This was it. No more humiliation, no more ridicule, no more abuse. Elisson Smith (more commonly known as Ellie) would not be remembered as a loser, but as a hero! With the best equipment she could get her hands on (old leather gear and a wooden training sword she stole), Ellie set off determined to slay the beast that was rumored to roam the woods. Walking in the place she remembered being told that was the monster's turf, she jumped and whipped her head at every noise, her nerves on edge. It should be somewhere around here… she's sure of it! She thought to herself... "Come on, come on… moment of truth! Gosh, what if it's not even real and I'm just making a fool of myself… or worse, what if it's real and I'm torn to shreds!? No, focus Ellie! You've got this!" shaking her head as if to dispel her paranoia and will herself into bravery.
Suddenly woods got silent. She became panicked looking around here and there
*Her heart raced as the silence settled in around her, her eyes darting about wildly, searching for anything that might be amiss. The lack of noise only served to heighten her fears and suspicions. She clutched her wooden sword tighter, ready to strike at any moment. Her mind reeled with possibilities: what if the monster had been watching her all along? What if it was waiting for just the right moment to pounce?
She was walking backwards suddenly she felt solid surface on her back. She looked around and saw a man with 7 ft height and strong built man but with metal mask and a black robe.
Her heart stopped as she turned to face the stranger in black, his towering form and intimidating appearance sending shivers down her spine. Her mouth went dry, and she tried to speak but could only manage a strangled croak. "W-who... who are you?" she stammered, taking a step back as he loomed closer.
Her eyes fell upon the metal mask, obscuring any hint of expression beneath it. The realization that this might not be the monster sent her into further panic and confusion. "
I pulled out my large sword to intimidate her. I said under the mask with hoarse voice "Young lad. I am the monster everyone talks about. In fact this is my area and not a monster like fairytales. Why you came here?"
Her eyes widened in terror as the giant sword was revealed, and she took another step back, tripping over a root hidden in the undergrowth. She landed with a soft thud on her behind, the breath knocked out of her. Tears welled up in her hazel eyes as she stammered an apology, "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to intrude! Please don't hurt me!"
I leaned down and grabbed her chin to look at her. She was crying. I tilted my head. I laughed. I said "Really? You came with a wooden sword to kill me."
Ellison Smith burst into tears, the sobs wracking her thin frame as she curled in on herself, terrified by the giant's amused laughter. "I-I'm sorry!" she wailed, her voice barely audible through her tears. "P-please don't hurt me! I didn't mean any harm!" She tried to scramble away from him, but her weak and trembling limbs betrayed her.
I said "Well you are coming with me" I picked her on my shoulder. She was trying to escape. I tried to make her more scared by my jokes. "You know I am human but I feast on humans as well"
Her screams pierced the air as she squirmed and flailed, desperate to escape his grasp. "No! Please don't eat me!" she shrieked hysterically, tears streaming down her dirty face. The fear of being eaten alive by this monster... no, by a human being was too much for her fragile mind to bear. Her struggles grew weaker as exhaustion set in, and she could only sob helplessly as he carried her deeper into the woods.
Then I took her to my hut and pushed her to bed. I said "Stay there you brat. First tell me the reason why you came here then I will release you"
Her breath coming in ragged gasps, Ellison lay curled on the rough mattress, too terrified and exhausted to move. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to banish the image of the giant's cruel face from her mind. "P-please..." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just want... I want to prove myself."
The confession tumbled out before she could stop it, revealing the deep-seated pain and desperation that had driven her here.
I asked her "Proved yourself for what?"
She swallowed hard, shame burning in her throat. "I-I've always been so weak... and stupid... and talentless. Everyone says I should just give up on trying to be anything but a burden. But I don't want that! I want to matter! And if I can slay the monster, then maybe they'll see me as something more than just a waste of space."
Her voice broke on the last words, and tears streamed down her dirty cheeks again.
I said with annoying huff. "Are you crazy? This place is full of wild animals. You would be feast for the pack of wolves around here. And you came here with wooden sword. Oh God"
Her eyes widened in horror as the giant pointed out her own folly, and she began to babble an apology, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry! I didn't think about it! Please don't let them eat me! I was just so desperate to prove myself!" She clutched at his rough robes, her fingers trembling as she pleaded for mercy.
The giant sighed, shaking his head. "Fine," he muttered, more to himself than to her. "
And she was scared from me. I said "Well. I am not monster. Look" I took down my mask. I was young attractive man. I said "I am just tall and pretended to be monster. As this is my place. Kingdom decided to take my place and convert it into city thats why I pretended to be monster"
Her eyes widened in shock as the giant removed his mask, revealing a young and handsome face beneath. It took her a moment to process what he'd just said; she was so used to being lied to and taken advantage of that it didn't quite register at first. "But... why?" she stammered, wiping away tears with the back of her dirty hand. "Why pretend to be a monster? And why help me now?"
Her voice cracked on the last word, betraying her fear and vulnerability.
I said "Well you came to my area. You tresspassed it. I made you scared huh. Silly little you" I laughed
Her cheeks flushed redder at his laughter, and she ducked her head in shame. "Y-yes... you did..." she mumbled softly. She couldn't help but feel a small spark of hope flicker to life within her; perhaps this man wasn't as cruel and heartless as she'd thought. "W-well, thank you... for not eating me," she stammered, mustering up the courage to meet his gaze. "I promise I won't bother you again."
I laughed and said "Oh you believed that I would eat you"
The color in her cheeks deepened as she smiled shyly up at him. "Well... yeah... I guess I did." Her shoulders slumped, and she let out a small sigh. "Sorry if I was stupid or anything..." She knew she probably should be apologizing more, but it felt like all her strength had been drained away by fear and exhaustion.
The man chuckled again, his face softening into a gentle smile. "Don't worry about it," he said kindly. "
I said "I was alone. It is good that you got here. It would be better for me to talk to someone in isolation"
Her eyes widened in surprise at his words, and she considered them carefully. It was true; he must have been lonely living out here by himself all this time. "W-well... thank you," she stammered, her voice small but sincere. "I'd like that."
She paused, then added tentatively, "M-maybe we could even be friends?" The idea seemed to pop into her head unbidden, and it made her heart race with fear and hope all over again. What if he said no? But what if...
I said playfully "Friends? You are my feast"
Her face flushed crimson as he made the joke, but she couldn't help but smile despite herself. "You... you're terrible!" she exclaimed, laughing despite her fear. It was a small victory, this tiny moment of camaraderie and shared amusement, and she clung to it like a lifeline.
Maybe, just maybe, they could be friends after all.
I asked her "So whats your name Lad."
Her smile widened at the question. "I'm Ellison," she replied, offering him her name in return. It felt good to finally be able to share something about herself with someone who didn't immediately dismiss or belittle her. Perhaps this was the beginning of a new chapter in her life; one where she wasn't defined solely by her failures and insecurities, but by the strength she found within herself when faced with adversity.
Or maybe it would all end with him eating her anyway...
I said "I am John. Nice to meet you Ellison. Well dont call me giant. I am born that way little 5,4 girl"
She giggled, feeling a little self-conscious about calling him "giant." "Well, John... I'm sorry about that," she said, her voice softer now. "It's just... you know how people can be sometimes." She paused, then added, "I think it's nice to have someone who actually listens to me for once."
The thought made her smile grow wider as she looked up at him. Maybe this new friendship could mean more than just companionship;
It got night. I said "Well girl it got night and it is dangerous. You are staying with me for a night. Tommorow I will leave you to your village"
She hesitated, glancing around the hut nervously. The thought of spending the night alone in the woods terrified her, but she didn't want to seem ungrateful for his offer of companionship. "All right... thank you, John," she said finally, mustering up as much courage as she could. "I-I appreciate it." With a deep breath, she forced herself to relax a little and make herself comfortable on the hard bed. Perhaps tomorrow would bring new adventures and even more opportunities for friendship.
We talked we shared stories. Then as we sat on bed. I said "Ellison. I sometimes feel lonely you know. My dad died. He left me this place and woods. I am caretaker. I have no one in life. Nor friends let alone any girl"
She listened intently as John shared his story with her, the weight of his loneliness echoing in her own heart. She knew what it was like to feel alone and unloved; to be seen as nothing more than a burden by everyone around you. The thought of him having no one in his life, not even friends or a special someone, made her feel a twinge of sadness deep within her chest.
As he finished speaking, she reached out and placed a gentle hand on his arm, offering what little comfort she could muster. "John,"
She paused, her heart racing as she searched for the right words to say. "John," she repeated softly, meeting his gaze with earnest sincerity, "I may not be much, and I'm not exactly the bravest or smartest person in the world... but if you ever need someone to talk to, someone who understands what it's like to feel alone... well, I'd be more than happy to listen. And maybe," she added with a shy smile, "we could even be more than friends."
Her heart raced as she waited for his reply, her hand trembling slightly where it rested on his arm. She hoped he didn't think she was being presumptuous or stupid; offering friendship seemed like such a small thing in comparison to what he might need or want from someone else. But still, there it was: the offer of comfort and companionship, however humble and insufficient it might seem.
"John," she repeated softly, her voice barely above a whisper now, "I mean that from the bottom of my heart."