The poor little boy ran as fast as his legs could carry him, but he stumbled and crashed to the ground. Panic surged through him as he scrambled backward, his wide, terrified eyes locked onto the creatures closing in.
"Isn't God going to answer my prayer?! I don't want to die!"
Pain shot through his knees, now scraped and bleeding. Tears blurred his vision as the monsters towered over him, their eerie smiles widening. He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable. This was it. His end had come.
With a single swift movement, they lunged at him.
But instead of feeling claws tear into his flesh, he heard a low, menacing growl, followed by the rustling of leaves.
Blinking his eyes open, he saw a figure—human in appearance—fighting the creatures. The boy gaped in shock. His rescuer looked only a few years older than him, but the way he battled the beasts was unlike anything he had ever seen. There was no way this person was just an ordinary human.
The mysterious figure moved with astonishing speed, his body a blur as he struck with calculated precision. He kicked the creatures around like mere toys, slamming their heads into the hard ground with inhuman strength. The boy sat frozen, his small body trembling as he watched in horror and awe.
This was not a sight meant for a child. He should be watching cartoons, not witnessing monsters being crushed like insects.
Tears welled in his eyes again as the battle raged on. Then, something happened that sent shivers through him—his savior transformed.
Before his very eyes, the figure shifted into something else, something not human. Fur bristled, and glowing crimson eyes burned with a predatory glint. Razor-sharp claws clashed against elongated fangs, filling the air with a sickening symphony of growls and tearing flesh. Every movement was a blur, a deadly dance of feral precision beneath the eerie glow of the night.
Then, for a few heart-stopping seconds, their eyes met.
The boy's breath hitched.
With a final, brutal move, the beast pinned the monsters down and tore their heads off.
Silence followed.
The boy couldn't move. He had seen too much. His body refused to respond as he stared at the horrific sight before him.
Then, the creature turned toward him.
Dave's heart pounded against his ribs as it approached, black blood dripping from its claws.
Was this it? Had he merely been saved to die by a different monster?
His breath caught in his throat as the creature locked eyes with him once again. There was something different in its gaze this time—something almost… gentle.
But before Dave could react, it moved.
And everything went black.
TEN YEARS LATER...
Panting heavily, the beautiful young man jolted awake, his chest rising and falling in rapid succession. Beads of sweat lined his forehead as he gasped, his fingers gripping the sheets.
Another nightmare.
The first light of dawn bathed his room in a soft glow, casting shadows that did little to ease his racing heart. He sat up, running a shaky hand through his tousled hair before burying his face in his palms.
When would these dreams stop?
Nine years had passed since that fateful day, yet the memories remained as vivid as if they had happened yesterday.
If not for that creature, he would have died that day.
He remembered the fear, the overwhelming terror of watching those monsters lunge at him. And then, the relief—no, the confusion—when something even more terrifying had saved him instead.
To this day, he still didn't know what to call it. A beast? An alien? Something else entirely? He had no answer. But he knew one thing for certain—it was his savior.
Because of that incident, he had never attended another excursion or picnic. The trauma lingered like a shadow he couldn't shake. He had never spoken of what happened that night, not to anyone. People dismissed his story, saying there was no 'pink tree' where he claimed to have gotten lost. They called it a hallucination, a trick of the mind brought on by fear.
But he knew the truth.
He had seen the beast rip those creatures apart. And the sight still haunted him.
His parents had no idea he was plagued by these nightmares. He had never told them.
Pushing the thoughts aside, he exhaled sharply and rose from bed.
There was no point in dwelling on the past.
He had a day to prepare for.
---
**One Hour Later…**
Descending the stairs with effortless grace, Dave entered the dining room, where his parents were already seated, waiting for him.
He carried himself with a quiet confidence, his outfit a perfect blend of comfort and sophistication. A snug, well-fitted top complemented his slender frame, while tailored pants added a refined touch. Every detail of his appearance was meticulously in place, exuding an air of effortless charm.
His face, a masterpiece of delicate features, was framed by soft, sun-kissed strands of hair. His smooth, fair skin glowed under the morning light, and his expressive eyes—framed by long lashes—held a depth of emotion that was both captivating and unreadable. A slight arch of his brow and the subtle curve of his lips completed the look, radiating an allure that was impossible to ignore.
As he took his seat, he greeted his parents with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Dave dear," his mother said affectionately, reaching out to pat his neatly combed hair.
"Morning, Mom," he replied, leaning into her touch. "How was your night?"
His mother beamed at him. "Wonderful, sweetheart. And yours?"
Dave hesitated for only a second before nodding. "Fine."
No need to worry them.
He was the only son of the Walker family, the light of their lives. His parents adored him, their love unwavering and boundless. In their eyes, he was their precious jewel, the center of their world.
And while their love was a warm embrace that shielded him from many things, it could not protect him from the ghosts of his past.
No one could.