An Attempt

It was a cold evening that night. A thick fog had covered the forest and village along with it. Lavender now had found herself sitting with a blue, shimmering sheet of fabric in her lap and a needle and thread in her hands. Across from her stood a woman in her forties or so, pinning up the same type of fabric to a dress form. The woman was short and stocky, and rather plain.

The two were well acquainted as Lavender often sat in the small cottage. Tailoring and seamstress work was one of the few that the girl was capable of and comfortable with. Even helping her father on the farm was exhausting. Lavender now was dressed properly, days had passed since the event at the Shrine. Her hair was styled in a braided updo and tucked beneath a bonnet. She wore a yellow stay and white apron over a plain yellow skirt. This skirt, the pink one, a green one, and her nicest of them all, a dark blue one were all the clothing that she had. Though the green gown was nearly too small and the pink one had been ruined by the mud from her endeavor in the woods the night of the sacrifice.

Lavender now was embroidering the sky blue fabric. Of course not for herself... She could never afford such an expensive material. This dress would belong to the Lord Peter's wife Helena. Most of the dresses and gowns made in the shop were. By now the girl had remembered the exact size and preferences of Lady Helena. She had spent hours of her time here.

Lavender was deep in thought. Sewing was one of the things she enjoyed doing on her own. It was relaxing to her. In this state, she could gather herself and relax while also keeping her hands busy. She pondered on different ways that she would find and free her brother. It was too dark now to track him most likely, but even in the daylight, Lavender doubted her abilities. She was exhausted as it was. It had been three days since Ferrin's disappearance. She had barely slept and struggled to find a solution to Ferrin's capture. At the moment she was in an especially weakened state. She figured that this was due to the lack of sleep. She simply couldn't. Every night she would lay awake and toss and turn. She was not used to sleeping in an empty bed after all. The girl had also lost her appetite. She ate less than one meal a day maybe. But despite this, she had no desire to consume much more than that.

"You know what this dress is being made for, don't you?" The seamstress suddenly piped up. Lavender was tugged out of her thoughts, though against her will. She lifted her gaze towards the seamstress, pausing on the petal of the white daisy that she was embroidering onto the hem of the skirt.

"No... I'm sure she has some use for it. She has a new dress for every hour I assume." Responded Lavender bitterly. She strongly disliked the whole Lord's family. Even more so she despised their wealth. Much of the village held resent for how casually they spent it while below their manor on the hilltop, people starved. The seamstress showed Lavender a sly smile.

"Well, I know you two had a disagreement not long ago... But there is no need to fret. Lady Helena assured me that the wedding is still happening. This dress is what she'll wear the day of. She has a special one made for you as well, her mother's I believe." The lady chimed excitedly. Lavender narrowed her pale green eyes.

"How did you know of our argument?"

"Oh well... You see the whole village knows. They all know of the wedding as well. Ooh, we're all buzzing in excitement for you!" She respondes in a cheerful tone. Lavender sighed and shook her head.

"Well don't..." Snapped Lavender quickly. The seamstress stopped from pinning up the right sleeve, straightening her posture and putting her hands on her hips.

"Now young lady... To be able to rise from your rank so easily... I would have killed to be in your position at your age! Are you aware of the luxuries you'll have?" She lectured. Lavender rolled her eyes, turning her attention back to the fabric.

"I would rather live in the woods than marry that buffoon. No one asked me... And even if they had I wouldn't have agreed. He's spoiled and he's vile. They all are." She snipped back, focusing on her work. She didn't want to think of Hierance, nor the lord or lady. She only wanted to think of her brother. The seamstress sighed again.

"You are mad, you... No one asked because it isn't a woman's place to choose. It's up to her father. And your father obviously knows whats best. The young master is a fine young man. And he and you will produce a fine heir." She responded, turning back to the sleeve. Lavender scoffed, appalled by the thought. The seamstress pursed her lips.

"Well then do you have a better man to marry? Which I doubt... Not many boys your age worth much. Maybe the Blacksmith's boy? Or the young man at the tavern? You fancy them then? Because none of them will provide you with as much as the young Lord will! Beyond that none of them are quite as good looking." she squealed with a huff. Lavender shook her head again. She had already given this thought before.

"No one. I don't fancy anyone at all. I'd much prefer to be an old maid, thank you. I have no need for any of them to provide anything to me. Ferrin and I are plenty capable ourselves." She said, not glancing up from her work. The seamstress's expression fell in shock. She started towards Lavender, stepping in front of her. The blonde girl simply kept her head down, ignoring her. The seamstress placed her hand under the girl's chin, lifting her face towards herself.

"Now Lavender... You are talking like a madwoman. You are a beautiful young lady. There is no way you are to remain an old maid... And your brother... You and I both know he's gone. So you best move on from him." She said sternly. Lavender glared, tugging her head away. She turned away from the woman, a sort of rage and pain building inside of her.

"He isn't... He's alive. And I'm not a madwoman. I can sense him. " She muttered. Lavender lifted the fabric from her lap, standing.

"I think it's best I return home. You have soured my mood." She then said firmly before setting the needle, thread, and fabric back on the wooden chair she had been sitting in. The seamstress frowned softly. Lavender turned, but she was stopped by the woman's pudgy fingers wrapping around her upper arm.

"Now just you wait a minute Missy! You keep talking like that and they'll think you're a witch you know! You're talking like one! Not getting married, tracking the beast, and running off into the woods on a hunting night... I didn't want to tell you but there have already been rumors!" She stated, pulling gently on Lavender's arm. Lavender again narrowwd her eyes.

"Then burn me... If that's really what you all think. Burn me and be rid of me. Or maybe you all can tie me up to the totem as well... Leave me for the beast like you did my brother. It seems tradition now for Thornwood to dispose of the innocent." She spat before roughly tugging her arm away. She turned, pacing out of the small, candlelit cottage. The girl didn't look back, She slammed the door loudly without hesitation. Lavender stormed back down the dirt path, leaving the cottage and the woman behind.

Could this day worsen any more? How could no one believe her? How could no one care? She wanted to scream just then... Anger was only bubbling up inside her more and more with each passing day.

"Oh, Ferrin... Please come home" She whispered to herself.

🔹🔹🔹

Ferrin ducked his head low beneath the top of the stone entryway. It was a tight fit. His shoulders, despite their small frame, nearly brushed against the stone walls. He glanced around. It was extremely dark. Ferrin placed his hand on the side of the wall. It was cold, rough, and damp. He shivered, gently feeling the ground with his foot before finally placing his weight down. It was quiet. The only sound that could be heard was trickling water and the rush of the falls from the mouth of the cave.

Ferrin took another step, his heart leaping a bit in excitement, nervousness, and anticipation. He slowly walked forward, allowing his hand to guide him among the wall. It didn't take long for the tunnel to turn pitch black. The boy could close his eyes and see no difference. He had to rely on his fingertips to guide him along. He ran his hand along. Suddenly he felt it run into something. He lurched to a stop. A corner... The tunnel turned left.

Ferrin carefully turned his body, keeping his hand against the stone. He started walking again. With another step forward, however, his eyes widen. There was no ground where he had placed his foot, but instead a flight of stairs. Ferrin slipped, his backside pummeling down on the stone step hard. He slid down the rest, each stair banging against his tail bone. Ferrin yelped in surprise, frantically trying to stop himself from the fall, but the stairs were steep and slick, and it was nearly impossible at this point.

Soon enough however he felt his feet splash into shallow water. Ferrin cried out in surprise. The water was ice cold, and shortly after his feet fell in the rest of his torso did too. He sat in the cold water, it coming up to his chest. Ferrin shivered, his toes were already numb. It was so cold, his bones almost felt as if they ached. He was entirely covered in goosebumps, and he couldn't help but whimper a bit from the feeling. His backside reminded him of his tumble down the steps with sharp pain, and his wound also had stung. He wondered if maybe it had opened up again. The freezing temperature of the water made it hard to tell.

Ferrin winced in pain as he adjusted himself. He leaned forward before slowly lifting a leg up, bringing himself to his feet. The boy stood, his legs wobbling. The water now came just past his knees. Just ahead however he caught a glimpse of something... A shimmer of light reflecting off the water's surface! Could it be the way out? Ferrin reached to the side to grasp again onto the wall, but there was nothing there. Then with his left hand... Again it was nothing but crisp damp air. Ferrin frowned. It must have been a much wider space. But he was nervous to walk forward through the water. There was no way to see, and no way to know what was in it.

Ferrin couldn't swim. He had never tried and he never intended to. Just the thought terrified him. He couldn't help but remember how his mother had died. If the pond suddenly dropped, Ferrin would most likely drown. The boy was well aware of this. He glanced behind himself. Should he go back? No... He had to take this risk. Whatever lay ahead of him would be a better fate than staying with the horrid beast. Ferrin lifted a shaking foot and slowly placed it down on the ground ahead. The floor beneath the pool was level, just like the rest of the cavern carved out of stone. It was, however, thickly coated with algae, and very slippery. Ferrin took a deep breath, shivering from the cold.

Again he proceeded, slowly and carefully. It was freezing. His ankles now too were entirely numb. The boy kept his eyes glued to the light ahead. It was the only visible thing and his only hope. He came nearer and nearer. The water had no current, which was a relief... But despite this, something had suddenly brushed against Ferrin's shin. He could barely feel it through the numbing cold, but no doubt it was there. Ferrin squealed a bit in surprise. He lifts his foot, the water splashing beneath him. He caught his balance, breathing a bit harder now. Adrenaline suddenly coursed through him. There was no way to know what could be lurking in these waters. Ferrin whimpered a bit, stepping further, a bit quicker this time.

Yet there... There again. He felt it. It was something large and slimy. He whined, starting to sort of run through the water. But whatever it was... It was following him... No. That wasn't quite right. It was ATTACHED to him. But he couldn't feel anything much. And in fact, his legs were numbing more and more. Ferrin swallowed hard. There was no going back. He had to get out of this pool. He continued forward, quicker than before. The further he got, the further he seemed to submerge. The water was now up to his mid-thighs. There again... Something slimy was on his knee now. Ferrin couldn't feel anything beneath that point. He didn't doubt that the other was still there. If not more... He trudged forward through the murky waters coming closer to the light. It wasn't too far now; He seemed to be eye level with it. The beam of light allowed Ferrin to see the surface of the water now, and a bit of himself too. The water was far from clear. It had a greenish tint. There would be no way to peek beneath its surface. Ferrin continued.

It took no time for the water to reach his mid-waist. Ferrin raised his arms above its surface, whimpering again. If it got much deeper than this he would have no choice but to try and turn back. He breathed shakily. He could barely feel his legs now. He simply had to rely on his remembrance of movement. Ferrin kne there were certainly more of whatever it was that had been clinging onto him. There was no doubt about it. He didn't dare reach beneath the water to see what it was, however. He frantically continued further, walking slowly. Soon enough to his relief, the water seemed to be becoming shallower again. He quickened his pace, practically running through it. And there, just ahead, he saw it. Another doorway, and a light shining through it. Ferrin was so relieved, he felt he might cry in joy. Still, his heart pounded against his chest. The boy could barely breathe. Ferrin had realized he was again feeling a bit dizzy. But he was unsure whether or not if this was due to the cold or the previous panic. None the less it wasn't the time to lose consciousness. Too much was at stake.

He took a few more shallow breaths before finally finding the edge of the pool. The water had dropped just below his hips. He would have to climb out. Ferrin lifted a knee weakly, placing it on the stone. His eyes widen however as he spots it. Not one, but many long, black, worm-like creatures had attached themselves onto the surface of his skin. It didn't take Ferrin long to figure out that these were leaches. Larger than he had ever seen; each about half a foot long and plump. On just the one thigh there were about five. Ferrin glanced down as he noticed his waist too had been covered. Again he panicked, trembling as he frantically clambered out of the water. Ferrin crawled away from the water, and closer to the light.

He then sat, glancing down at himself. His legs, feet, and ankles were covered in the things. Ferrin whimpered softly as he began to rip them off of himself, chucking them back into the mossy water. His hands were shaking more than they ever had. He was beginning to hyperventilate at this point. If there was one thing Ferrin feared more than the beast, it was bugs and anything of the sort. And these were no exception. He could barely think. One by one he tore the leaches away from his flesh, leaving streams of blood behind in their place. He again began to cry, tears filling his eyes. Ferrin could only imagine nightmares like this. His head was beginning to spin. Was this because of blood loss? Cold? Panic? Maybe hunger? There was no real way to tell.

Ferrin glanced behind himself and again at the light. There was no way he could get them all immediately. He realized... He would have to continue forward. Besides, he had ripped away most of the things. He was sure there were more. But there were higher priorities at the moment. He turnes, carefully bringing himself to his feet again. His whole lower half was still numb... Ferrin started forward, wobbling towards the warm light. Was it the setting sun? No... The sun was set already... Could it be a torch still lit? That would mean the presence of someone right? Could there be people here? Ferrin soon enough reached the doorway. His vision was beginning to fade.

He stumbled towards it, grasping onto the nearby wall. It was so close. All he had to do was take one more step. The light bathed over him. Through the entryway, he could only see another stone wall. But he knew it had to lead to some sort of hallway.

"Jade!" Suddenly a voice growled ahead. It echoed, but it wasn't far. Ferrin felt his heart sink. Teres... He was on the other side... But how? Ferrin pulled back, flattening himself against the stone wall beside the doorway. He shut his eyes tightly, attempting to hold his breath. The sound of the beast's footsteps came closer.

"Jade, I know you're here. I can smell you!" Teres exclaimed gruffly. Was he angry? Ferrin bit his lower lip, attempting to stop any sound from escaping, though was hard not to whimper. Tears started to run down his rosy cheeks. He held his breath, covering his mouth. Was there still any chance of freedom? Could he make a run for it? Ferrin thought over different possibilities. Just then the beast stepped towards the doorway, and then through it. His eyes instantly land on Ferrin. It took him no time to spot him, even in the darkness.

The boy glanced towards him, gasping in fear. He pulled back, his heart feeling as if it was about to beat out of his chest. The beast sighed heavily. He took a step towards Ferrin. The boy however jumped back, turning before he began to dash away. He stumbled running back towards the water. Teres frowns.

"Are you planning to get eaten by leeches then?" He said, calmly following behind him. Ferrin stops just before the edge of the water. He glances back at the creature.

"They'll kill you y'know." the beast said casually. Ferrin huffed, panting heavily. He gazed down at the deep green water. The beast was right. But Ferrin couldn't decide which fate was worse. He swallowed hard. He then stepped forward again, nearly ready to leap back into the pool.

"So you want to be eaten? You're acting very strange Jade. You aren't serious are you?" He said, stepping closer to Ferrin. Ferrin glanced back at the beast again.

"J-Just let me go! Let me leave this place!" He cried out. If the creature made an expression, Ferrin couldn't see it. Teres was nothing but a dark silhouette in front of the shimmering light. But it was obvious that the creature could see perfectly fine. He again sighed, coming closer to the boy.

"I told you to stop talking about that. You've been very bad today!" He whined. Ferrin crouches down, and then sits. He dipped his feet in the water, ready to drop in. He pushes off the edge of the pool, letting go. Ferrin starts to drop in, his feet touching the slimy, algae covered ground. Just then the beast swooped down. He tightly grasped onto the boy's arms, roughly tugging him away from the water. Ferrin flailed his arms and legs, crying out as he attempted to escape the creature's grasp. Teres lifted up, pulling Ferrin out of the water. He stumbled, tripping over his giant feet as he clutched onto ferrin. Teres falls down, his backside meeting the stone ground with a thud.

"Let me go!" The boy screamed. The beast panted, sitting behind the boy. He wraped his legs and arms around him, restricting all of Ferrin's movements. The boy desperately struggled, squirming, and flailing his body with all his might. He screamed as loud as he could, hoping with everything that he had that the beast would release him, that somehow he could get away. Teres cupped his hand over Ferrin's mouth roughly, muffling his cries. He shushed him, tightening his grip. Ferrin sobbed. He bit down into the creature's hand, kicking his feet repeatedly. This seemed to have no effect as the creature's grip hadn't loosened. Even as his teeth seemed to dig into the large, inhuman hand. The boy tasted blood, but even so, Teres didn't even flinch. Ferrin felt extremely dizzy now. His head was spinning, and his vision was fading again.

"You're just scared, right? you must have been so afraid all lost and alone in the dark. You're safe with me now Jade... Just calm down." the creature said, his sleek tail wrapping around him. Ferrin could feel his eyes start to droop, his movements weaker

"Just sleep now. Okay?" The beast whispered, continuing. He tightened his grip further. Ferrin huffed. He was tired... And so extremely exhausted. He felt his breathing begin to slow, and his body laying almost limp. He could barely struggle now. He knew he was losing consciousness. There was nothing that he could do to stop it. His ears began to ring, and his eyes began to feel heavy. With a few more jolts of last final efforts, finally, Ferrin shut his eyes. His body laid entirely lifeless, and his breathing slowed.

The beast had him again. His escape failed.