Claire had already reached the foot of the mountain. With a flashlight on her hand, she read the warning signs that were attached to a rope surrounding the perimeter.
"WOLVES AND OTHER WILD ANIMALS ROAMING FREE. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISKS."
"HURTING THE ANIMALS IS PUNISHABLE BY LAW."
She bent lower than the rope to get inside. She started walking up to the slanting mountain.
She reached the top of the forest and continued pacing forth. Though it was dark since this was a natural forest without any or with just a little human contact, she navigated calmly in the middle of tall and thick trees. They stood so tall that the light of the moon couldn't completely penetrate her way. She kept her flashlight on, illuminating her steps and even the tree branches or behind it for some natural danger.
She didn't know where to find her brother. She just kept walking, hoping that the soil of the earth where her feet were threading upon will lead her to him. Plus she's confident that her blood connection to him will link her in this (literally) dark and lonely (in a sense, physically alone) journey.
She stopped when she reached a plain ground in the forest. It was an open ground beside a small clear lake. The light of the full moon gave that open field a spotlight.
Its reflection on the lake looked so clear and calm that you can feel you can actually stand on the moon if you could just walk on the water!
This scene didn't amazed Claire at all since she was already used to this. All she wanted now was to see Clarence. Her face formed a frown in frustration.
Until she heard a rustling sound by a bush from behind.
She looked back and waited for it to show itself. Whatever it is. She reached for something from her sling back and put out a sheathed knife. She removed the sheath and readied to defend herself.
What came out was a pair of grey wolves. One big and small. Looked like a parent wolf with its cub.
They stopped, lowered their neck and sneered at her. They showed her their angry fangs ready to bite her at any moment she shows an attempt to attack.
Claire's hand shook. Her grip on her knife was a little shaky. Her angry face earlier turned to a little fear. She may be stronger than any human, but she has a fear of... dogs. It was a secret she kept hidden from her friends and anyone else who knew her.
The wolves moved a step forward which made her panic more and held her knife now with two hands. Sweat beaded from her temples down to her face. She gritted her teeth. "Don't come!" she bravely bellowed at them.
They sneered all the more.
"Drop your knife! They see you as a threat!" A familiar voice shouted which seemed to echo within the open forest.
Claire distinguished that the voice came also near the wolves. Footsteps were heard coming from that direction.
She longingly looked from the dark shadows. She waited until he was fully shown.
"Bro!" she cried.
Clarence stood there in his silvery-gray pelt clothing. His flowy silver long hair was waving by the gentle blow of the wind. His blue eyes still looked cold like how she last saw him. He looked so dazzling under that moonlit spotlight.
The wolves turned calm and walked past Claire. They stopped by the lake to drink from it.
"Why are you here?" he coldy asked.
She subconsciously rested her hands down. She looked at him straight.
"Bro, I wanted to apologize for not listening to you."
Clarence's face softened. His eyes widened a little when he heard her words. A guilt feeling swelled up inside him. He was already guilty for hurting her without any warning. He should be one to apologize, who should have not ran away and left things unresolved. Yet, here she is alone and braved herself to face a danger she didn't want to face at all. But for his sake, she did pursue him here.
He knew she was not fond of animals. She's not scared of any wild animals like bears, tigers or even snakes. For the domestic kind, she would glare back to street or home cats who sneered first at her. She would likely faint if dogs even just came closer at her. She was both strong and weak in a cute way, he thought. Her fear of dogs was his reason also why he didn't transform even once to her. But he was actually just scared of being rejected by his only-near blood relative, who was a human, yet not really normal.
She went on. "For not paying attention when you talk about your family. Our family. For acting like I didn't care."
Clarence took seconds to say anything back. He forced another cold aura against her. "Is that all why you've come here?"
She was still taken aback by his coldness. "Uhm, well..."
"If yes, you may leave me now alone." He turned his back against her and took a step away.
"Wait, bro!" she called, rushing to him. She grabbed his hand. He slowly turned his head toward her. He glared at her that made her let go of him. She looked away.
Clarence's guilt and shame overtook him more now than before. He looked at how sad and dejected she was, which was not her usual self. She was a strong woman but when it comes to him, she really softens.
He wanted to pat her head but his hand already hurt her. He just clenched his fists tightly, that made him bled a little because his nails were now growing long and sharp. Yes, tonight's full moon. The only night he couldn't control his transformation.
Claire mustered back her confident and strong self. She looked straight and firm at him. Without any fear. She met his eyes.
"The real reason why I came here alone," she said with a determined tone. "Is for you to give me what I want. Only you can fulfill my life long desire."
Clarence's troubled facial expression turned curious. What was her life long desire? He already asked her what her dream was. She just smiled and did not answer straightly. What she wanted was most of the people do not want at all, for it not to come to them at all.
She looked calm now. "I've always wanted to die. To finally rest... in peace."
He heard her clear. After all he had sharp ears. He can distinguish if someone is lying or truthful, joking or sincere. He could tell she was serious.
She smiled sadly as she shook her head. "But I couldn't. Because of what I am that I don't even know. I may look like a normal human but not really. I wish I could turn into a wolf too, at least that's proof that we're the same, but no.
Though I don't have my past memory way beyond 35 years ago, I feel like I've been living longer already. I knew deep inside me I've tried to kill myself alot of times but I'm still here. Alive. Just trying to live because I still have breath.
When I learned I had a blood relative, I knew he was the only one who could help me. I don't care if it's cruel. I had lived a cruel and bloody life anyway.
That's why, bro, I'm saying you can eat my heart so you can become a human and fulfil your promise to Abie. Then you also fulfill my desire. What a fair deal!"
"But before that..." She took her sling bag off her shoulder and put it down, together with the knife she was holding earlier.
"Your phone is inside. It's solar-powered now. Musica and Sora tweaked it, worrying there's no electricity here," she chuckled saying that.
"So now, bro. I'm ready. Thank you for those times we were together. Thank you in advance for giving me eternal rest. If it's you, then maybe I won't resurrect again."
She smiled for the last time. "Do it now, bro."
He was shocked to hear all of that from her own mouth. If he eats her heart, he can finally be freed by this curse and become a human. He can finally marry the woman he loves and reach their future dreams together without worrying about passing on the curse.
He looked at her. An indescribable sadness and anguish engulfed his whole being, as if he lost grip of the reality, of where he was right now. As if he was in a black hole sucking all his strength away.
She stood still in front of him. Her eyes closed. She looked ready and just waiting for him to strike her heart.
His hands trembled and turned cold. His gut also felt cold.
He looked away and cried bitterly and silently.