My heart seemed to stop beating as I felt a heavy breath on the back of my neck. I immediately turned around and stepped back as a large creature with glowing red eyes stood behind me. Whether it was because I was horrified and my mind was getting muddled, because of the veil I was wearing, or because the darkness in this forest was getting thicker, I couldn't see the creature clearly. I could only see its faint figure shrouded in shadow continuing to stare at me with its terrifyingly sharp eyes.
"W... who's that?" I stammered. I already couldn't catch my breath properly.
The creature walked closer to me, but now I couldn't step back any further. My body felt very stiff. But Rosalynne, the inquisitive girl, tried to open her eyes. I tried to peek out from under my hood.
I immediately fell to my knees, almost falling over. I screamed out loud, but I quickly swallowed my sob and covered my mouth with my hands that were shaking violently.
The monster was about eight feet tall with a burly, dark-skinned body almost completely covered in black fur. His claws were so sharp that I imagined it would be very easy for it to tear through human skin to its flesh. He looked like a werewolf, but I wasn't sure myself, because his figure was quite different from the image of a werewolf that was often written about in folklore books. Although it had the legs and face of a wolf, its face was closer to that devil with sharp fangs sticking out. The stern, evil face with its large, piercing eyes and fiery red slices is more accurately described as the face of a demon hiding behind the mask of a beast. On top of that, his black mane that stretched halfway down his back twitched, blending in with the cold wind that rustled sadistically. His horns that resembled those of a ram emphasized its dashing, despotic image. He also had pointed ears and a beard like a wildebeest. The red cloak he wore waved with his mane, as if luring anyone to come closer, then ensnaring them into the shadows.
He was so terrifying. What exactly was this creature?
"Humans are so bad. I feel sorry for you who they sacrificed so they could have a peaceful life. But a deal is a deal," he said in a voice that made my heart beat faster. His cold, flat face was completely unaffected by this piercing cold.
I felt warm tears begin to well up and further obscure my vision. Who is he? What is he? My mind bounced back and forth. I sagged again on the ground that I couldn't even feel anymore. It felt like I was floating, and it looked like I was going to fall.
The monster reached out its hand, trying to grab onto something that was on me. I lowered my head, and closed my eyes tightly. Even though I knew it wasn't going to do anything bad—maybe—I still felt trembling as that horrible hand reached out and ran over my shoulder. He grabbed my hood, then slowly lifted it up and draped it over my back.
"Open your eyes!" he whispered sternly.
Slowly, I opened my eyes even though I didn't want to. Raymond! Thérèse! I called out to anyone who came to mind. Father! I was scared! I didn't dare to look at him directly. The thought prevented me from raising my head and exposing my pale face completely.
"Raise your head, so I can see your face clearly!" His voice sounded even higher.
I couldn't think straight anymore. As I looked at his hideous figure, my brain began to think of the many things that might happen after tonight—if I still survived.
"Hey, you!"
I hesitated to raise my head. Anybody, take me away from here!
The hand that was used to open my veil quickly went straight to my face, grabbing my chin and gripping it roughly until I groaned in pain. Her sharp claws almost scraped my cheek. He raised my face, forcing me to look into her pupils that now seemed to be getting sharper and narrower. His hoarse voice grew louder and louder in a stressful intonation. "There's no need to brood! No matter what happens, it's too late! You're mine now, whether you want to be or not. So raise your head and show me your face!"
My weak body no longer felt the cold. All I felt now was hysteria that made sweat pour down my temples. The monster's dark aura seemed to draw in all the air I wanted to breathe in like the black hole the royal astronomer told me about when I visited the observatory in Ferios. The claustrophobic intensified, making the clear crystals that had been held in my eyes now flow freely—and swiftly.
The creature stared at me intently. For a few moments it was silent until it finally released its grip. "What's your name?"
"Ro... Rosalynne. Rosalynne Favre."
Without any signal, the monster lifted me into the air and carried me. It looked back at me intently as if trying to ensnare and pull me into his eyes. Strangely, I could no longer look away from him even if I wanted to. He had me transfixed as she grabbed my body and lifted it up. Maybe it was his magic. Or maybe it wasn't. "Like the name of a flower, I hope you continue to bloom even in a rotten place."
Like a lurking darkness, terrorizing anyone lost in the confusing forest, he made me unable to see my way, enveloping me with his shadows that were darker than darkness itself. He made me fear many things, including herself. But, after hearing the words he spoke, I felt I had no choice but to persevere, no matter what, even though I didn't know what my fate would be in the future. Even though I don't know which path I will eventually take, and which ending I will get. I had to endure, until he felt I wasn't worth keeping.
I bowed my head, burying my face in the creature's embrace. "You were right. I am yours now. I must continue to bloom for you."