I kept getting distracted or procrastinating. Here is this week's challenge Little red meets Dracula BookCulbHere

Scarlett stood at the edge of the clearing, fear written across her face, it had been years since she had ventured into the forest. A shiver crawled up her spine as she recalled the last time, images of blood and the feeling of fear made her body tense.

A loud shriek tore thru her as something ran at her from the underbrush as soon as she realized it was nothing but a rabbit, Scarlett let out a nervous laugh. Hunter had promised she would be safe, she was doing this for him. She had to find the man that had saved her all those years ago and finally thank him.

One foot in front of the other  and Scarlett began her journey.

Her feet were sore and her throat was dry but as Scarlett showed the attendant the invitation she had everything was soon forgotten. The castle was enormous. There were towers that seemed to be topped with gold and she could have sworn that one of them was topped with glass. Hauling her bag further up her shoulder she followed the maid in charge of showing her to a room and Scarlett couldn't help but be amazed at all the luxuries that lined the castle. Gold candelabras rested on almost every table, tapestries depicting fierce battles hung throughout the hallway and thick velvet curtains framed the open windows.

“This will be your room to freshen up. Someone will come escort you to the ball later on this evening. Enjoy your stay.” The maid announced opening the door and gesturing for Scarlett to enter not waiting for a reply the maid left her in the room.

Clad in a red dress, Scarlett followed the same maid down back down to the ballroom. The sound of people talking made her nervous, she had spent most of her life living alone. Terrified of socializing, Scarlett kept to the back of the room, moving in the shadows, watching as others danced and enjoyed the festivities.

It wasn't until it was almost midnight that Scarlett found herself face to face with a mysterious man. He was tall, much taller than any man she had ever seen, but then again she hadn't seen a man since Hunter and she was only 8 years at that time. This man stood in front of her watching as she took in his features, his dark hair seemed to be pulled back into a ponytail and the darkness of it contrasted powerfully with his pale skin. His equally dark eyes were surrounded by long and full lashes, that she could only wish for but it was his smile that caught her off guard. 

“I must say, I have seen many beautiful women here tonight but none have been bold enough to wear a gown as beautiful as yours.” The stranger commented, as he took in the girl before him. Her dark hair was pinned up in a loose braid allowing for some short strands to frame her pale face and bright green eyes. Eyes that contrasted so much with the blood red gown she was wearing, a color he was all too familiar with.

“I am sorry if I startled you, allow me to introduce myself.” the strange continued as he took her hand and bowed slightly before her. “ My name is Vlad Dracula, owner of this humble castle and keen admirer of yours on this night. Would you do me the honor of being my escort this evening?”

Scarlett nodded, entranced with the man before her and the way he carried himself. She felt at ease next to the stranger, but couldn't figure out why. Maybe it was because he was such an intimidating being and people jumped out of his way as he walked past? Or maybe it was because for the first time since she was eight she was having contact with someone other than her mom or grandmother.

“I didn't think you would take my invitation Miss Red, seeing as to how you have lived a life of isolation for the past ten years. I was beginning to get worried and think you would grow up to be an old spinster who surrounded herself with cats.” Vlad teased as they sat in near the back of the room and watched all the partygoers.

“I wasn't going to come, but I want to find Hunter and I figured this party might help me made some connections. I just didn't expect to not be able to talk to anyone.” Scarlett admitted as she cast her eyes to her lap and played with the lace that adorned her dress.

“What makes you think you can't talk to others? I am not holding you hostage.” Vlad retaliated a trace of hurt resonating in his voice.

“Oh, no you aren't. It's just that I tried talking to other people but I got nervous and couldn't say anything. You are the only person I've been able to talk to that isn't my mother or grandmother.” Scarlett  confessed, her face flushed at her admission making her look very much like the gown she was wearing.

“I am honoured. However I must ask, who is this Hunter you are looking for?”

“My grandma used to live in a cabin in the middle of the forest. Every few days my mother would venture out and take her supplies as well as food, and when I turned 8 the task was entrusted upon me. She thought it would give me a sense of responsibility, and on my first trip I was armed with a basket full of baked goods and my new red cloak.

About halfway thru my trip I encountered a wolf. I helped it free itself from a hunter's trap and later on in my journey I encountered it again. It seemed like it wanted me to follow it off the path, but I ignored it. When I got to my grandmother's house I didn't suspect anything since I hadn't  been  there in such a long. However the wolf had gotten there before me and killed my grandmother and taken her place, it tried attacking me chasing me throughout the house before cornering me in the closet. I had never been so scared in my life, and just as it was ready to pounce on me, it fell on the floor. Dead.  I guess someone near by heard my screams and came to the rescue.”

As Scarlett finished the story her face paled even more.

“ She lived in the middle of nowhere, there was no way someone would have heard you.” Vlad stated with a calm look.

“But you did. How?” Scarlett questioned as realization hit her.

“I had been hunting the creature for some time. It was responsible for many deaths among my kind and I could not allow it to live.”

“Y-your kind?” Scarlett stuttered.

“Yes. Wolves are our natural enemy and even though we try to stay off each others land, every now and then a rogue needs to be put in its place. In this case the ground.” Vlad replied looking over at the confused girl.

“I don't understand. It was you who save me, but how did you manage to kill it. The wolf was the size of a bear.”

“The wolf was barely larger than an average wolf, you were a child. Everything looks bigger when you are so small.” He teased, drawing a faint blush across her face once more. “You were terrified then and I didn't want to add more to you so I left you alone. Besides you were too young.” Vlad teased with a light smirk on his face.

“Too young?” Scarlett asked confused. She had found her hero and had yet to thank him.

“Even as King I can not tell anyone of our kind without giving them a choice. At the time you were a child and would not be able to make a decision. Now you are an adult. Scarlett Red my name is Vlad Dracula and I am the King of the vampire race. You have been my ward since the day I saved you and now I would like to offer you the opportunity to join our community.”