The Curse Of Moonlit Hollow

Chapter 2: Secrets And Shadows

Lila had the intense sensation of the pain in her leg throbbing against the mattress under it as she lay in bed, her mind racing about whatever the hell that creature was.

Although the doctor was not concerned, saying that the bite was rare, it should be okay. She couldn't stop the feeling that something just wasn't right. The past days already felt like some strange nightmare and maybe if she closed her eyes, when next she opened them, they would open back to her former life - before Moonlit Hollow and the darkness that danced at its periphery.

Lila got up to her mother peering over with concern when she opened her eyes the next morning. How are you feeling baby?

Lila forced a smile. " Better, I think. The pain's not as bad today. "

Her mother agreed, but the fear of her was visible. " I want you to rest today. You heal first, then school.

Lila sighed but didn't argue. It frustrated her as well, but she knew why her mother was doing it and that it was only so she could be safe. "Okay, Mom."

Her lips grazed Lila's forehead as Lila's mother tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. What a good girl. I will serve you breakfast in bed. OK, just call if you want, whatever.

Oh, and to Lila, who watched as her mother walked away, there was no thought even of the black leather-bound book she'd gotten from Mr. Thorne's bookstore.

"Legends of Moonlit Hollow," she read, and flipped idly through the pages to the section on the old Druid. The tale revolved around an enigmatic figure that used to inhabit the land, his retribution cast upon the township after they had mistreated him. The curse was said to be impossible to break, but the book revealed there was a lost artifact that could cancel it out, one that had been long forgotten.

A quiet knock interrupted Lila's thinking. She then looked up to see her dad standing in the doorway. He came back home early, his face stern.

He lay down on the corner of her bed and said, "Hey kiddo." "How are you holding up?"

"I'm okay, Dad. Just a little sore. "

He nodded, and his eyes slowly moved to her face. Your mom already told me. I'm sorry I wasn't here. "

"Then it's not your fault," Lila said. I have no idea what the hell that was! Its appearance wasn't like any animal I had ever seen.

Her father scowled, his brow knit. " This town has its secrets. I used to believe they were make-believe. But perhaps there are more than we ever knew.

Lila thought about the etchings on the stone marker, back to the weakness in her legs, venturing into the field. He added, "Glad you are feeling better, hon."

" You know Dad, have you ever heard of an artifact that can lift a curse? "

Her father looked surprised. "Why do you ask?"

After much hesitation, she proceeded to fill him in on the book. I found this at a local bookstore. It discusses a town that was cursed by an ancient druid and a relic that may be able to undo it.

Her father looked thoughtful. I know a few old legends, but nothing about an artifact. We could deal with the damn issue together, maybe.

Lila felt a spark of hope. "Yeah, I'd like that."

With them, surrounded by comfort and care, the day crept along at a leisurely pace. And that evening, as the sun began to set and cast its long shadows into her room, Lila heard something calling from outside. Her eyes stared out into the dark forest and her thoughts turned to questions and unrest.

On impulse, she peered up the tree line where she caught a silhouette moving between the trees difficult to discern at twilight. Her heart skipped a beat. Whatever lay behind the door, was it the thing that had tried to kill her or was it something different? She squinted, but the figure dissolved into the night.

Lila had the sense that she was being watched. Suddenly, her mind was back on Alex, some regular guy who had just come his way into her life when she so desperately needed direction. She needed to find him and get some answers about what was being done to her.

She slept restlessly that night. She had dreamed of the forest, the ancient slab, and luminous eyes. She would wake up sweating and frantic several times a night. When she woke up in the morning, she resolved to uncover the mystery.

Lila dressed and disappeared from the house as soon as her parents left her mother to do errands, and her father to work.

She made her way into the village, looking for Alex or Mr. Thorne, both of whom were hiding something about Moonlit Hollow.

The town was alive with its usual morning activity, but Lila did not care. The little bell rang above her head as she entered Moonlit Tales.

Mr. Thorne's head peeked from just above the counter, a look of mild interest on his face.

"Back so soon?" he asked with a slight smile.

Lila nodded. " I need your help. " Something is going on with me, and I don't know what it is.

Mr. Thorne frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

Hesitating for a moment, she decided to tell the truth. I got bitten by something in the woods. After that, I had been feeling off — stronger, faster. And I've been having dreams. "

Thorne examined her for a moment before he waved in the direction where she was to go next. He took her to a small room toward the back of the store, which was crammed full of dusty books and oddities.

"Can you share with me more about these dreams?

She did her best to put words to it, that bunch of there and then: the images of running through the trees, the power and freedom on four paws; Shearing Hurst was always a necessity, even if Shearing Hurst dragged her down a path where she was beetling alongside him with eyes as wide as those horses at Hay Lila never should have found so terrifying. Thorne sat thoughtfully, his face turning grim.

He stared ahead, whispering, "It sounds like the process has begun..." Lila, you are no mere werewolf. You've been bitten and awakened something old in you.

Lila's heart pounded. "What do you mean?"

By the way, this means of stating a type does not look particularly elegant to me.

"There is some old prophecy," Mr. Thorne said "..." The cursed werewolf, the one chosen to destroy or save. You are that werewolf.

Lila felt a wave of fear and disbelief. " How can that be? I'm just a normal girl. "

Mr. Thorne shook his head. " You are far from normal, Lila. And if we are to protect this town and lift the curse, you must embrace your new identity. "

Before Lila could respond, the door to the room burst open, and Alex stood there, his eyes wide with urgency. " We need to go. Now."

Lila's confusion deepened. "What's going on?"

Alex glanced at Mr. Thorne, then back at Lila. " Mr. Hawthorne knows about you. He’s coming."

The gravity of Alex's words hit her like a punch. She grabbed the book from Mr. Thorne's desk, her mind racing with questions and fear. As they hurried out of the store, Lila couldn't help but wonder what fate awaited her and Moonlit Hollow.

And just as they reached the edge of the forest, a low growl echoed from the shadows, stopping them in their tracks.

Lila's blood ran cold as she turned to see glowing eyes watching them from the darkness.