her mother loved anymore.

For as long as she could Pearl followed along the brook, it was always the way her mother went. To her dismay, it became covered and buried beneath the ground and she could no longer follow its path. There weren't even mushrooms or growth to show where the water could be flowing.

She sat down on a fallen tree and removed her pack. From inside she took her lunch, a small bag of dried fruits and nuts mixed with dried leaves from her garden. She ate slowly as she had expected to find berries and mushrooms she could eat along the way but had yet to be so lucky.

Too much had changed.

"I thought I smell a girl," something growled.

Pearl lifted her head, hand ready on her waist where the dagger was. At first, she saw nothing, but she could feel something watching her.

"Who goes there?" She called out.

"It's rare to see women in the woods these days." Something moved out of the trees and climbed up the rocks before her, something large and strange. "They all seem to have better sense and stay away."

Pearl stared up at the massive wolf, her heart hammering in her throat. She gripped onto the dagger. "I have business," she tried to sound as unaffected as possible, but the few bites she had taken were already coming back up.

The wolf looked down at her as it crouched upon the rocks. Its eyes were so strange, everything about this creature was strange. It's shape and size weren't normal. There was something oddly human about it.

"Business?" He asked, its voice deep and commanding.

"I have my reasons for being here and I intend no harm," Pearl answered back. "That is all you need to know." Her stomach was in knots. The more she looked at this thing, this creature, the more she understood why the forest had changed so.

The wolf looked down at her, its eyes golden green and hauntingly human. "Are you lost?" It asked. "You should turn back the way you came. Nothing good ever happened to a woman here."

Pearl bit her lip at that threat, "I can handle myself better than some!" She held her ground against this monster's vague threats.

The wolf watched her closely, his tail flicking with curiosity. "Being in the woods alone isn't safe. Being lost in the woods is so much worse."

"Go away," Pearl stood up, glaring at the wolf. "You won't scare me." She picked up her pack and turned her back on the creature.

She kept her pace, she didn't rush or go too slow. No need to call more attention to herself than the wolf had already gained. No matter how far she walked or where she turned, she still felt its eyes upon her.

As the sun began to set and the threatening rumble of thunder drew nearer Pearl decided to set up camp. She made a small shelter to cover herself and she laid her red hood on the ground to sleep upon. Then, after gathering enough sticks and leaves, she built a fire.

She ate another small bag of mixed nuts and dried fruits and was aware that she was still being watched. In fact, she could smell the wolf he was so close by.

She grabbed onto her dagger and waited, feeling it grow closer and closer.

"You think the fire will keep you safe?" He asked.

"Leave me be. I have done nothing to you," Pearl kept her voice even and calm.

"If I leave though, it will be just something else." The wolf sat down just on the edge of the firelight. "Perhaps a bear, a tiger, maybe even a lion." He bowed his head slightly. "Would you wish to trade me now?" It's head tilted as if trying to act cute.

Pearl found this strange wolf far from cute. It was a big, bad omen and nothing else."I didn't ask for you," Pearl glared at him. "You are unwelcome and a pest."

"To me, you are the pest here," it sounded almost as if it were teasing her.

Pearl pulled her knees up to her chest. "I have grown up in these woods, back when there was not a threat of dark magic. I am no threat to you."

The wolf sniffed the air. "You smell fresh," he growled.

Pearl pulled a large stick from the fire and stood up, holding the flaming end towards the wolf. "Leave. Now," She commanded. "I am tired of your thinly veiled threats!"

The wolf stood again, raising itself on two legs and towering above Pearl. She faltered then, against her will, her hand shaking and knees buckling.

"What is this?" She whispered as she stared up at it. "What black magic are you?"

The wolf glared down at her, it's gold-green eyes shining for a moment before he fell to all four again. "I am not the worst thing you will encounter here, young woman," he replied. "The evil that took root here long ago has many terrible allies."

Pearl shivered, dropping the stick and grasping at her chest. She had never seen anything like that in all her life. The wolf, so powerful and frightening. It could kill her with one snap of his jaws, claw her to bits.

"I will ask again, do you wish to trade me?"

Her eyes snapped up to him and she gnashed her teeth, thrusting herself back up. "I've already had a monster take what I loved most," Pearl snarled at him, tears falling down her cheeks. "I don't need a reason to rip the heart of another out of its chest with my bare hands!"

The creature's eyes widened for a moment, "you think I'm a monster?"

"What should I think when all you do is stalk me?" Pearl rubbed at her eyes with the heel of her palm. "When all you do is make vague threats and stare with those eyes! All I've felt is those eyes upon me!"

The wolf was silent, moving from sitting to laying down across from the fire. "If you intend to continue your venture deep into the woods. You should sleep."

Pearl scoffed, "just like a monster. You don't have any intentions with me other than to torture me until I am no use." She returned to her bedding and held herself, rubbing the red gemstone of her mother's between her hands. "I won't give you the satisfaction," she cursed towards him as she forced her eyes shut. She held onto her mother's gem all night, falling asleep even with the wolf's eyes upon her.

In the morning, when she woke, it was dark and the air heavy with the threat of rain. She could smell it and taste it as she breathed. The wolf was gone, but she could still feel it close. Was he to be her shadow the entire journey? She thought perhaps he intended to let her cling to some hope, just to make her end all the more painful.

A thick fog began building not long after she finished her breakfast and packing. At first it was barely around her ankles, swirling and parting as she walked through it. An hour later it was to her knees, wispy and thin. Another hour later she couldn't see her feet. Two hours later it was up to her waist. Soon, she was barely able to see her hand in front of her face.

"This is how it hunts," the wolf suddenly spoke.

She turned, staring behind into the thick of the mist. She frowned, sucking in a deep breath and venturing forward. Ever defiant. She wouldn't turn back, she wouldn't give up. There was something she needed, something that could mean life or death for her baby sister.

"This fog has not lifted in some time. I rarely venture into this part of it," he continued despite her ignoring him.

She didn't stop, not even to rest or eat, she wouldn't give the wolf the satisfaction. She wasn't sure she could keep composure near him, not if he stood above her again. He had been so massive and dark with eyes glowing like the fading sun, she could not prepare herself for such a monster.

She felt fat heavy raindrops on her cheeks. Looking up through the fog she saw lightening glittering above. Thunder lowed and then crashed and she wiped her face.

"It makes no difference." She murmured to herself. "It makes no difference." She chanted again, softly. At least this weather had scared the wolf away. She could no longer feel him near her.

The rain came first in threatening spurts. A small shower here, a short deluge there. All the while thunder growled angrily above her head. It wasn't until she saw lightning light the way before her that she felt some dread. The rain came crashing down thick and heavy like she was standing under a waterfall.

She pulled her hood tight around her head, shielding the rain from her face and shoulders as best she could. "It makes no difference. It makes no difference." She kept mumbling like a mantra.

Lightening crashed next to her and she screamed. She barely had enough time to cover her face as the tree went up in flames, chunks of wood and debris hitting her. She took a step and heard wind rushing, looking up she saw a large branch falling. She didn't even scream as it knocked her to the ground.

She laid under the burning limb, whispering her mantra over and over to herself. Panicked and shaken, she tried to stand again and move herself but she found she had lost control of her legs. She cried and sobbed, dragging her nails across the earth.

"Mama..." she whimpered and stretched her hand out into the fog. "Mama help me!" She sobbed bitterly.

The branch was tossed away from her and she trembled, attempting to lift herself and run. She was lifted up and held, something warm and solid.

"No," she whimpered, shielding her face with her arms. "I told you to leave me alone you damn wolf!"

"I'm not going to harm you," a gentle voice replied.

Pearl flinched, a loud sob escaping. She moved her arms, looking up through the rain into a pair of calm green eyes. "Are you man or spirit?" She reached up and touched his bearded face.

He touched her hand on his cheek. "You're hurt pretty bad," he said. "If I wasn't close by you could've been a goner."

"You must be a spirit," she laughed. "No man could be out here that wasn't."

He covered Pearl with something warm and dry. "Just hold on, I'll get you somewhere safe."

Pearl fought to stay awake the entire time the man carried her. She clutched to his chest, still feeling to see if he was mortal or something else. Spirits could play tricks and she wasn't going to trust anything that found her in these woods.

She listened to his heartbeat and found it strong and warm. She placed her palm against his chest and felt it pound against her. She breathed in relief for the first time since she had entered the forest. She remained alert as she could though, she wouldn't let her guard down just because of this.

"We're here," the man said, a door opening.

Inside it was warm and smelled like freshly chopped wood and fire. She was set on a bed carefully and he uncovered her face. Pearl looked up at her rescuer, able to clearly see him the bright warmth of his home.

He was handsome, his hair and beard dark with some peppering along his temples. His eyes were so kind she nearly cried.

"Where am I?" Pearl asked, her eyes darting around from the room to his face.

"Somewhere safe," he said as he pulled a chair up beside the bed. He began looking her over, cleaning cuts and bruises she had acquired. "Does it hurt anywhere?" He turned her ankle back and forth with care.

"I'm not sure," Pearl closed her eyes and slowed her breathing. "I can't feel anything."

"You will soon," he warned. "I'm going to pull your skirt up now."

Pearl nodded, "please." She turned her head and glanced around his small but comfortable cabin. There was a tiny iron stove, a kettle whistling on the top. He had a table and beyond it she saw a door open with meats hanging from the rafters. She sighed softly, feeling her skirt peel away from her skin. She had been soaked through, her clothing stuck to her like a second layer of skin.

The man removed her skirt completely, hanging it to dry near the stove. "I see something," his voice calm as to not alarm.

Pearl pinched her thighs together, a touch of embarrassed modesty creeping up. "What is it?"

His rough but warm hand touched her hip. "You're bruising already," he murmured quietly. He then put his hand under her back. "Can you sit up?"

Pearl pressed her palm against the bed and pushed slightly, lifting with some effort, his hand a huge help. "I'll take this off then," she blushed, fumbling with her top.

He turned his head, closing his eyes. "There's a shirt of mine hanging on the bedpost that you can cover with."

"Thank you," she felt slightly better, less afraid. She removed her wet clothes and then held his shirt to her chest. "My back is beginning to feel sore."

He opened his eyes cautiously then ran his hand up her back. "You got hit fairly hard. You're tough."

Pearl chuckled softly then winced in pain. "There it is," she whimpered, crumbling over.

He coaxed her into lying down again and he covered her with a thick quilt. "I have some tea that can help," he said as he went to the small stove. He poured hot water into a large cup and stirred slowly. "It tastes awful though."

"I'm used to bitter herbs," Pearl sighed, thinking of the many bitter medicines she had made for the villagers back home.

She sat up with his help and took a sip. The warmth of the tea made her instantly feel better and she sighed in relief. "Thank you," she cupped his hand holding the mug.

"I'm just glad I was close by," he was trying his hardest not to look down. She had still not put his shirt on and the quilt had slipped away from her breasts. "I heard you, then I saw the fire," He checked her back again, rubbing a warm, wet cloth over it.

His hand on her back felt so good. She could feel the rough calluses formed by chopping wood, his warmth was true and kind, his strength welcoming and healing.

"I hate to say it, but if it wasn't for the fire I would never have seen you through the fog."

She looked up at him, feeling her cheeks grow warm. He was big and handsome, like the heroes in all the stories she read to Belle and Snow.

"I don't know how I could possibly thank you," a dark part of her mind knew a way she might enjoy as well, but she pushed it back and far away.

"Just rest," he eased her back onto the bed and covered her up. "I won't be far if you need anything."

"Mnh," Pearl sighed as she relaxed against the soft bed. "What's your name?" She murmured, feeling sleep coming fast.

"Nestor," he replied.

She murmured quietly, falling quickly. "Pearl," she mumbled and then she was gone.

She woke from a dream. The wolf's eyes upon her and cutting through the fog. It stepped forward with the tree branch in its jowls. It dropped the heavy limb as she opened her eyes.

"Only a dream," Pearl whispered. She relaxed and eased into the bed again, snuggling under the blankets. The pillow smelled like Nestor and she indulged in it a bit. Her stomach growled, she hadn't eaten almost all day and it now demanded attention.

She was able to sit up with some effort, her body feeling like it was pulled painfully tight. She groaned in complaint and looked about the dark cabin, the fire lighting it enough for her to see.

She glanced down, seeing Nestor asleep and slumped over in the chair beside the bed. Pearl smiled softly and inched closer towards him, her body ached and throbbed but it felt much better than she expected. She touched Nestor's face, he had shaved while she was asleep. His skin was olive and dark from working in the sun. There were small creases around his eyes, he was older than she thought.

She felt guilty waking him up, tapping his hand. "Nestor?" She asked.

He stirred and sat up, "Pearl?" He stretched, his shirt rising up above his stomach, giving Pearl a rather nice peek of his muscles and fur.

She blushed, "I'm sorry but uhm-"

"Do you hurt?"

She lifted her head slightly. "No, I feel much better than I thought I would. I'm just hungry. All I had yesterday was your tea."

Nestor stood up, "I'll make breakfast then."

"I'm sorry to put you out," she snuggled into the bed, it had been so long since someone took care of her. She rarely had the liberty back home with her sisters. She wondered to herself if this was how being married was.

She quickly shook those silly thoughts from her head. "I mean...I'm very grateful and I won't be staying long to become a bother."

"You'll be staying until this rain is all done with," he said as he chopped into some meat, slicing it and tossing it into a sizzling pan. "Even longer if you aren't healed back up. Once that happens, I'll take you back home. A lady like you shouldn't be out in these parts."

Pearl sat up with some argument from her bruised body, "I have someone I have to see in these woods," she insisted. "It's urgent!"

"I doubt anyone could survive out in these woods. Whoever you're looking for is long gone by now." He turned and looked at her, her soft breasts exposed to him, he turned back away. "You should cover up."

Pearl blushed, "of course," she slid on his shirt, soft from being worn so much. She moved the blankets aside, studying the bruise that ran up her leg and hip. She then spied on him, his shoulders were broad, arms thick like trees. His rear was firm and shapely. She hadn't let herself indulge in such thoughts for longer than she could remember.

"What's a man like you doing in a forest like this then?" She cut her eyes up at him. "If someone can't survive in these woods, then how are you?"

He turned and sighed, "it's a long story," he poured a cup of coffee and handed it to her. "I'll be just a moment," he said as she took hold of the cup. "I need to get a few logs," he stepped outside the cabin.

Pearl managed to stand up, relieved she could feel her legs again. She walked shakily, sipping her coffee. She stood before the stove, her legs feeling as if they could never be warm enough.

The door opened and she looked back, watching as Nestor came back inside. She felt smitten like a young girl again. "It's just the situation you stupid girl," she chided herself as she turned back towards the stove.

His eyes lingered on her long legs and he forced himself to shove the logs into the stove and return to preparing breakfast. The meat sizzled and smelled so good, her stomach growled even louder.

"It'll be ready soon," he smiled at her.

She blushed, "you could hear that?" She put her hand over her stomach. "Oh god I'm a mess," she scoffed. "I swear, I am usually much more together than this."

"I'll forgive you," he looked down and cupped her cheek, rubbing his thumb along a cut on her cheek.

"You saved my life," Pearl murmured. She looked up at the man through her long, pale lashes.

He laughed nervously, "anyone would have done it," he refilled the cup in her palms, making it steam. "But...what is a thing like you doing out during a horrible storm like this? You said you were looking for someone."

Pearl nodded, glancing down at her cup rather than up at his kind eyes. "There is someone in the woods who is like family," she sighed, pushing her hair away from her face. "She lives in seclusion out in the woods, but she was a close friend and mentor to my mother." Pearl took a drink from the cup, drinking until she was out of breath and had to take a deep breath. "I need her help."

"I didn't think it would storm so," she looked back at Nestor, her cheeks blooming bright pink. She smiled shyly at him. "Thank goodness you came to save me."

Nestor frowned, "the woods aren't safe, even with the storm."

Pearl's eyes widened, "I'm learning this," she let a laugh slip and she shook her head. "These are not the woods I grew up inside. Something dark has taken hold."

"So you can sense it too," Nestor turned his gaze back to her, seeing the sharp glint to her eyes. "Many a strange creature is lurking in the woods now. Bears and wolves enchanted and craving a sweet young maiden like you."

Pearl covered her mouth, thinking about the wolf stalking her. "I see," she nodded and took a breath. "I can't stop, though. I have something that cannot wait." She leaned towards the man, "I may have already lost someone so important."

He stared her down, "I'm sorry about that," his kind eyes bleeding for her. "I understand your motivation, but I must insist you turn back home once this storm is done."

Pearl tilted her head slightly, noticing the tips of his ears blush and bleed down to his cheeks. "I wish I had that option, sir." She held her cup up, "but no man has stopped me before."

Nestor sighed, sliding the slice of meat onto a plate. "For now, only this weather can."

Pearl took the plate and hungrily ate, quickly chomping through what he had given her and finishing off another cup of coffee. After another serving, she felt sated again. She hadn't eaten all the day before too afraid to stop and get food or drink because of the wolf. She tucked her hair back behind her ear and sighed.

"Do you hunt for yourself?" She asked.

Nestor nodded, "I do," he glanced up at her. "My father was a butcher, so I used to go with him to hunt wild boars. I know everything there is when it comes to meat."

"Hmm," Pearl watched him, her eyes gliding down the muscle of his neck. "So...how did the son of a butcher end up here?"

"I told you it was a long story," Nestor shook his head.

"We have nothing but time here," Pearl leaned towards him, "and if we are to be stuck for some time then perhaps a long story is just what we need."

"No," he murmured as he avoided her gaze, "not now."

Pearl frowned, easing back, "then how are we going to spend our time?" The dark thought in the back of her mind edged her on. It's been so long since you've felt a man on top of you, the thought growled. He's handsome, his hands are big and feel so good. Even a kiss would feel so good.

"You're my first guest in ages," he switched subjects, shaking her from her dark and hungry thoughts. "I am not quite sure where to begin."

Pearl smiled softly. "Well, maybe do you have cards?" She asked. "Why not a game?"