We round the back of the manor and enter the chain-linked fence that’s been broken for years. It leads to a gravel path, one that winds its way around the dead branches and scraggly shrubs until we hit the greenspace.
Few people know of its existence, partly because of its proximity to the town’s feared leader but mostly because no one ever cared to look.
“Wow.”
Christopher blows out a breath as he looks around the tiny patch of earth that stores the handful of positive memories I have of Wolf Hollow.
Miniature bridges erupt from the luscious ground, their bright colours and delicate frames serving as a prop to the fairy garden that’s laid out in front of us. A multistep waterfall cascades over rocks and flows into a reservoir built within the ground. Three figures flutter over swaying petals and loose leaves, their cheerful dresses identical to the delicate petals around them.
“I feel like I fell into a fairytale.”
Wonder fills his voice as he follows me through the paths designed for a child. I brush the wings of the fairies as I walk past, feeling the grim expression of Flora as she takes in the dirty state of my clothes.
“It was a gift from my mother.”
I don’t look at him as I run my hands beneath the waterfall. Cool liquid rushes past my fingers, washing away the bloody residue and temporarily erasing the sins staining my skin.
“That’s one hell of a birthday present.”
“It wasn’t a birthday present.”
Cupping my hands together, I splash water over my face, thinking about the trials I had to pass before Maleficent agreed to build me this sliver of paradise.
Our relationship has been transactional for as long as I can remember.
Pass a test, earn a reward.
Simple rules that can be bent into any horrifying shape you want. People say a child’s imagination is the most wondrous thing, but truly they do not give enough credit for the twisted minds willing to play a little game.
A game which always takes more than you have to give.
“Didn’t you have something you wanted to talk about?” Making myself comfortable on the ground, I splash some water on my legs, “Something that needed to be discussedin private.”
I’m mocking him, poking at his paranoid exterior in hopes that he’ll react.
“Did you hearme, Devil? I said-
He reaches out and touches me.
Carefully, and oh so gently, it takes a moment for my instincts to kick in.
Grabbing his wrist, I twist it to the side and roll my body forward. My momentum knocks him off balance, the unnatural angle of his arm forcing him to follow me or risk dislocating his shoulder.
I have him on his back in five seconds flat.
My knife on his throat by the sixth.
“Your scars-
“Are available for viewing pleasure.Nottouching.” Canines flash as I snap my teeth together, “Reach for my legs again and I’ll make sure you have a matching pair.”
Christopher blinks up at me, his eyes darker than I have ever seen them.
“You could have told me.”
“And you would have done what? Kiss them better?” A sneer hits my face, “In case you haven’t noticed, it’s too late. Nobody came to save me then and I don’t need anyone to save me now.”
I shove off the ground and put a few feet of space between us. My fingers are trembling as I slip my knife back inside my sports bra, the beads of pink liquid taunting the unsteadiness of my hands.
