Red Unknown

Once upon a time, there was an oak forest, its trees sturdy and towering over a floor of crimson leaves. In this forest of red, a girl named Scarlet lived with her parents in a cozy wood cabin. Or it would've been cozy if Scarlet's parents were more warm-hearted. As it was, they were distant and cold, neglecting her in favor of their favorite drink. Even 10 years later, they hadn't learned from the mistake that conceived Scarlet, and ever since she'd been born, she had heard all about it; how she was nothing but a drunken folly. Numerous occasions of this had taken their toll on the poor girl, which was why she was currently holed up in her room, trying to drown out the raucous laughter of her parents.

Scarlet stared blankly out the murky bedroom window, taking in the sea of tall trees as best she could through the stained glass. The trees were ringed with clumps of leaves, forming a beautiful bouquet of color. Deep, sensuous reds, crisp shades of orange, and energetic bursts of yellow. All the colors converged, creating a truly picturesque autumn day, one that drew Scarlet's longing gaze. As she sat, her misshapen chair wobbling every few seconds, she wondered. Pondered what it would be like to twirl among the falling leaves, to breathe in the fresh air. Scarlet had no idea what that was like, as long ago, her parents had forbade her from leaving the cabin. They claimed it was to protect her "dumb ass," but Scarlet had a feeling it was more to limit her freedom and make her life even more miserable.

Her train of thought was interrupted by a flicker of movement outside. Scarlet's sky blue eyes followed the trajectory, zeroing in on a strange creature admist a pile of maroon leaves. The being looked almost human, with two arms and legs, but its skin looked like a mass of moving shadows, dark as night. Its face consisted simply of two hollow sockets where eyes should've been, ivory like bone, and a large crooked slit lined with equally crooked, rotting teeth. The creature stared back at Scarlet, its gaze unflinching.

Fear creeping up her spine, Scarlet was just about to turn from the window when the creature raised an arm, slowly waving the stump of it at her. The thing's malformed mouth crept into a thin grin as it continued gesturing. As unnerved as she was, a spark of curiosity and desire ignited within Scarlet. She'd never gone outdoors, and more importantly, she'd never had a friend. No social interaction beyond the mockery of it she had with her parents. Maybe this thing, whatever it was, could be her friend, her very first one. With that thought, Scarlet sprung from the chair and timidly wove back, an uneasy smile on her face. The creature beamed back, flinging its lumpy arm wildly.

That was when Scarlet decided. Even if she was later punished for it, she would find a way out of this forsaken home. She would venture into that crimson sea of trees, straight into the unknown, and she would meet her new friend. Scarlet just new, before long, they would be the best of friends.