I’m not a monster

Writing prompt: You just thought the townsfolk were being nice, occasionally sending you gifts and treats. Recently you found out they were actually offerings, as the village was afraid you’d attack them otherwise. You decide to go clear up the misconception.

I had wandered for years before I found this forgotten and rundown house just beyond a hill from the nearest village. I had been forced to flee my home after the fire as I was burnt badly and they believed I was a monster because I survived and the scars left from the fire.

Never mind that I grew up with them, they only saw the scars now and feared me because I survived where others died.

So I left to find some place to live away from others who knew of me.

This house was perfect. It required some repairs and a lot of work but it was isolated so I didn’t really have to worry about visitors.

Of course I forgot how curious village children could be and it didn’t take long for them to find out I was living here.

I made sure to keep covered as much as possible but nothing can help when the wind blows and exposes my face and scars And the children see them.

So I keep to myself as much as possible and only going into the village a few times a month to sell the hides and herbs I collected. There are some necessities you can only get from a village market.

But lately I have been finding random baskets of goods left near my cottage. I haven’t seen who is leaving them and I don’t know why but maybe they are just wary of me.

I got a shock this afternoon when I returned to my cottage. There was a young woman tied to a tree just near it. I had no idea what she was doing there, especially tied to a tree.

“Who are you?” I asked her as I walked closer to her.

“Please don’t kill me. I am tribute to protect the village but I don’t want to die.” she called out in answer.

Obviously there was something wrong here and I sat down in shock. “What do you mean tribute?”

“A sacrifice. I am to make you not attack the village. They chose me because I am an orphan and the village elder is tired of wasting food on me.”

“What on earth gave them the impression I would attack the village? I only go there to buy some herbs and supplies I can’t get myself. Who suggested I would attack anyone?”

“But didn’t you attack some peddlers last week? And the children have seen your scars from combat, so obviously you were just waiting to attack us.”

“Thise peddlers were thieves who tried to steal what little I had. I simply beat them for theircattempt at stealing and sent them on their way. And my scars are from when my house caught fire from a lightning strike years ago. I am simply living alone because people fear them”

‘At this I let my hood drop so she could see what I looked like. The scar on the side of my face was red and smooth and didn’t look nice but I hardly felt any pain there now.

I slowly walked to her and untied her hands. “Return to the village and tell them the truth. I don;t require tribute and i really don’t require a sacrifice. I just want to live peacefully. Now off you go girl.”

‘At this she was stunned and ran off towards the village. Maybe it would be okay.

Or maybe not. She;s back and it appears that she is mine because the village elders say so.

What am I to do with a young woman?

My life just got more complicated.

==-End===