Monday, February 11, 2013

The Other Aurora - Chapter Ten: Ghoul



Aurora couldn't believe Philip's words. She had finally been awakened, but her whole family and loved ones were still under Maleficent's spell. It seemed that, even though she was dead, Maleficent still had some power over her. Aurora felt cursed for life.

Philip allowed her to cry and embraced her over and over again to make her feel supported and understood, still he felt he could not quite reach her. They would both need time to open up and act the way they used to act around each other before the curse.

'We'll find a way to make it right, Philip,' said Aurora in tears.

'Of course, my love,' said Philip looking straight into her eyes.

They both stared at each other for some seconds and sealed this pact of hope with a tender kiss.

'What was that?' screamed Aurora, standing up.
'Did you hear that?'

Philip looked all around but couldn't see anything. However, after some time, he could hear a screeching sound, accompanied by a strange grunting.

'Stand behind me!,' ordered the Prince as he took his sword.

Being a cloudy night, the forest was pitch dark and the only light they had was coming from the fire Philip had made. 

'There it is again,' whispered Aurora
'That noise...I think it's coming that way.'

Philip looked to his left and could see a pair of red eyes coming closer and closer.

'Let's go, let's run the other way!' said Aurora.

'Show yourself beast!' screamed Philip.

And so the creature became visible to them.

It looked...undead. Philip had never seen such a creature before. It had straight black hair, long, bony arms and sharp nails. Rags of unrecognisable clothing hanged from it and it seemed to be trying to say something, yet all it managed to say were strange, grunting sounds. This creature had obviously been a man, but he had no trace of humanity left and he had such a horrifying look on his face, a look of despair and grief.



Thursday, February 7, 2013

The Other Aurora - Chapter Nine: Conversation.


“The most fruitful and natural exercise for our minds is, in my opinion, conversation.” 
 Michel de Montaigne


As Philip lit a fire with some tree branches and dry leaves, Aurora felt she needed to engage in some kind of conversation with the man who had just saved her. It felt only natural and reasonable to do so. Besides, she knew Philip was the love of her life...maybe as they talked and spent time with each other, the flame of love would be rekindled. 

'Philip...you haven't told me much about what happened after I was put to sleep,' said Aurora in a low, hesitant tone.

Philip was paralyzed by these words. He had been trying to avoid this matter ever since he had kissed her and woke her up. It was evident he would have to talk to her eventually, but he never thought it would happen so soon.

He had just managed to lit a fire, so he asked her princess to sit next to him and as he stared at the flame, he told her what he knew.

'Aurora you must understand that it has been five years since Maleficent cursed you. Some curses are more dangerous than others...and the sleeping curse is one fo the most powerful of all.'

'You don't have to tell me that...I haven't been sleeping peacefully at all these last five years,' interrupted Aurora.

'I cannot imagine what you have been through, but Maleficent's curse also affected some people of the kingdom...'

'What do you mean?' asked Aurora in a halt.

'Please, calm down. Everything can and will be reverted now that you have been awakened. Time is a treacherous thing, but we have started the journey back to restoration.'

'Please, please tell me what I know you're hiding from me...,' begged Aurora in tears.

Philip embraced her and held her in his arms for some seconds until he finally spoke.

'The curse affected your parents, the fairy godmothers and some people from the court. They, too, were put to sleep..."