I Will Always Return ~ (A Will Scarlet Love Story) *Completed*

Chapter Three

AUTHORS NOTE: There is some gruesome detail within this chapter.. Just a warning to readers that cannot handle what is written.

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~Chapter Three~

The Fight for Life

Sheriff Fredrick Beverley and Evemina rode silently though Sherwood Forest. Her emerald eyes carefully studied the old man before her as he sat tall on his horse. Fear and temptation filled her heart. She wanted to know what her past held but she was also afraid that the truth would be so painful to handle. The woman sucked in a deep breath and continued to follow the Sheriff around a forested bend.

Around the curve, Evemina was met with the sight of a town.

Papplewick.

Her home.

However from her memories of the town was not as exquisite and lively. Hardly any people wandered the main and only road. Not even people who sleep in the streets laid out in sight. Her heart was troubled by the eerie quietness of the town.

"Cover your head with your hood, my Lady." His eyes found hers as he leaned closer, "And whatever you do, child... do not say your name."

Evemina did as she was told without question or hesitation.

Her name?

Why would her name be troubling?

Fear filled her heart as thousands of scenarios flew through her mind.

What happened these past fifteen years?

Was her parents in trouble... or... have they... past away?

The maiden shook those words out of her mind, No... they are fine. She told herself... however she could not fully believe those words. Something within her felt as if she knew that they would not be in the family nest beside the bakery waiting for their daughter.

As Fredrick lead her into town, she could feel the eyes of ones hiding in houses and buildings watching her every move. The woman steered Verity to the side of the Sheriff with swarms of questions rattling in her head, "Where is everyone?"

Fredrick caught the whisper of the woman and his eyes sought out hers. "Hiding, my Lady. The Sheriff's men will be arriving shortly."

"Why?"

"Taxes, punishments, executions... Anyone who disobeys the Sheriff's tax laws and or are thieves will be punished and possibly hanged for a warning to all villagers or visitors. If fortunate some are put in the stockade."

"Stockade?" She questioned with a sense of familiarity. Her eyes than glanced over to a lone stockade along the street. A quiet gasp slipped from her lips as she stared at it, being pulled into a daydream.

~

The night sky hung above the town and forest, luring many to sleep. The townsfolk of Papplewick laid in their beds, resting for the new day to come. All except one. A little figure hurried down the streets, leaving no sounds of her footsteps for ears to hear. The only accompanying the figure was its shadow.

Quietly the figure hugged the buildings, staying completely unseen by hiding in the shadows. Also awake this night was a lone figure bound to the stockade. His hazel green eyes sleepily glanced around the dark town. He had been standing there all day since he lied for the young girl. The moon beams emitted beams onto the boy and the dead silent street.

A small noise of a rock being kicked startled the boy into being wide awake. His eyes glanced over to the general direction of the sound and spotted a darker form in the night.