Chapter 14 : Hunter in the Castle

*Lynn*

The child leaned in close to the bundle in his arms, either not knowing or not caring the thing held was diseased.

It was a small rabbit, no older than a few months. Its fur was the color of ivory, but long, black tendrils of decay broke up the white. The thing was scratched or bitten by whatever was causing the curse in the woods.

Whatever it was, it was getting closer.

I crouched down before the boy and smiled. I took a hand and whispered, “What’s your name?”

The boy was still crying, his tears falling gently to the floor. “Toby,” he sobbed. He nuzzled his face into the rabbit’s fur, unwilling to let go.

“Can you tell me what happened?” I asked him, my voice soothing.

“He…he got bit,” the boy sniffed.

“The rabbit? Can you tell me what bit the rabbit?”

He shook his head and sobbed harder. “I found him….outside in the garden. He got bit!”

“That’s okay.” I rubbed a hand down his arm. “It’ll be okay. Toby, will you let me see the rabbit?”