It seemed to her that everyone around was pretending. If her mom didn\u2019t die, she was enchanted by an evil witch and fell into a fairy tale sleep. When she asked her dad to wake up her mom, he cried. A year later, another woman appeared in the house.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is Aunt Emily,\u201d explained Mary\u2019s dad. \u201cShe will be your new mom.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Mary replied, backing away from the smiling aunt. \u201cI don\u2019t need any new mom.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course you do.\u201d Dad grabbed his daughter and pulled her closer. \u201cEmily is good with kids. She\u2019s a teacher. I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll become friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot for anything!\u201d declared Mary. \u201cShe should leave!\u201d<\/p>\n
And then, for the first time in her life, her dad slapped her. It didn\u2019t hurt, but it was very hurtful. Mary spent the whole day in her room crying. When hunger drove her out of hiding, Aunt Emily said that she would only get food if she called her \u201cMom.\u201d That evening, the tearful girl went to sleep hungry.<\/p>\n
Contrary to her expectations, her father didn\u2019t send the evil witch away, and soon she became the full-fledged mistress of the house. Everything followed the plot of a fairy tale about a stepmother and a poor stepdaughter. Even the fact that her father got sick. He suffered for a long time, the illness consuming him from the inside.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to die soon,\u201d her father said one day, very simply. \u201cI thought I could handle it, that I could live without her, but it didn\u2019t work out. Forgive me, Emily. It seems I\u2019m a one-woman man.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you talking about, my love? Of course, I won\u2019t leave,\u201d the new wife said, holding his hand, but Mary knew it was a lie.<\/p>\n
And then her father passed away, leaving all the money to his daughter. Aunt Emily became her guardian. At first, she dipped into the girl\u2019s funds discreetly, then, feeling complete impunity, she went all out. It didn\u2019t take half a year for the widow to find a new husband, young and brash.<\/p>\n
Mary increasingly locked herself in her room or went out to wander the city. She did well in her studies and dressed neatly, but she never went on class trips. The real reason was that Mary had no money, not even for pocket money. She endured and waited for the day she could claim her inheritance and leave the house that had ceased to be her home.<\/p>\n
Things got even worse when her stepmother decided her young husband was paying too much attention to the 12-year-old stepdaughter. She caused scenes, and one day, struck Mary with a hot frying pan. The girl shielded herself with her hand, leaving a burn mark. An already bitter life turned into a nightmare.<\/p>\n
Mary would never forget the day the enraged stepmother dangled her over the balcony rail, threatening to throw her from the seventh floor. Staring into the crazed eyes of the mad woman, Mary screamed until her stepmother\u2019s husband ran out and restrained her. Mary gasped for air, clutching her throat, but only hoarse sounds came out. Her voice had disappeared completely.<\/p>\n
That evening, huddled under the covers, Mary overheard their conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat have you done?\u201d her husband yelled. \u201cNow she\u2019ll definitely go to the police! Say goodbye to the sweet life on that kid\u2019s money and hello to prison.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe won\u2019t go,\u201d the stepmother declared. \u201cI\u2019ll handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat else have you planned?\u201d he shouted. \u201cI won\u2019t sign up for anything like that!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, because you\u2019re a coward,\u201d she responded coldly. \u201cI\u2019ll take her to the countryside, to my granny, for some fresh air. It\u2019s a remote place, and there\u2019s a deep river nearby. Anything can happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary\u2019s heart pounded wildly. Go to the police without a voice? Her stepmother would just deny it. She would take her to the wilderness and dispose of her. Mary knew she needed to make a decision, and fast.<\/p>\n
In the morning, her stepmother ordered her to get ready. Aunt Emily packed her things into a big bag, including her documents. With each passing minute, Mary became more terrified. \u201cI\u2019ll run away along the way,\u201d she decided.<\/p>\n
They drove out of the city, through unfamiliar places. The road became a dirt track and then disappeared into dense thickets. Mary desperately needed to use the bathroom and tried to signal this to her stepmother. Finally, her stepmother stopped the car.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, go ahead! What are you waiting for?\u201d she pointed to the road. Mary shook her head and nodded at the thick bushes.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, how shy we are!\u201d the stepmother mocked. \u201cFine, go into the bushes. I\u2019ll stay here by the car. Hurry up!\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary crawled into the bushes. \u201cThis is my chance!\u201d she thought. She ran as fast as she could into the depths of the forest, squeezing through branches like a cornered deer.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou little wretch!\u201d her stepmother yelled in pursuit, but it was too late. Fear gave Mary speed, and she ran and ran until her stepmother\u2019s voice grew fainter. Then she lost her strength, collapsing face-first into the soft moss.<\/p>\n
This was what saved her. By some miracle, she had run into the center of a swamp, jumping from one firm island to another. A log she knocked down went under, and by the time her gasping stepmother reached the spot, the swamp had closed over it with a loud squelch.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe didn\u2019t drown. That\u2019s your way, you wretch,\u201d she spat, scowling, and went back to the car.<\/p>\n
Mary didn\u2019t hear her. She had lost consciousness. She woke up inexplicably wet. The mound she lay on was slowly sinking into the swamp. Mary froze, afraid to move. \u201cI think I\u2019m going to die now,\u201d she thought with a strange sense of relief.<\/p>\n
But she didn\u2019t want to give up hope and attempted to crawl away, only to sink deeper. Mary whimpered, smearing sticky mud with her hands. Suddenly, a shadow appeared, moving towards her. Two yellow eyes gleamed in the distance. \u201cA wolf,\u201d she thought, and prepared to drown.<\/p>\n
But the shaggy shadow was already close. \u201cPerhaps it\u2019s a dog,\u201d she wondered. She grabbed onto the animal\u2019s fur. Her unexpected savior yelped and pulled her out. Mary clutched the creature\u2019s neck and began to crawl out of the muck.<\/p>\n
Both of them were gasping for breath, but her savior growled and bit her hand gently. Mary sensed what it wanted and followed it, carefully retracing her steps. The journey felt like an eternity, but she finally managed to pull herself onto dry land.<\/p>\n
She lay on her back and closed her eyes, losing consciousness again. She awoke to a rough tongue against her cheeks. The creature was nearby, breathing heavily. It did indeed resemble a wolf. \u201cWell, now he\u2019s going to eat me,\u201d she thought with a strange indifference.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, she lifted her head and gazed into the creature\u2019s eyes. It looked straight back at her, almost reproachfully, then trotted into the thicket, glancing back. Mary didn\u2019t understand what it wanted. Was it full? Did she look unappetizing?<\/p>\n
The creature, seeing she was still standing there, let out an irritated growl and returned. It grabbed the edge of her wet jacket and started pulling. She moved, indicating that she understood. \u201cWhat difference does it make?\u201d she thought. \u201cI\u2019ll follow it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her doubts were dispelled when, after half an hour, they reached a clearing. In the middle of the forest stood a small hut. The creature approached the dwelling and emitted a raspy growl.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that you, Forest Spirit? Are you hungry, wanderer?\u201d a voice emerged from the hut. The door swung open, revealing an enormous man who looked like a forest ranger.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho have you brought with you?\u201d the man asked in bewilderment, surveying Mary, who was trembling from fear and cold. \u201cDid you pull her out of the swamp?\u201d The Forest Spirit let out an affirmative growl.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho are you?\u201d the man asked, towering over her. She gestured to her mouth and shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cMute too?\u201d he exclaimed. \u201cWhere did you come from?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary burst into tears.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo use wetting everything. You\u2019re already soaking wet,\u201d grumbled the man. \u201cCome inside. My shirt is on the bench. Take off your wet clothes and put it on. I\u2019ll deal with this shaggy one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shivering, Mary entered the small, warm hut that smelled of herbs. She changed into the warm shirt, which felt like a dress on her. The man returned.<\/p>\n
\u201cGo get the warm felt boots from the stove and don\u2019t shake like that. I don\u2019t eat small ones like you.\u201d<\/p>\n
She put on the felt boots and felt a blissful warmth. Peering out the window, she saw the man drying the creature\u2019s fur. After warming up, she stopped being afraid. She was just very hungry.<\/p>\n
Mary approached the table and saw a newspaper with a crossword puzzle and a pencil. She wrote on the margins, \u201cMy name is Mary. I lost my voice because of my stepmother. She tried to kill me.\u201d After a thought, she added, \u201cI\u2019m very hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n
She took the newspaper out to the yard. The man read her scribbles and let out an astonished whistle. \u201cLei, look at this! It\u2019s a whole thriller here! You\u2019re not making this up, are you?\u201d he asked Mary. She shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, what do you think, Lei? Should we believe her?\u201d the man turned to the creature. The creature made a short sound, as if confirming her story.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, you\u2019ve had quite an adventure,\u201d the man muttered. \u201cAlright, first we need to feed you. So you\u2019re Mary, right?\u201d The girl nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re already acquainted with Lei,\u201d the man continued. \u201cYou probably thought he was a wolf, right?\u201d Mary nodded again.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is a wolf,\u201d the man chuckled. \u201cI rescued him as a little cub from a trap. Call me Kevin. I\u2019m sort of the forest ranger around here.\u201d<\/p>\n
With a smile of relief, the girl followed him into the hut. Kevin poured rabbit stew into two large bowls. \u201cEat,\u201d he said. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, we don\u2019t eat little girls here. My stomach can\u2019t handle it.\u201d He chuckled, pleased with his own joke.<\/p>\n
The stew was incredibly delicious. As she ate, she secretly examined Kevin\u2019s face. He was more like a father\u2019s age. Thoughts about her own father brought tears to her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, none of that here!\u201d Kevin raised his voice. \u201cI can\u2019t stand all that female fuss.\u201d Frightened, Mary stopped crying and continued eating.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat kind of monster would harm a child?\u201d Kevin reflected. \u201cAnd why didn\u2019t your father intervene?\u201d Mary raised her eyes, sighed, and shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Neither mom nor dad?\u201d the forest ranger exclaimed. \u201cOh, you poor thing! But don\u2019t be afraid of me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary finished her meal and looked at Kevin. \u201cWhat\u2019s next?\u201d she seemed to ask.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll take a bath now,\u201d he said. \u201cThe basin is outside.\u201d Mary rolled up her sleeve to reveal a burned scar.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho did this to you?\u201d Kevin gasped. \u201cWas it your stepmother?\u201d Mary nodded. Kevin\u2019s face darkened. \u201cGo wash up. Lei will keep an eye on you.\u201d<\/p>\n
As she washed, she felt like she was cleansing not just the dirt, but the fears and tension of the past few years. Lei lay nearby, guarding her. Afterward, she sat next to her guardian, stroking his fur and muttering words of thanks. In Kevin\u2019s cabin, she felt safer than she had ever been.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinished with your water procedures?\u201d Kevin asked. Lei responded with an affirmative roar.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat should I do with you, huh?\u201d he asked, more to himself than to Mary. \u201cDo you have any family?\u201d The girl shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not good,\u201d he pondered. \u201cWe should send you back to the city and file a lawsuit against your stepmother.\u201d Mary looked at him with frightened eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t believe in our courts,\u201d Kevin shrugged. \u201cIt could get worse. They\u2019ll place you in a shelter, and it\u2019s not pleasant there. I can\u2019t have you stay with me either. It\u2019s not right for a young lady to live with an old recluse.\u201d Mary\u2019s lips trembled.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne thing remains,\u201d he brightened. \u201cI\u2019ll take you to Granny Karen. She\u2019s a witch doctor, maybe she can help you get your voice back.\u201d Lei seemed to chuckle, covering his nose with a paw.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright, go ahead, laugh at me!\u201d Kevin threatened him with his finger. \u201cBy the way, this is your responsibility, since you\u2019re the one who brought her from the swamp!\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary dropped her face onto her arms and cried. Kevin entered and sat beside her, gently stroking her back. \u201cDon\u2019t cry, little one. Life is such that tears won\u2019t help.\u201d<\/p>\n
He told her about his friend, Granny Karen, a powerful witch doctor who lived in a nearby village. \u201cShe\u2019s quite temperamental,\u201d he warned. \u201cBut I\u2019m sure she can cure your muteness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary listened, holding her breath. It felt like a fairy tale, but going to some old woman was frightening. What if she was as wicked as her stepmother?<\/p>\n
\u201cWe and Lei will visit you,\u201d Kevin continued. \u201cShe once cured me. Agree, Mary. There\u2019s a chance you\u2019ll start speaking again.\u201d Mary nodded hesitantly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s settled,\u201d Kevin exclaimed. \u201cI\u2019ll gather some gifts for Karen. We can\u2019t go empty-handed.\u201d<\/p>\n
While he was gone, Mary found a broom and started sweeping the floor. Eventually, she lay down on the bench and fell asleep.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you tired, hostess?\u201d Kevin\u2019s voice woke her. She smiled timidly. He didn\u2019t seem so scary now.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve gathered gifts. If you\u2019ve rested, it\u2019s time to hit the road.\u201d Kevin handed her a woven sack filled with berries. Then he took her hand, and together, accompanied by Lei, they set off.<\/p>\n
With the huge and strong Kevin by her side and the faithful Lei close by, life didn\u2019t seem so bleak. Soon, she was covered in berry juice, and every time Kevin looked down at her, he would chuckle.<\/p>\n
When the forest ended, they arrived at a row of dilapidated cottages. Mary became frightened and gripped Kevin\u2019s broad hand. \u201cYou promised to be brave,\u201d he smiled encouragingly.<\/p>\n
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Granny Karen lived in the farthest cottage, the only inhabited house in the forgotten village. \u201cGranny Karen, open up!\u201d Kevin shouted.<\/p>\n
The door creaked, and out into the light came a woman who looked just like Baba Yaga from Mary\u2019s fairy tales. Mary shivered and tried to withdraw her hand, but Kevin held her firmly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that you, Kevin?\u201d the witch asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s me. And who\u2019s with you?\u201d she asked, her eyes seeming to peer right through Mary.<\/p>\n
\u201cI found her in the woods,\u201d Kevin shrugged. \u201cShe can\u2019t talk. Her stepmother abandoned her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s not lying,\u201d Granny Karen rendered her verdict. \u201cThis little girl truly got the short end of the stick. What do you want from me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease heal the girl,\u201d Kevin requested. \u201cIt\u2019s out of fear. Can you help her?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI might be able to,\u201d Karen said, her gaze fixed on the pale girl. \u201cAre you scared?\u201d she turned to Mary. Mary nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou see?\u201d Grandma Karen shrugged. \u201cNothing will come of it. The child needs to be sent to the city.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t send her to the city,\u201d Kevin said, shaking his head. \u201cThey\u2019ll likely put her in an orphanage, or her stepmother will take her back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWill you take care of the girl, or do I have to take her back to the forest?\u201d Kevin asked, his tone serious.<\/p>\n
Grandma pursed her lips. \u201cYou\u2019re a fool, Kevin. Okay, I\u2019ll see what can be done. Leave the girl.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary trembled, but Kevin let out a sigh of relief. \u201cThank you. I brought some gifts.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnload the gifts in the barn,\u201d she ordered. \u201cAnd you, dear, come to me,\u201d she said, unexpectedly tenderly, to the girl. \u201cGo on, I don\u2019t eat children.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary hesitated, but Lei nudged her with its nose as if urging her to obey. Taking a deep breath, she climbed the creaky steps and opened the door.<\/p>\n
Inside was an extraordinary sight: a samovar and a laptop, bundles of herbs and numerous scientific flasks. \u201cThat\u2019s me, a modern-day Baba Yaga,\u201d the witch proclaimed proudly.<\/p>\n
\u201cKaren defended her doctorate in herbs, and not just one,\u201d Kevin added. \u201cPeople come from all over the country. She even got me back on my feet once.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe got you back on your feet but didn\u2019t fix your brain,\u201d Grandma Karen grumbled. \u201cLeave the girl and go on your way. We\u2019ll sort this out without you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kevin laughed, winked at Mary, and prepared to leave. \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid,\u201d he whispered. \u201cListen to Grandma Karen. Lei and I will visit you soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Left alone with the old woman, Mary turned pale. But Karen approached and hugged her shoulders tightly. \u201cI can see life has been hard on you. Just like Kevin when we first met. He came here to die. I healed his body, but I couldn\u2019t heal his soul. Now I look at you and I wonder, maybe this is your purpose?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary stared, bewildered.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright, let\u2019s have a tea party,\u201d Karen said, changing the subject. \u201cDo you like berries?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary nodded. In the cupboard, she found a set of unimaginably beautiful porcelain teacups. The tea, steeped with crushed berries, tasted a hundred times better in them. With every sip, her fears and worries slipped away.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, how\u2019s the tea? Magical, isn\u2019t it?\u201d Grandma Karen asked. Mary nodded and timidly smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you know about living water?\u201d Karen continued. \u201cWell, we have it right here. It helps not everyone, only the good and kind. Are you ready?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary nodded again. She liked this fairy tale-like Grandma. \u201cGood. We\u2019ll finish our tea, and then we\u2019ll start driving the sickness out of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
They walked down a path to a river lined with water lilies. Clouds drifted through the crystal-clear water. Karen shed her clothes, revealing a simple garment. Feeling shy, Mary did the same and dipped her toes into the water.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s cold, brr!\u201d Mary exclaimed.<\/p>\n
\u201cBe brave, my girl, or the water might refuse to take the sickness away,\u201d Karen said sternly.<\/p>\n
Mary took a step, then another, and suddenly she was underwater. She flailed her arms, opened her mouth in a silent scream, and a hoarse, high-pitched \u201cA\u201d emerged from her throat. Karen poured handfuls of water over her, murmuring, \u201cWith goose water, let Mary be rid of all her ailments.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her fear dissipated. Her breathing evened out.<\/p>\n
\u201cTry to say something,\u201d Karen demanded.<\/p>\n
\u201cA-a-a,\u201d the girl managed in a singsong tone. Her throat didn\u2019t cooperate, but she was certain she would speak again soon.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood job,\u201d Karen praised her. \u201cThe river accepted you. We\u2019ll come here every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Returning to the cottage, Mary felt hungry. She tried to get Karen\u2019s attention, but the old woman, engrossed in a book, didn\u2019t turn.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t murmur, speak with words,\u201d Karen responded without looking up.<\/p>\n
Mary felt a deep sense of injustice. How could she speak with words? She tensed. Sounds bubbled up in her throat. She imagined them as billiard balls, picked three, and pushed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am,\u201d she managed to say unexpectedly.<\/p>\n
Karen put her book down and patted Mary\u2019s head. \u201cWell done. Everything will work out. But for now, it\u2019s time to eat. Go to the backyard, I have some chickens. Collect eggs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ignoring the disapproving clucking of a brightly colored rooster, Mary collected five eggs. Soon, the cottage was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of sizzling bacon and scrambled eggs.<\/p>\n
As Mary closed her eyes in contentment, Karen\u2019s mood shifted. She opened the door just in time for Lei to burst in. The wolf whimpered, pacing, and Mary saw blood on his fur.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomething happened to Kevin!\u201d Karen cried out. \u201cLooks like he ran into poachers. Stay here, I\u2019ll call for help!\u201d<\/p>\n
But Mary didn\u2019t hear her. Following Lei, she sprinted down the path. Lei led her to a clearing and howled. Mary saw a man lying in the grass. She rushed to him, knelt, and tried to turn him over.<\/p>\n
For a moment, she thought Kevin wasn\u2019t breathing. His camouflage pants were soaked with blood. When all hope seemed lost, a hoarse sound erupted from her throat: \u201cDad!\u201d<\/p>\n
Kevin groaned and turned over. \u201cMary? Is that you?\u201d he said with difficulty.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey got me, the bastards,\u201d he winced. \u201cLocal poachers. Caught a load of buckshot in both legs. Mary, I have a knife in my belt bag. Try to cut the trousers and bandage them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The girl composed herself. She managed to cut the sturdy fabric and gasped at the sight of his legs.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t lose heart, daughter,\u201d he encouraged. \u201cCut the fabric into long strips and bandage them as tightly as possible. I\u2019ll try to crawl.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary bound his legs as tightly as she could, and the bleeding stopped. With Mary\u2019s help, Kevin attempted to crawl. It was slow, agonizing work. After what felt like hours, his strength gave out, and he lost consciousness.<\/p>\n
Mary jumped to her feet, and a cry echoed through the forest: \u201cHelp!\u201d She screamed and prayed for a miracle. And a miracle happened.<\/p>\n
A tall, beautiful woman burst onto the clearing, followed by a massive, gray-haired man in the same camouflage suit as Kevin. \u201cBrian, we need to get him to the house,\u201d the woman ordered. Turning to Mary, she said, \u201cRun to the house, we need warm water. A lot of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lei appeared, and Mary followed him. They managed to boil water and prepare bandages just as Brian, the giant, carried the moaning Kevin into the house. The beautiful woman, Rebecca, followed.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go, we won\u2019t get in the way,\u201d Brian\u2019s large hand rested on Mary\u2019s shoulder. In the yard, her tears finally flowed.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry about Kevin, honey,\u201d Brian said, stroking her back. \u201cHe\u2019s been through worse scrapes. We\u2019ll catch and punish those bandits.\u201d<\/p>\n
Karen came out and embraced the girl. \u201cYou\u2019re mistaken, Brian. She saved his life today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Inside, Rebecca tended to Kevin. \u201cHe\u2019s still asleep,\u201d she would later say. \u201cBut they\u2019ll talk eventually. Kevin is stubborn.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe can\u2019t forgive Rebecca after all these years,\u201d Brian shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cFoolish,\u201d Karen replied. \u201cHis mother didn\u2019t want to share her son with a bride. She told him Rebecca had an abortion, and he believed her. He signed a military contract, and she, poor thing, had a miscarriage. No fault of hers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Later, a pale Rebecca stepped out. \u201cIs he awake?\u201d Karen asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Rebecca replied, her lips barely moving. \u201cHe kicked me out.\u201d And she covered her face with her hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright,\u201d Karen stood up resolutely. \u201cI\u2019ll go clear the stubborn guy\u2019s head.\u201d<\/p>\n
Half an hour later, a satisfied Karen emerged. \u201cRebecca, go into the house. You need to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n
When they were allowed back in, Rebecca and Kevin were together, his hand caressing hers as she fed him tea.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst aid has been provided. Now we need to go to the hospital,\u201d Karen announced.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve already decided,\u201d Kevin looked at Mary and smiled. \u201cAfter all, you didn\u2019t call me \u2018dad\u2019 in the forest for show, did you? You won\u2019t abandon me when I\u2019m helpless, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary shook her head and said with some difficulty, \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, Rebecca,\u201d Karen grinned. \u201cIt seems we\u2019ll have to use our official status. You are an authorized representative for children\u2019s rights, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Rebecca nodded. \u201cYes. And I know exactly how to deal with those who try to harm children.\u201d<\/p>\n
With Kevin\u2019s head resting on Mary\u2019s lap, they drove to the hospital. She stroked his hair, pleading with someone up there, \u201cLeave Kevin for me, don\u2019t take him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her plea was heard. Kevin quickly recovered. While he was in the hospital, Mary lived with Rebecca. Rebecca, using her official status, ensured Mary\u2019s stepmother faced the consequences of her actions. There was no direct evidence of an attempt on Mary\u2019s life, but the law hit the cunning woman where it hurt the most\u2014her wallet, with a hefty fine. Rebecca\u2019s request for adoption was granted.<\/p>\n
When Kevin was discharged, he and Rebecca submitted their documents to be married. Mary had already realized that they had always loved each other, separated only by the interference of Kevin\u2019s mother, a truth that had come out too late for the mother to absolve herself of her sin.<\/p>\n
Soon after, they visited the graves of Mary\u2019s parents. \u201cI love you,\u201d Mary whispered, placing flowers on the ground. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, now Kevin and Rebecca are with me. You won\u2019t mind if I call them Mom and Dad, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd now I also have Grandma Karen and Grandpa Brian. They got married too. He moved to the woods to be with her. We\u2019ll be going to them soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, you don\u2019t know,\u201d she whispered to the photos. \u201cI was completely mute, but now everything is fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mom and Dad smiled at their daughter from the photo. Mary raised her eyes to the sky. She had always believed in happy endings in fairy tales. And it seemed her own personal fairy tale had indeed ended happily. Or rather, it was just the beginning.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It seemed to her that everyone around was pretending. If her mom didn\u2019t die, she was enchanted by an evil witch and fell into a fairy tale sleep. When she asked her dad to wake up her mom, he cried. A year later, another woman appeared in the house. \u201cThis is Aunt Emily,\u201d explained Mary\u2019s…<\/p>\n