Cused Creatures: Chapter Four

Rose spilled out the box full of gold coins onto the table and Snow began dividing them up into separate piles, counting quietly to herself as Rose poured them drinks.

"How do you feel?" Snow asked, taking the small piles and placing them into small, marked bags. "You can't overexert yourself again."

"I have to make use of the time I have while Pearl is gone," Rose sniffed.

Snow made a sour face at her.

"Don't look at me like that!" Rose knelt down, prying the floorboards away to reveal a hidden opening, inside were several books, bottles, and a trunk.

"I shall look at you how I please," Snow then tucked a loose curl behind her ear. "You look cross-eyed is all. Maybe you should take a break."

Rose frowned, setting the trunk on the table top. "I can go as long as I want." She removed a key hidden amongst her hair, attached by a clip.

"Not under my watch," Snow laughed, taking the key and opening the trunk. She set the small bags into the trunk with a bunch of others. "I may be your little sister, but I know Pearl truly views me as the one in charge of you," she flipped her long, sleek straight hair off her shoulder.

Rose tried to take a swipe at her from across the table. "Just tell me how much."

"Five more," Snow stretched her palm out. "All of it totaled you shouldn't have much longer to go." She looked up at her and frowned. "Will doing this really make you feel better? It won't bring her back if you do."

Rose sniffed. "I'll change as many memories as I have to to get what I want." She set her glass down and closed her eyes. "No matter what reputation it gives me. I'll make sure that monster dies, one way or another."

Snow screwed her mouth up and she raised her eyebrows as she locked the trunk back and placed the clip on her own hair this turn.

Rose scoffed, motioning her drink at Snow. "Whats with that look?"

"Maybe just-" Snow clicked her tongue and she shrugged. "I dunno, maybe things aren't all they seem. I mean-"

Rose rolled her eyes and waved her hand in the air. "I hate it when you say that."

Snow snapped her hands to her hips. "I'm always right when I say it! That's why you hate it so much. I may not have any of Mama's magic like you and Pearl, but I am pretty damn perceptive!

Rose grumbled and muttered under her breath as she took the trunk full of coins and hid it back under the floorboards. "Don't get your knickers in a bunch."

"You may be able to manipulate memories, and you may not care that the whole town sees you as a whore, but I care! Pearl cares! Belle care-"

"I'm doing this for Belle!" Rose snapped back at her, slamming her cup down on the table. "I'll wipe the entire town's memory if I have to! I don't care! I'm going to bring her home! Alive or not!"

Snow expression changed completely, her usually bright eyes went dark and her small lips went white. The color vanished from her already pale cheeks, making her look like a pillar of marble. Her small hands reached for her hair, stroking it through her clenched fists.

Rose felt choked, her throat tight as she tried to swallow. "You can't always assume the best. The worst is always possible."

"Not as they seem," Snow whispered.

Rose slouched and touched her fingers to her temple, her head beginning to ache from the use of her magic.

There was a loud knocking on the door and the two sisters froze. They watched one another and Snow moved to answer but Rose blocked her.

"Cover the floor again," Rose hissed as she approached the door slowly, peeking out the window first but was unable to see anything through the heavy rain.

She reached for the gun she kept hidden behind the dresser and then slowly opened the door a cracked. She peered out, seeing a large shadowed figure standing there. "Who goes there?" She growled.

"Are you the one who takes men in?"

Rose furrowed her brow, taking a small step aside. "Who are you?" She asked. "You're not part of the village, are you? So where did you come from?"

Snow came closer, standing defensively behind her sister. She looked up, trying to see the man through the shadows and the rain.

"I was told there was a woman in this village who would take any man for gold."

Rose sniffed, she smelled blood thick on the man. She reached back, putting her free hand on Snow's arm. "I'm sorry, you're sorely mistaken, sir," she growled at him as she began to raise her gun.

Snow pulled her back, using much more force than Rose assumed she was capable of. She moved forward and opened the door more, allowing the man to enter.

"Snow!" Rose hissed.

"It's awfully cold," Snow led him inside. "Please, if you needed somewhere to stay, you should have just said so. Not many travelers come through anymore, so I am afraid most inns went out of business."

The man walked in, his body heavily covered by a long cloak and a wide-brimmed hat. Water slicked off him, creating a pool where he stood in the doorway.

Snow shut the door and sighed at the mess on the floor. "I'll get you a towel you're soaked to the-" She suddenly froze, her jaw dropping and she screamed.

Rose raised the gun to the man's face. The man gasped and stepped back, slipping in the water and falling backward on the floor.

"No!" Snow grabbed her quickly, trying to knock the gun away from the man. "No! No! Rose, he's hurt!" She pointed to the blood that mixed with the water on the floor. She eventually wrenched the gun from Rose's hand. "Stop waving this around!" She snapped. "Go get Pearl's kit!" She barked at Rose as she moved to the man on the floor.

"I'm sorry-" the man wheezed. "I didn't think you'd let me in without money." He spoke slowly, breathless and shallow.

"Hush now, hush," Snow pulled him up from the floor.

Rose came back carrying Pearl's first aid kit, watching as Snow opened his body-covering cloak and making him sit. She stopped, shaking her head. She thought for sure her eyes were playing tricks on her. She saw fur and claws, big paws the size of her head.

"Don't just stand there!" Snow snatched the kit from her hands. "Go get blankets! Go get water and set it to boil." She then noticed Rose's strange expression. "What?"

Rose took a step back as Snow looked her over. "I'll uhm..." She turned away and went to the kitchen. "I'll see to the water."

She stood over the stove, pouring rainwater into a pot and then watching it as she tried to decipher what she had believed she saw.

A bear. That's what her eyes had told her it was. Bears didn't talk though, no bear asked for help. No bear certainly listened to a woman.

"Rose! I need your help!" Snow called.

"Just a second!" She took some cloth and tossed them in the hot water then pulled them out and put them into a basin. She walked back out, see Rose knelt down before the man.

"Hurry," Snow waved her over, showing her the large wound on his leg and along his stomach.

Rose stared as she worked. He was a man, and even if he was hairy that didn't explain why she had seen a bear in her home. She glanced up, the man still wearing his hat. All she could see of his face was his jaw and cheek. She frowned, working on cleaning him up and patching his wounds.

"There now," Snow sighed after all was said and done. She had him laid up in Rose's bed, tucked in and resting. "Much better right, sir?"

"Yes, thank you," he smiled up at them. "I'm sorry to have put you out so."

"Oh, nonsense!" Snow laughed. "Now you just rest up, Rose and I will put some food on. You must be starving."

"Really you shouldn't-"

Snow was already gone, Rose remained and watched over him for a moment.

"You and your sister are much too kind." The man sighed, resting back. Snow had his face covered by a cool cloth to combat the fever he had.

"Why did you ask for me?" Rose asked hushed, her tone sharp.

The man strained, trying to lift himself. He put his hand over his stomach and groaned, "What do you-"

Rose sat on the edge of the bed and placed a knife to his throat. "You asked for me. The woman who would take a man in for gold. You were sliced to ribbons, bleeding to death and you couldn't get anyone to take you in." She frowned down at him. "I saw something under that cloak. Something that vanished. I know what I saw and you're going to-"

He put his hand around her wrist. "I'm not going to harm you. Please," his fingers squeezed around her wrist. "Check my bag, you'll see I can pay you still."

"I don't care about the money!" Rose hissed. "I'm concerned for the safety of my sister and me! I don't know if you have something following you or if you're the threat!" She removed the towel from over his eyes, peering into them for the first time. "Who are you?"

He looked up at her with dark brown eyes. His brows were thick, his jaw covered in a thick beard. His hair was long and wild, dark brown. It was obvious he hadn't taken care of his appearance in some time. He was overgrown.

"I'm Callum," he answered. "I came from the woods."

Rose's lip curled, "no one comes from the woods anymore."

"Rose!" Snow sang from the kitchen.

She glared down at him. "Callum, don't move." She turned on her heel and went to her sister who was darting around in front of the oven.

"He's an injured stranger in our house, you don't have to treat him like he's some royalty, Snow." Rose scoffed.

"He's hurt! He needs a good meal to be able to heal." Snow stuck her tongue out.

"Yeah, and a decent broth would have been enough." She slammed her hand down on the table and made Snow jump. "Don't you sense anything strange about him?"

"Hmm?" Snow hummed as she sampled a bite of her cooking. "No," she slurped from behind her hand. "He's pretty good looking for someone who just trudged out of the rain though, don't you think."

Rose scowled.

"What? He is!" Snow flipped her hair from her shoulder.

"But isn't it strange he came like that?" Rose snapped. "An injured man coming to the town whore before anyone else? It is weird right? He could be dangerous, Snow!"

"Anyone coming to our door at this time during a storm is strange," Snow replied thoughtfully.

Rose furrowed her brow and she glanced back towards her room where Callum was laid up and she huffed. "I don't trust him." She muttered, unsure how to tell even Snow that she had seen something that would be impossible.

"Then leave the trust to me," Snow handed her a tray with tea on it. "He's injured, no need worrying about him doing anything. You're a bigger threat than he is, quite honestly."

Rose's lip curled and she took the tray, trudging back to the bedroom. Callum had his eyes closed but he opened them as Rose came in. He slowly sat up, groaning as he held his stomach.

"Don't hurt yourself, or Snow will blame me." Rose propped some pillows behind him and she handed the tea. "This tea may be a bit bitter but it'll deal with any pain you've got."

"Are you a healer?" He asked.

Rose cut him a look and she shook her head. "Not me."

"I wasn't sure," he took a drink and sighed in relief. "You didn't really seem like the healing type," he chuckled despite nerves.

She smirked down at him. "Careful, stranger," she said, mixing honey into her own tea. "I may not heal, but I have other powers."

"You're a witch?"

Rose frowned again and placed the cup of tea to her lips. "It doesn't matter now, does it?"

"Whatever your sister is making smells good," he attempted conversation despite the prickly air Rose was throwing from herself.

"Prepare to be disappointed. Snow means well but she's awful at it."

Callum watched Rose, her long, dark hair falling over her bare shoulder. She was lovely, but everything about her screamed sharp, dangerous, don't touch.

"Are you much better?" He asked.

Rose scoffed, "you can eat what Snow makes."

He chuckled then, his smile crooked, showing off the sharp teeth hidden behind his lips. Rose was taken for a moment in that smile, and she had to take a second to look away.

"You still haven't answered me," Rose glanced at him from the corner of her eye. "I'll leave you be for the night, for Snow, but I expect answers."

Callum sputtered on his drink then gulped it down, both of them refusing to meet each other's gaze.

Snow came in later, delivering Callum enough food to feed the bear Rose still swore she saw. Callum ate happily, shoveling it in his face like he hadn't eaten in ages. Snow was happy enough, babbling on and on about this and that.

"It surely isn't as good as you are making it seem," Rose scoffed as she took his cleared plates away.

"It really is though," Callum wiped his cheek with his knuckles. "Someone hasn't cooked for me in a long time."

"You poor thing," Snow cooed.

Rose rolled her eyes.

"I have six siblings," he replied. "And it's been a long time since we were all together. And only one of us really cooks to where we're all happy."

"Six!" Snow exclaimed. "There's four of us here and-" she hesitated, realizing her words. "Well, there is usually four of us. I don't think I could imagine six strapping boys."

Callum noticed her bump and he watched Rose's expression for any give. "Yeah, it was always a struggle. Dinner was a war zone most nights."

"Rose I'll clean up," Snow said, taking the dirty dishes from her. "Why don't you check on his bandages and get him settled into bed since it's your room."

Rose glowered and opened her mouth to argue.

"I insist!" Snow shoved off.

Rose threw her hands in the air and pulled up Pearl's kit then pulled back the blankets on Callum. "I'll just make sure everything is in place. No guts falling out."

"Mnh," Callum turned his head away, almost embarrassed.

Rose remarked again at how hairy he was, maybe she was a little mistaken when she saw the bear. He was well built too, strong and solid. His chest was broad and when she rested her hand there it was warm, the dark curls there soft.

She replaced the bandages on his stomach and cleaned him up. Dried blood caked in the trail from his stomach and down his pelvis. He was bare under the sheet and Rose considered pulling it all away to check on his leg, but reconsidered and remained polite.

"Your hands are cold," Callum breathed.

"Well, not all of us can be-"

"It feels good," he finished and Rose felt something inside her melt and turn to jelly.

She steeled herself again and she swallowed. "You're running a fever." She covered him again and stood up. "I'll gather some of the cold water from outside and make you a pack."

"Thank you," the voice that came from him sounded so helpless and small even if he was built like an oak. Rose wasn't sure how to act.

"Just shut up," she walked out the door and caught her breath for a moment. Being around him she felt so strange. She didn't want to trust him, not yet. She didn't want to be close and yet she wanted to stay at his bedside to make sure he slept.

"Is he ok?" Snow asked as she washed dishes.

"He has a fever," Rose put her mask back on in front of her sister. "I'm going to gather rainwater."

"Good idea," Snow sang.

Stepping outside Rose felt like she was slowly gathering herself together again. The cold and wet snapping her head into proper place. She scooped ice cold water from one of the barrels and splashed her face with some.

She knew what she saw before. Where his strong hands were she couldn't mistake the sight of massive claws and paws. Nothing human there, something beastly and dangerous. She shuddered and went back inside. When she returned to Callum's side it looked like he was sleeping already. She took his pack from earlier and dunked it in the icy water. She drained it then placed it on his forehead and he flinched and she lurched back in response.

"Cold," Callum hissed.

"I thought you were asleep," Rose clutched her chest.

"Almost," Callum peeked from under the pack at her and she thought for sure they glowed.

She held her breath and took a step away. "Well," she huffed, "don't let me stop you." She growled as she picked up the bucket of water.

"Wait."

She stopped and looked over her shoulder at him. "What is it? Pain?"

"No I just..." she couldn't seem him in the shadows now. "If it wasn't for you I probably would have died tonight."

"A big guy like you? I'm sure," Rose wondered what sort of corpse we would leave behind. She shook the thought from her head and she turned back around. "Don't thank me, thank Snow." She left before he could speak again and she closed the door.

She stood there for a moment, her brow pinched and her lips pressed into a firm line. She took a deep breath and thought about her mother. What would she do? How would she walk around this man?

"Rose?"

Rose tossed the water out the door and set the bucket on the mat. "I'll sleep in Pearl's bed tonight," she wiped her hands against her skirt. "It's next to his bed, so you get some sleep tonight." She checked on the floorboards over the trunk, moving the table closer over top of them.

"What's up with you?" Snow asked. "Ever since he came into the house you've been like a hunted animal."

She flinched, biting down on her lip as she stood back up. "Not hunted," she shook her head as she reached for Snow and took the key from her hair, blond strands clinging to it. She placed the key in the jar of flour, burying it deep.

"That won't taste good for biscuits," Snow grimaced.

"I'll clean up in here," Rose murmured. "You should go to bed."

Snow frowned at her, crossing her arms tight across her chest and taking a defensive stance with her legs spread and feet firmly planted.

"What?" Rose jeered.

"Don't be mean to Callum," Snow whispered warningly. "You never trust me when I say these things, Rose. I am insisting- no. I am demanding you listen to me this time! I can tell Callum is in trouble and it isn't just the bloody wounds! Ok?"

Rose's stiff shoulders slouched and she crossed her arms over her chest. "I saw something, Snow."

"Like what?" Snow's brow lowered. "His dick?"

Rose slapped upside Snow's head. "No! You kettlehead," she whispered harshly. "When he first came in."

Snow rubbed her head. "What then?" She punched Rose's arm in retaliation.

"He was a bear, Snow."

Snow's eyes widened then she threw her head back and laughed. "No wonder you've been on edge!" She pat Rose's cheek. "You're crazy, Rose! Is that what this really has been about."

Rose shoved her hand away. "I know what I saw."

Snow sighed and looked back towards the bedroom. "He's a man, Rose. If there is a bear hiding somewhere in him, then the bed is the best place to show it."

Rose's mouth opened and then she shut it. "You're an ass." She turned on her heel and went to wash the dishes.

Snow went to bed not long after, leaving Rose alone as she cleaned the kitchen. Rose came to a stopping point and she sighed, wiping her brow as she went towards the bedroom. She stood still in the shadows for a moment, watching her bed where Callum was asleep.

Rose frowned, crouching down up the bag he had brought. She rummaged inside, finding some bread and bottles of water, nothing truly out of the ordinary. At the bottom, she pulled out a small satchel, inside many glittering stones and coin. He hadn't been lying when he said he could pay, but why did he have so much? Here did he get so many gems?

She took his bag and hid it in her closet.

"You can have it all," his voice croaked out.

She turned around and looked down at the bed, watching him rise up slightly. "I don't need it," he winced. "You can keep everything."

Rose folded her arms against her chest. "Is it stolen?" She asked.

"No," he shook his head. "I-" he huffed and held his arm around his stomach. "I don't expect you to trust me just-"

"Save it," she dropped her arms back to her sides. "I don't need your story tonight."

"Uh-" Callum breathing began to grow shallow.

Rose moved to him and made him lay down, her hands on his chest. His body was burning up, but he was shivering. "What the hell happened to you?"

"I'm scared."

"Scared?" Rose laughed.

Callum gripped her hand tight as she pulled the blankets up. "Please...just humor me."

Rose attempted to pull her hand away but relented at his pitiful plea. She huffed, shoulders slouching. "I can go get Snow, I know I'm not-"

"Stay," he trembled. "You."

Rose bit her tongue. "Alright," she sat down beside her and held his hand. "Hey!" She flinched as he laid his head in her lap, his hand on her thigh. He cuddled to her like a child would its mother. Her shoulders slouched and she let him rest there. He had given her that whole bag of gold and gems, she couldn't argue that. All he was doing was resting his head there.