Moonlight Mage

The bookstore was a sanctuary of tranquility, nestled on the edge of Highgarden’s dense forest. It was popularly known as The Bookshed or The Shed for short. The gentle chime of the doorbell at 7 pm signaled the end of another quiet day. Tonight, the rain fell in an eccentric rhythm against the windows, casting a soothing backdrop to the dimly lit shop. The Bookstore is filled with stories of distant lands, extinct subgroups, forgotten realms, and so much more, each book being a portal to another world. Leah was off arranging a pile of newly delivered books when the windows shook with a sudden gust, causing her to look up and toward the door. She felt chills run through her, not from the cold but from the uneasy feeling that something was wrong. She shook it off, returning to her task with a facial waiver. Leah prepared to close as the clock hit 8 pm. She was on her way to lock the door at the back when she heard a muffled thud from outside. Her curiosity was running wild, then she stepped out into the rain, her umbrella providing a little shelter from the storm. “Hello?” She screamed out, but the intensity of the rain outside attenuated her voice. No answer came, only the rain drumming on the pavement. She quickly went back to her desk inside the store, picked up her leather bag holding some of her items and leftovers from the food she had brought to work, and then hurried back out, locked the door, and began her 25-minute walk home, a part of the day she always looked forward to. She was about to journey down the path along the forest, a route she always took on her way home, when she spotted a large, dark shape huddled against the edge of the forest. Leah’s heart skipped a beat as she approached it cautiously, one hand gripping the hook of the umbrella with the handle of the leather bag rolled up her arm, and the other stretched out to feel the thick muddy fur of someone, rather something that was laying almost lifeless in the rain. She soon realized it was an animal—a wolf, gigantic, with fur as dark as the stormy night. It lay almost motionless, its sides heaving with shallow breaths. Spontaneously, Leah’s knees met the ground beside the animal, her umbrella now rolling around the wet ground. "Hey, are you okay?" she asked while running her hand up and down the trunk of the injured wolf covered in filth and what appeared to be blood. The wolf's eyes flicked open fiercely, showing an astonishingly intelligent expression. It whined quietly, full of agony and desire. Leah is a Naturalist, and finding this helpless animal got her emotional. "I'm going to help you fella", she said with a cracked voice that appeared like she was reassuring the creature, but mostly to calm herself rather than the beast. She helped the injured wolf up to its feet, her hands were unsteady as she was also now shivering. She led it back to the bookstore, with feelings of terror and compassion. Inside the bookstore, the wolf fell to the floor, breathing irregularly. Leah raced to the supply room, carrying back a first-aid kit. She worked fast, her hands moving with accustomed accuracy and dexterity as she cleaned and treated the wolf's injuries. As she applied a soothing ointment to an intense cut, the wolf's gaze met hers, and for a brief moment, she felt a weird, familiar connection. The door squeaked open, and Leah looked up to find her neighbor, Mrs. Jenkins, looking concerned. "Leah dear, are you all right?" Mrs. Jenkins said, her eyes widening at the sight of the vicious beast. “Yes, I’m fine,” she responded. “I found this wolf outside and—” A startling, sharp howl from the trees interrupted her explanation. The sound was haunting, carrying an unmistakable sense of urgency and menace. The wolf’s ears perked up, letting out a low growl, its body tensing. "What was that?" Mrs. Jenkins inquired, her voice quivering. “I’m not sure…” Leah said, her heart was pounding as she continued, “But it doesn’t sound friendly.” Mrs. Jenkins nodded nervously, casting one last worried glance at the wolf before retreating into the night, “you take care, baby girl” As the door closed behind her, Leah returned her attention to the wolf. Its eyes were closed as if attempting to blot out the world beyond the bookstore. She continued to work silently, the only sound being the steady raindrops against the windows. Suddenly, the wolf let out a subtle whimper. Leah leaned closer, her breath warm against the creature’s fur. Just as she was about to reach for more bandages, the wolf’s eyes shot open, and it let out a ramble of convulsive-like breathing. Leah froze for a minute and her heart was racing. The wolf’s gaze seemed to shift, focusing not just on her but also through her, as though seeing something far beyond the confines of the room. “Stay with me,” Leah whispered under her voice, barely audible. The wolf’s breathing became more erratic, and Leah could see the muscles in its body tensing. She reached out to comfort it, her fingers brushing its fur. Just then, a shadow moved outside the window, fleeting but unmistakable. Leah’s breath caught in her throat. She could have sworn she saw a figure standing just beyond the glass, watching them. A soft knock on the door startled her. She hesitated, glancing at the wolf, which had now gone still, its eyes closed again. Reluctantly, she stood and approached the door, her mind racing. When she opened the door, there was no one there, just the sound of rain. She stepped outside, but there was no sign of anyone. She closed the door and turned back to the wolf, only to find that it had shifted slightly as if attempting to get up. Its eyes opened again, seeing hers with a look of pain and something else she didn't understand. Her heart broke for this creature. As she resumed caring for the wolf, she couldn't avoid the impression that something dreadful was looming. The wolf’s presence was more than just a chance encounter; it felt like the beginning of something significant. Just then, the howl sounded louder and more insistent, echoing through the night. The wolf’s head snapped up, its eyes wide with fear. "What's happening?" Leah inquired, her voice quivering. The wolf let out a frantic whine, and Leah felt a shiver down her spine. The looming danger was obvious as if the storm outside was only a prelude to a much larger storm brewing just beyond their grasp. As Leah gazed out into the night, her thoughts raced. What had she introduced into her life? And what was the genuine nature of the threat that hung over them? The wolf's eyes met hers again, and for a brief, terrifying moment, she felt an unsaid appeal for assistance—a request that would soon catapult her into a realm beyond her comprehension.