Monsters

I am not stupid; I know exactly what kind of monster that is. It is a werewolf.

I could not take my eyes off the massive creature in front of us. Its grayish fur bristled under the moonlight, and its size… it was twice my father’s body. Dad already had a huge, muscular frame, broad and powerful, but this werewolf towered over him, terrifyingly enormous. I refused to believe that it was my father, yet even in this monstrous form, I could see the blood dripping from his stomach. It had worsened, spreading faster and deeper, and I felt my chest tighten with fear and guilt.

My brother stepped back, trembling, unable to process what we were witnessing tonight.

"D… dad…?" His voice cracked with confusion and disbelief, his lips trembling violently as his body shook.

The werewolf turned its gaze toward him. My eyes met the creature’s, and the recognition hit me like a punch. Those eyes, even in this monstrous form, they were undeniably my father’s. Everything else—the size, the gray fur... was different, but his gaze betrayed the truth.

I almost forgot that we were surrounded, cornered by men from our village.

"You fucking monster!"

"This family is cursed!"

"He killed all my sheep! He should not be spared!"

Their anger grew louder, and behind us, I heard the clanging of metal again, the same sound I had heard while we ran. This time it was louder, more menacing, more certain.

"You ruin our village! We are not wrong for condemning you!"

The werewolf growled. It was a sound that shook me to my core, primal and terrifying, and I shivered with fear for the first time at the sight of my own father. His sharp teeth glinted in the moonlight, capable of tearing through flesh, and I wondered briefly if he really had killed those animals. But then I remembered how he had always told us we had done nothing wrong, and confusion and sorrow tore at me.

The clanging of metal grew louder, more deliberate. The men’s anger became unbearable, and instead of fearing my father’s monstrous form, it only fueled their hatred.

"Kill him!" one shouted.

I forced myself to stand, shaking, from my bent knees, my body trembling from terror and helplessness. I wanted to run to Dad, to hold him, to shield him, but before I could take a step, a loud thud echoed behind him. A man had struck my father from behind.

"Don't!" I screamed as more men advanced, swinging pipes toward him.

Tears burned my cheeks as my father whimpered from the pain. Instinctively, he defended himself, sinking his teeth into one of the men. Blood sprayed, and my stomach twisted at the sight. But the act only enraged the others more. They surged forward, weapons ready to strike again.

I ran in front of him, raising my arms, my body shaking violently, trying desperately to plead. "P-please… don’t hurt him. He’s a g-good man…" My voice broke between sobs, and I felt my knees weaken under the weight of fear.

But the rage in their eyes did not waver. They advanced, relentless, full of malice and fury. They stabbed and struck at him, and I could only scream, paralyzed by helplessness. My father was strong, larger than any human, but there were too many of them, and he restrained himself, refusing to harm them beyond what was necessary to survive. I cried even harder, my heart fracturing as I realized how kind he still was despite all they had done.

Then he fell. Blood coated his fur, and my heart shattered completely. My soul screamed in anger and despair.

Hands grabbed me, yanking me away from him. I struggled, but I was too weak, my body betraying me.

"He is already dead!" one of the men said, a cruel smirk on his face.

"N-No! That can’t be…" I choked on my words, tears streaming freely. My father could not leave us like this. I refused to believe it, even as I saw him lying there, eyes closed, lifeless, blood everywhere. I clenched my fists in madness, fury burning through my grief.

"Take her as a sacrifice… it is the only way the deity will favor us once again," one of the men said.

I could not move. I was held fast, powerless to fight or flee.

"What about this boy?"

I looked and saw Zonen captured as well. His eyes were fixed on the werewolf in front of him—our father. Tears streaked his face, but he said nothing. His silence mirrored the horror and grief I felt.

"Zonen," I whispered once.

He did not respond. His eyes were hollow now, yet I could see the simmering anger hidden behind the emptiness.

"Kill him… or he’ll soon turn into a monster, like his father," one of the men said coldly.

"No! Don’t! He’s just a kid!" I screamed, my voice breaking, my lungs burning with desperation.

"Kill me," Zonen said, his voice flat, emotionless.

"No, Zonen! Don’t be like that!" I shouted, terror gripping me. I had already lost my father; I could not lose my brother, too.

"Quiet!" the man holding me barked, and suddenly, a fist slammed into my stomach. I groaned, doubled over in pain. Another blow followed, heavier this time, leaving me gasping and trembling. Then, unexpectedly, I felt a stabbing pain in my back. I gasped, struggling to breathe as my body collapsed to my knees.

"Maive!" Zonen cried, but I was too weak to respond.

"Take her to the Ghost Cave," a voice commanded.

The pain was unbearable, and darkness swallowed me.

When I opened my eyes, I realized I was being carried toward the infamous, terrifying cave. Rumors spoke of howling wolves within, of beasts lurking in the shadows.

"Z-Zonen…" I whispered as the man carrying me threw me into the cave. My back hit the ground hard, agony radiating through me.

"Probably dead by now," the man said before rolling a massive stone to block the entrance. I was left alone, darkness pressing against my eyes, the cave swallowing every sound, every breath.

I tried to stand, despite the pain and blood weakening me. Tears streamed down my face as I whispered, "No… No… Zonen, he’s alive… he’s not dead…" My sobs echoed through the cave, my strength draining with every heartbeat.

I stumbled toward the entrance, pounding at the stone, but it was immovable. "Get me out of here! Please…" I cried, but no one answered. Only darkness surrounded me, thick and suffocating. My body shook from exhaustion, my wounds screaming with every movement. It was as if life itself had abandoned me.

I took hesitant steps into the depths of the cave, hoping, praying for an exit. My legs felt like lead, my eyelids heavy, my body begging for rest. I must have lost too much blood. My breathing was faint, and tears fell freely as I relived the horrors of the night.

But then, a warmth brushed against my cheek, soft and impossibly comforting. I must be hallucinating.

"Mine," a deep, masculine voice said. I froze, too weak to even move a finger.

A sharp sting pierced my neck, and darkness claimed me completely.