Rogue Moon

chapter 6

~the night before

~Renard

I watched from the hillside as the chaos ran rapidly through the poor town below. The foolish townsfolk had no idea of the coming assault until it was too late...

Now their holms burned and their loved ones were being torn apart by the rabid beasts they chose to ignore. We tried to warn them, to help them see that these creatures could not just be left to freely roam around these lands, or else they would attack.

Although this was no random attack from the nearby monsters in the woods... This was merely a wake-up call to show them that they needed to do something about the creatures, that living in peace and harmony was not a choice they had.

These monsters needed to be restrained and locked up, put under an iron fist so that they may never attack humans again. They will be treated as they deserved... Nothing more than dogs.

This attack may seem like a mad man's musing but it's simply mercy upon the unsuspecting townsfolk... My beasts would cause an uproar making them realize that they cannot be ignored.

Had I not stepped in and showed these people the truth, they surely would have been attacked and possibly eradicated by a rabid pack...

I looked down at the silver pendant that surrounded the large blood-red ruby in my hand. It was truly amazing what witches were capable of...

My assistant came up next to me bowing his head and I smiled. Handing him the pendant I started to walk back towards my tent. "Call them back and make sure to keep them hidden away so no wondering townspeople see them. We shall wait for the town's head to visit us tomorrow, I'm sure that after tonight he will see the error of his ways. "

"Of course sir... I'll have everything prepared..."

~current time

~seraphina

Sitting next to a tree I sighed, I had been walking for hours and the dried-up trail seemed to lead to nowhere, I had nothing to go off of and the sun would be setting soon, I needed to find shelter before nightfall.

I shuddered to think of what might come out at night, I had no fire or way to keep warm, not only that but what if a predator caught the scent of my blood? What if the beast found me again?...

My stomach churned at the thought. No, I needed to stay focused if I let myself get distracted then id never make it out of this forest alive, I can't just sit here and sulk forever.

Standing back up to my feet with a new sense of determination, I started walking again, surely if I continued forward I'll come across something.

As I walked along, I looked around the surrounding forest, it was peaceful being out here despite my situation... I always had a love for the forests even as a kid, most of the time I noticed how people avoided going out into the dese brush in fear of the creatures that roamed within it, but I was never really afraid... Until now...ir always seemed so peaceful.

I shuddered, just thinking about the monster from last night, the wolves scared me but that creature...that was a thing of nightmares...how could something so terrifying and horrendous even exist...what God would create such a beast.

As I came out of my thoughts I looked up and could see what looked like a clearing, light seemed to be coming from the area as if it was being reflected off something... It then clicked in my mind.

"Water!"

I sprinted towards the treeline, and sure enough, there was a flowing creek full of crisp clean water. My face cracked into a smile and I kneeled down next to the bank dining my hands into the water, I didn't mind the chill, it was quite refreshing.

Scooping up some in my hands I brought it to my lips, the cool water traveled down my parched throat and I gasped happily before wiping my face with my sleeve. Maybe my luck was finally turning around?

The sky was starting to turn red as the sun set, I still needed to find shelter... The ache in my shoulder continued to throb and I bit my lip knowing I needed to try and clean the wound.

Carefully I peeled away the clothing off my shoulder, leaving it exposed, and winced at the sight of my blood and the deep teeth marks marred into my skin. Now that I was focused on it the pain was much worse. I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself.

It's not that bad...

The crack of twigs and the sound of loud grunting, made my stomach drop. My eyes shot open and I spun around to see a different kind of beast walking out of the forest...

The blood drained from my face as the creature stepped out sniffing the air, making, loud grunts and Gurley moans. Its eyes locked on me and I was almost sure the thing could hear my racing heartbeat.

The sounds it made became louder and it was clear now that it was agitated... I was in its spot...at its creek. And bears were very territorial... It stood up on its hind legs looking down at me before letting out a roar.

My fight or flight instincts kicked in and there's no way I had any chance against a bear, so I scrambled to get up and run.

I ran back to the forest and knew the bear would give chase. I could hear the heavy footfalls as they came after me. In my moment of hysteria, I made a fatal mistake, looking over my left shoulder to see how far behind it was, my foot caught on a root and I fell to my knees.

The bear roared again as it ran towards me. I watched in horror and curled up covering my head.

This was it... This is how I die, getting mauled by a bear!

A blood-curdling snarl came from the nearby brush as another massive beast lunged for the bear. Looking back I watched as the creature dug its fangs into the back of the bear's neck and its claws dug into its black fur.

The bear roared before tumbling back, making the monster let go and jump back. In retaliation it got back to its feet roaring before swiping at it with its claws.

Scared out of my mind I squeezed my eyes shut and covered my head. I didn't want to be here anymore I want to go home! Tears treated to fall as I listened to the two beasts clash. There was a sickening crack of bone before it all ended.

My body was shaking and I slowly opened my eyes once it was silent. The only sound was that of heavy breathing. Looking back I could see the monster from before standing there on its hind legs, deep claw marks from the bear now marred its body with blood.

It stood there for a minute looking down at its kill. I moved to sit up and its ear twitched before its attention was turned towards me, and I froze.

Its blazing yellow eyes seemed to burn hotter than the dying sun and they sent a chill through my entire body.

I couldn't move, in fear that it would pounce on top of me. If it was strong enough to take down a black bear then I knew I had no chance of fighting back.

A low growl came from it as it stepped towards me. My body was screaming at me to run before it could get me. So in turn I did the only thing I could. I ran...

Within seconds of getting to my feet, a snarl came from the monster behind me and I was instantly grabbed. I shrieked as I was pulled against its chest, and it ran through the forest.

Within minutes we were far from the creek and now at the entrance of a small cave. I fell to the floor as it released me. And I quickly squirmed to get away as it towered over me.

My back came in contact with the walls of the cave and I knew I was cornered. It crawled over the top of me as I whimpered. This was it... The same creature that killed off my entire village was now going to finish me off.

I shut my eyes as tears streamed down my cheeks and its hot breath fanned across my face. Turning my head away I prepared for the worst.

A deep rumble came from the creature's chest as it sniffed my exposed shoulder with the wolf's bite mark. The last rays of the dying sunlight started to fade away and leave me in the darkness.

To my dismay, it started to lick the wound and I whimpered both because of the pain and from fear. Was it going to eat me?!

It managed to move even closer, one of its claws digging into the cave wall above my head, and its body mere inches away from mine, and continued to lick the wound.

The adrenaline started to drain from my body as it continued to lick the entirety of my shoulder...as if cleaning the wound?

Slowly I turned my head back a little to look at the beast. Once it was satisfied it proceeded to lick my neck moving its way up until it ended on my cheek, licking away my tears.

It pulled away to look down at me with a small whine of its own.

I didn't understand what was happening, why wasn't it tearing me apart. Looking at it more carefully it very closely resembled a wolf... And it looked tired.

I squeaked as its eyes shut and the beast laid atop me, before sleeping its arms were now wrapped around me as it laid atop me with its head nuzzled into my shoulder.

Fearing that my erratic heartbeat might wake the creature again I tried to calm myself. The chill of the night air was warded off by the warmth radiating off of the creature's body and I could feel the last of my energy fading away as well.

I was tired and afraid... Afraid of what might happen to me. And tired after everything that's happened. I just wanted to rest.

I dont know why it didn't kill me yet, but There was no way for me to escape the monster's grasp for I was too worn out.

Closing my eyes I waited helplessly for this nightmare to end.