2013
The dark woods enveloped Little
as she slipped away from the roaring fire and the gathered tribe. The master led the tribe in a rhythmic chant, the same line repeated over and over, echoing through the day and night. Incense arose, mingling with the dancing sparks of the blaze.An unexpected sense of peace wrapped around her as she melted into the twilight. Strangely, she felt more secure amid the shadows of the woods than under the watchful gaze of her MASTER. HE had listened to her desperate cries and promised to make things right. Yet, weeks went by, and her assailant still joined the chorus, chanting alongside the tribe: his tribe, his people.
Little Red stepped carefully along the overgrown path. The moonlight provided enough light to lead her steps. The path widened suddenly, and a canopy of trees opened up to reveal an overbearing structure fronted by a cross lit by the moon. This was home. Somehow, she had found her way back to the familiar abode. Smoke from the roaring fire behind the building rose and mingled above the temple. She sighed with resignation. There was no escaping; every path led back to his kingdom.
The music had finally started to ebb away, its fading notes drifting into the silence. They had been singing around that fire for hours—not unusual. Little Red examined her mother, who appeared both strained and free at the same time. Joy and angst collided, and fear and peace transpired. Each of the congregants wore the same expression on their faces. Little Red looked up at the MASTER. HE stared back at her, and HIS cloak slipped just enough to reveal a large, pointy, furry ear. Quickly, HE covered HIS head again, while Little Red convinced herself it must have been a trick of her imagination.
Red glanced down at the well-worn path leading from the temple to the central fire and noticed fresh drops of red—blood, just enough to stain the ground. The MASTER’S followers were already scrubbing the path, their eyes briefly meeting Red's as she diverted around them. This was nothing unusual. See no evil. Speak no evil. Little Red knew whose blood it was. They were missing from the gathering, their faces etched with fear the last time she'd seen them. Forty members—half the tribe—had left, never to return. Red understood not to reach out to them; the MASTER’S whispers had already filled her ears. They were evil. They were problems. Better they leave. Better to rebuild without them. Rebuild a hope and a future.
Little Red looked upon every face there, witnessing some with open eyes. They had noticed the WOLF. They had recognised HIS fur, HIS ears, and HIS growl. Their blood would drip on the trail momentarily. And those scrubbing the path would continue to scour, protecting the WOLF—protecting the empire.
Little Red… She was trapped. Too young to leave, with nowhere to run. Safety and danger intertwined around her, their confusion holding her prisoner.
If only someone would come to save them—someone strong enough to stand against the WOLF and free them from their captor. Even after the tribe members escape, they remain trapped, bound by their fear of the WOLF. The WOLF. Someone needs to stop the WOLF once and for all.
Thank you for raising your shield and freeing the tribe from the wolf. May those still trapped find an escape.
This perfectly sums up how dark it was and how alone I felt 😣 thank you
Beautifully written. Thank God for those who will stand! ❤️