"Garcia, run!" Matteo struggled to form the words, his voice distorted by the transformation. Despite the monstrous appearance, a glimmer of recognition flickered in his eyes. Garcia, torn between fear and a desperate need to understand, hesitated for a moment before he heeded his brother's plea.
Garcia darted in a different direction, trying to outmaneuver the beast. The woods became a labyrinth of shadows, the moon casting an eerie glow on the twisted branches. Panic fueled Garcia's every step as he realized the gravity of the situation—his brother, once a protector, now a creature that haunted the nightmares of their town.
Matteo, fighting the primal urges within, pursued his brother with a mixture of regret and desperation. The scent he caught triggered memories, and a battle waged within him—a struggle between his human consciousness and the wild instincts of the beast. He had to find a way to regain control before it was too late.
The chase continued through the dense foliage, the brothers navigating the labyrinth of trees and bushes. The night seemed to stretch endlessly as they circled each other, one driven by fear, the other by an instinct to protect what remained of his humanity.
Garcia, realizing the futility of outrunning the creature, made a bold decision. He abruptly changed direction, confronting the beast that was once his brother. "Matteo, listen to me! Fight it! Remember who you are!"
Matteo, caught off guard by Garcia's plea, momentarily paused in his pursuit. The internal struggle intensified, and for a brief moment, his eyes regained a glint of recognition.
"Brother, you have to fight it!" Garcia implored, taking a step closer.
Matteo's snarls and growls echoed through the woods as the battle within raged on. Garcia could see the turmoil in Matteo's eyes, a flicker of the brother he knew desperately trying to break free.
With a sudden surge of willpower, Matteo fought against the instinct to attack. He staggered backward, the beast within retreating momentarily. The brothers locked eyes, a silent understanding passing between them.
"We can find a way to control this, Matteo," Garcia whispered, cautiously approaching.
But the night was far from over, and the true test awaited them both. As the moonlight continued to weave its spell, the struggle for Matteo's humanity hung in the balance.