CHAPTER 1

“W-We need to leave!”

My father is undoubtedly frightened. The moment he said those words, his voice trembled. I, on the other hand, find it difficult to respond when all I could think about was to stop the blood on his abdomen from leaking. 

I hurried over to my father's place without anything in my hand. I applied pressure on his wound with both of my hands. My father, however, grabbed my wrist firmly before I could even call out for my brother to assist me. 

“Arllette… we need to get going”, he said, clearly in a rush. He's more agitated than ever. I could not ask why he had such a terrible cut on his abdomen or why we were leaving so abruptly. However, I do have a thought in mind, and they are responsible this for sure.

I turned to look at Alby, my puppy. When I noticed that her eyes were closed, my heart broke. There was no sign of her chest rising and falling; it was in constant and at rest. I turned my head away from her right away, I couldn't look at her that way. As much as I wanted to go beside her, my feet were frozen. My eyes began to go hazy with tears.

I soon found myself grabbing my brother's wrist and abandoning the house where I was raised. Our father is rushing in front of us; his blood remained on every step. Despite my desire to stop my father from running, I could not do so. I am terrified of what's happening.

I was certain I could hear the footsteps pursuing us. They were yelling, and the rage in their voices terrified me. I've experienced bullying before, but this is undoubtedly different. They are running after us, and I can hear pipes, swords, or something else that is clearly not there to just frighten us. 

This is more than just scaring us; if my father had sustained that cut in his stomach, they would not simply throw insults or eggshells as they did in the past.

"Charles, Arllette, run more quickly!” My father’s voice thundered. 

My heart began to race so badly after just a few minutes of running and it only worsened our current situation. My legs were trembling from all the running, too. 

“Damn!"I screamed when I fell on a stone to my horror. Since I clutched my brother's wrist when I went to my knees, he also fell with me. 

My father had to stop running as a consequence. We were on our knees as he turned to look back. The moonlight was enough for me to observe his expression, which was one of utter terror when he turned to face us.

Oh my god, I'm so clumsy!

After the fall, Charles got up right away. He got out of that stance and put his arms out in front of me. “Hurry!” He cried out.

My hands were in his. But as soon as I attempted to stand up, I stumbled once more. My knees are trembling a lot.

I'm not really sure if it is from the trip or from being terrified.

“I found them!”

"The witch's family is here!”

I had no idea that they are this near to us. Fuck.

My father surprised me by picking me up and carrying me. I could feel his cold hands. He took me along as he rushed once again. I could see Charles behind us, he was running after us in the distance.

My eyes started to swell up once more. I feel ashamed for being such a burden when my father is seriously injured and is oozing blood profusely. I could also hear him breathing heavily.

“Stop! Are you planning to escape?!”  In front of us, I heard a deep man's voice. I noticed another group of men when I turned to gaze in front. The lamp they are holding illuminated the path. 

My father stopped moving. There was nowhere to run, and there were guys following us. These men…they are from our village.

"You truly have the nerve to flee from your crimes!” One of them yelled. 

"I haven't broken any laws. I did not do anything wrong. Let us go quietly,” my father said. Both of his hands were shaking. 

“Why are you torturing us like this?” Despite the fact that he was still gasping for oxygen, my brother cried out.

A few of them chuckled. It was an awful sight. Their smile…it looks so evil.

The elderly man in charge of them turned to look at my brother and ordered, "Take him."

I shivered when I heard his terrifying voice. 

"Don't mess with my kids!” My father yelled. My father released his hold on me. He held us on our shoulders, trying to protect us from those men. 

"I told you to hold him!” The leader gave another command. 

My brother tightly gripped my arms. 

"Don’t you dare touch  my children!" My father has lost a lot of blood; his respiration is not normal. The blood that is flowing from his abdomen has already stained his thigh. He is more pale than usual. I started crying so hard when I saw my father's condition.

"Your family destroyed this community! You must make amends for all you did.”

Some of them came closer to us. My brother was about to be taken by them.

“Charles, please do not let go of my hands.” My voice was trembling while fighting back tears.

They grabbed my brother's arms right away. 

"I told you not to touch my kids!" My dad yelled. I have never heard him this angry before. 

My eyes widened in surprise when I saw my own father change his form. 

I gasped, “f-father?” I cannot believe my own eyes, I have never seen my father like this

I knelt on the ground. My father suddenly transformed into an unfamiliar beast or werewolf. It's not an animal, no. My father…he turned into a monster...

Maybe…all along, they are right about us.