Wickedly Sweet

Warning- this story contains mild violence.

Wickedly Sweet

Three children sat on the couch with their babysitter. They'd been given chores, but weren’t listening. The babysitter had an idea.

It’s about a wolf and a little girl.” She started.

“We know that one!” Rita said, rolling her eyes.

“I want to watch TV.” Brian shouted.

“I want to go to a friend’s.” Casey yelled over his brother. Only Rita was sitting, glued to her phone.

Removing the phone, the babysitter said loudly, “If you don’t like my story, we’ll decide on something else.” The baby-sitter was certain this would work; she’d used this story on other children. She began-

Pop, pop, pop! That awful sound shattered the peace of the tranquil forest. In their den, a wolf pup huddled on the ground, terrified. They knew to stay hiden whenever she heard that sound. Her parents would return soon.

A safe distance away, a female wolf froze, dread filling every part of her muscular body. Staying out of sight, she took off until she reached a clearing. Peering across the clearing, she saw him. The fallen wolf lay on his side, eyes wide open. Why her mate? Skye hadn't done anything besides steal a couple goats for his family! And that pig last winter. Shaking her head mournfully, she was about to retreat into the safety of the trees, back to her pup. Pop, pop, pop. Gold didn't see her attacker as she fell.

Returning to the village, the hunter was met with gratitude. A feast was held in his honor, the celebration lasted well in to the night! Grateful villagers congratulated him on his killings. “Two wolves.” They were very impressed. Now, their woods wouldn’t be terrifying any longer.

****** In the living room, the babysitter paused dramatically. "That's a sad beginning!" Rita said, frowning.

"Can I watch TV now? This is boring." Brian complained, eyeing the blank screen.

"Be quiet, let her go on." Casey scolded, "This is much better than cleaning."

"All right. Let me see." The baby-sitter closed her eyes, as if remembering something.

******* As the years passed, the pup lived with her pack. She avoided humans, preying on forest creatures instead of livestock. Live went on as usual.

The wolf was nearly grown. She bitterly loathed the humans for killing her parents. Not that she'd ever seen one, but she knew they walked on two legs and carried loud sticks which banged and shot out fire. Gazing upon the village, she thought of revenge.

The villagers meanwhile, believed the wolf disaster had been resolved. "The beasts have moved on." Parents reassured their children. The woods were once again filled with laughter as children played amongst the trees.

One child was a little girl who lived with her mother in a cottage near the forest. She'd grown up hearing stories about the carnivorous beasts who'd stolen and eaten livestock and sometimes straying children. She doubted it. "That's just what parents say to make us behave!" She thought.

One bright sunny morning, her mother gave her an important errand. "Can you deliver these sweets to your Granny? She's very ill, and cannot leave her house."

"Thanks, Mother. I'll start right away."

"Remember, no talking to strangers, and no dawdling. Come straight back here after your visit." Wearing the red cape and hood her Granny had sewn especially for her, the girl set off, carrying a basket of homemade sweets.

At the same time, a hunter swiftly loaded his gun. The woods beckoned; as he set off, he only wanted a successful kill. Deer or rabbit, perhaps! The cool breeze was refreshing after the stifling cottage, his wife was already hard at work, washing laundry.

In the cool trees, he fantasized about his kill. He'd shoot a rabbit, skin it, and bring it home. His wife and kid wouldn't complain about their lack for meat, they'd have plenty for a few days at least.

Suddenly, his muscles tensed. Was that movement in the trees? Yes, it was. A pair of bright eyes. As the hunter edged closer, he recognized the body of a doe. Elegant legs, perfect for running, and a tail, he hated to kill her. Grateful she didn't have a fawn with her, he raised his gun to his shoulder, and took careful aim.

The forest was full of light, and the sun felt warm on the girl's skin. Removing her hood, she let the wind play with her long brown hair. Singing to herself, she followed her usual route to Granny's.

Behind a tree, a pair of bright eyes watched the girl hungrily. So, that's a human. Puny little thing, but still tasty. Deciding to tease, the creature growled deep in its throat.

******* "Stop, I'm scared!" Brian whined, hands clenched.

"Don't be a baby. It's only a story." Casey said.

"Let's eat. Then, I'll read some more." The babysitter closed the book, and everyone went to the kitchen. "Still want to watch TV?" She asked. Brian shook his head, still unsure if he wanted to hear the rest.

After lunch, she continued:

"Where are you off to, young lady?" A wolf leapt out, eyeing her prey closely. Too dumbfounded to speak, the girl gaped at the wolf standing before her.

"To my granny's." The girl whispered, recovering her voice.

The wolf silently picked up the red hood in its jaws. As the girl chattered on, the wolf and girl wandered further from the path. It wasn't long before the girl found herself standing in a lovely patch of blooming flowers. Plucking a yellow one, the girl inhaled its fragrance appreciatively. "Granny would enjoy fresh flowers." She said to herself. She was so absorbed in her task, she failed to notice the wolf slinking off through the trees, the hood perched awkwardly on its head, basket in its mouth.

The hunter meanwhile, had returned with the deer, much to his family’s delight. “About time.” His wife said, hands on hips, “I was thinking you’d failed.” They ate well that evening, unaware two people were in danger.

"Come in," Granny's feeble voice was music to the wolf's ears. Sniffing, she followed the sweet scent to the sickroom.

There she lay, propped on a pillow, face turned towards the sunny window. "Come here, child." The woman smiled, "Did you bring me something?" With her long hair spread out on the pillow, frail body barely rumpling the bedclothes, Granny looked as if she wouldn't survive much longer anyway.

Disguising her voice, the wolf whispered, "Yes, Granny." Reaching into the basket, she produced the cake and wine.

"Excellent!" Granny's eyes lit up, and for a moment, the wolf felt a slight pang of remorse. Stop, she chided herself, these people murdered your parents. Swallowing her urge to tear this woman to pieces, she waited impatiently for the invalid to start eating.

"Aren't you hungry, child?" Granny inquired, squinting at the wolf, "You've always joined me."

"No, you go first!" The wolfencouraged, hoping this would work. To her relief Granny complied, devouring the cake in no time flat. With arthritic fingers, she struggled to uncork the wine. "Let me!" The wolf offered.

"You're so good to me, dear!" Granny smiled. Then, she frowned. "What's those funny noises? Are you ill, too?"

To her horror, the wolf suddenly realized she'd been growling excitedly deep in her throat. Agreeing that she was ill, the wolf clamped her mouth shut.

The wine drunk, Granny's eyes slowly drifted shut. The wolf pretended to do some tidying like she'd requested. Once the wolf was sure the lady was sleeping, she made her move, claws ripping open Granny's chest.

As Red Cap entered Granny's cottage, the wolf grinned. With me under the covers and the room dimly lit, the brat won't recognize me! She thought. Blood splattered the floor and walls, but that couldn’t be helped. Yes, her small footsteps were in the kitchen. There they were in the hall. Now, they were right outside the room. The wolf licked her lips, anticipating the taste of young flesh. Revenge is wickedly sweet! ...

****** "What happened?" Brian demanded, unable to stand the suspense.

Casey frowned, "That's it."

"Not a good ending!" Rita complained.

"You're sure that's all?" Brian asked.

“Yes. Now, let’s clean before your parents come home.” The babysitter assigned chores, and the kids obeyed without complaint.

"Creepy, though." Brian added, nodding.

"Your parents are home." The babysitter surveyed the clean living room.

“How were they?” Their Mom asked.

“Quiet,” The babysitter smiled. As the babysitter left, she laughed. They probably won't sleep much tonight.

The End