The music drew Claire deeper into the heart of the forest. Gone was the primal fear replaced by a cautious curiosity. The melody, a melancholic sonata on a single piano, seemed to weave through the trees, guiding her steps. It was strangely familiar, a tune that tugged at the edges of her memory.
The dense foliage thinned, revealing a clearing bathed in the ethereal glow of the moon. In the centre stood a dilapidated cabin, its windows dark and hollow like empty eyes. The music emanated from within, a mournful cry echoing off the weathered timber.
Taking a deep breath, Claire cautiously approached the cabin. The wooden porch creaked ominously under her weight, as if protesting her intrusion. Hesitantly, she placed a hand on the rough, worn door handle. It was unlocked.
A sliver of fear pricked at her, but the melody, raw with emotion, held her captive. With trembling fingers, she pushed the door open, hinges screaming in protest.
The interior was shrouded in shadows, the only light filtering through cracks in the boarded windows. The air was thick with the musty scent of neglect and decay. Following the sound, Claire crept deeper into the cabin, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribs.
The melody led her to a small room, barely bigger than a closet. Moonlight streamed through a gap in the boarded window, illuminating the source of the music. Ethan sat hunched over a dusty upright piano, his fingers flying across the keys. His eyes were closed, his face etched with an emotion Claire couldn't decipher.
But he wasn't alone. Crouched in the corner, bathed in moonlight, was a creature that sent a jolt of terror through her. It was massive, easily twice the size of a large wolf, its fur a mottled gray, its eyes glowing with an eerie emerald fire. Sharp fangs gleamed in the moonlight, the low growl from earlier rumbling in its throat.
Ethan, oblivious to Claire's presence, poured his emotions into the music. Each note seemed to resonate with the beast, its growls softening to a low whine. As the final notes of the sonata faded into silence, Ethan's eyes snapped open.
Claire froze, trapped in a scene straight out of a nightmare. Ethan's face, pale and drawn, bore a haunted expression. His gaze met hers, a flicker of surprise giving way to a wave of emotions – fear, anger, and a deep, almost desperate, plea.
The beast in the corner shifted, its gaze locking on Claire. A low growl rumbled in its throat, a sound that sent shivers down her spine. Before Claire could react, Ethan sprang to his feet, a fierce determination replacing the haunted look in his eyes.
"Run!" he roared, his voice a desperate command.