🐺 Kael

For a few seconds, Kael was speechless.
No one had ever called him a friend.
See you tomorrow, Kael!
— See you tomorrow... Ana.
She ran towards the village.
Meanwhile, Kael watched his small red figure disappear into the distance.
And for the first time in many years...
He didn't feel alone.
🌹🐺✨After that day, Ana arrived home completely late.
Her mother was desperate.
When she discovered that her daughter had gone into the forest alone, she became very frightened.
"You could have gotten hurt!" he said as he hugged her.
Ana tried to explain that everything was fine, but her mother wouldn't listen.
From that day on, she was forbidden from going near the forest.
No matter how much I insisted, the answer was always the same.

• No.
  During the first few days, Ana still looked out the window hoping to see Kael.
  Sometimes he would walk to the edge of the forest, but he could never go in.
  She wanted to keep her promise.
  He wanted to go back and see his friend.
  But he never succeeded.
  The days turned into weeks.
  The weeks turned into months.
  And the months turned into years.
  Over time, Ana grew up.
  The curious girl grew into an intelligent and beautiful young woman.
  Her grandmother continued to sew her red cape whenever it needed repairs.
  "Do you still wear that coat?" people asked.
  "I'll always use it," Ana replied.
  For her, that cape was more than just clothing.
  It was a memento from her grandmother.
  And also a memory of that day in the forest.
  Sometimes, on the quietest nights, she wondered what had happened to Kael.
  Was he alright?
  Did he still live in the forest?
  Did he still remember her?
  But as the years went by, these questions began to seem like mere childhood memories.

The wolf-boy watched Ana for a few moments.
He still seemed surprised.
Why did you help me?
Ana shrugged.
Because you were hurt.
But I'm different.
So what?
He blinked, confused.
People tend to run away when they see me.
I am not like other people.
For the first time, the boy let out a small laugh.
Ana smiled when she saw him more relaxed.

• What is your name?
  The boy hesitated.
  It had been so long since anyone had asked that.
  Kael.
  — I am Ana.
• I know.
  How do you know?
  You live in the village near the forest.
  Ana's eyes widened.
  Do you know me?
  Kael pointed at her.
  It's hard not to recognize the girl in the red cape.
  She looked at her own cover and smiled.
  My grandmother made it for me.
  She is beautiful.
  I think so too.
  The two continued talking for a while.
  Then Ana heard thunder in the distance.
  The sky was darkening.
  His smile disappeared.
  Oh no...
• What it was?
• My mom!
  Kael tilted his head.
  — Your mother?
  She's going to be desperate! I should have come home a long time ago!
  Kael stood up quickly.
  Okay, let's go.
  Do you know the way?
  Sure.
  Ana sighed with relief.
• Thank God.
  The two began walking through the forest.
  Along the way, Kael pointed out which trails were safe and which should be avoided.
  Ana was impressed.
  You know everything around here.
  I live here.
• Alone?
  Kael lowered his eyes.
• Yes.
  Ana felt a pang of sadness.
  It didn't seem fun to live alone in such a large forest.
  After some time, the trees began to be spaced further apart.
  In the distance, she could see the first houses of the village.
• I achieved!
  Ana started running.
  But before reaching the edge of the forest, he stopped and looked back.
  Kael was standing between the trees.
  As if he couldn't get out of there.
  Aren't you coming?
  He shook his head.
• No.
  Then I'll come back tomorrow!
  Kael seemed surprised.
• To go back?
  Sure.
• Why?
  Ana smiled.
  Because friends don't just disappear after a day.

Ana walked slowly among the trees, following the sound of crying.
As he approached, he found a boy sitting at the foot of a tree.
He had wolf ears, a gray tail, and a deep wound on his arm.
Tears streamed down his face as he tried to hide the pain.
When he saw her, his eyes widened.
"Stay away!" he said.
But Ana didn't move.
Instead, she knelt beside him.
You are injured.
Aren't you afraid of me?

• No.
  The boy seemed even more confused.
  Ana examined the wound carefully.
  Her grandfather had taught her a few things about medicinal plants, and she used to pay attention when adults talked about natural remedies.
  Wait here.
  She ran to a small stream that ran through the forest.
  She dipped a piece of her dress in the clean water and returned.
  Very carefully, he began to clean the blood from his arm.
  The boy grimaced in pain.
  It's going to sting a little.
  Then, Ana looked for some leaves that she recognized among the nearby plants.
  She gathered the leaves, washed them in the stream water, and chewed them until they formed a medicinal paste.
  Next, he placed the mixture on the wound.
  This will help it heal.
  "How do you know that?" the boy asked.
  My grandmother taught me.
  Finally, Ana tore a piece off the hem of her own dress.
  She carefully folded the fabric and tied it around his arm, securing the leaves in place.
  When she finished, she smiled contentedly.
  Okay.
  The boy looked at the makeshift bandage.
  No one had ever taken care of him like that before.
  For a few seconds, he just remained silent.
  — Thank you... — he said softly.
  Ana smiled.
  You look much better now.
  For the first time that day, the wolf-boy smiled back.
  And without either of them knowing, that would be the beginning of a friendship that would last for many years.

Before she was known as Little Red Riding Hood, her name was Ana.
From a young age, Ana was a girl full of energy. She loved running through the fields, exploring new places, and dreaming of adventures beyond the village.
His mother was always worried.
"Ana, don't go too far!" he always said.
But there was one person who understood her adventurous spirit: her grandmother.
Back then, her grandmother wasn't so old yet. She enjoyed tending the garden, baking cakes, and spending hours sewing.
On one of Ana's birthdays, her grandmother decided to make a special gift.
For days she worked at the sewing, choosing the prettiest fabric she could find.
When she finished, she handed the gift to her granddaughter.
It was a beautiful red cape.
"This cape is for you, my dear," said the grandmother, smiling. "That way, even when I'm far away, I'll remember you."
Ana's eyes lit up.
She put on the cloak at that very moment.
And I never wanted to take it off again.
He started using it every day.
In the village, people began to comment:
— There goes the girl in the red cape.
Look, it's Little Red Riding Hood!
Over time, almost no one called her Ana anymore.
To everyone else, she had become Little Red Riding Hood.
The years passed.
Ana grew up wearing the same cape that her grandmother had made with so much love.
Whenever the cape started to tear or became worn out from time, her grandmother would sew it back together.
"A good cover deserves to be cared for," she said.
And Ana smiled.
It was as if each stitch carried a piece of her grandmother's love.
When she was only eight years old, something happened that she never forgot.
While playing near his house, he saw a small white rabbit running towards the forest.
Curious as always, she ran after him.
He ran so fast that he didn't realize when he had moved away from the village.
And when it finally stopped...
I was lost.
That's when he heard someone crying among the trees.
Unbeknownst to him, that day would change his life forever.