Dream

No!" he cried.

He felt like he was running for his life. He was in a deserted place alone, scared, and with nowhere to go. It was completely dark, and his only light was the moon that was also chasing him. He had just gone to the forest with some of his friends, yet he had lost sight of them. He couldn't find or trace the trail back to the village. He had fallen asleep after he got tired of searching for his way out of the frightening place. He was awakened by the growling sound and the shrieks of the flocks out of their nests. They were disturbed by some strange creatures. He sat down for a while and observed. He looked up and he could see the moon in its full size. He was quietly mesmerized and forgot the time of the day he went missing.

"What was that?" he asked.

He heard the growling sound again and it stopped. He looked around and noticed that there were movements in the tree branches. There was no strong wind, but it swayed like there was something behind it. He got curious, so he walked towards it.

"Oh my God!" he shouted.

He ran quickly away from that tree. He lost his balance and fell. He kept on yelling and calling for help, but no one could hear him. He couldn't describe what he had just seen. But it was scary. He's got that huge body full of thick black hair. His dark and mad eyes are staring at him. He doesn't look crazy or angry, yet it is too terrifying to see. It was his first encounter with the creature. He didn't mind the wild plants that hindered his path. All he wanted to do was get away from that monster. He felt tired, and he decided to stop for a rest when he passed by the cave. He stayed at the opening of it and observed the surroundings. It was too quiet, and it is even more alarming. A few meters from his location, he could see some light, and it was made of fire.

"Someone got a light! I should come right there," he uttered as he pointed out the direction.

He should be safe since there is no sign of danger. He silently took the walk to the group of people.

"Maybe they are campers," he added.

He was trying to converse with himself to get rid of his negative vibration about the place. He was trying harder not to be scared. He had reached the end point of his journey.

"Hello!" he called them out.

"What are you doing here, kid?" the guy said.

They are couples who went out for some thrills. There are four of them. They were holding cans of beer as they stood up to entertain him.

"I got lost. Where do you guys live?" he asks, uncertain.

"We are tourists. We came here for an adventure. Do you know your home address? Maybe we can help you," the nice woman replied.

"We are here to enjoy, not to babysit!" her friend said.

"It's okay. Maybe I can just spend the night with you for now. I will just find my way home in the morning," Raiden answered.

"It's fine. Come here!" The nice girl offered him some space next to her.

"Thanks!" he replied, gratefully.

He was just listening to them as they sat down outside their tent. They go with their partners. They have built a bonfire to keep them warm at night. Though it was summertime, it felt a bit chilly at night. They did not bother to introduce themselves. They went inside the tent when they felt their heads were heavy. He stayed with the nice gal, and she helped him fall fast asleep.

"Help!" someone cried.

There was a loud crash outside the tent. He had no choice but to get up. He was alone inside the tent. He wondered where the guys went. Raiden was scratching his eyes and was shocked when he checked outside. He found the group members lying and not breathing.

"G-u-y-s!" he said, stammering.

He ran out of words. He wanted to check the surroundings, but he was more afraid for his life. He ran back to the tent and looked for something sharp that he could use in his defense. He found a backpack and checked what was inside. He took the flashlight and the knife.

"It is not safe for me to stay here!" he said to himself.

He was about to get out of the tent when he saw the big shadow from outside. Only the moon serves as his light because the bonfire has been shut off. The thing was roaring like a fool. It was standing and facing the moon like he was talking to it. Raiden started to move very slowly, so as not to attract the creature's attention. He ran as fast as he could, but due to his size, the creature was able to go after him, and it was just one step before it could capture him when someone got in between. He had the chance to stare at the two of them. They have got powerful and big bodies built with strong arms; their eyes are in flames and their heads are wolf-like.

"Werewolves!" he called them.

The two creatures turned their faces towards him, and he had to step back. He has never seen them, but he has heard stories about them. He held the knife, preparing himself for possible attacks from those creatures. But he was surprised when the two creatures fought. The other monster was helping him out. He wished to escape, but he was scared that there were more of them waiting for prey. He did not move and watched them fight. He was like a trophy, and whoever might have won would take him as a reward. He saw them smashing against each other with their hands and sharp nails and bumping their bodies towards one another.

"Run!" someone said in a howl.

It was just a howl, but he understood it. He was about to escape when the enemy was thrown against him. The creature was still moving while he was trying to move out. He was straddled before him, and he was almost out of breath. He can't afford his bloody smell.

"H-e-l-p!" he continued shouting.

No one came to help until he lost consciousness.

"Child, fate will soon live within you. Take good care of it! First, take what lies before you. When the right time comes, embrace it. You have got the power to conquer!" the voice of a stranger said.

It was gentle, and he couldn't determine who was talking.

"Raiden! Wake up, son!" his mom's voice said.

He couldn't move. It feels like his whole body is in pain. She slapped him, and it brought his senses back.

"That was too strong, Mom!" he complained.

"What are you dreaming of? You were shouting and crying all this time," Madison said.

She was a single mom to Raiden. She took care of him after she found him in the woods with her sister. She raised him like he was her own.

"I saw a beast! A monster? I think it was a werewolf in my dreams!" he told his mother.

"What happened back then?" she asks, referring to his dream.

She knew that werewolves were normal to them. They grew up with hunters in the village. He shared what he dreamed of with his mother.

"You are overly excited about joining the group of hunters. Son don't be too obsessed about it!" she commented.

"I am really eager to start the training. I wish I could join the elders already without proper training," he replied boastfully.

"You know that you wouldn't be allowed to do that. Just enjoy your childhood because you will never have it again when aged," she advised him.

"Mother, I know all that. I just wanted to learn this early. It's already part of our life," he insisted.

She would just pinch his nose and smile at him. She was preparing his meals before his training started. He was just twelve years old, and his training period will begin today. Harriet, his best friend, will be joining him too. It would be more enjoyable, and he was inspired to learn quickly since she was around. She was the daughter of her mother's sister. Just like him, she was also an adopted daughter.

"Raiden, make sure to follow whatever is being taught by Larry. Alright? He knows everything better than you. If you want to be the best hunter, just listen to your mentor!" She reminded him as he was about to go out of the house.

Their training ground will be somewhere in the forest. They will be taught different survival techniques before introducing them to the actual fighting skills to lure and kill monsters like wolves. Their villages were quite small because of the wild animals, and their worst enemy among them was the werewolves. They have made them their food, especially during the full moon. To combat them and defend the lives of many, he created a group of hunters and trained the younger ones to be equipped before becoming a part of their group.