What if Red Riding Hood had a Power?

Excerpt from: Ruby Hood, A Twistedly True Tale

By Aspen Hite

In a sudden hurry, Ruby took the steps to the second floor two at a time. Did she move faster than before or was that her imagination? Ruby reached the top and she heard it.

Clickity-clack. Clickity-clack. Clickity-clack.

There, in the upper level waiting room of the hospital, paced Kassandra Wolf.

Clickity-clack. Clickity-clack. Clickity-clack.

Maybe it wasn’t just the woman. Maybe it was her urgency. Maybe it was her smooshed-up face or her furrowed brow. Maybe it was her perfect salon blonde hair, even during a crisis. Maybe it was her insane daughter. Or maybe it was simply the noise of her high heels.

Clickity-clack. Clickity-clack. Clickity-clack.

A blue ball suddenly roared to life in Ruby’s hand. Her eyes ignited and she wanted nothing more than to lunge at the woman before her, pummeling her with powerful orbs, letting all her anger and frustration go.

A tug on her arm her sent her backwards a few steps and brought her back to the here and now.

Dylan’s voice was low and forceful, “Ruby, I get it. But this is a public place, and you have to control yourself. Concentrate. Focus.”

Ruby nodded, listening to the Huntsman. The blue sphere extinguished with a mere thought. She squared her shoulders, smoothed her cloak, and walked into the waiting room.

“Well, Little Miss Hood,” Kassandra greeted, with an overdramatic curtsy, “or should a say, Guardian.”

The sound of the woman's condescending voice, sent Ruby into a rage. Suddenly an angry tidal wave swelled within and she felt her control slipping,  “Your daughter will pay for what’s she’s done...”

“Silly girl, Kayla had nothing to do with your Grams…well mostly not, but you see…” The woman interrupted.

“I was talking,” Ruby seethed. Something took over; something she could not control. Her voice deepened and menacing words spewed out. “Kayla will pay for what she did, not just to my Grams, but also to my friend Lily.”

“Who?” The rivets in Kassandra’s forehead deepened.

 “Ladies, let’s take a step back,” Dylan’s voice was tight, like it pained him to speak, “There’s a lot to discuss, and I think we all know this isn’t the place.”

 “I don’t often agree with a Hunter, but when I do, he’s right,” Mayor Wolf waltzed in, the lapels of his trench flapping behind him.  “Besides, Ruby, your mother is coming.”