PROLOGUE
THE WOMAN AND THE BEASTS
The birds fled in the sky when they heard a gunshots echoed throughout the forest. The sun is also setting on the horizon, the glowing orange colors starts to fade on the atmosphere. A woman turned her glance in the distant, where a man with his rifle rested on his shoulder, emerge on the forest. On his left hand, holds a lifeless bird and its blood trickling a driblets on the grasses. It seemed he was on a bird hunting, his tired eyes darted on the lambs.
"Minerva", the man uttered.
"Hm? Yes, father?"
"You should put them in the fence. It's nightfall", he spoke hoarsely before he continued on his way through the door.
His wife looked delighted when he have food on his hand, she carefully takes the bird on her husband's grasp before placing a light, blissful kiss on his cheek. She beckoned her husband to come in, but it seemed the husband isn't pleased at all. Minerva, their daughter, looked once again on the surroundings. The green grasses darkened, the skies slowly became purplish, implying that the night will arrived.
Minerva turned, driving the lambs on their fences, as she turned her head, she caught a glance of a figure of a person standing near a tree. Minerva gulped nervously, but decided to shake those mind off before moving away.
The chimney puffed a smoke, the wife had just began cooking the average size of a bird that her husband caught during hunting. The smell of her cooking revolves and filled the kitchen, its steam flowing like a wind on the living room, even Minerva could sense it. After the wife prepared their supper, they assembled on their dining table. Usually, they clasped their hands and murmured, praying about them being constantly healthy and the food that the Grace provide for them.
"Amen", murmured Minerva.
And her parents followed. "Amen."
They eat. Minerva could hear her parents chattering, she didn't intend to overheard them though they were talking about adult stuff that she barely knew of. While chewing every bit of meat into her mouth, the figure of a person flashes back through her mind. It was as if she was being watched or was she just imagining it? Even so, she can't stay at ease. Minerva steal a brief glances on her parents, gripping the fork firmly and urging herself to tell them what she saw back in the forest.
When her parents noticed how Minerva's hands shaken while holding her utensils, they stopped their conversation and glanced at her. Minerva seemed lost in thought, she even gasped, thinking it was the anonymous figure she saw earlier that stroke her hand but it was only her parents. They looked so worried about what makes her anxious.
"Minerva. Are you okay?" The wife said confusingly.
"You are spacing out. What were you thinking?"
Minerva looked down. Slowly pulling her hand away from her parents touch, then shook her head.
"No. I-it's nothing", Minerva lied.
After hearing her response, her parents didn't ask for more what is bothering in her mind. As they finished eating, plates are on sink, three of them went to bed. Minerva couldn't sleep, her mind wonder about the figure. Even how many times Minerva forced herself to sleep, she couldn't bring herself in. A couple of hours later, Minerva snapped on her thought when she heard something, it was a cry of an animal that made her sat upright on her bed.
Minerva's chest pound heavily, with a look of worries, Minerva moved towards the window and slid it up — but in the darkness, she couldn't see anything strange. It was like a void, however, she could still hear the noise in the distant, then she heard a rustle, it was moving towards the forest — Minerva quickly shift her gaze there but she saw nothing since it was so dim. Minerva didn't caught whatever it is causing a sound in the distant. She slumped back on her bed, convincing herself it was just only her imagination which worked out and she sleep peacefully on her bed.
The next morning, Minerva opened her eyes abruptly, hearing her mother screamed hysterically. Minerva then rushed outside, looking astounded when her eyes witnessed a dread sight. Few of their lambs are dead, their blood splattered on the fence. Seeing the dead lambs bathing on their own blood, Minerva clenched her fists angrily when her mind flashes back that night. So it wasn't an imagination — the screech, it was their lambs, and the rustle she heard and was heading in the forest is the perpetrator. How could she missed the face of them?
"If it's not only dark that night", Minerva mumbled to herself, still clenching her fists.
Five days had passed, Minerva couldn't shake the image what happened that morning, when their lambs are all lifeless, as if they were tortured mercilessly. She would blame herself up for not catching a glance of the culprit, if only that night when the moon were only bright, she would know whoever it was. Still, she had a conclusion that it's possible that the figure she saw that dusk is the perpetrator. But could that person be the perpetrator?
"Minerva?"
"Minerva."
"Minerva!"
"Uh", Minerva turned to her mother. "Did you c-call me, mother?"
"I am. What's happening to you?" Her mother said, moving closer to Minerva and land a hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"I — I am alright", Minerva lied, looking away.
Her mother sigh, somewhat relieved as she confirmed that her daughter, Minerva was good as ever. "Are you really alright, Minerva? You can tell me what's bothering to you?"
The mother turned to their brown crops on the field.
"We still haven't harvested this day. After what happened that day, I can clearly tell you were traumatized."
Minerva nodded, agreeing on her mother's point.
"But I'm really fine, mother. It's just — there is other things shuffling on inside my head", Minerva admitted.
"Well. I assumed you're acting up your age", her mother said.
Minerva averted her gaze, biting her lower lip hardly, battling with her mind whether she will blurted out the figure she saw that day or not. Before she could part her lips to speak, her mother patted her back which caught her off guard.
"We're going. Watch the farm for momentarily", her mother said calmly.
"You're going to the capital, mother?"
The mother nodded. "Well, yes. There is something me and your father needed to discuss there. We will be back right away, so take care, Minerva, okay?"
"Yes, mother."
Minerva embraced her mother, before the father called out for his wife and the wagon is ready to go. When the wagon moved away, Minerva waved a good bye before their vehicle is completely out of her sight. The wind was swishing wildly, her long skirt billowed, her strawhat drifted away from her head. She tried to reach it, however, the wind is so strong that her hat were carried away on her sight. She sighed disappointedly.
As she turned her glance sideways, she paused on what she had seen. It's apparent now — she wants to pinch herself if what she saw as of today is a dream or not, apparently, it wasn't a dream. There's a man, a man wearing a shabby and a ragged clothes, and he was smiling at Minerva. He stood there near a tree, and he was holding a neat hat — it was Minerva's hat. Minerva blinked over and over to confirm that the man she saw was just only part of her illusion but he wasn't. She tried, but failed.
She clenched her fists resentfully, her mind replaying back that night. As brave as she is, Minerva take a step once and shouted;
"It's you! It's you, right?! It was you who killed our animals!"
Minerva panted as she put all of her strength to shout, however, the man wasn't moving, it was as though he become a statue and continue to admire Minerva on her spot. It only made Minerva infuriated, so she took a deep breath and shouted again.
"Don't pretend! I know it's you! It's you who killed them! How, no — why would you do something inhumane like that! Why would you do that! What for!"
And so the man only blink and smiled at her efforts. Minerva gritted her teeth in anger, she was wishing that she could cross his boundaries and punch him straightforwardly on the face but she hold her eager fists from doing it. The man slowly lowered the hat on the ground, then he smiled endearingly at Minerva. Additionally, he even blew a kiss in the air for her.
Minerva grimaced from his nerves to blew a kiss just for her. And the man slowly walked back in the forest to leave her alone. Minerva who isn't satisfied with his reckless gestures and want to hear more a reply, shouted, "You're stupid enough not to admit the truth! But I can see the truth in your eyes that it was you who did it! It was you! You won't get away from it!"
Minerva breathes heavily, exhausted from the constant shouting she did. She is certain that it was that man who did it. Minerva wanted to follow the man in the forest but she decided not to let her emotions erupt at this very moment for her parents say it was dangerous to wander alone in the forest with no weapon along. So Minerva leave it for a day.
The next morning, Minerva is occupied with throwing seeds on the ground to feed the chickens, she paused when she sense there's a pair of eyes watching her. So she abruptly turned her head towards them, she looked surprised that she didn't have the strength to speak — there's no way it was a joke or a prank. That man — the man she saw that day is shooting fierce glares at her. Her eyes shifted to his left hand. She even looked more terrified when he is clinging a dead bird on his enclosed fist. The hunt seemed fresh, the blood is dribbling against the grasses and what's more to it that caught Minerva shakes violently — the man smiled at her creepily.
It was as though he had an ulterior motive prepared in his mind.
Minerva couldn't sleep that night, every time she switch positions on her bed, her mind pictures the smile of the unknown man which made her uncomfortable. She tried and tried to closed her eyes, forcing her mind to think blankly but it was no use. The man's smile pops in her mind every single time. Minerva couldn't take it no more, so she sprang on her bed, her face buried on her palms.
"Why I am like this? Why I kept thinking about the man? He looks so creepy — no — much worse — he is a lunatic."
Minerva removed her hands on her face and sighed sharply, plopping on bed as she stared the ceiling absentmindedly.
"If I could just forget his face. He looks an old man anyway."
It was a nice and cozy weather this morning, and as usual, Minerva was feeding the chickens, few lambs survived since that night which revolves freely in her mind. She couldn't forget about it, and the man. Her parents are on field to harvest their crops or they would set off to the capital, leaving Minerva solely in their house and farm. She is used to it, and today, it seemed it is very natural and peaceful day that she giggle while throwing the seeds on the ground. Is it really peaceful? Or not?
Minerva's lively laughter faltered, when she turned her head, hoping that the man won't appear like a ghost near the tree. She dropped her bowl on the ground, her lips parted to outermost shock when that man — unmistakably standing there, on his usual spot.
"N-no way", Minerva stammered.
The man stood there, still and quiet, as though his motive is only to admire Minerva in the distant. Minerva, who was getting a chills on the man's presence, instantly turn and went inside their home and slammed the door furiously. She was shaking helplessly on the door, her legs are also shaking madly and she couldn't bring the urge to speak as of now. Could it be the man was keeping an eye on her?
Every single day, the man watched her in the distant with his grey eyes. Every single day, the man would smile at her as if they were acquainted. And every single day, the man would blew a kiss on her to show how much he love Minerva from afar. It would be fair if the man would show up at night, fortunately, he wasn't emitting his dark presence at nighttime which is a relief for Minerva. The uncomfortable and unease feeling Minerva felt everyday, as the man continued to watch her as though she did something wrong, Minerva doesn't have the appetite to finish her plateful of food. It might she is about to throw up when she remember the image of his cruel smile.
"Minerva?" Her mother spoke first.
"Uh… y-yes, mother?"
Her father glanced at her untouched plate. "You didn't touch your food."
"Ah. Sorry, I — I was full so I don't have the appetite to eat today", she lied.
"My. You've been acting strange these past few days", her mother said anxiously. "Are you sure you're alright?"
Minerva gulped apprehensively, her heart starts to bang rapidly through her chest as though it is going to explode from the tension. Minerva shaken on her seat, gathering herself to speak, as she did so, she dropped her gaze underneath the table.
Minerva parted her mouth, now this is the time to speak normally. But.. She couldn't bring up herself to tell them about the man. She's too… terrified. Her parents noticed how perplex she is, she seemed unable to control her trembling. Just she was about to speak, Minerva could see those smile underneath the table. It's grinning at her threateningly, as if it is going to devour her. Instantly, the man's face emerge on the floor.
"Ah."
The chair rattled, followed by her urgent footsteps on the staircase, Minerva had just stormed away from the dining room which made her parents looked flabbergasted.
"Minerva!" Her father called out but she's already gone in her room.
The wife land a hand on his shoulder. "Don't pressure her. I'm sure she's just depress."
"Depress?" The husband repeated briskly.
The wife nodded. "Yes. She still can't move on about the lambs."
The husband still does not looked convinced. He can tell — something is off to Minerva.
The next day, Minerva looked unhappy, the way she toss the seeds on the ground, it was no essence of bliss like the other day. There's a lot of things running in through her head, she doesn't know which to begin first, the image of his is starting to eat her. Minerva paused as she heard a rumbling of wheels and the whinnying of horses approaching on their yard. Minerva ran ahead the sound and halt as she saw her parents arrived with their wagon.
"It's still early", she said.
"Why", her father smiled. "Aren't you happy that we're home just for you?"
Minerva shook her head. "Of course, I am more happy. I don't want to be alone the whole day and deal with the chickens."
Her father laughed, the wife also dismounted on the wagon. Then a second later, another rumbling of wheels and whinnying arrived, perhaps a visitor. Minerva peered behind her father, a luxurious carriage had come to their farm, for what? The carriage pulled to a halt behind the wagon, and a man in a neat, white formal suit went out of the luxurious carriage, he look like a gentleman though.
Minerva looked up to her parents, and they looked embarrassed, they haven't said anything to her about this.
"What? Marriage?!" said Minerva surprisingly.
Her mother nodded. "Yes. An arrange marriage."
"But… why — why I am going to sold off like this", she glance at the man briefly then looked back to her parents. "I don't even know him!"
"Keep that tone down, Minerva", her father said, trying to loose the tension in the air, he knows how furious Minerva for not telling her about this matter.
"We didn't sold you. We just don't much have a choice", her father said faintly, then he looked away.
Her mother did the same.
"Why. Then why! Why didn't you tell me afterwards!"
Her mother gulped nervously before speaking. "It is because… we know you don't feel safe here. That's why… that's why we don't have much a choice. We are only doing this to keep you away from harm that's occuring in this countryside. That's why… we confided you to this nobleman."
Minerva gazed the nobleman, he did deliver a small smile back to her anyway.
Her father cleared his throat. "You don't have to worry. We assure you that he is not a bad person than what you think he is. We already made a deal. You're going to go with him. Whatever it is happening in this countryside or the danger in the forest, we will put you up only for your sake before it's too late."
He looked down, grabbing Minerva's hand gently before stroking her knuckles as he continue to spoke sincerely. "We won't forgive ourselves if something happen to you. So consider this, Minerva. Get out of here. And go with him."
It was as if someone caught Minerva from her throat that she is unable to speak, the reaction she expressed on her face is fear. They were right about the danger they mention, what if the man whose sneaking in the forest just to see her will going to put her to harm.
"I don't want to marry. Not ever. Even if it's going to kill me. Even if that man would climb on my window to slaughter me just like what he did to our animals. I refuse to marry", she said grudgingly while stuffing her things in a bag.
"I won't marry. How can they be so selfish. I don't want to leave them. Why are they doing this to keep me safe from the creature who killed our lambs. Who cares. I know there is something behind this."
"Could it be money? In exchange for me? Is that why they are always off in the farm and went to the capital every single day? But why? Why would they sold me to a nobleman?" Minerva didn't notice she was sniffling and slurring while she is speaking solely to herself.
She cried silently, never going to happen that she is going to like the idea of marrying. There's only a way to get away from this madness. And that is… escaping.
Minerva waited for her parents to drift from sleep. She realized it is almost midnight, well, she's relieve that they look so peaceful in their bed, Minerva was there to adore their sleeping faces before going back to her room. Everything is settled, Minerva lit up the lamp to enlighten the surrounding of her room, then she bent down to reach for her things underneath her bed. It was successful and Minerva couldn't wait to run off on her supposed marriage with the nobleman.
Minerva moved towards the window, lowering the rope on the ground, when everything goes smoothly as ever, Minerva looked determine to leave by her own. She grasped the rope and slowly descend on the window, as she reached on the edge, Minerva lowered her foot on the surface. The moment her sandals touched the ground, she feel reluctant. Is this really the only way? Why not talk regarding this matter in a calm and peaceful manner?
"No. There's no going back", Minerva thought to herself and then she set off into the darkness and beyond.
Where would she go? How silly of her leaving the lamp on the floor then started walking in the middle of the night. She can't see through the dark. How would she going to survive? Actually, she does not know. Minerva was acting recklessly that she does not know where her foot drag her, but she had a tense feeling where she is right now. Well, after a moment of wandering like a lost puppy, she soon realized she was in amidst of the forest.
"Where… where am I?" Minerva murmured shakily, gripping her bag.
"Why I am here. I shouldn't be here. What if — what if that man will appear and k-kill me?"
The thought of it starts to send chills on her spine, she couldn't move an inch, she couldn't move her tounge to speak. Furthermore, her eyes were trembling in terror. The howl of creatures, whether how small or big they are, it made her shakes violently. She looked devastated as of today.
Minerva sat beneath the huge tree to control her fright, she buried her face on her knees, silently sobbing from the wrong choice she made. So her parents were right, she should just stay in the house and get married immediately, so she could… get out of this place urgently. With a numerous thoughts jumbling inside her head, it is suffice to put her to sleep.
…
"It's hot. Something is puffing steam on my face. Should I open my eyes? Maybe it's father? If it's father, why does his breath stinky? No, it smells like blood? Should I — have to open my eyes to check?"
Minerva open her eyes slightly, on her blurry vision is something like an enormous figure looming before her. So, Minerva decided to open her eyes wholly and — her heart skipped a beat. It's a werewolf, salivating in front of her.
"Tasty. Tasty. I have been watching you all day", the beast said thickly, its greasy saliva trickling on the ground.
"Now. Today mark the moment. I have been waiting for this to come. That you would be mine in one piece", the beast growled, pushing its face closely to Minerva's face then breathed.
Minerva can't move her tounge nor her legs to pull her up and run. She is too weak to do so, and she does not know what will going to happen if she dare to move. The beast looked at her, grinning cruelly as it let out a faint purr. It moved its nostril to Minerva's hair, traveling along her neck before the beast jerked its head. It looked at her fiercely, admiring the fear that is evident on her face. It seemed the beast looked entertained.
And so, the beast decided to swallow her up, it lunged forward with its mouth hanging open, exposing its white and sharp teeth. When the beast was about to devour her, suddenly, a figure that also has size of the beast, leapt and caught it, both of the large animals stumbled on the ground.
Minerva looked baffled, two huge animals were brawling on the ground when she turned to look at them. Two werewolves are fighting, the one who was trying to eat Minerva is colour pitch black, while the other one who saved her from being eaten resembles its fur a color of a snow. They snarl and growl while scratching each other's skin. Their elongated claws are digging in their flesh, leaving deep wound and blood splattered on the ground, Minerva wanted to at least escape. However, she does not have the courage to stand, her legs were weakened.
The black werewolf raised its claws then whipped it brutally on the white werewolf. The black werewolf did it again and — again and again that the white werewolf's white fur are stained by its own blood. The white werewolf retorted, it gnaw the black werewolf on its shoulder, hardly and gruesomely, the black wolf howl in pain and then shoved the white werewolf away. The white wolf backed, grunting from discomfort, the blood seemed oozing way faster now.
The black werewolf prepared to launch and HOWL — the white wolf caught underneath the black werewolf and it jabbed the white werewolf using its keen claws on its side, the black werewolf repeated the process mercilessly. The white werewolf screech in pain as the black werewolf's pointed claws thrust onto its flesh. More blood splattered and spilled on the ground, the moon was glowing brightly so everyone can witness the gruesome stabbing. Minerva could hear the squelching of flesh and claws together and she was afraid that it might her turn next if the white werewolf lose its breath.
Minerva braced herself, slowly pushing her foot up to stand. And she shout as loud as she could for this fight would end.
"STOP! STOP! PLEASE! I'M BEGGING YOU! YOU WILL KILL IT! WHY WOULD YOU KILL YOUR OWN KIND! PLEASE, I'M BEGGING! ENOUGH! ENOUGH THIS FIGHT!"
Minerva slumped on the ground, her palm on her face as she started sobbing helplessly. The black werewolf frozen in place, as well as its claws raised in the air, heard Minerva. The black wolf turned its head to her, then slowly get off of the miserable white werewolf. In a blink, the black werewolf escaped on the view.
Minerva continued to cry, even though everything had ended. On the other hand, the white werewolf is bleeding terribly, it tried to get on fours but it staggered and fall. Minerva's continuous sob recedes, lowering her hands, she saw the white werewolf struggling to get up on its feet. She didn't think the white werewolf as a threat so she run towards it and checked for its wound on its body.
"Y-you're bleeding. It will get worsen if you didn't treat urgently. I need to help you", she said.
But the white werewolf whimper as a refusal for her assistance. Minerva didn't persist, as it was the werewolf's wish. She sat in silence, running her delicate fingers through the white werewolf's fur. They stayed like that for a moment… until, the white werewolf jolted, glancing around the surrounding and back at the sky, it's almost daybreak.
It get up on its fours, and is trying to run away. However, its wound making it weakened that its walking wobbly. Minerva stood, watching the desperate white werewolf to get away, as if this huge creature is afraid of the broad daylight. Slowly, the white werewolf is now be able to run, enduring the pain it received from an invincible opponent. Minerva wanted to follow the path where the werewolf had vanished, but she hold herself back not to do any funny ideas by thinking that. Then the wind breezes soothingly, as if it there is no trace of hostility occurred in here. The wind embraced her vulnerable skin, she closed her eyes and the sun casted lights on the atmosphere, announcing the arrival of a new day ahead.
In the distant were a voice calling for her name, Minerva wheeled around, seeing her parents and other villagers approaching by on her direction. They carried a lamp on their hand, seemingly, they were searching for her since earlier when her parents found out she was missing. Her mother who looked so anxious, strode towards her and pulled her to a hug.
"Why did you run away. You — you made me worry", her mother said, close to crying.
"Don't you ever do that again", her father spoke.
Minerva cried, hugging her mother back. They get so emotional. Who would've thought they could find their daughter here in the forest with no company. Her father looked around, then shiver when he saw the blood splattered on the ground.
"What — what in the world happened, Minerva?" he said anxiously.
"Hm. This forest is dangerous, she's lucky she survived", the other villager said abruptly behind them.
"Ah, yes. I've also heard that there were monsters roaming in this area at night."
"They said it's a Bigfoot. Some say a nightwalker. Fortunate you, lady, that nothing done harm to you."
The father looked at her daughter, grabbing him hastily on the shoulders and searched for any wounds or scratch attach on her skin. He seemed unease.
"Father. I'm alright. There is nothing wrong with me."
"I don't care. If I knew that my daughter had been hurt by those beings, I won't forgive myself", he said insistently, continuing his search on her.
"Father. I am alright. Please listen to me", said Minerva, holding her father's face to stop him from panicking.
Her father sniffed and hug her firmly.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Minerva. If we hadn't acted for ourselves without asking or consulting you. You won't climb out of the window and run away from us. I'm ashamed. I'm ashamed that I got to be your father. I put you in risk. I'm sorry", he said in a slur voice, well, his tears got him too.
Minerva shook her head. "No, father. You and mother… you are just doing this for me. And I didn't consider that. You and mother are only putting me away from danger, I appreciate it. If I should have just be an obedient little girl, I would not give you and mother too much trouble."
"No, you are not a burden, Minerva", her mother said abruptly then she joined in on their crying sessions.
After they expressed their feelings against each other, they glanced at the blood spread on the ground. As if something huge were battling over that spot.
"What really happened Minerva? Can you tell us?"
Minerva looked on the ground where she could still hear and see the two beasts fought.
"I guess I am lucky. I'm lucky that I was saved", she murmured.
"Saved by who?" the other villager asked confusingly.
"I can't tell… it's too dark that time", she lied, biting her lower lip.
"What the matter is that… you're safe, Minerva. I will assure you to back off the deal. So none of this happen again", her father said assuredly.
Minerva smiled at him. And when everything is settled, they left on that spot. However, Minerva paused, turning her eyes on that one spot where the white werewolf laid and seek comfort. She doesn't have the chance to say good bye nor thank you, but there is one thing that would remind her of the beast if they happen to run across by fate again. Its golden eyes. There is something special about them that Minerva would remember it was her savior.
"Minerva", her mother called.
Minerva was staring too long at the spot, realizing she is too stunned just by thinking about it.
"I'm coming."
Then, she turned, walking beside her parents and slowly, they disappeared on the sight.