Acquitted-Part 3

Alright, ladies and gents. Here is the beginning of my newest story through the introduction and Characterization of my main characters; Rouge and Angel.Gloria is mentioned as well, but she will mostly be a past tense memory. Her family is introduced as past tense as well. So that you can see where Rouge has come. Why she has developed into who she is now. Hope you enjoy it! Please feel free to leave comments and i will respond!

Acquitted-Characterization

   “Why did you have to do that?” Rouge breathlessly hobbled through the trees muttering angrily to herself. She had been in the town hall and had grabbed the ring with such ease and stealth, that she was sure that this was going to be a piece of cake. But on her way out she had noticed ‘her’ portrait on the wall. Frozen in place she had gazed upon the graceful and elegant face of Gloria Mentee. With her calloused hands she had brushed the light dust from the surface. Memories of when she was a child came filtering through her mind. Remembering how it used to be…her father had come home many nights drunk and abusive. Always her mother would usher her out the door. She’d tell her not to return until morning. Scared and alone Rouge remembered running through the empty streets, seeking safety. That’s when she had noticed the silhouette of a woman sitting in the candle light facing the window. Rouge had crept under the window and sat down. It was cold, but she felt safe here.

     “Click…” Rouge abruptly got to her feet from where she had been sitting, and watched the door with timid eyes

     Gloria walked out onto the porch to retrieve a book that she had forgotten to take in that afternoon. Upon looking up she noticed a slight movement out of the corner of her eye. She gasped as she noticed a girl staring at her with such intensity. “Good heavens child. It’s freezing out here!” As if to prove her point, she hugged her night gown tighter to her body, as her long curly hair blew in the slight breeze. “Are you alright?”

    Rouge was unable to speak as she watched this lady. She had seen her often, walking through town on errands or on the arm of Sheriff Jared Mentee. She was a graceful woman-truly beautiful. She had the walk of a queen, and on her finger adorned a simple but astonishing ring with an aquamarine stone. It always glittered in the sun as she hugged her husband’s arm. Laughing as he talked.

   “Well, don’t just stand there. Come on in, Rouge. I was just about to go make some tea. Would you like some hot chocolate?”   

   “Surprised at being called by name, she hesitantly walked toward the outstretched hand with the ring, and took hold. She didn’t realize it then. But that moment would change her life forever.

    Gloria had been a mentor to her. Though sick with cancer, she was always caring.  She knew all her secrets-knew the man that Rouge’s father was. He was elusive and never caught for the crimes he committed. As Rouge grew into a young woman, she became more and more aware of the faith that Gloria shared. And through many tears and bitterness, Gloria’s faith became Rouge’s. She walked the path of God. And it was his strength that got her through every day. At the tender age of 16, she took refuge in the woods after a horrific beating from her father. She was left with a broken leg that Rouge refused to go to the hospital for, lest her father find her there and kill her. So she dragged herself into the woods and set her own leg. That was the only time she had ever had a drop of alcohol as she used her father’s stolen whiskey to numb the paralyzing pain, coming in and out of consciousness for days to come because of the unbearable pain. She was gone so long-recovering, that the town believed her dead. Shortly after her 18^th birthday, Gloria passed away. That moment turned Rouge’s world upside down as she wasn’t sure what to do anymore, or where to go. So she sought peace in God’s word. Frustrated with Him, her faith was tested and tried. But ultimately He had a better plan. She was in heaven. No longer in pain, she walked with God. This brought comfort as she fought to move on.  Rumors spread through town that Rouge was indeed alive.

     Rouge’s striking green eyes resembled her father’s image, but with her mother’s petite form and a soft and quiet beauty. This was not to be taken for granted as she could wield a bow like no man’s business. She would always do whatever she could for the sake of her family. She was always taking care of her mama and brother. But sure to leave when her father was around. Many thought she was her father, because of the way she dressed and the way that her eyes spoke. But upon closer inspection, it was realized that she was far from her father and beautiful in comparison. She was as elusive as a deer in hiding. She lived in the woods. And no one ever found her hiding spot. She became silent, hardly ever making a sound. She was a loner, always watchful and aware of everything. When her mama died, she attended her funeral, and it was there that her father showed up drunk yet again-shouting angry words at his dead wife. It was there that Rouge put an arrow through his heart as he brought out a gun and pointed it at her brother, muttering that it was his fault that his mother was dead. As he tried to convince his son that he should have been a man and stopped him from killing her. Before he could say anymore, he dropped dead to the ground before the police could even cuff him. The town reeling from the event set up a ransom for anyone that caught Rouge.  After that, she was not the same. Orphaned and alone, Rouge became angry. She stole food to keep her young 13 year old brother alive. The food was scarce during hunting season, and she was unable to get him what he needed through nature alone. Therefore started petty thefts; food, clothing, etc. Through this she was given the name, Hood, for she was never seen or heard unless she wanted to be, and did and stole what she wanted, and when she wanted. She never stole for selfish gain, but solely for the sake of her own survival. Never the less, the town could not have a rampant young adult stealing like this from them. That did not look good, and would only encourage further behaviour for others. She would also play with the town’s kids and give them stolen treats. She protected them from danger and would always come to call when the parents were not around. (Thus the only proof of this, are the stories from the children themselves). But she was unable to help the kid that needed her the most, as he became sick with malaria. No medicine that she stole could help him, and by the time that she decided to risk it all and take him to the hospital to keep him alive… he died in her arms on the way. And this broke her. She knelt over him and wept. She wept for Gloria who died of cancer. And her mom who died through her father’s endless beating. She was never able to fully heal before she was beaten again. And now she added to her weeping, the death of her sweet innocent brother. She wept for her mistakes, and run in’s with the law. She was lost, there was no redemption for her soul…but it was there that she remembered the faith that she had forgotten and shoved aside. It was in that moment, that God spoke to her. Using scripture to remind her that this was not so. She was not lost, but found. And she grew stronger in her faith, as she remembered Romans 4:20; “No unbelief made him waver concerning His promise. But he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God.” She didn’t understand why these things happened. Why God allowed this. But she knew that He had plan. And that it was to further His glory and remind her, who it was that remains in ultimate control. And so she gave him the glory…

     “Over here! I hear something!”

     Rouge gasped as she was brought back to reality. How long had she been lost in her thoughts and memories? It was pouring rain now. And she was soaked to the bone. Not realizing what she was doing, she pushed herself to her feet from her stiff and cold position on the wet ground. Starting her awkward run, she looked over her shoulder, to see who followed…and ran right into a hard surface.

     “Whack!” She fell backwards at the same time as something else also fell over. She heard it moan and realized with a start that it was a man. Rouge sprang to her feet and went with her natural extinct. She came up and tried to punch him, but he grabbed her fist in his palm, inflicting severe pain in her wrist. With a growl she went for his middle with her other fist. But before she was able to do so, he whipped her around so that her back was pressed against his rock hard chest and wrapped her arm around herself, so that she was immobile.

      “I’m not going to hurt you,” he rasped against her struggling.

     “Why should I believe you? You and the rest of the town all want to kill me!

     “Look missy, I don’t know who you think I am, but I’m not after you. I have my own problems to worry about here.” As If to prove his point he dropped her in the mud, and raised his arms.

     Rouge realized that this man was not from town, in fact. She was not at all familiar with him. “Who are you,” she whispered.

   “Angel,” he finally admitted after some hesitation.

    Before Rouge could respond, the same voice from before shouted again.

   “Over here! I see her!”

   It was too late to hide now. Rouge grabbed for her arrows and aimed them in the direction of the oncoming footsteps. Rain ran down her face, making it hard to see. At her side, she noticed that Angel had wielded his sword and he was pointing it in the same direction. She had no time to analyze what he was doing. So she focused her attention on the scene before her. As they came into view, she realized that they were separated in groups. Hope filled her as she thought of ways to escape, before the others found her. She was familiar with them as they ran at her; Brent, her school yard bully from years past, Jeremy the mailman and Tony a rancher and proud owner of the only butcher shop in town. As they neared, she realized that they were without weapons. She never wanted to hurt anyone. This was not the way she had pictured living her life. So she dropped the bow. Now the fight was fair. Beside her she sensed Angel’s confusion. But that was of little importance to her. She threw the first punch as Brent came into her range. He dropped like a fly, unconscious from the hit. Tony surprised Rouge, as he wielded a knife against her. She braced her herself for the hit, but in that moment, Angel stepped in and blocked his strike. It was there in the pale moonlight as she was hidden behind his large form, that Rouge noticed his strong set jaw and handsome features. She had not noticed before as it was pitch black out. It was during this distraction that she had not noticed, Jeremy standing there. Before she could say a word, Angel knocked her out of the way, just as the sound of a gun went off. For some unknown reason, this enraged her and with hasty ease, she grabbed her bow and put an arrow through his heart. All was silent for a moment as she stared Tony down.

   “You will see me again, Rouge.”

    And with that he was gone, as other voices neared the area she was in. She ran over to Angel, and found that he had been shot, in the left leg. She ripped a piece of her flannel shirt, and bound it tightly around his leg as he groaned heavily.

   “I don’t need your help. I’m fine,” he mumbled as he rolled to his side and awkwardly tried to stand. This only resulted in agonizing pain as he let out a yelp and fell over again.

     “Sure you are. In the meantime I’m going to blindfold you and get you to safety.”

    “Wait, what? Blindfold me? What for,” he protested.

   “I’m taking you to my place, but you mustn’t know where it is, or I shall have to kill you. So what shall it be?” She waited impatiently as the mob neared. She didn’t like the idea of him coming to her home, so gave up and started walking away.

   “Alright, fine! Blindfold me.”

    Rouge stood still for a moment, debating what to do. If she killed him, then there was no way of her being found-ever. But who was she to judge a man she didn’t even know? So she helped him to his feet. She then wrapped his arm around her neck and guided him to where she had created her home. Hoping against hope, she hadn’t walked right into a trap.