Chapter 27 Beast Men

"Take that you evil mosquito!" There was a loud smack as I slapped my arm. Who would have thought that they still have mosquitoes in this world? I thought that the only blood suckers in this world are the vampires.

I growled in frustration when I didn't hit it. This isn't really my day. Who the heck even said that having a field trip to the other part of the kingdom would be so tiring? Stupid movies and fictions for giving us falls interpretation when we hear the word adventure. Sure, in fiction, when the main character would venture out into the woods, she would experience all sorts of fun adventures and get to be super cool for being resourceful.

In reality? It stinks! The kind of adventure that I was hoping for is a disaster. I kept on tripping and falling. My dress is ruined and I'm hungry. I lost a shoe and now mosquitoes are after me.

Stupid woods.

I want to find a lake to clean up and drink. I'm thirsty. Someone please give me water.

I continued to walk - drag - myself. I pulled out the map that I tore from the book and began to read it. Every time that I get deeper into the forest, I always check the map to make sure that I won't get lost. For the past hours, I always know where to go. But now, I'm not so sure.

I was pretty sure that I saw a path here before but now it's gone. It's as if the forest itself has somehow moved or something. If it did, I wouldn't be surprised considering that this is a magical world after all.

But I also have this strange feeling. Like someone was watching me, which is really creeping me out. The hairs on the back of my neck stood as I felt a pair of eyes staring at me. I don't know why I have this feeling but I somehow do.

Reluctantly, I turned. There, I saw white rabbit by the bush staring at me. It's white fur stands out making it more visible. It's big black eyes - still staring at me - are creeping me out. And I couldn't help but feel that behind those black beady eyes of a rabbit, someone is behind them.

I tilted my head to the side and the rabbit followed my movement. Okay, you have to admit that the rabbit is kind of cute. But it's still creepy at some point. I started to turn around and leave. Once I was a few steps away, I dared to look back and saw that the rabbit's eyes were still following me. For a second, it just stayed there. Then, as if it was sleeping, it shook it's head and rubbed it's face before hoping off somewhere.

That's weird. I thought as I continued to walk away. 

My stomach kept on making a sound as I walked. I'm hungry. I feel like I'm in the hunger games. Literally. My throat is dry and the sun isn't helping with my mood either. My dress gets ruined every few seconds as it gets caught on a tree branch. My hood, on the other hand, is pretty much good as new. I don't know why but it doesn't get stained no matter what dirt would cling to it. It must be because of it's material or something. How I wish that this dress that I'm wearing is made of the same material as the red hood.

My knees started to hurt from the continued walks so I decided to take a rest. I slump down on the ground and lean against a tree for it's shade. I sighed and took out the piece of paper with the map on it. This doesn't make any sense. I was sure that I've been keeping tabs on my tracks. How can I end up lost?

Maybe this map was a little too old to be of use.

In my frustration I crumpled the map and tossed it aside. Then I buried my face in my hands. I'm not gonna cry. I'm not a cry baby. I'll think of a way. Yes, I will.

I groaned. "But that's easier said than done if I have a full stomach." I whined and now buried my face in my arms.

I want food!! Where the heck do the main characters in the movies get something to eat?

Something then brushed my arm and I turned to look-glared at the animal(literally) that nudged me. It was a reindeer with fully developed horns. It's black doe eyes were staring at me. For only a second it's eyes had changed to a navy blue color, which was kind of familiar in a disturbing way.

The reindeer then ducked it's head and a bunch of fruits fell off of its horn onto my lap. One of the fruits had thorns on it and pricked my skin.

"PANCAKES!" I yelled in pain and glared at the reindeer. "I appreciate the food delivering service but do you really have to pick a fruit with thorns? And more importantly, drop it on my lap?"

The reindeer snorted and rolled it's eyes at me.

"But um, thanks." I mumbled gratefully. If this deer is a human with dark hair and navy blue eyes, I would have thought that this is Ace in front of me.

Without further adieu, I started to eat. The reindeer decided to stay and watch me, which was very creepy if you ask me. It was sitting at a corner and would occasionally glance at me or clean its fur. And because that animal was starting to scare me, I ate my food as fast as I could and started to stand up. Once I did, the deer decided to stand too.

Now this is this thing that just turned creepy to a whole new level. I sat again and the deer followed. Hmmm...

I stood and the deer stood too.

I think I'm getting some sort of pattern here. First, it was the rabbit. Now, it was the deer. Is it possible that the animals here like me?

"Aww, if you guys really like me that much then why didn't you just approach me? Well obviously since you can't talk." I started to approach the deer so I could pet him. Immediately, it's eyes turned from black to navy blue once again and glared at me. But still, I didn't let that bother me as I reached my hand out until I touched it's head and started to pet him.

"Awe. You're so cute!" I cooed as I continued to pet him. The deer suddenly frowned and hit me with it's head causing me to fall on the ground. My butt hurt from the impact and this time, I was the one who glared at the deer. It was currently shaking it's head as if it was in a daze.

Once it has settled, it's eyes are now back to it's black ones. When it saw me, it got startled and ran away into the forest.

Right. I should have thought of this before.

Weird World = Weird animals. Period.

I should stop goofing around and start to look for my way out of this forest. I think I can now manage to travel after having a good - if not satisfying - meal.

I got up and dusted my dress as I prepared to travel again. But first things first; I need a drink. Despite eating the fruits, my throat still craves for water. And I think I might have seen a river here somewhere.

I started to head south - or is it North? - from where I was. I kept heading that way until I saw something sparkling up ahead. It was a river, glistening in the sunlight like diamonds. I was standing there like an idiot as I gape at it. It was unlike the river in our world.

It was...clean and it looks so fresh and unpolluted. Seeing the river made my gulp down in thirst and my feet just started to move towards it.

Halfway there, I was suddenly blocked by the same deer that headbutted me earlier. It was as if it was preventing me from getting closer to the river.

"You again? What do you want?" I glared at the deer.

The deer snorted and aimed it's horn towards me as if it was warning me not to take another step forward.

"What? You're going to headbutt me again? Well in your smelly doe face!!" I yelled and started to head towards the river but the deer blocked me once again and positioned its horn at my face.

And now I'm pissed.

Believe it or not, I grabbed the deer by its horns and started to push it back. The deer too had started to push me back.

I can't believe I am doing this!

"Stupid deer! What's your problem anyway?! It's not like it's your freaking river!" I pushed the deer back with all my might but to no avail.

This deer is freaking heavy!

Well I'm kind of stupid for challenging an animal anyway. But it's not my fault! I just wanted to have a drink at the river! Is it that wrong?

An idea suddenly formed in my mind making me smile evilly at the deer as it continued to push me back. It doesn't seem to have an interest in hurting me though. I guess it really doesn't want me near the river. But I'm thirsty!

With one hand, I removed my hood from my shoulder and drew it at the deer's face. The deer then stopped pushing me as it busied itself with taking the hood off of its face.

I took that chance as I sprinted past it and headed towards the water. Once I was there, I started to wash my face first to freshen it up. My face was starting to disgust me anyway. After that, I rinsed my hands and scooped up some water with my palms as I drank. The water was so fresh unlike anything I have tasted before. Our water supply in our world cannot compare to the water in the river here. It was clean and pure.

A snap of a twig brought me out of my admiration to the water as I looked up.

"Well well well. What do we have here? A royal."

***MEANWHILE***

Ren and Dan's paws pounded the ground as they took off. Their fur swaying to the air around then as they ran.

‘Keep up, Dan!’

Ren barked at him. Dan panted as he tried to keep up with him. He knows that it isn't fair for him to take out his frustration on his brother, but every second only increased his bubbling tension and eagerness to find Rose. According to Ace, Rose is somewhere deep within the forest and dangerously close to meeting two rouges. Their best chance is finding that lake.

Stupid girl. Why would she even run away? Did they treat her badly or does she hate them? Whatever the reason is, they aren't as bad as the people from the Kingdom of Tereau.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid! Just thinking about what'll happen to Rose after she encounters the rouges.

What will be left of her after that....

Ren's hackles raised the meat image. Nothing will happen to her. They won't allow it.

‘We'll make it, Ren. Stop worrying and slow down. You're increasing your speed again.’

‘No we won't.’ He said.’ With the pace that we're heading, Rose must have bumped into them already. We need to hurry.’

‘True that, but if you keep that up, then you won't have the energy to fight to protect Rose or even yourselves.’

‘Screw about my safety.’

‘No, Ren. Screw you. You'll die in the hands of those rouges without even fighting. I'm telling you not to slow down but to not push yourself.’

He growled.

‘Ren!’

‘Fine! Alright you bossy little brother. He rolled my eyes. Sometimes I wonder who's the eldest among us. You act as if you are older.’

Dan then let out a toothy grin while Ren grunted and sniffed the air. Hoping against hope that they would get a whiff of her scent. None. Rose was still cloaked. His wolf feels blind of not being able to sniff her out. He can say the same to his brother.

‘But I'm just wondering... .’ Dan suddenly wondered so Ren looked at him.

‘What is it?’ 

‘How did A- I mean - PRINCE Ace managed to locate her?’ 

Now that Dan has mentioned it, he suddenly got curious. But he didn't let that get to him. He knows his first priority as of the moment.

‘Who knows? For all we know he must have blackmailed a pixie to locate her or something. But let's leave that topic for some other time. Right now we have to find Rose first.’

‘Agreed.’

There was a moment of silence between them as they continued their pursuit for Rose. They were taking too long and Ren even considered running off ahead. They both know that when it comes to running, Ren is always the winner.

He's not boasting or anything. Just expressing the facts.

‘Ren!!’

‘What?’ He asked. Did he somehow read his mind?

‘Sniff the air.’

‘Why?’ He asked dumbly. ‘You didn't fart did you?’

‘Just do it!’ 

Dan growled in frustration which caught him completely off guard. He rarely snaps unless it's important or he hears something that he doesn't unlike. So to say, Dan is the calm one between the twins.

He did what Dan asked him to and sniffed the air. His nose then caught a fairly familiar scent. A trace of lavender mixed with rose petals entered his line of smell. He looked at Dan in both surprise and fear.

‘Rose.’

Dan nodded. Confirming his guess. But why can they sniff her now? Isn't she cloaked? What does this mean? But wait. If they can sniff her now, then the rouges must have sniffed her already. They have no doubt that they have. Those two rogues are

Were people too. Their people.

‘Damn it!’ He cursed and started to run faster.

‘Ren!’ Dan called beside him as he tried to keep up.

‘Don't you Ren me, Dan! Don't you know what this means? The rogues must have sniffed her out already!’

I know. That's why I'm telling you to go on ahead. Dan nodded at him in encouragement. Now he's fairly torn on what he should do. He never left his brother behind. That is why he is always urging him to keep up. When he's going against a fight, which might be sooner or later, he'll always have Dan beside him as his back up or the other way around. He can't just leave him. Not when he needs him.

As if reading his mind, Dan rolled his eyes as he snored. 

‘Go on, Ren. Trust me, you can handle this. I'll catch up in a few seconds. I promise.’

‘But - ‘

There was a scream. Roses scream to be exact. His hackles rose as he snarled at the direction of the scream. By now, his eyes must have started to narrow itself in anger.

‘Go, Ren!! Trust your wolf. I believe it's eager to tear those rouge's limbs apart.’ Dan winked at him and ushered him using his snout.

He nodded. ‘Make sure to catch up or else.’ 

Ren warned as he ran. The forest passes by in a series of blur and he has to squint his eyes in order to see. Rose's scent was getting stronger. And the closer he gets, he can smell two foreign scents.

‘They better not touch her or else. I will rip them to shreds.’