3A young woman wanders. Eyes glazed and unfocused. She sees trees surrounding her path. Tall and ominous. Pausing in her stride eyes straining to see the tops of these massive plants. Next to no light penetrates the branches. Her expression is vacant but determined. For the first time in ages she had a purpose. 'Can't get distracted'. She was getting out and able to see her Grandma. She had been ill recently. Her grandma was the most important person in her life. So without a second thought she'd begun her journey to her quaint cottage in the woods.
The path was longer than usual. But it had been ages since she had made this trip. It was just nerves. Just nerves. The woman's face was pale and dark circles accented her glassy brown eyes. Eyes darting every which way. Subdued but alert. The forest was dangerous. Everywhere was dangerous. 'Grandma, I have to get to Grandma.'
"Hello little Red," A man's voice echoed around the space. A phantom appeared, a wolf. Distant and translucent. His face was clear, but nothing else was. The world around Red started to blur.
"How do you know my name?" she managed to stutter out. Shaking increasing on it's own accord.
"You don't remember me Red?" The wolf's voice was soft and concerned. 'He seems to care, but something. Something isn't right.'
" , who are you?" The wolf smiled warmly before replying.
"I'm your friend."
"He's not your friend." The wind and trees whispered in a chorus of warnings. "Not a friend."
"Danger... he's dangerous."
"Stranger, can't be trusted."
"Caution, careful. Not safe."
"Don't trust him Red."
"Trouble."
"He's trouble."
"Caution Red." Each sound overlapping. The voices were soft yet still thundered in Red's ears. 'Not safe. Okay, I believe you.' The trees and wind murmured in approval.
"Where are you going Red?" 'Should I tell him?'
"You can tell,"
"Tell, he can't stop you."
"Be quick Grandma is waiting."
"I've got to go to my Grandma's house. She's sick." The wolf figure comes forward. His face is distorted but solid. Red doesn't show any fear. A sly smile is painted on his large chops.
"That is very kind of you! Do you need an escort?" The wolf came closer. His body a blur of black.
"No Red!"
"Don't let him come!"
"Danger!"
"Leave!"
"You know the way Red."
"You don't need him."
"Your Grandma needs you!" He's teeth were big and gleamed. Red squared her shoulders. The trees giving her confidence in her answer.
"No I know the way." She turns quickly and starts down the path again.
"Good Red, Grandma is waiting."
"He won't follow." The lighting of the forest brightened for half of a second. A flicker of a white hallway surrounded the girl. She blinked again, surrounded by the forest. "You're Grandma Red, You must hurry." The trees were soft and sweet. 'Right, Grandma.' Red walks down the path. The trek seems endless, but she can't give up. She's needed. 'I should be there by now.'
"You're close Red."
"Keep going."
"Don't give up."
"Hurry"
"You're almost there"
"Almost there."
"Are you lost little Red?" A man appeared before Red. Fuzzy in appearance. Red regarded him with absolute caution. 'I don't know him.' Confusion played on her plastid figure.
"Stranger."
"Lost?"
"Are you.."
"Red."
"...Red?"
"Trust us. Grandma. Trust Grandma."
"We'll take you."
"Not lost."
"We'll guide you."
"Almost there."
"Almost there." Red turned and walked on. The stranger disappearing into the great trees.
"Do you know where Regina is?"
"What do you mean? She's in her room."
"No she isn't"
"What! It doesn't matter. Find her! It's not safe for her to be loose in the building."
"She won't come quietly."
"Then take a sedative. If she hurts herself again her family is going to sue us!"
The cottage sat in a homey clearing of trees. After ages of walking Red had finally made it. Overcome with joy and excitement she rushed through the door.
"I'm here Grandma!" she calls out. Her voice echoes off the wall. There is a layer of dust on the shelves and furniture. The house is silent. The floor boards creek. Spider webs decorate the walls and corners. Red doesn't take notice. 'Grandma is supposed to be waiting...' The trees were silent. Everything was silent. All but Red's breathing. "Grandma?!" Red hears it then. The emptiness as her call reverberates off of the barren walls. A shuffling sound is heard from the back room. 'Her bedroom. She must be resting.' A sigh of relief leaves her cherry lips as Red makes her way to her Grandma's room. "I'm sorry if I woke you Grandma." Upon entering the room Red finds the bed undisturbed. Another shuffle is heard in the far corner of the room. "Grandma?" Red called gently. The corner was dark. She could hardly make out an outline. Still her Grandma didn't respond. "Grandma, are you alright?" The relief she felt moments ago melts into confusion. 'Is she mad I took so long?' "I got here as fast as I could..." 'Why won't she talk to me?' Red started to fill with dread. Thoughts of what she could have done wrong swirled in her head.
"It's so good to see you red." Her grandma spoke. Her voice was wavering. Vibrating almost. It wasn't normal. "Did you have a safe trip...dear..." her Grandma's voice echoed of the walls. 'She's not right. This isn't right.'
"Caution Red."
"Answer her Red."
"Don't be rude."
"Something's wrong."
"Yeah... I did..." Grandma's form started to stand taller.
"I'm so glad you are here. I've been looking for you everywhere." Her voice drops to that of a man. A deep voice. 'The wolf!' The wolf is wearing Grandma's nightgown and lunges for red with a powerful thrust. Red's frail form fights tooth and nail. Scratching, kicking, biting, no surrender.
"Where is my Grandma? WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY GRANDMA!" Suddenly a sharp pain pierced Red's neck. The colors around her started to fade. The sound of the wind, the trees, the cabin. It all melted away like a Popsicle on a hot July day. Turning her head Red feels a second pinch. A needle. The wolf... his fur flickered. It fell off. His great paw turned to a hand. Large and caloused attached to the bulky arm of a man. Red's eyes glassed over and lost every ounce of color they held only moments before. The color drained from the room. Like tears it dripped off of everything. Two hands grab Red and turn her away. 'Bottles, and towels.' The images and questions were lost in the haze that was now her mind.
The tall man dressed in brown scrubs takes Red's arms in his firm grasp and leads her away from the supply closet. Their fight resulted in several bottles of cleaner being spilt. He'd have to clean that up once she was secured. Gently the man speaks. "Come on Regina, you can't leave your room. You know that." Leading the woman down the dark hallway with wash white walls, tile floors, and no windows. She doesn't respond. Sadly the man shakes his head. They reach a large white door. It leads to a small white room with soft walls, soft floors, and no stimulus at all.