The Hero King

 Ivy

If there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that I, Ivy Carter, am a terrible runner. But here I am running from a beast in the middle of the dark and oddly cold forest, my legs taking off in full speed like a pair of propellers.

My heart beat rages in my ear as I run into branches,overgrown leaves and thorns. Do I know where I am?, no, do I know where I'm running to?, also no.

The roar just a few kilometers away from me escalates the rhythm of my breathing, my heart almost at the verge of exploding with fear.

“Somebody help me, anyone!” I scream, but the forest is isolated and again cold. I can't even remember how I got here.

I slip and fall face down to the ground with a thud once I come in contact with the shrubs.

My feet ache in pain and fatigue as soon as I spring up from the ground, looking for the best exit or a place to hide.

The beast roars again but this time it was closer than ever.

It charges at  me springing in front of me just centimeters away from my face. I scream in fear falling on my butt as I shake uncomfortably.

It roars and rages as it comes closer. With every step it's eyes sparkled in the shade of crimson.

Oh fuck, I'm going die,I'm going to die, I'm going to die.

It growls loudly, as it stands on its two feet. Its towering frame and large size was enough to make me wet my pants.

It flashes its razor sharp teeth that dripped with saliva at me, sensing my intense fear.

Just when I was so sure that I would be dinner, something like a flash of lightning strikes the beast and right before my very eyes it was on the ground fighting with some other kind of giant dog.

I crawl backwards away from the scene as things begin to get bloody. The beast wails but fights back. Nothing I was seeing made sense and it all happened too fast and before I knew it the beast became still on the ground lifeless.

My eyes pop in surprise and curiosity and I take a better look at the dog. Its fur had the color of snow and it was the size of a lion.

“Wait you're not a dog, you're a wolf”

It turns around at me with piercing eyes that reminded me of the ocean, mesmerizing and chaotic.

Its chest rises and falls with the rhythm of its heavy breathing.

I continue to stare in awe at it.

Its fur is so shiny and magnificent.

I just want to touch it.

I had no idea when my hand left my side, it was only when it began to take a step back that I came to my senses.

“Oh I'm sorry” I blurt.

It growls slowly, shaking its head from side to side.

Something's wrong.

“Do you need help?” I ask

But of course it doesn't answer. It growls again and it morphs into a human form. Standing tall on his own two feet.

It turned into a man.

He's naked!!

I gasp, holding my mouth with both hands.

Just before my eyes can meet his face something or someone shakes me to my very core and my world begins to vibrate and everything vanishes.

“Ivy, wake up!”

I gasp sitting up straight, looking around frantically for the naked man till I realize I'm on my bed.

“Ivy snap out of it” comes my mom still shaking me

“I'm up mom, I'm up!” I groan

“You sleep like a log” she says letting go of me  “just like your dad”

I rub my eyes groaning again “do you really have to bring Dad into this?”

I can literally feel her rolling her eyes.

I feel the sheets being yanked away from me.

“Get up, we've got packing to do”

“Pack for what?” I yawn

“We're moving, get your ass up now”

“We're moving today? I thought you said next week” I ask in shock

“Yes we're moving today. Now!” she says going downstairs

Ever since mom and dad separated things have been a whole lot shitty for me.

I still can't believe this is happening and all so fast and I'm supposed to just leave everything and everyone that I love behind.

It feels like we're running away.

We used to be so happy. All three of us.

Mom has become less endearing and dad seems to have fallen off the face of the earth. No calls, no texts. It's like he never existed.

“Ivy, don't make me come up there!”

“I'm coming!”

It didn't take long till we were able to put everything in boxes, well at least the things mom thought were important enough to take with us.

The truck driver had already started putting things in the truck and before I knew it , it was time to go.

Mom didn't hesitate to jump into her car but I on the other hand had to take some time to look around a bit.

I guess she noticed it was hard for me because she let me take all the time I needed.

I pull myself together and finally get in.

“Alright let's get out of this dump before the neighbors notice we're gone”

“It's only 4:30 in the morning mom, I'm sure they're still asleep” I chuckle, putting on my seat belt.

Mom wanted us gone before anyone would notice, she had a thing against the neighbors. Said they were always trying to cast an evil eye on her.

She fixes the rear view mirror and reapplies her lipstick before finally driving off with the truck driver trailing behind us.

Well there goes my life.

And just like that we were gone.

As we zoom past all the houses mom tries to start a conversation with me about being glad she got custody of me then babbles about us doing mother and daughter stuff but my mind wanders off as I think about the dream I had.

The truth is this isn't the first time I've dreamed of this exact thing. The sequence was slightly different but it always ended with my savior being faceless.

The thought of his perfectly sculpted body makes my heart skip a beat.

Everything about him was so perfect. I guess that's why he's a dream. If he was real he'd definitely be a Greek god especially with those eyes.

I just wish he wasn't just a figment of my imagination.

“Ivy are you drooling?!”

“No!”