Dangerous Picnic 2
1144 Words
Brandon
"Wait. Don't tell me you are going to that place where those two ladies are having their picnic?" Dennis asked, raising an amused brow, watching as I climbed on the royal horse which was brought to me by one of the men.
"I don't care what you think, Dennis, but I think I really need to go." I said, as I placed my feet on the stirrup.
Dennis only smirked.
"You should go home, Dennis. I want to go and bring my mother back home. As for that girl called Rachel, I'm kicking her away from my life and that's it." I hissed.
"Alright then," Dennis said and waved to me. I waved back, struck the horse, which neighed and galloped away immediately.
I knew where the place was. My mother always talked about going there with me and father to have a family picnic. Of course, hearing that she went there with Rachel instead of us, made me disappointed and angry.
We didn't even get to go there because of my father's sudden illness. As a result, we seemed to forget about the place and picnic we had planned, even though we all knew where the location was.
"Hiyahh!" I yelled as I struck the horse, who sped off.
Eventually, I got there and noticed the carriage. My head tilted, hoping my eyes would catch even a glimpse of the coachman, but I was surprised to see he wasn't anywhere near.
I jumped down from the horse and walked up to the carriage. I opened the door and my eyes fell on Rachel who was in the corner, with her head down, her arms surrounded her knees and legs like a hen protecting her chicks from the cold.
Furthermore, I studied her for a while and noticed she was shaking and murmuring. What is wrong?– I thought.
"Hey Rachel." I called and tapped her.
Her body jerked and she shifted backwards. "Don't kill me, please." She had quickly said.
I looked at her, perplexed. She was teary-eyed, and her face was sullen. She was seriously sweating too and shivering like ice was poured on her.
"Brandon." She whispered, shakily.
"What is wrong?" I asked.
Rachel swallowed as she found it difficult to talk. My eyes fell on her dress, which looked torn and dirty. My eyes grew wide when I saw tints of red– I noticed it was obviously blood.
"What happened? Where is my mother?" I asked, quickly.
"It's not my fault", Rachel was quick to answer, despite her shaky tone.
"She asked me to leave. I too. I wanted to protect her, but I couldn't. I felt frightened and helpless. Those men were countless. I had to run back to the carriage. I begged the coachman to protect her, and he asked me to stay there. He promised he would come back with her. It's been thirty minutes now…. Why… Why aren't they here yet?" She further explained with tears freely flowing.
Without asking or saying any more things, I scurried off and went deep into the forest. I gasped when I saw my mother and even the coachman, battered and scarred. Around them was their own pool of blood.
Judging from the appearance of the environment and the corpses which were scattered on the floor, it made me realize that a great battle had transpired a few minutes ago.
I ran to my mum and sat on the floor, placing her head on my thighs.
"Mum… Mum… Wake up, please. Don't do this to me, I'm begging you." I begged, with tears running down my cheeks.
I heard a whisper and my gaze went down. I saw my mother's eyes were slightly opened, and a smile plastered on her weak face.
"Mum! You'll be fine, okay. Just hold it in for me. Everything will be alright. Can you try to stand up? I will lead you back to the palace." I tried to sound convincing, but my vibrating voice broke, letting me down.
"Brandon." My mother called in a soft voice.
"Yes, mum." I answered and wiped my tears.
I decided to act strongly for her so that she would be confident of surviving.
"Is she alright?" She asked.
"Who?" I asked back.
"Rachel, of course." She smiled.
I felt agitated and furious.
"Who cares? You should be concerned about your wellbeing. If only you had stayed back at home. If only she hadn't come to our place, you would not have gone to this picnic and then, you would not have to be in this condition", I uttered aloud with an icy tone.
"Don't blame her. I was the one that called her. You don't have to worry about me, either. You should be more worried about her."
"And why should I be worried about that troublesome girl? I don't like her at all, Mum" I said flatly.
"You should like her. She's your mate and the new Luna." My mother whispered.
"No!" I fired. "You are the Luna and not her!" I added.
"I'm old now. A new Luna should take my place. I think it's time to leave the position and the title", She said and coughed out blood.
"Mum… Please" I whined.
"I have one last request, Brandon," my mother softly muttered.
"Stop saying all this, Mum. Stop! Nothing will happen to you. What do you mean by last request? Stand up and let's get out of here." I said.
"Promise me, Brandon! Please!" My mother said, at the top of her voice, with the remaining strength in her.
"Alright then. I promise. Let's hear it" I swallowed hard.
"Then, I want you to accept Rachel as your mate." She said, and a tear ran out of her eyes. Her arm went up so that she could wipe her tears, but suddenly, this arm dropped.
I gazed at my mother, who was looking numb. "Mum!" I called loudly, but she didn't respond.
She was dead.
"Mother!" I yelled again. "Wake up please." I continued crying, and hugged her tightly, never planning to let go of her anytime soon.
"Your highness!" I heard Rachel yell from behind. I turned and watched her run towards us. She crouched and held my mother's hand with heavy tears leaving her eyes.
With the mixed emotions in me, I found it hard to control myself. My fangs grew out, and I hastily grabbed Rachel's arm.
Before I could allow her to remove the confused look on her face, I bit her skin, pushing my fangs into her arms.
Rachel yelled and pushed me off. She looked at her bleeding arm, which had a visible fang mark there.
"Why…" She tried to speak, but I cut her off.
"I just marked you… " A lone tear slid down my cheek as I said, "You are my mate now, Rachel."
- Writer
