Beheading party pooper

It's been 35 days since I last saw Sophia. I listened to her words about getting out alive but not fully. I have tried sneaking into her family's house so many times. Ever since that night more guards have been walking around outside, even in the gardens of nearby houses. I rarely get past the first few houses without being seen but the houses right by her parents have dogs in the gardens now. I threw meat at them but they showed no interest in it. I even tried wearing the other clothes I bought and walking around as a human. Some guys Sophia pointed out the last time we walked together as patrol officers stopped me to ask for my identification. Sophia would know what that word is. They then told me they were going to arrest me so I ran away.

Chris sent me a few letters telling me Sophia is staying strong and things are going alright. Besides the fact if he didn't bring his father my head soon he may be disowned. Yet he fears Sophia's wrath over his father's. He told me a story of how he woke up completely tied up and she was standing next to his bed with a candle. She had her finger to her lips to tell him to be quiet. All of this because he told her the day before, she looked like she gained some weight in her stomach. She did untie him but ever since that day Chris says he has been a light sleeper and never commented on her weight again.

I flop on my bed and hug the pillow I stole from Sophia's house. Hopefully she forgives me. Burying my face in it, I find a spot where her scent hasn't faded yet. I miss her so much! I was up late last night trying to get to that house again but I failed. The heaviness of my eyes takes over and I fall asleep not letting go of the pillow.

I wake to pounding on my door. Moss busts through the door just as I sit up.

"Bro! There's this guy screaming your name in the middle of the village. The elders are ready to chop his head off." Moss explains while I'm groggy. "What are you doing with that pillow?"

"Just... What's this guy look like?" I ask getting up. 

"Yellow hair and kinda young. Has those real fancy clothes." Moss nods happy to be of service.

That sounds like Chris. I bound out of the house toward the center of the village. Moss is on my heels. 

We get to the center of the village where there is a small raised platform. Grandpa is standing on it staring at the tied up and kneeling Chris. Chris is screaming that I know him. Grandpa has his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The villagers are jumping up and down in excitement wondering if he will be beheaded for entering the village.

"Chris!" I yell shifting into a larger form so I can get through the crowd easier.

"Rox! I'm so happy to see you!" Chris blubbers on the stand. Snot and tears running freely.

"What's going on?" I ask grandpa.

"I found him lost in the forest so I brought him here." Says Grandpa.

"Did you have to tie him up?" I ask while untying Chris.

"I didn't know if he was going to behave. Since you know him and the way he was acting just now proves he isnt harmful." Grandpa hops off the stand heading for the forest. "I have work to do." 

"I could hug you! I'm so happy to find you!" Chris blubbers some more while drying tears.

"Calm down." I tell him flatly. "Why are you here?"

"I got kicked out of the house last week and can't return with out your head." He says.

All the hunters in the village place their hands on their weapons.

"Maybe I shouldn't have led with that." Chris mumbles. Then he starts talking fast and loud. "Did Sophie make it here? She's escaped 12 days ago. I wanted to see if she's alright before I head off-"

"Sophie escaped?!" I yell cutting him off.

"Yea. Did she not make it here?" He looks at me concerned.

"No she hasn't. She really got out?" I grab Chris' shoulders and lock eyes with him in disbelief.

"Yea she fought off guards like they were nothing. She even went up against father. Then this big black wolf broke through the window and she rode off on its back." Chris explains then points to my hands. "You're hurting me."

"Sorry." I say releasing him. "So Rogue got her out. That would explain the extra guards over the last few weeks."

"I have heard rumors of a goblin running around the town too. You're lucky I didn't tell Sophia while we were sneaking notes to each other but if she finds out..." Chris places his hand on my should and closes his eyes. "Lord, please have mercy on Rox and calm Sophia so she does not murder this man. Amen."

"You think a prayer will save me?" I ask.

"That prayer has been keeping me alive against my sister my whole life. Plus it helps me sleep at night alright." Chris states, folding his arms to keep his dignity.

"Have you been to her house?" I ask.

"I went there and it was ransacked."

"Someone broke into her house!?" Anger surges through me. Where is she? 

"Are you sure she hasn't been caught?!" I grab Chris' shoulders again.

"Yeow! She hasn't or father wouldn't have guards and mercenaries out looking for her still. Rox your grip!" Chris says pushing away from me. "Mother will send word if Sophia is caught. She says she wants Sophia to be free and find happiness but if she's caught father will put her down."

I'm filled with anger at just the thought of that guy wanting to hurt Sophia. I whistle for Dot, she bounds out of the tree line for me. In a smooth motion she circles around me so I can grab her grey fur and pull myself up onto her back. We take off into the forest. Chris tries keeping up but he has to find his horse. Also horses are not as fast as Dot going through the trees. 

I make it to Sophia's place first. The back door is kicked in and leaves have been carried in on the wind and started piling up in the hall by her room. I push her door open a little and her bed was shredded and dresser torn apart with her clothes scattered everywhere. Anger courses through my blood. I head to the kitchen. Everything is thrown from her cupboards. Her plates and cups all shattered. The ice box is over turned. Some blood that I don't recognize the scent to is smeared here and there. There are a few holes gouged in the walls and wooden posts.

Two sets of quiet footsteps come down the hall behind me. I turn drawing my daggers. Chris throws his hands up and the female ogre behind him has a bandaged chest and stomach. 

"Who is that?" I ask nodding my head toward the new face.

"This is May. She fought the guys searching the place ten days ago. If it wasn't for her thick skin she wouldn't be here. Sadly they were skilled and got out without being caught but she landed heavy blows to them. So where ever they are they aren't moving fast." Chris explains.

"Thank you." I nod to May.

"I wish I caught at least one and squeezed any information from him. Sophia is a nice girl. I don't want to see her hurt." May comments.

"Father is the one that hired them but she is gone with the wind. I have been asking for days if anyone's seen her and nothing." Chris explains.

"But Rogue has her. Or at least did. Maybe, just maybe." I lead the way out to Dot.

"Take us to Rogue." I ask her.

Dot's ears perk up. She let's out a yip happy to hear Rogue's name.