Little Red Riding Hood

The slow wind teases my nose, threatening to blow the red hood off of my head. Ten feet ahead of me, my “tour guide” walks in his usual brisk manner and I try to keep pace. I try to keep. I huff, in exasperation but to no avail. He ignores my struggle and keeps walking as fast as he can. I want to run and push him to the ground to tell him to stop, but I can't. Coming here was a mistake but it's too late to change my mind. My grandmother needs me and this is the least I can do for her.

If you are still wondering to what is happening, then let me introduce myself. I’m Mia, a rookie journalist. I am currently visiting my hometown, so I could shoot a documentary. There is a mysterious red flower that only grows in the swamp area that is located near my childhood home. It is said to have healing properties for all kinds of diseases. I found it absurd to believe but here I am today, clutching a red flower to my chest, trying to get home at the earliest.

Grandma's sickness has gotten worse, despite the expensive medications and treatments. She falls sick for apparently no reason and no medical tests reveal what exactly is wrong with her. She is fed up and sometimes begs me to stop everything and let her die, in peace. It breaks my heart to see her in so much agony. Even though she's old, she's all I've got. I'm very attached to her presence. Just knowing that I could lose her, has nearly forced me to abandon this documentary, in favor of finding that last ray of hope that could save her. Getting to the flower, is more complex that I anticipated. The forest that surrounds it, is surrounded by an army base and thick iron bars. There are also soldiers that guard the red flower from intruders and spies. The government decided to selfishly horde the flowers for the wounded soldiers and will not allow civilians, anywhere near it.

I tried to sneak in once and pick some flowers but I was caught by one of the officials. He didn’t even offer me a chance to explain myself and ordered me to follow him. I tried to run away but he managed to track me down, easily, with a menacing frown and a tilt of his left eyebrow. He would have been handsome if not for his menacing frown and the tilt of his left eyebrow. I needed to get away before I was detained.

"Walk faster before I change my mind and carry you on my shoulders," he growls and I shiver, not in fear but in embarrassment.

"Where are we going?" I call out to him, intimidated by this a nameless stranger, with his fierce looks and cranky demeanor.

He chuckles under his breath, "There are dozens of places I can think of right now. But that's all I can do .....think."

I glare at him in frustration. He and his riddles. I don't know why I am still following his trail, blindly, without even thinking where he could be taking me.

Some dark thoughts cross my mind and I start doubting his intentions. He could have reported me to his comrades and kicked me out then and there. But he didn't.

"Come on now, we're near," his voice snaps me out of my thinking.

I stop walking and just stand there waiting for him to turn around and look at me, which he does. He folds his arms in a stubborn manner.

"Are you really helping me ?" I ask him.

He smirks a bit at my failed attempt of bravery. I keep standing there and wait for him to do something.

He comes closer and places his large hands on my shoulders. The red scarf did no justice to the warmth that emitted from his touch. I close my eyes for a few seconds and open them, staring back at his deep brown pupils.

"If I wanted, I would have done many things and you wouldn't be able to stop me, young lady. But trust me on this. I am protecting you from the others before they make you sorry for your silly mistake."

I only nod my head for I have lost my voice in awe of his proximity.

Seizing this opportunity, he takes my hand and leads me to the iron bars that had escaped my notice. Without a word, he gives a gentle tug to a part that is open and literally pushes me out of this living prison. We face each other, separated by the iron bars.

"Th...th....thank you very much for your kindness," I stutter in shame for my suspicion.

He smiles a bit wide and tips his imaginary hat,

"You are very welcome....?"

"Mia," I smile back at him.

" May I know your name ?" I asked.

"Casper Odin. Though, I'm known more by my nickname," he winks.

"What's that ?"

"The big bad wolf."