Beauty and the Beast

Almost a week had passed since she was attacked by that beast. She had not breathed a word about it, not even to Jordan. She went on with life as normal, but she knew something was wrong. The bruise on the side of her face had disappeared out of existence. Her brother even acted like nothing was wrong.

Her four classes in the morning, one portion a day, and the screaming sessions from her brother were now the norm. Jordan was spending more and more time with Grant Losvy, and Kenna hated it. Not only was Borden more distant she was also loosing Jordan.

She felt lonely, she didn’t care for anyone else, nor did anyone else care for her. No one wanted to be friends with a girl who had an abusive brother. Too much to deal with. She had finished her classes for the day and neither Jordan nor Borden had time for her. Instead she wondered. She watched people work and make things that only the rich could afford. The heals of her leather boots made little noise on the stone path way. She wrapped her coat around her tighter as the air chilled. She had thought about it for the whole week. She wanted to find out. She would go into the forest. If she came back out, fine, but maybe this was a suicide mission. And maybe…she was okay with that.

As she reached the edge she looked back one last time. An empty part of the village meant no one to say goodbye to. She took a deep breath and entered into the trees. It was much darker, at least in this part. The branches blocked out some of the sun. Small animals picked up nuts and leaves around her. They seemed to watch as she walked, assisting in her mission.

She walked for hours, the same trees. She examined the plants, and saw no flowers. “Great place to die.” She thought.

When she came upon a well she ran to it. She was thirsty. She grabbed a hold of the old rotting rope that once held a bucket. She collapsed to the floor beside the stone well and sighed. It was this point that she knew she had to turn back. She spotted a green light that hovered on a branch of a tree. It was probably the size of a pebble. She was curious about it. When she stood to examine it she tripped on chains.

She panicked for a moment. Why are there chains in the middle of this forest? She picked them up to see that they were not that old. No rust or mold on them. She set them back down when the green light flew in front of her face. She flinched back and watched it as it bolted side to side in front of her. It soon sped off in the direction she came from. She followed it without much thought. It was going far too fast for her to keep up in a walking pace.

She began to run, chasing after it. Just wanting to see what the thing was. Most likley a bug, but she was still curious. Soon it had disappeared and she was left alone. She looked all around her. Where had she gone? It was brighter than farther into the forest. When she stopped looking she started to hear voices. She tried to listen closer. She wondered toward the voices to find that the dirt and fallen leaves turned to stone pathway. She didn’t know if she was relieved for depressed. She was back in her village. She entered into her part of town.

She was depressed. That green light had shown her the way home. But why? And did magic really come from inside that forest? At this point she was too hungry and thirsty to care where she was getting it from. She ran home and dove the well bucket into the well and pulled out just enough for her to drink. She sighed with relief.

“Kenna!” She heard Jordan scream.

She looked to Jordan who was sprinting toward her. “What?” Kenna questioned worried.

Kenna placed both of her hands on either side of Jordan’s shoulders while Jordan breathed heavily. “Borden said that he was going into the dark forest to find you.” She panted.

“What?!” Kenna let go of Jordan. She paced for a moment.

Jordan took two more deep breaths. “He said he saw you go in there, so he stocked up on food and water and ran into the forest. I went to tell his mother but she brushed me off.”

“That’s stupid!” I yelled knowing far too well that that was the meaning of Borden Kyles.

Kenna ran her hand roughly through her hair looking around frantically. “What do we do? No one goes in there, even to rescue people.” Jordan whispered finally being able to catch her breath.

“Go home, Jordan, if I’m not back by morning…” Kenna hesitated. “Tell my brother I always hated him.”

“Wait! You’re not going in there too?!” Jordan grabbed Kenna by the upper arm as she turned away from her.

“I have to, he went in there because of me. If he dies in there it’s my fault, Jordan.” The sun had set, and there was no way either of them could find their way home. But she had to try. Both of them knew that their friend was in trouble.

Jordan made an irritated noise and stomped her feet. “I can’t lose my best friends in one day.”

“You won’t,” Kenna smiled. “I promise.” A lie told to comfort her friend. If Jordan could hear Kenna’s heart she would not believe her.

Jordan hugged Kenna tight. “I love you, Kenna.” She whispered.

“I love you too, Jordan.” Kenna hugged her back. Knowing far too well that she might never see her friend again.

Notes