Hidden Beauty 6-8                                                                                                                           Page 1
            Everyone always believed in the beauties of the small town of Jemlin. Just one thing caused them great distress. The cursed forest. It was told that once on passed over the bride and entered the forest, they never came back. Alive that is. Although many say of it as a curse, they just don’t know what really lies inside of the darkness they see on the outside.
            Earlier…
            A dark sunrise was quite usual every morning. Today just happened to be gathering day for the people of Jemlin. The hunters were not to cross the bridge no matter what. No one was, truthfully. Usually no one did, because of the things saw in the forest. It was tricks only meant to drive people away. As the hunting group slowly made their way out, the town went back to the usual routine.
            Evelin slowly got up and stretched. Looking at her surrounding carefully, she stood up beside the worn bed. She studied her clothes silently. She reached into the drawer and pulled out a tight violet shirt and black skin tight pants. After she got dressed, she grabbed the smooth wooden brush. She sat in front of the mirror and slowly brushed through her sleek and long black hair. She sighed for a second and stopped. She looked in the mirror and remembered when she was little, how her mother used to braid her hair. She longed to see her again. 
            Evelin grabbed her bow and sheath of arrows and started towards the door. Before leaving, she got her jacket. Then she got her jacket. When she walked outside, she took a deep breath. The air smelt fresh and clean. She walked over the moldy fence and whistled slightly. A shining gray horse made its way up to Evelin. Evelin stroked the scruffy coat with care. “Let’s go” whispered Evelin with a grin and got the horse saddled up. 
            Evelin took off within seconds. She rode until she couldn’t see the town anymore. She then dismounted and walked over to a small bush and pulled out her small homemade target. She walked back a little ways and put an arrow in her bow. Evelin shot her arrows one by one, until she was to her last one.
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      She studied the target; but, her concentration was low. When Evelin let go of the string, she didn’t watch where the arrow went. She slowly propped the silver bow up against a tree, then walked toward the target. She counted her arrows. She looked around curiously for her twelfth arrow. “Great” she said, as she noticed that the arrow landed in front of the forest entrance on the other side of the bridge.
            Evelin walked up to the bride, shrugged, and sat down. Just as she was about to get up, she was picked up off the ground. She screamed; but, not for long, until her mouth was covered. She turned around and glared as she seen her tall friend Chime.  “Chime what’s wrong with you!” she yelled and pushed away from him. “Geez, take a chill pill squirt.” Evelin glared at him again.  “Just because I’m supposed to be yours, doesn’t mean you can be like this.” Chime rolled his eyes. “Evelin, but I love you. You’re only supposed to be with me.” “What if I don’t feel the same way?” she said and rubbed her arm and half smiled. Chime just looked down. “What do I have to do?” “To what?” “To make you mine.” 
            Evelin turned away from him and grunted. Chime broke the silence. “Listen I was supposed to check on you.” “I was perfectly fine until you showed up.” “Ugh. Why do you have to be so stubborn?” “I’m not.” “Come on; let’s just get back to the village.” Evelin retrieved her arrows from the target and packed up and slowly started off towards the village. “Oh, wait! I forgot an arrow.” Evelin said and sped back to the bridge. She looked around the border of the forest; but saw no sight of the last arrow. Someone or something had taken her arrow.
            Part II 
            Deep further in the forest small footsteps crunched leaves and broke sticks. The birds sang and the animals frolicked around the forest floor. Everything was peaceful as Rosey walked back to her small town village that consisted of only a good dozen of people. “Hey Taron look what I found!” She exclaimed as she tugged on a tall figures shirt. He looked down at her. “Sweet. Might come in handy around this deserted waste land.” Rosey rolled her eyes and 
 
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giggled. “You’re weird.” “Me? Weird? Please. You’re the strange one here.” Rosey gave a playful glare “You’re lucky I’m feeling generous today.” She said and winked. 
            Evelin sat wondering what on earth would have grabbed up a stranded arrow. “Find it?” Evelin’s thought was interrupted by Chimes voice. “Oh, no. Must have miscounted” she lied. “Ok. Let’s just get out of here. It’s giving me the creeps and getting dark.” She gave a slight nod and walked back over to her horse. They rode back to the town slowly. “So what’s so interesting in little Miss Evelin’s life?” “Absolutely nothing.” “Well. So what do you find so fascinating about being alone and out here?” “I feel like myself and like I don’t have to be someone I’m not.” Chime gave an airy sort of laugh. “What?” “You’re confusing my dear.” “You. You just wouldn’t understand.” Evelin silently said. Before Chime could return an answer, Evelin had sped up and rode back to her house. 
            Very early the next morning Evelin got up and looked at her ceiling.  She sat up and slid off her bed. She couldn’t take it anymore. She grabbed her pack and shoved clothes in. She grabbed her one last thing she held dearest to her heart. Her mother’s locket. She left the comfort of her room and walked and grabbed a small meal to last her a day’s journey. That’s all she needed really. She could hunt. She then tip-toed across the old floor boards and reached for the hinge on the door. She paused and grinned. She quietly put her jacket on and went on her way. After she was outdoors, she walked over to the pen and lightly whistled for her horse. She smiled as she seen him peer around the corner. 
            Evelin silently vanished out of the town. She stopped when she came up to the bridge eventually. “Ok. Well, here goes nothing.” She said in a whisper. Evelin then urged her horse forward. She felt somewhat nervous; but, confident. How badly punished she would be if she were caught. Would anyone even miss her? Well, the only remains of her were memories now. Evelin shivered as she went on. 
            It wasn’t long before she reached the other side of the bridge. She looked around cautiously and shrugged. It looked clear. Just her and her horse. As Evelin dismounted, she saw 
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a pair of eyes looking out at her from the forest. She covered her mouth, so she wouldn’t make a sound. She slowly walked over to the spot and grabbed a stick. “Hello?” she said questionably. She lightly poked around in the bush; but got no response.
            Evelin laughed to herself. “I can do this” she thought to herself. She stood up and looked to the side. There, stood a little girl. “Ah!” Evelin screamed and fell backwards on her butt. She just stared at the giggling girl with fright. She grabbed her stick again and softly tossed it at what she thought was an illusion. She watched as the girl’s expression quickly went blank and had a frown on her face. Evelin got up. “A-a-a-a are you real?” she stuttered. 
            “Yes” replied a small and soft voice. “So you’re really human?” “Yeah” the little girl said with a giggle. “How long have you been here?” “Science I was a baby.” “There are others?” “Yes, about 12 or so.” “Where at?” “Deeper in the woods. We could go meet them if you would stop asking so many questions!” “Oh, sorry” Evelin said and laughed. “Oh, I’m Rosey by the way.” “I’m Evelin” she said and smiled. “Here, this is yours” Rosey said, holding out her missing arrow. “You know what, keep it” Evelin said and smiled. She could tell Rosey was happy by the way her face lit up. “Oh, and this” Evelin said and held out her old homemade bow. “Oh boy! Thank you so much!” Rosey exclaimed. She threw her arms around Evelin and gave her a hug. 
            Evelin smiled. “You don’t really get things like this that often, do you?” “No, not really. Only on birthdays when we have tools to build things, or sometimes come into your town if we can afford it.” Evelin gave a small nod and shrugged. “Do you have to be back in the forest soon?” “No. Oh I know! You could come back with me and maybe stay and get to know everyone!” Evelin smiled “Oh, I might be able to work something out.” All though she knew she could stay anyways science she was on her own now. 
            “Want a ride?” Evelin asked, pointing to her horse. Rosey gave a short nod. When they got to the horse, Evelin lifted Rosey up onto the saddle. Afterward, she got up and sat behind Rosey. “Shall we?” Evelin said, and then slowly led the horse into the brush. Rosey was quiet at first; but, then broke out into conversation. “So how old are you?” “Umm, I’m seventeen. What 
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about you?” “I’m ten. You’re almost as old as my brother.” “How old is he?” “Eighteen.” Evelin gave a nod, and then spotted patches of light start to fill the darkness of the forest.
            “We’re almost there” Rosey said. “Ok.” Evelin replied softly. “Just saying before we get there. My brother is grouchy to new people most of the time.” “Oh well” Evelin said. “Wait here.” Rosey said as they came to the beginning of the small forest village. Evelin dismounted and stayed put, as she was told. “Never thought I would be taking orders from a ten year old” Evelin thought aloud and slightly laughed.
            Just as Evelin finished her thought, she looked at the figure coming toward her, with dreamy eyes. He was tall, muscular, had black shaggy hair, and best of all his baby blue eyes. She was snapped out of her day dreaming by a loud deep voice that sounded angry. “Hey, Miss goo- goo eyes snap out of it! You better get over here and talk to my brother!” “He’s got quite the voice.” “Yeah I know. Just come on.”
            As Evelin and Rosey approached him, things got quieter. “Hey Taron, this is Evelin.” Rosey said in a calm voice. He paused for a second and looked at her head to toe. “Go back to where you came from.” Taron said with no though. H stomped off and cursed loudly. “Don’t worry, he’ll get used to you” Rosey said and nudged Evelin. “I hope so, because I can’t go back.” “What do you mean?” “I would get whipped in front of the town or some sort of other punishment they have.” “Ow.” “Yeah, ow is right.”
            When it got late, Evelin and Rosey started heading back to the forest village. Evelin turned around, when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked up at the figure towering over her. It was Taron. “Go on Rosey, I want to talk with Evelin.” Rosey grunted, but went anyway. “Hey, what’s with you and my sister?” “She just kind of started talking to me after I lost my arrow.” “Well, she seems to be pretty fond of you. So you want to stay?” Evelin smiled “Yes I do.” Taron grinned. “Come on, you can stay at our house tonight.” 
            As they reached the small house, Evelin was greeted by their mother, Rosey again, and a small infant by the name of Vincent. Rosey grabbed Evelin’s hand quickly. “Will you sleep with 
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me and tell me a story?” “Yes” Evelin said and smiled. They both silently, but quickly went to her room. Evelin sat beside Rosey and asked what type of story. After she told her, Evelin started making up a story. A little while later, both fell asleep soundly. 
      Taron came in and kissed Rosey on the forehead. He paused and looked at Evelin. Maybe he did have feelings for her after all. He lightly tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled. He then left the room slowly. Evelin opened her eyes and smiled. She slowly got up and walked out to the main room. She saw Taron sitting by the fire and tip toed over near Taron. “Need help with anything?” she said in a whisper. Taron turned his head. “No, just relaxing. Come on, sit down.” Evelin sat down beside him.  After a few minutes the two started talking. After talking a while Evelin looked up at Taron. Taron looked back at her and paused. After a small moment her pressed his lips against hers and pulled back a little. Evelin wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him with more passion. Taron laid her on the ground and kissed her with sort of a smirk. Evelin knew she was in for a long night. 
            The next morning, Taron woke up beside Evelin. He was right up against her and his arm wrapped around her. Taron slowly let go of her hand and got up. He went and took a shower and fetched clean clothes. As soon as he walked out of his room, Evelin was waiting. He gave a small grin. “Looks like you’re ready to go.” Evelin smiled and gave a nod “How did you know?” she said and laughed “Just a lucky guess.”
Taron and Evelin went out of the forest and when they got to the bridge area, they stopped. Evelin shot for a little while. It was clear her bow and arrow skills were very exquisite. “So what you think?” “You’re really good.” Taron said and smiled. Evelin smiled. Both of them quickly looked over as a bush rustled on the other side of the bridge. Then Evelin saw him. Chime. He scrambled up the slope before either could react. 
            “Come on. We need to go. Now!” Evelin grabbed Taron’s arm, held him close and ran off into the brush. When they got back to the house, they decided to talk it out. Evelin and Taron were there for hours talking. Then there was a short silence until Evelin interrupted. “You can’t 
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go back out there. They will hurt you.” “I have to. We need food.” Evelin looked down. “I just don’t wa-" Evelin was cut off. Taron pressed his lips up to hers and kissed her gently. “I’ll be okay” he said. Evelin hugged him tightly. “You better. We need you.” 
            The next morning Evelin woke up to find Taron gone already. She shrugged and watched out the window. She was at the house alone. Rosey had gone to collect some apples and berries probably. Evelin put one hand on her stomach and looked down. “I hope everything is ok.” After she said that, she heard the young girl scream. “Rose.” Evelin paused then ran outside worried. “Evelin! They have him! They took Taron!”
            Evelin rushed to her horse quickly. She hopped on and immediately rode off. She stopped when she came to the town square. She threw herself off her horse and ran through the rioting crowd. She was soaked and cold; but, the color immediately drained from her face when she saw him. Taron sat there. He was tied up, his hair hanging in his face, soaked, and his shirt torn to shreds. Evelin started to run towards him; but, was stopped before she could reach him.
            Her hands were tied behind her back and sat on the sopping wet ground. “No!” she screamed as she saw the whip raised in the air. Evelin cried as she heard the piercing screams come from Taron. There was no telling how many more times this would happen. “Stop!” Evelin cried out. “Stop it! Please!” No one could hear her. Her screams were drowned out by the riot and the down pour. Evelin sobbed as she seen the pool of blood build by every whip. Would he still be alive after this?
            After about twenty painful whips, the town square emptied quickly, like nothing had ever happened. Now it was dead. Only Taron and Evelin remained. “Taron” Evelin managed to get out with her little bit of voice she had left. Still, he just sat there; face down on the cold cement. She wasn’t just going to sit there and watch him die. She slowly and painfully wiggled her wrists out of the tight rope. When she freed herself, she looked at her wrists. They were 
 
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rope burned, cut, bruised, and bleeding. She payed no attention to them though. Evelin stumbled to her feet and eventually made her way to Taron. 
            She sobbed and looked around. Then she remembered her horse. She couldn’t whistle, so she called his name. She saw his head peer around and make his way up to them. “Taron, baby, you need to wake up. I can’t do this alone” Evelin cried as she said it. She held his head in her lap and kissed him on the forehead softly. “Please wake up.” Evelin opened her eyes and looked at him as she heard a cough. “E-E-Evelin?” “Taron!” she shouted and was crying at the same time. “Come on, we need to get you back to your mom.” Taron gave a nod and struggled his way up.
            Evelin eventually managed to get both of them on the horse. Evelin took it slowly all the way to the forest village. Once she got there with Taron, she was met by his worried mother. Evelin helped her carry him in. Once inside, they set him on a table and his mother got right to work. Evelin sat by the fire a while to get warm. Around ten O’clock Evelin made her way to Taron’s warm, cozy bed and eventually fell asleep. She slept off and on frequently that night. Sometimes she was awakened by nightmares; but, they soon vanished.
            Evelin woke up the next morning and found bandages on her wrists. They didn’t feel sore or hurt anymore. She got up and saw Taron. That immediately brought a smile to her face. “I thought you might not make it through the night.” Taron laughed a little “I never left your side” he said and smiled. “I have too much to take care of anyways” he said as he placed his hand on her stomach and smiled. “Yes you do” Evelin said. “My village, my family, and us. All of us.” Evelin smiled and laid her head on his chest. The sun was shining. The sky was clear. Everything was fine. Everything was perfect.