Love Beyond Human

HUNTER’S DILEMMA

Hunter, still feeling hazy, trying to recall the events of the previous night. He noticed he’s in a confine space, he looks around and realize he’s being chained up on both wrist and legs, and he’s being caged. However, he tries desperately to remember what had happened, but his memories remained elusive. His father, Ethan, entered the room, concern etched on his face. "How are you doing, son?" he asked. Hunter's voice was strained as he looked around, bewildered. "Dad... where am I? Why am I chained? Why am I here?" Ethan's expression turned disappointed. "Hunter, we can't let you out until we figure something out. You're unstable, and we can't be sure if you've attacked someone at school..." Hunter interrupted, his voice laced with desperation. "What are you talking about Dad-I've never done that, Dad! I've never attacked anyone." Just then, Emily walked in, her eyes welling up with tears at the sight of Hunter in chains. Ethan tried to console her, wrapping his arms around her tightly. "Don't worry, Emily. Everything will be fine." Hunter watched the exchange, feeling a pang of guilt. He longed to live a normal life, free from the troubles that seemed to plague his family. His gaze fell upon his father's arm, and he noticed the wound. "What... what happened to your arm?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Ethan's expression turned somber. "You don't remember? You attacked me, Hunter. That's why you're here." Hunter's eyes widened in shock and confusion. "I... I did that?!" Ethan nodded. "Yes, and that's the whole reason you're here. You're very unstable, Hunter, and we can't risk you going outside again. Your mother and I will figure out a way to help you." Hunter's frustration boiled over, and he cried out, "I'm tired of all this! I'm tired of life! Why can't I just live a normal life like everyone else?!"

Emily, overcome with emotion, buried her face in Ethan's chest, unable to bear the pain. She turned and walked away, leaving Ethan to deal with Hunter's outburst.

Meanwhile, Hunter’s phone rang, it was Ella, Ella had called Hunter several times today and she got worried, she sent text, thinking he would answer but no replies.

ELLA POV

“Where could Hunter be? Five missed calls and text from him and he still hasn’t replied.” I thought. I dropped my phone next to me and sighed, “Hope he’s okay” I thought. Then, my phone rings, I quickly picked it up thinking it must be Hunter. But it was just my Mum. I was on the phone with my mother, Sarah. "Hey, sweetie, how was school today? Did you make any friends?" Sarah asked. I smiled, thinking of Hunter. "Yes, I did. There's this friend I met, although he didn't come to school today. He's the first friend I made, and there are others too." Sarah playfully teased, "Oh, who's this boy? Is he your crush?" I blushed. "No, we're just friends. Although there's something about him that's quite peculiar. Most of my friends mock him for his 'animalistic' behaviors, but I don't blame them. He is quite weird... and kinda cute." Sarah chuckled. "Ooh, you think he's cute? Awwn." I blushed harder. "Mum! That doesn't mean I like him. Anyways, how long will you be on patrol? How's work?" Sarah's tone turned serious. "I'm still at work, sweetie. As a police officer and cryptid hunter detective, I sometimes work night shifts. So I’m not sure if I’ll return home early. Although, there has been a mass murder, and I think I know what might have caused it. I'll be out hunting tonight.” There a moment of silence, I didn’t respond immediately, then I said; “Mum……I miss Dad.” This crushed Sarah’s heart so much, she wept. “Me too sweetie-me too.” She continues “And that’s why I’m going to find that monster who killed him, it’s going to pay, for the suffering it has caused for us, I’m going to have sleepless nights until I find that beast!” Ella's concern was palpable. "Mum, please be careful. I don't want you to get hurt because of that beast." Sarah reassured her. "Don't worry, sweetheart. Everything will be okay. I'll be home soon. How are you coping all alone in the house, I’ll need to get you a babysitter, don’t you want me to get one for you?” She asked, concerns etched on her face. “Muuuummm!……I’m too old for that!!” I playfully yelled. “Dear you only 12-Your not old.” Sarah smiles. “Hmm” I sighed. “Alright-alright dear, you can have the house to yourself, your in charge of the house when I’m gone.” “Yes!! I exclaimed “Okay Mum I love you!” “love you more sweetie. Have a nice day, and don’t do anything stupid.” “Ha! Alright Mum I won’t.” I smiled.

As I ended the call, i laid down on my room bed and looked at the ceiling, my eyes fixed on the pattern on it, then I began reminiscing about my Dad. I couldn’t stop one moment to think about him, he was the best thing that has ever happened to me after Mum. I miss him so much. I had such great memories with him, from the times he would get back from work to cook for us, when he had the time he would watch movies with us, we’d good out together. He was such a selfless and kind-hearted person, always putting his family first. But now he’s gone and I swore that I was going to kill that creature who killed my father. My mind also wandered off to Hunter, thought deeply about Hunter and couldn’t shake off the feeling of worry. I hoped he was okay. She decided to take a nap, but her mind kept wandering back to Hunter.

Down in the basement, Hunter was desperate to break free from his chains. Ethan would visit him regularly to bring him food. As the full moon rose, Hunter felt a sense of unease. He stared at his hands, and they began to stretch and reform. He cried out in pain as his body contorted, his back bulging, and his senses heightening. As the transformation took hold, Hunter's body changed, his ears elongating, his teeth growing into fangs, and his face contorting into a snout. He was no longer himself, but a werewolf. With a surge of strength, he broke free from his chains and escaped into the woods. Emily, who had been waiting anxiously, heard the chains snapping and rushed down to the basement. However, it was too late; Hunter had already escaped. She didn't know what to do, so she decided to wait until the next morning to tell Ethan. Spencer, who had heard everything, refused to come down, still traumatized from the previous night's attack. Emily tried to reassure him, hugging him tightly. "Everything will be okay, Spencer. We'll figure out what's going on with Hunter."

As the night wore on, Hunter roamed the woods, the moonlight casting eerie shadows on the trees, he felt a sense of freedom he had never known before. His senses were heightened, and he could smell the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the musky smell of damp earth. He could hear the hooting of owls and the rustling of leaves as small creatures scurried through the underbrush. But beneath this newfound freedom, Hunter felt a deep sense of unease. He was no longer in control; the werewolf within him was driving him forward, urging him to run and hunt. He stumbled upon a stream, and the sound of rushing water was like music to his ears. He lapped up the water, feeling it cool his parched throat. As he ran, Hunter's thoughts turned to his family. He wondered what Emily and the rest were doing, whether they were searching for him. He thought about Ella, the girl he had met at school, and how he had felt a connection with her. He hoped she was safe, that the werewolf within him wouldn't hurt her.

Meanwhile, back at the house, Emily were frantic with worry. They had realized that Hunter had escaped and were searching for him everywhere. Ethan, being a werewolf himself, knew the dangers that Hunter posed, and he was determined to find him before he hurt anyone. As the night wore on, Hunter continued to run, his paws pounding the earth. He was a force of nature, unstoppable and wild. But deep down, he knew he had to find a way to control the beast within him, to learn to live with his newfound powers. The moon was high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the forest. Hunter ran until he was exhausted, finally collapsing on the forest floor. As he lay there, he felt the transformation taking hold once more, his body reverting back to its human form.

He’s back to Himself, he starts to hear foot steps from afar, his naked and now desperately looks for where he could hide. He spots a tree, then hides behind it. Two officer came out, revealing themselves, it seems they were the only ones still on patrol, they were searching intensely on someone because the murmured something to each other, it was hard to make out what they were saying. Hunter sees this and began to fear, “ Could they be looking for me?” He thought. “What might happen to me if I’m caught.” The moonlight cast its glow on Hunter, his body began to contort, and he panted heavily. He tried to stifle his cries, he begs quietly, “No-Please stop, please……ahh” Hunter exclaimed. but the pain was overwhelming. The officers nearby heard the sounds and approached cautiously. As they drew closer, Hunter's transformation accelerated. The officers expected to find a person, but instead, a beast emerged from the shadows, launching itself at them. Hunter, now fully transformed, tore into them with ferocity, biting and gnawing into their flesh, claiming their lives in a swift and deadly attack. After the attack, Hunter fled the scene, leaving behind a trail of blood and terror. The officers' bodies lay motionless, a testament to the beast that had ravaged them. As Hunter disappeared into the night, the forest returned to its eerie silence.

The officers' fate would soon be discovered, sparking a search for the creature responsible. Unbeknownst to them, the beast they sought was Hunter, struggling to control his primal instincts. The full moon had unleashed its power, and Hunter's darkness had consumed him.