She was heading to the woods again.
This was not unusual.
With her basket in tow it was obvious that she was going to collect something like mushrooms or herbs.
So why did she seem so happy to do that?
Could it be that she enjoyed being alone?
That made sense.
No one wanted to be with her anyway.
Closing his eyes, Kevin recalled the face he glanced at moments ago.
“…”
He got up and pulled on his coat.
“Where are you going.” Asked a woman with a big smile, “supper is almost ready.”
“Out. Don’t wait for me tonight.” He answered.
That woman was attentive and attractive. She was a prime example of woman in this village.
After a minute, Kevin decided to follow after that odd woman. Anola.
His stomach tightened when he seen how fast she was escaping to the thicket.
Anola stopped suddenly. Looked back and made sure no one had followed her.
What was the secrecy for?
She removed the hood over her head and took a deep breath.
She was smiling.
It looked as though she had become truly happy.
Anola had braided her hair neatly and took great care to wash her hands and face.
From her basket she pulled out a towel and dried her face. She then added some kind of cream. It made her skin look fresh.
Anola even took the time to tend to her scar.
She didn’t cover it with her hair. It was exposed.
Sipping the water, Anola packed away her beauty items and began walking again.
She was navigating the woods so well.
Clearly, this was not her first time here.
Kevin dismissed the thought.
Of course Anola knew the woods since she was always sent out to collect ingredients for meals.
She stepped over stones and brushed the leaves with her hands.
Lifting her dress, Anola effortlessly slid over a log in her path.
Strange, it was like following a fairy.
Kevin stopped himself.
“It seems I might have misjudged Anola. She can be beautiful in some ways. Perhaps I should consider her prospects more seriously…”
Anola was beautiful.
This had to be the most painfully obvious fact.
How had he missed it?
Her face had that distracting scar and her appearance was poor when she was in the village. Moreover, she lacked confidence.
This was not the same woman.
This creature was self-conscious and fearless. She addressed to her cleanliness with diligence. With conviction, Anola made each step into the woods feel like a fantasy. That was how exquisite she was.
Anola was in her element.
She was a natural beauty.
After realizing all this, Kevin looked up to see where Anola had went.
She was gone.
A pang of despair hit him. Deep down, he wanted to see her. He wanted to admire her and study her. This new fascination made his blood burn.
He went to the log and crossed it.
Searching for any clues Kevin wandered a bit.
Oddly, the forest now appeared much more sinister without Anola.
The trees were tall and looked over him. The thicket was dark. The wet ground had lime green moss creeping to the damp recesses of the black soil. The frogs had yellow eyes and croaked in low voices.
Something was not right with this forest.
A sense of dread locked Kevin.
How the hell did he manage to get lost?!
Splash!
Kevin heard the noise. It sounded like someone had fallen into water.
Fearing the worst, Kevin ran in the direction of the noise.
Anola must have fallen in. She could be drowning. He would have no choice but to save her, pull her out of the water… if she wasn’t breathing then he would force air into her body. He would have to touch those smiling lips with his and save her.
It was necessary after all.
At last, Kevin seen the reminders of a foot trail.
Anola must have gone down the trail, slipped and ended up in that small lake…
Kevin froze.
He hid behind a tree at the top of the trail and focused his eye to the small lake below.
Some large figure was in the water.
It was not Anola.
Pale green skin and dark green hair. Twigs and leaves were sticking out of its head. Some portion of it was human since it had a head and back, arms…
Kevin widened his eyes.
Anola was kneeling next to the water. She extended her hand and began laughing.
This other creature was pleased to see her.
He pressed her hand to his face while smiling at her.
Something was said. Anola’s lips moved and she appeared very serious.
She had him lower himself a bit and began taking off the leaves in his hair.
All the while Anola was talking, the creature smiled.
He leaned down further and pressed his lips to Anola.
She froze a bit since she was caught off guard. However, she ran her fingers through his green hair and did not pull away.
They were kissing.
Anola was tilting her head up to reach this stranger. This green man was bending his head down to receive her kisses.
Slow and long.
Each kiss she gave him was slow and long.
Anola extended her hand to his cheek and pressed herself on to him to deepen the kiss.
Kevin clenched his fists.
All this time, the green b*stard had his arms wrapped around Anola. His left hand moved up Anola’s back. He was keeping her secure in his embrace.
This did not stop the man from grabbing Anola’s hand and brushing his lips on her skin. He was so pleased with this, someone might have thought he was unaware of anything else besides the woman in his arms.
A stinging needle pierced Kevin in the chest. He watched the display with a headache. It was too much to take in. His jealous heart was pounding at every second Anola was with this b*stard.
Unable to watch anything more Kevin decided that he would return to the village and plan what he would do to Anola. She had been hiding herself from him, purposely trying to keep him away by acting like a low life. Anola was guilty of deceiving him of her true beauty. That’s what Kevin believed.
And for that she would be punished.
Kevin made it out of the woods. It was not as fast as how he entered while following Anola, but he paid close attention now. He was so upset that he didn’t even care to eat supper when he arrived home. He threw the woman staying at his house out to the street without a second thought.
He wanted Anola.
Sitting before a fireplace, Kevin stared at the flickering flames.
As for Anola’s lover, he would have to be killed.
