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Chapter 2 - The Red-Hood Cape

The scene is calm, snowy forest. Even if it's daytime, the naked trees without a single leaf, the ground covered by a layer of snow, and the white, cloudy sky cast a sleepy atmosphere wherever you look. Yet still, a lone girl wrapped in a rose-red long cloak with a hood and in a crimson, white, and black dress is walking through this scenery. The sound of crunching snow from her footsteps digging into the white blanket echoed through the otherwise calm and almost silent forest. This girl carried a loaded basket to her grandmother who lives mostly alone in a cottage deep in the forest and mountains.

However, she was not alone: a menacing wolf, big enough that she could ride on its back like on a horse, had its eyes on her. For a moment, the predator observed the girl from a distance until it withdraw into the shadows, only to get ahead of her. Then, at the right moment, it reapers, to stood in her way and spoke to the traveling girl in a deep, curious voice. "Well, well, well. Who do we have here? A girl wandering through the forest? Did they not told you that you shall not wander trough the forest alone? What if something happens to you, and you will be in a need for a help? Who are you? Where are you going in this white time?"

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In a surprise, the girl's eyes lit up with excitement at the unexpected meeting, and she almost gasped. "Well sir… a real wolf… what a rarity for this forest." She shows no sign of fear as her body seems relaxed, as if she were receiving a gift. "Hey, hey, Wolfy?; where are you coming from? Are you alone?" As she looks at him, she smiles, if not beams with excitement.

The same could perhaps be said about the wolf, who got even more curious about the girl, to the point it started circling her. Both of them evaluate the other one. "I am from afar. I have wandered many days and nights, crossed rivers, climbed hills, and descended into valleys. I left my pack to know new lands. So that would be something about me. Now, you girl. Or do you only want to ask about me and tell me nothing about yourself?"

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This somehow awake the girl from her amazement. "Oh! Where are my manners?" Following the custom of a proper honorable meeting, she bows her head for a second, closing her eyes, crossing her legs to crouch a little, while using her free hand to lift her skirt slightly to the side. "They often call me Red-hood, although I have many others nicknames. Currently, I'm going to see my grandmother who live in solitude further into the forest. Since she lives alone and so secluded, I am on a way to bring her a few little things." Then she got a (brilliant?) idea, that rise her excitement. "Hey, hey, Wolfy, since you're a traveler, why don't you come visit us? I'm sure grandma would welcome a distraction from such a rare guest. Maybe we can find something suitable for you to taste." She winked at him with a carefree gesture.

The wolf's widened eyes show he cannot refuse this generous offer. "Interesting. I'm a little hungry myself and was thinking about having some dessert before the main course. Very well, I'll be your guest at your feast. I'm sure you'll be surprised when you get to know me better."

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Still smiling she clapped her hands excitedly "Don't worry, we'll take good care of you. Grandma's house is just a little bit further in my direction. Let's go there together, shall we?" With a steady step, she began to walk. She even offers to walk next to the wolf so they can talk.

The beast snarled, yielding to the suggestion, and walked side by side with the girl. Soon, the wolf even gave in to the Little Red Riding Hood's request to stroke his bushy fur.

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And so this couple arrived in front of the granny's yard, glancing at the cottage that could hold several people.

Red-hood stops a short distance from the main door, remembering at something. "Ah, I need to get that key out... Listen, Wolfy, wait a little longer while I pry it out of my clothes." Needing both hands free, she placed her basket in front of wolf. "For now, you can look in the basket to get an idea of ​​what you can look forward to."

As she opened the lid to reveal the fragrant treat, the wolf approached the basket to thoroughly sniff its contents.

The girl, seeing how the big fluffy was fully focused on it, steps back, dropping her tall rose-red cloak from her shoulders. She reached to her waist where she had attached a Katana-sword in a colorful sheath. She gripped the handle of the blade…

...and a single flick rang through the air. As shinny blade swung in circle above the girl in a move of an expert sword master, a several drops of blood flew through the air and stained the crystal white snowy blanked.

The unaware beast examined the contents of the basket for a second or two before gravity took over and its head falls into the show. In another second, its body follows as if it simply lay down.

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Staring at the motionless body, the girl smiled softy. After a few seconds, she glanced toward the cottage and shout. "Granny!! Look who I met!!"

In response to the call, a few seconds latter, the door opened wide. But what steeped out was not your typical stooped elder. No, this grandma was a macho, a retired professional adventurer with the muscular body of a bodybuilder. Through the open door, you can see a rose-red hooded long coat hanging on a coat rack. Resting against the wall was a massive two-handed custom-made axe that only huntsman or huntresses will bother to use and maintain. Except, right now, this grandma holds in her hand a large metal hook connected to a rope and a linen bag big enough for someone head. While walking to the girl, her feet got buried in the snow, but still she respond in a humored tone. "Little Red, you rascal! I saw everything through the window on the door. I was starting to think that you would really bringing the doggy inside. You got us both very well. And now, we have quite a big body to process. Go inside to change into adequately clothes! I'll teach you how to properly handle a wolf."

And so, bonding the rope onto the headless body, all three of them: Little Red-hood, Granny Red-hood, and the furry guest, entered the house.

The end…

[Based on a 1hour time limited writing challenge. Reference was a picture.]