A Fairy Tale

There weren't always dragons in the Valley. Werewolves no longer hunted their prey in the full moon's light. The soft twinkling lights of the Fae had faded from the river banks and sweet flowers tangled in thickets. Kings and Queens still sat on high, but magic was slipping out of the kingdom.

…..Or was it?

1

It was raining again, just a drizzle this time. Dinner was finally winding down, guests excited for the dancing that was up next. The music was already playing, a happy and romantic song. Sappy all the same. Chase Laurie sat on the steps of the porch surrounding her family home, enjoying the rain. It felt nice on her skin after spending so much of the day inside the bustle of the house.

She watched a group of young children, splashing in puddles and playing a game of tag in the rain. Her younger sister, Brinley among them, laughing and squealing in glee. The children were darting in and out of the trees of the forest that lined the Laurie property. It brought Chase back to memories of herself doing the same, with her older brothers Michael, Malcom and Levi. They would play hide and seek for hours amongst the trees. The forest had so many wonderful hiding spots. Chase would climb trees so high up her brothers looked like ants. The four of them would find spots to hide and use them to spy on their oldest brother Sam. Chase recalled one time Sam was fishing in the stream behind their home, Levi had run out and swiped his tackle box. Another time Sam had been reading a book on an old moss covered fallen tree; When the four of them jumped out of the trees and attacked Sam unleashing noogies and the dreaded wet Willie. They had all been laughing in hysterics in the end at that attack.

Chase laughed now as she watched Brinley attempt to tag one of the other kids, miss and topple over into one of the soft mud puddles that had formed at the tree line. With mud all down the side of her new dress, Brinley got up, determined not to let him get away.

The rain let up for the moment, patches of blue sky danced among the heavy dark clouds. A few of the wedding guests had moved into the back yard, the long low wrap around porch of the old farm house was full of conversations. A mingle of muted whispers mixed with some of the more uproarious voices. Chase spotted her brother Levi and his new wife make their way through the circling guests. Levi looked so happy at this moment, his beaming smile had not left his face all day. His wife, Dana was shimmering as well, although she seemed a bit flustered from all the praise and attention being tossed her way.

“Mum is looking for you, you know that right?” Malcom’s voice shook Chase from her thoughts, as he sat himself down next to her.

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by this” Chase quipped back, shooting her brother an exaggerated eye roll. Malcom simply grinned. “It’s Levi’s wedding, can’t she stick to annoying him, just for today?”

“You know she can't,” He replied, trying and failing to suppress laughter. “You and I are next on her hit list. She and Nate are working together. Against you.”

“And what about you?”

“Nah, Mum knows I am a lost cause. That won’t stop her from trying.”

Chase resisted the urge to roll her eyes a second time.

“I am just the errand boy for now.” Malcom chucked at his own words. His mop of dirty blond hair falling over his eyes.

“Well errand boy, you can go tell her that I ran away or something. Never to be seen again.”

“And where should I say you’ve gone? She will send a search party.” Malcom replied.

“Malcom, use that imagination of yours. Maybe a deserted island somewhere far, far away from here.”

It was at this moment Brinley ran up beside Malcom, a cheeky smile across her little face. She shoved Malcom with one tiny hand, on his shoulder. Yelling “tag, you’re it?” Before tuning on her heel and darting back towards the trees.

“Looks like you’re going to have to tell mum yourself, sorry sis.” Then he took off, like the large child he was, charging after Brinley and the other children, who were roaring in laughter.

“I hope you fall in the mud!” Chase yelled after him, getting to her feet. She turned and moved out to the refreshing chill of the rainy weather back into the warmth of the house. The wide, white washed French doors had been propped open to keep the guests comfortable.

It was just after 7 PM, the party was in full swing with no signs of slowing down. Chase counted the hours until Levi and Dana would leave for their honeymoon. Then all of the guests would pick their tipsy selves up and head home for the night. Only then could she take off these uncomfortable kitten heel shoes and this lilac, cream, lace covered monstrosity of a bridesmaids dress. For now she would grin and bear it. Chase passed through the dining room, the lights had been dimmed to help set the mood. An array of smaller round tables had been set up in place of the dining room table. Each table was covered by a soft, white table cloth and held a placement of lilies, white roses with a sprinkling of baby’s breath.

Most of the guests had moved outside or to the dance floor that had been set up in the living room. A few remained seated at the tables. A group of her mother’s friends sat around one of the tables, red faced from wine and giggling like a bunch of school girls. Ivy Laurie was not with them, Nate's mother Celine Dorn was. Her face was a deeper shade of red then the other woman, her round pale blue eyes were red rimmed and watery. Her son had the same shape and the same blue shade of eyes.

“Ladies, are you enjoying the wine? My mother had it brought in from a winery in Lexington.” She paused before addressing Celine Dorn. Chase had never been great with small talk, especially with her mother's friends. She stood awkwardly next to the group of women for a moment. “Mrs. Dorn, have you seen my mother? Or Nate? She was asking for me, apparently. “

Celine hiccupped before getting up from the table, teetering lightly on her feet. “Let’s take a look for them together, I really do need to check in with my Nate,” She teetered over to where Chase stood on the opposite side of the table. Celine Dorn was a short stout woman, but next to Chase’s 5’9 form she seemed even more so.

“My darling,” hiccup “take my arm would you?” Chase looped her arm with Mrs. Dorn, keeping the older woman steady on her feet. “You are such a nice girl, my Nate is lucky to have you.”

This was clearly the wine’s influence, Mrs. Dorn was a bristly woman without it. She has, on more than one occasion let Chase know she was a very poor match for her son. She was very well known for her blunt and often rude comments.

As the two women entered the living room, Chase spotted her mother standing with Nate near the edge of the dance floor. Ivy, keeping her keen eye out for her daughter, spotted Chase the moment she stepped through the doorway. And was waving her over almost immediately.

Ivy Laurie was a woman who prized family and image above everything else. This wedding had to be perfect, the Laurie name depended on it. She prided herself on the family and her family name. She had a wonderful husband of 30 years, Richard Laurie was a high ranking military man and decorated war hero for the Hope army. Her seven children had all attended Hope academy, a private school where only the most gifted minds were welcome. Two of her sons, now three, had been married to beautiful, well off brides and given her a couple of beaming, bright grandchildren. Ivy always dreamed of Chase having a life mirroring the one she had been given. She and Richard had ensured Chase would be well cared for with a betrothal marriage to Nate Dorn, the Dorn family measured nicely to the Laurie’s. Chase had always been the one to rebel against her mother. In Ivy’s opinion Nate was a perfect match for her daughter. You could see his feelings in the way he looked at her, pure worship.

In Chase’s eyes Nate was still the little boy who used to pull her hair and run away. The worship her mother saw, to Chase, was unsettling. Nate was nice and kind, but a shy and awkward man, especially around Chase. His eyes always seemed to be on her. As they were now while the two ladies made their way across the room.

“Chase dear, there you are. I have been looking everywhere for you. Your father went to fetch Levi and Dana for the first dance. After the first song we will need some other couples on the dance floor. I will need you and Nate to take the lead on that. Do you think you can handle that?” Ivy paused momentarily as the newlyweds stepped into the room and approached the dance floor. “When the band starts up the second song, I expect to see you two on the dance floor. “ With that Ivy scurried off towards the band.

A loud hiccup brought Chase's attention back to Mrs. Dorn, “Nate my boy, have you seen where your sister and father ran away to?”

“Um, I thought father was over at the bar, last I saw. “

The word bar peeked Mrs. Dorn’s attention, she announced that she was off to check the bar for her husband. Chase watched her slowly head back toward the dining room. A moment later the bride and grooms first dance was announced, Levi and Dana made their way to the center of the dance floor. Beside her, Chase felt Nate step closer. Instinctively she went to move away but stopped herself. She tried willing the unease she felt away. It was difficult but she managed to stay put.

“You look a vision this evening” Nate commented, “Lavender is indeed your color.”

Chase was always unsure how to respond to Nate compliments, his expression was always so serious. She usually tried to make light of the situation by laughing lightly as if he made a joke. Chase chuckled softly “a Vision? I would go with a nightmare in this dress but let’s agree to disagree. “

Her attention turned to her brother twirling and dipping his new bride. Levi had dedicated a good portion of the last few months with a dance instructor, his dedication was paying off nicely. Brinley and a small group of the other children had moved the game of tag on to the dance floor. Ivy was fuming, trying quietly to get her youngest daughter’s attention. Trying and failing. Brinley bound wildly across the room, her dress and face splashed with mud.

The band wound down the first dance song, as the next song began Chase felt Nate's overly sweaty hand on the small of her back.

“Shall we?” Nate asked but before waiting for an answer he guided Chase on to the dance floor. Other couples flocked onto the dance floor around them, Brinley darting through the crowd, her mother on her tail. Suddenly Chase was in Nate's arms, a place she could not help being uncomfortable in. On a regular day Chase was taller than Nate, with these kitten heels on, she felt as though she was towering him.

“My mother wants to go to Hope Lake next weekend, you should join us. If the weather is agreeable. Of course.”

“Of course. I will need to check my schedule. I might already have plans with Malcom and Jordan that weekend.” Chase didn’t love the idea of spending the weekend with Nate and Celine, she often used her brothers as an excuse. She supposed that she needed to get used to the idea of being around Nate's family, soon she would be spending her life with them. A gloomy thought.

“Yes, Well I will remind you before we go. Plans change.”

“Great.” Chase mumbled, more to herself than for Nate's benefit.

The song seemed to drag on longer than it should have. Nate's hands seemed to get sweatier and sweatier, she was certain that by the end of this dance there would be two sweaty hand prints on her hips. As soon as the song ended, Chase excused herself to hide outside once again.

The rain stayed off until minutes after the happy couple left to laughter, tears and well wishes. The entire family gathered around Levi and Dana, sending them off to start their new life together. The rain was pouring as the guest left huddled under umbrellas and coats.

1 B

The next day the house was alive with an array of people, getting the Laurie house back to its normal hominess was a big job. The tables and bar had been picked up early that morning. With Ivy Laurie following the movers around, clucking orders at them like the hen she was. Michael, Malcom and Jordan had been placed in charge of disassembling the dance floor and hauling the pieces out front to the large moving trailers. Mumbling amongst themselves about how unfair it was that Sam “the favorite” had snuck away with their father, to smoke pipes in Richard Laurie’s office.

Nate had also offered to help, but had been pulled away last minute by his own father, Eastman Dorn. Mr. Dorn was the owner of a small saw mill just outside of Hope, it was his intention to pass the mill to Nate when he retired. Nate was always being pulled away to see to the mill. Chase did not mind in the least, but had done her best to seem disappointed when her mother told her.

Ivy had set Chase to work taking down all of the wedding decorations, “Please be gentle with them. We don’t want anything damaged.” Chase had been warned. Brinley had been tasked to help her sister, but was instead tossing the balloons around the house.

After the bulk of the work had been done, they were served a quick lunch of peppered ham and turkey rolls. Sam and Richard joined the rest of the family to eat. Shortly after everyone had eaten their neighbor Marta deBrun popped over, she wanted to know absolutely everything that happened at the wedding. She was only slightly bitter about not being invited to the party. Ivy would not have her at any fancy family functions, Marta had a rather over the top personality, she also had a tendency to use very colorful language. Chase found her blunt honesty and lack of a filter refreshing and more often than not, very fun. Her mother hated it.

One of Marta’s favorite pastimes was causing poor Malcom great embarrassment, by any means. If her stories would cause him to squirm, become very flustered and turn a deep scarlet shade of red, Marta would consider that a win. She was full of raunchy stories from her mother, who was a high class escort before Marta was born. Instead of hearing Alice in wonderland, Marta’s bedtime stories had been much more inappropriate in nature. Stories that would make grown men sweat. Marta would happily retell them to anyone who would listen. Marta would never just tell a story, she would use her curves and fiery red curls to accentuate certain details. Poor, shy Malcom never stood a chance.

Marta was currently trying to squeeze gossip from her friend. Chase noticed that Malcom had disappeared upstairs for the moment.

The afternoon went by and all of the furniture was slowly being put back in its place. The sofa, loveseat, high back chairs, plush cream throw rug was placed back in front of the fireplace. The blackwood custom coffee table, matching end table were all moved back into place. In the dining room the long blackwood table was set back with great difficulty, lots of mumbling and cursing all around. Chase and Marta set the ten chairs back in place with Ivy working behind them to ensure every detail was perfect. After the last chair was in its place Chase, Marta and Brinley moved to the back yard.

The rain from yesterday had cleared up, but the gray clouds loomed overhead promising more rain was to come. The sun was setting, the gray clouds danced in pink and orange on the horizon.

Marta was talking, but Chase had missed what she had said. The air outside gave her a chill, something had distracted her. Chase could not place the distraction. Small goosebumps rose on her arms, absentmindedly she ran her finger along them. Trying to ease the bumps away.

“Mmmhm,” Chase answered a question she did not hear.

“Really? What kind of move did he make? It is about time, Nate really should know you are a strong woman and it takes a strong man to handle you. Not that anyone would describe Nate as a strong man, but at least he doesn’t have to be a pussy about everything.” Marta paused for a moment, when she realized Chase was not paying attention. “Chase?”

“Oh, sorry. What are you asking?”

“I was….” Marta’s words were cut off by the high pitched wail of a scream, a scream that was cut off abruptly. Then another rang out through the quiet.

Brinley paused by the edge of the woods, “Chase, who was that?” Her small voice no more than a whisper.

“Brinley, get inside. Go get father or Malcom or Sam.” Chase was by her sister’s side, turning her by the shoulders back towards the house. Marta had frozen, questions and gossip all but forgotten for the moment. On the third scream, Chase decided she could not wait for the others. She took off sprinting in the directions of the screams.

‘Chase...” She heard Marta’s strained voice behind her.

Chase's eyes adjusted slowly to the deep gray haze of the forest. Her feet knew the way, even when her eyes struggled to catch up. The forest around her was full of sounds, owls hooting perched high above, the rustle of leaves and the branches cracking under foot. Mosquitos and small swarms of nits buzzed in her ears. Chase strained for the sounds not common in the woods at night.

The scream erupted again, it seemed weaker now and was cut off quickly. Chase slowed her pace slightly now, trying to pinpoint a direction. She knew these woods well, the voice seemed to be coming from the direction of the steam that wound through the forest and into a rock cavern. She veered left and headed in that direction, praying she was right. Soon the soft sound of babbling water could be heard not far off.

Chase approached a rocky spot where the stream wound underground. A woman lay in the water, she was limp and barely moving. The green dress she wore was torn and bloody, her head lolled backwards at an uncomfortable and awkward angle, her hair was tangled and matted. The woman was not alone here in the woods. A man was standing over her, crouching low.

No, in the darkening forest, Chase mistook this figure for a man. It looked more like a monster from the scary stories told to children around a campfire. The figure was tall and slim. Perched over the woman like a disfigured daddy long legs. Its limbs bent out at odd angles. Its skin was so pale it seemed almost translucent in the dim light of the forest. Long, thin fingers were snaked over the woman’s mouth, stifling her screams. Chase could see a small wound on one of those long fingers, looking like the woman had bit down on her attacker. Her escape attempt had not worked.

This was a horrific sight to come upon, Chase had frozen in place watching the chilling scene unfold. The monster, Chase could think of no other word that described the creature perched in front of her. Its face had no features but for gashes in its skin where the lips and nose should be. It was bald with thin blue veins covering its head. Where the eyes should have been it just had empty black sockets, what looked to be like webbing seeped from the empty sockets, ensnaring the woman’s face, covering her eyes. Blinding her.

Moments ticked by, Chase had to remind herself to breathe. This woman was near death, she needed help. Chase did not hesitate any longer, she had no plan so just relied on instincts. She looked around for a weapon of sorts, to her right was a hefty rock. Chase bent over to lift the rock, with great effort and all the strength she had, Chase swung the rock directly at the creature's pale, vein-covered head. With a sickening crunch the rock connected. Chase pulled back and hit it again. Those webs recoiled back into the black sockets, as the monster turned on Chase. Gaping black holes burned, two rows of sharp needle like teeth sneered at her. Chase held up the rock in front of herself, prepared to smash those needle teeth if she needed to.

“Chase.” Her father’s voice rang out in the forest somewhere behind her. She did not answer back, instead she kept her eyes locked on the creature.

“CHASE,” Malcom’s voice joining her fathers.

The creature, still crouched low, tilted its head at the sound of Malcom's voice. For a few tense seconds, they stood in the dark like statues. It began to move backwards into the surrounding shadows, edging slowly away from Chase and the injured woman. Chase watched with unblinking eyes as the creature scuttled out of sight, melding into the surrounding darkness. She could still feel its gaze burning into her, but she breathed a small sigh of relief. Silently thanking her brother and father. The creature was no longer by the stream but it would not have gone far. They needed to get back to the house, the forest was not safe with that creature here. Chase dropped the rock to the soft ground, going to the woman’s side.

Her condition was withering. Chase placed two fingers on the woman’s neck to check for a pulse. She found one but it was faint, her breathing was shallow and raged, her skin was like ice.

“Hold on, please, help is here and more is on the way.” Chase whispered, glancing over her shoulder searching the shadows behind. “Can you speak? Can you tell me your name? We need to get you out of the forest, I…” Chase paused, the woman’s eyes flickered open slightly, she murmured softly in a language Chase did not recognize. The woman’s breathing slowed to where Chase had to lean in close just to make sure she could hear her shallow gasps.

“Chase? Chase answer me,” Richard called again, he was closer this time.

Chase was about to call out to let her father know where to find her, just at that moment the woman’s fluttering eyes shot open. Frightened green eyes locked onto Chases, they shimmered with tears and pain. The woman was whispering again, her lips moving fast in that language Chase could just not place. Perhaps she was saying a prayer or a goodbye to a loved one who would never hear it.

“I am so sorry.” Chase whispered, not knowing if the woman even understood the words. “This sh…” her words of comfort cut off by the woman’s hand reaching up and gripping Chase’s wrist tightly. Too tight. The pain was instantaneous. The woman’s tight grip was iron around Chase’s wrist, she dug her nails in deep. Blood flowed down Chase’s arm, turning the steam water around them red. Chase cried out at the sudden, sharp pain. Struggling against the woman’s grip.

Each time Chase pulled, trying to wrench herself free, the woman dug in deeper and deeper. Eyes still locked on Chase, no longer held fear but determination. Green glass staring unblinking into Chases own deep green sea of terror and turmoil. Yet the woman still dug deeper, plunging the tips of her fingers into Chase's skin. Chase watched as specks of gold flashed through those green eyes, at the same moment she felt fire ignite inside her. Blistering heat coursed from the fingers embedded in her skin, surging up her arm, through her chest. She could feel her brother’s hand on her shoulder, trying to pull her free. She could only focus on the pain, fire and blood swirling inside, rushing to her head. Pounding, blocking everything else out.

Chase heard screaming, it seemed so distant until she realized these screams were her own. Time felt unmoving, as her body burned. Chase wasn’t sure how long she was being held. Finally, the woman closed her eyes, her hand fell away from Chase's wrist. The woman’s body dropped back making a soft splash as she hit the water. The woman lay dead, Chase stared at her lifeless form. The fire and pain had faded from inside, Chase felt almost normal again. Apart from the five open wounds still bleeding at her wrist.

Malcom was there at her side, he cradled her hand, dressing her wounds with his black sweater. She felt her father’s strong grip lifting her off of the ground. He placed her on her feet, not letting go as she swayed.

“We need to get you back to the house.” Richard Laurie’s dark blue eyes brimmed with concern for his daughter, concern and fear. Fear was not something Chase was used to seeing in her father’s stern face. Chase blinked, focusing on her farther, her mind seemed foggy and racing all at once, but it was clearing now. Once he was certain Chase was safe, Richard let Malcom lead her back though the dusky forest toward home.

He asked Malcom to gather a few of the house staff and guests to help secure the surrounding woods and to call for the police. They would need to move the body. Richard bent low to inspect the woman, he checked her pulse one more time. She was cold as ice. He did not recognize her, Hope was not a large city, he doubted she was from around the area. Richard looked around for anything to identify her, he could see no sign of personal items.

The police could do a more thorough search when they arrived, hopefully they would find some answers. There has to be a reason this lone woman lay dead so close to his backyard. And why she had almost killed his daughter in the process.