RED - Part 2 of 3 (short story) [GL]

II. Red Riding Hood’s Tale

I never thought the streets I used to take after school will be likened to a dangerous woods.

The sun was still up and yet, imaginary shrubs and vines clouded the way as a predator hid himself in the shadows. I’ve never been scared my entire life since Mom and Dad’s biggest fight, so I thought I could at least sum up every bit of courage left in me to get away from impending danger. I walked faster hoping the lurking predator would give up his stalking. I knew the roads by heart so I thought I had managed to lose him. I was wrong. The predator knew the way better than I do. I was cornered at the far end of a street—alone. Fear triumphed over my defeat of getting outsmarted. And there was nowhere else to go; the predator was blocking the opening.

“Jackpot.” His voice was husky and his mouth twitched. The predator showed off his winning grin and I could feel he would jump on me any minute as he approached me. I was trembling as I tried to scramble for anything in my reach, but there was none. No stick, no pebble, just dirt squeezing into my nails. I’ve never felt so defeated I couldn’t even remember if I had anything in my bag to use as a weapon. I couldn’t even think I had my bag. It’s like I was lost in a maze and it was the end of it.

And then I heard a ‘whack’ and there was a ‘thud’. My hopes weren’t up for too long as the predator wasn’t taken down by a single blow and the mystery person hit the floor. Seeing that got my adrenaline running again and I grabbed the first thing I could reach in my bag. “What the hell!” He screamed in frustration at the persistent person before him. The predator was about to deliver a blow again but I managed to jump from behind and cover his eyes with the hooded jacket I had in my bag. The mystery person had a chance and in a flash the predator was finally knocked out. It was a hard hit on his head but my heart was pounding harder still.

Looking at the fallen predator, it felt like the imaginary shrubs and vines started to disappear, and I could see light again. My vision was hazy but the slightly fading orange sun revealed my savior as a girl in pony tail, and she, too, was catching her breath; a wooden slab in her hands. Blood trickled on her face but her strong gaze didn’t falter. She reached out for my hand and together, we fled the dangerous woods that afternoon.

“The passersby we asked for help were good enough to call the cops,” she said as we were being tended in the nearby hospital.

“Yes. It made me relieved when the criminal got arrested. I’ve never felt so much relief it made me cry happy tears.” I laughed and she did too and it was the first time we laughed after the incident.

I learned that my savior attends the same High School I go to. I was glad to have found a new friend at school. Her name’s Axelle from class 3-4 and she’s a member of the school’s Woodmakers’ Club, a club for students who have interest in carpentry and wood making skills. She also knows basic self-defense; thus, what she used during that time.

“Wow, that’s interesting!” I beamed when she told me she’s the only girl in the Woodmaker’s Club. “You only prove that girls can also do stuff that guys do,” I said proudly.

“Well, not all guys are happy about it. I don’t care, though it’d be nice if they stop saying nasty stuff about girls doing uncommon things.”

We talked more about that topic as I also told her about my guy club mates in the Gardening Club. We are supportive of each other in the club; however, outside the room some school mates make fun of them and that’s really mean.

Because of that, Axelle and I came up with an idea of proposing a campaign to make the school a safer and happier place. It was actually a spur of a moment thing but it gradually took shape as more ideas came up. And then the topic got far off when she joked that I could win a seat in the Student Council if I run for a position, and that she’ll be my campaign manager all the way. At that moment, I really find my new found friend interesting and it made me want to talk to her more.

“So, do you have a favorite wood craft in particular?” I asked on our way home from the hospital. Good thing her cut wasn’t that bad.

“Nothing really. I’m just used to fixing stuff where I live so I’ve kinda grown interest in wood work and stuff.”

“So... that wooden slab you have with you, was it from the club?” I chuckled, thinking that an innocent-looking thing could be such a handy weapon.

“Yes, it was.” She laughed as well. “I usually bring home materials and work with them during my spare time.”

“I see. I better thank that wooden material of yours then. And of course you, especially. It was amazing you happened to be there at that exact moment.”

“Well... yeah... I just happened to pass by that area... I guess.”

“And I am thankful. Do you always pass by that area though? I really thought no one would notice... I was so scared I couldn’t remember if I even managed to let out a cry or a scream...”

“You... you didn’t. Like I said... I just happened to be there. Plus, it wasn’t just me. You helped me too, remember? I might be dead if it weren’t for your hoodie.” She chuckled. “Speaking of which, I’m sorry it got all bloody splotchy,” she said, attempting for a joke. She really thought I would get mad about it.

“Silly. Blood was gushing from your head so we had to compress it. It’s first aid, you know.”

“Yeah, I know. Good thing you have it with you.”

“It’s always cold in the computer room so I bring it whenever we have that period for the day.”

“Well, I hope the stain won’t stick around in that case. It seems you really like your hoodie, and it’s such a nice white it would be a waste if those red splotches wouldn’t be coming off anymore.”

And true enough, the blood stains on my favorite hoodie blossomed like a red flower.

Even before, I’ve never liked red because it is the color of blood, and blood means pain. Red was in my mom’s eyes every time she and dad fought. Red was present whenever I get periodical pains down there every month. Red was on that day, when I got saved and yet, someone got hurt because of me... Red was always present even if I didn’t ask for it.

Red always comes.

“Hey, are you sure you’d walk me home after school?” I was surprised when Axelle suggested it that day.

“Yeah. It’d be better if you have someone with you always,” she said reassuringly.

“But, isn’t that much of a trouble for you?” I got to risk her life once, I wouldn’t like it if it would happen again. “I already bought a pepper spray and an SOS whistle with me. Also I’m planning on enrolling in a self-defense—”

“Yeah yeah, I know,” she interrupted. “It’s a good thing you’re more prepared now but still... It’ll lessen my worry if I know you reach your home safely. It’s better ‘safer’ than sorry, right?” I cannot help but smile at her reassuring words and with that, I accepted her offer. It does feel safer when someone trustworthy is around.

My grandma was beyond relieved when she learned that Axelle would be walking me home every day after the incident. I couldn’t let her worry too much as well because of what happened so it’s a win-win situation, I guess. It made me happy knowing that someone cares for me aside from Grandma. Someone whom I can share my thoughts with; I can laugh with; I can feel safe with.

Since then, whenever I see my blood splotched hoodie, I couldn’t help but to remember the fear and the pain; but it also reminds me of the good things that came with it. The good part may have outweighed the bad, is what I thought.

It then occurred to me that blood means life, above all else. The same red I used not to like, but now I do. Red, for me now, is the color of life, of being happy, of being alive, and being thankful for it.

How come she was there when I needed someone badly? Why does her presence make my day livelier and more colorful like the garden I tend to? Like butterflies coming out of their cocoons, like flowers at the peak of their season, red blossomed like a rose.

But like any other rose, magnificent and pure, it always has its thorns.