Martha looked nervous sharing the secret Ruby told her so many years ago. Tallkin was a daring man. And even with his anger and alcohol problems, he had a spirit of adventure. Even when he was sober, he often tested the waters wanting to learn about the world we lived in.
That was the reason Ruby fell in love. Tallkin Red was adventurous as well as wild with a wicked smart sense of humor which she instantly found enticing. And when he was himself, it was the person she wanted to spend forever with.
"No one knew about your father entering the woods other than your mother! The doctor who examined him said he died of natural causes. It's nothing to stress over!" Martha quickly stated also wanting to calm any questions about Tallkin's death.
Sophia narrowed her eyes at Martha's words surprised her father was so daring.
"He went against the code of the skies… how did the Wolfmen not catch him?" Sophia asked knowing that if the council didn't kill him, why would the wolves allow him to survive for so long.
"He's a survivor. He was able to keep out of their sight and cover his tracts." Martha chuckled looking back toward the small girl. "When you were picked as the chosen, I somewhat wondered if it's because you took after his trait of survival. It gave me some hope that you could actually survive the night. Maybe you would be the first one..."
The conversation awkwardly ended as the two girls continued walking in silence not wanting to speak anymore about her father breaking the law of entering the lands of the Wolfmen. Martha also knew that it was best to stop bringing up any sad thoughts about the upcoming hunt since today Sophia was mourning.
Entering her residence, Sophia felt a sort of emptiness in the tiny cabin that she literally saw her mother alive and well in this morning. There was more darkness then normal and her eyes wandered over to all the firewood that would go to waste this winter which she spent time working on so her mother could stay warm. A frown then formed upon her beautiful face thinking about all the work she did knowing there was no purpose for it anymore.
"Go sit down and I will make some supper for you!" Martha said in a happy tone while heading toward the kitchen area pulling out pots and pans. She was too busy trying to find supplies for the meal that the woman didn't see most of the ingredients on top of a counter right next to her.
While Martha took her time preparing some food so the child wouldn't go hungry that evening, Sophia slowly walked into her mothers bedroom examining the room intently wanting to feel close to Ruby even if it only lasted for a couple of minutes.
It looked as though her mother hadn't slept in her small cot that night which somewhat paranoid Sophia making her conscience feel guilt at even allowing her mother to go to town with such little rest. Maybe if she protested more, she could have forced her mother to rest in bed that day…
A tear started to fall down the girl's cheek which made her realize her eyes were becoming misty. She then walked by a dresser where she noticed a hairbrush and drawing of her father her mother once made in her spare time while Sophia played on the floor by the fireplace when she was a small child.
It was a happy memory where she played with a doll as her mother hummed tracing something along the thin paper someone threw out the day before.
Sophia traced her delicate fingers against the art knowing her mother missed the man dearly and had many talents she didn't often share. In fact, Sophia wondered what else her mother kept from her.
Sighing, the girl continued her adventure to a cedar chest on the floor where she decided to lift the lid.
Scrunching her face, Sophia was confused to see the large container only holding one piece of clothing. Lifting it, it was a cream simple dress that had designs of lace butterflies. She figured this was the outfit her mother wore on her wedding day years ago. It was probably the nicest dress in the whole Red residence making it a prized possession to Ruby. Sophia studied it realizing she had never seen any village girl wear something so beautiful.
"She planned on you wearing that on your wedding day." Martha said behind Sophia watching the girl hold the gown against her body. Even though Sophia had not tried it on, the dress looked like a perfect fit.
"Well it's a waste now." Sophia responded throwing the gown into the chest roughly as she walked out of the room not happy to be told that. What good would that do for her? There was no happy future dreams for her any longer. Her soul was feeling with much anger and she didn't know how to contain it anymore.
Martha frowned knowing Sophia was still in the grieving process, but she decided to not comment more about the outfit knowing it would not bring any positive conversation tonight. The woman went over to the chest noticing how long the trail of the dress was. She then raised an eyebrow having an idea…
Walking toward the main room, the lingering smell of the soup filled the home making Sophia's stomach growl loudly not realizing how hungry she really was. She hadn't eaten since this morning when she last spoke to her mother. She internally regretted not learning what was bothering her mother. If she would have forced Ruby to speak to her, she could have forced her mother to rest for the day not exerting too much energy on her fragile body. Guilt continued to build up inside her. Could she ever forgive herself?
The girl sat on a chair where a small bowl was prepared along with a spoon but even the delicious scent didn't lift her sour mood. She lifted the utensil and ate the food quickly wanting to go to bed as soon as possible.
Martha ate her dinner as well eyeing the girl curious what she would do next. She didn't speak but decided just being in the residence would be enough for the small child not to feel too lonely.
But not to anyone's surprise, Sophia stood up saying goodnight to Martha heading toward her room ready to let sleep take over. Before Martha could protest, Sophia closed the door leaning against it looking into the blackness realizing she was actually alone. She no longer had her mother and she had to carry the burden of not only her death, but also her own.
After putting her nightgown on, Sophia felt tears starting to form in her eyes making her grit her teeth at how much of a water supply she seemed to have within her body.
Landing on the cot, the girl stared at the ceiling saying a silent prayer hoping she may never wake up once she fell asleep for the night, but she knew that the skies would not respond to her request. But some feeling inside her urge her to walk to her window which was starting to annoy her. Sophia continued to lay down on her backside setting her lips into a thin line not understanding the longing to see the forest.
Slamming her arms against the cot since the idea would not leave her mind, Sophia looked out toward the woods seeing darkness overtake the sky. She leaned against the window holding her chin with her hand staring at seemingly nothing as tears continued to slowly drip down her pale cheeks. And for a quick moment, she saw a familiar set of golden eyes watching her from across the way.
The two kept their eyes intact not letting their gazes falter. It was as though the two set of eyes were scared that if they looked away, they might never have another chance to meet again. And right now, Sophia thought that was something she couldn't bare to lose.
Sophia then grabbed a cloak next to the window seal opening it slowly. She was barefoot but didn't mind the cold since she had a desire to follow the creature who continued to visit her at the most random times.
She hesitated standing outside her bedroom looking from the outside to the inside of her bedroom. She then shook her head turning her body to walk into the woods she lived so close to.