Encounter with the Unhinged Beast

I held my breath as I stared at the dense forest before me. My heart was racing like a damn horse inside my chest it almost hurts. 

“I can do this,” I whispered, my voice shaking in fear. 

I’ve heard stories about the dark forest but all are just myths passed down from generation to generation. 

Beatrice, the castle’s head maid wants me to find an Arello, a flower that only blooms at night. Since I am the newest household help, I don’t have the power to say no to the task given. 

The flower was said to have healing properties, especially from insect bites. 

As I started to take my journey to the dark forest, my thoughts came rushing inside my head. This place was filled and dominated by creatures that were way stronger than I am. A mere human like me had no match for the strength possessed by werewolves and witches. That thought alone makes me shiver to the bones.  

I swallowed the invisible lump in my throat.

The sky was a deep purple hue, the clouds were dense and the moon was out of sight, making it more difficult to see the surroundings. 

Raising my torch higher, I scanned the place for any signs of other creatures. I was relieved to see none, but I really can’t be sure. 

I continued walking, looking for that flower that Beatrice told me to pick. 

Why did she have to pick me? She knew I was not familiar with the forest. I let out a frustrated sigh. I don’t really have any choice. 

Night birds were hooting and I heard a howling wolf from the distance. I shivered, and the cold crept through me. 

I filled my lungs with air, my steps were slow but sure. I just hope that the Moon Goddess will guide me even though I am not part of her people. 

My whole body tensed when I heard the rustling of the leaves. Glancing from my left to right I squinted my eyes to where the sound came from. 

“Is someone out there?” Smoke came out of my mouth, my voice quivering. 

A sharp squeak escapes my mouth when an unknown creature runs to me. I quickly closed my eyes and covered my head in fear.

Without thinking, I run to the other side of the forest. I was unsure where it was heading but determined to get away from that creature behind me. 

“Oh, god, help me,” I whispered a prayer as I continued to run. My feet hurt from the huge roots and stone but that didn’t stop me from running.

Fear and worry enveloped me. I am unfamiliar with this forest, and I might not be able to go back to the forest. 

I was horrified by the thought that this might be my last day alive. 

With thoughts racing inside my head, I run so fast I don’t care about the wounds on my feet. All I wanted was to get away. 

“No!” 

Because of the darkness, I didn’t see the huge tree trunk before me, making me fall and roll to the side of the forest. 

I groaned and cried about the injuries I endured. 

The fall was hard but I got on my feet as fast as possible and ran to the nearest dilapidated house on sight. 

I didn’t give so much thought about who was inside the house, my only mission was to get into safety. Closing the doors and running to hide in one corner, I cried. 

My lungs hurt and my feet were bleeding, but none of that mattered. I closed my eyes and stilled my breath. 

After a few minutes, everything was so silent. Letting out a sigh of relief I opened my eyes and scanned the surroundings. I think the creature didn’t follow me here. Relief washed over me. 

My brows furrowed when I saw the little lamp that hung in one corner of the house. It’s a clear indication that someone lives in this house. 

“Hello?” I called out, but no one answered. “I’m so sorry to barge in unannounced.” I apologized, not sure if there was someone who heard me. 

I got on my feet and started to check the house. The floor squeaked as I took steps. 

“Is somebody in here?” My voice echoed in the entire room. No one responded to me. 

“Hello? Is anybody home?” Again, no one answered me. 

“I guess this place is abandoned.” I traced my fingers on the table only to find it covered with a thick pile of dust. 

I was about to open one of the bedroom doors when I heard something growling. That made me halt in my steps. 

My heart raged inside my chest. There’s no way that there’s a creature here given the place was so small. But I was certain I heard some animalistic growl coming for this place. 

Swallowing the invisible lump in my throat, I turned the knob and slowly opened the door. 

My mouth dropped. I was amazed to see a stair going to the basement. 

“Oh, dear. There’s a basement under this house.” Sweat cascaded from my forehead as I took my first step down to the basement’s staircase. 

I should be running away from just hearing the growling sound of a creature, but something inside me tells me that I should go and see it. It’s a force that I can’t deny, and it left me confused and scared. 

My body shivered as the growl was getting louder as I stepped closer to the end of the staircase. 

“Oh, goodness…” I whispered. My body was tingling in unexplainable sensations as the creature’s growl reached my ears. My whole body burned by the thought of this creature. “What’s happening to me?” 

As I took the last step, I loud scream erupted from my mouth when the whole room suddenly illuminated. 

My eyes widened in shock at the first thing I saw. My whole body froze in the mixture of fear and worry. 

A huge werewolf was caged in the far-end corner of the basement. His whole body was wrapped with huge chains. His eyes were closed but I know he’s awake based on the growling that he’s making. 

I immediately took a step back. 

“No,” I murmured 

This is a prison cage. I shouldn’t be here. For this animal to be caged and chained like that, he must be unhinged. 

Without making any sound, I slowly took steps back to the stairs without taking my eyes off the monster. 

“How dare you barged into my den, human?” He suddenly spoke. His voice was full of authority and power. “No one leaves here alive.” His eyes flew open and within a split of a second, he was already in front of me. 

“RUN!” He roared.