Part 1
In the dormitory hallway, the sound of rain hitting the windows served as a constant backdrop to the movement of people in the place. Helena, wrapped in her cloak and with a worried expression, was walking quickly when she saw Liam approaching. He was slightly wet but trying to appear as presentable as possible.
"Helena!" Liam called out, trying to hide the tension on his face.
"Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Helena stopped, her gaze meeting Liam's. There was a slight smile on her lips, but her eyes revealed a certain hesitation. "Of course, Liam. What do you need?"
Liam, trying to maintain a light tone, continued, "I just wanted to check on you. After what happened yesterday, I thought it would be good to know if you're okay."
Helena forced a smile. "I'm fine, thank you. I'm just... a bit busy, you know? A lot on my mind."
Liam seemed a little confused by the response, but he continued. "If you need someone to talk to or if there's anything I can do to help, I'm here for you."
Helena slowly nodded, trying to keep the conversation cordial. "I appreciate the offer, Liam. I really need some space right now. I think it's best if I go."
Liam frowned, surprised by the response. "I understand. I just didn't want to make you uncomfortable."
Helena made an apologetic gesture with her hand. "It's not that; it's just... I need some time to process everything. Thank you for understanding."
Without waiting for more replies, Helena quickly said goodbye and walked away, her rapid footsteps echoing in the damp corridor. She headed towards Ed's room, her thoughts still restless.
When she reached Ed's door, she hesitated for a moment before lightly knocking. The sound of the knock seemed a bit muffled by the constant rain outside. When Ed opened the door, he greeted her with a look of surprise but soon smiled upon seeing her.
"Hi, Helena. What can I do for you?" Ed asked, opening the door for her to enter.
She walked in and settled into a chair near the table, looking at the soft light of the moon filtering through the window. "Hi, Ed. I... need to talk about something."
Ed sat down beside her, with an attentive look. "Of course, go ahead."
"Yesterday, Liam... he confessed that he has feelings for me." Helena began, her voice a bit hesitant.
"I was surprised and didn't know how to react. He's a good friend, and I didn't expect that."
Ed raised an eyebrow, thoughtful. "I had noticed that he seemed interested in you. I didn't imagine he'd be so direct, but it does make sense."
Helena sighed, looking at the moonlight. "Yeah, I didn't expect it either. I tried to be a good friend to him since I helped him. When I met him, he was a bit lost, and I offered help. I never imagined it could lead to something more."
Ed leaned in a bit, intrigued. "How did you two meet? I know Liam arrived not long ago, but I never heard much about the beginning of your friendship."
Helena smiled slightly, turning to Ed with a nostalgic look.
***
Helena had strayed from her friends to explore a bit on her own near the wall. The rain was pouring down incessantly, making the path slippery and difficult to walk. As she walked along a less visible trail, she spotted something unusual on the ground.
As she got closer, she realized it was a young boy she didn't know, lying there injured. He was all bruised and bandaged in a makeshift way, with the rain mixing with the blood and mud around him. Helena stopped, shock and concern mixing on her face.
"Are you okay?" Helena asked, her voice coming out softly. She was clearly alarmed and hesitant, but the situation forced her to act quickly. The young man, with half-open eyes and a pale look, was struggling to breathe. He seemed young, maybe around her age, and his condition was critical.
Without waiting for a response, Helena knelt beside him, her eyes examining his wounds. The rain kept falling, mixing with the tears that started to slip down her face. She needed to act fast.
Carefully, Helena tried to adjust the makeshift bandages around the boy's wounds, attempting to stop the bleeding and offer some relief. "I'm going to help you." she said, her voice firm despite her nervousness.
"I need to get you somewhere safe."
The young man tried to murmur something, but the pain prevented him from speaking clearly. Helena knew she needed help, so she did her best to support him. She helped him stand up, with one arm around his shoulders and the other holding his waist, and began guiding him back to the city.
***
Ed listened attentively as Helena recounted the incident near the wall. When she finished, he looked at her with an understanding expression.
"Now I understand why Liam likes you." Ed said, his tone reflecting the clarity gained after the story.
"The way you helped Liam… It's that generosity and care that made him fall for you."
Helena sighed, looking down. "I like Liam, but as a friend. He was very important to me, and I appreciate what he does for me. But I don't feel the same romantic feelings for him."
Ed tilted his head, thoughtful. "I understand. And you're thinking about what to say to him?"
Helena nodded. "Yes, I don't want to hurt him, but I also don't want to give him false hopes. I'm not sure of the best way to respond to his confession."
Ed thought for a moment before responding. "You know, honesty is always the best path. If you don't share the same feelings, it's important to be clear with him. Saying what you feel as sincerely as possible will help avoid problems."
Helena looked at Ed, grateful. "Thank you for the advice. I'll try to be honest with him. I don't want him to feel rejected, but I also need to be true to my own feelings."
Ed smiled slightly, understanding. "You'll do fine. Just speak the truth and keep the respect. He'll probably understand, and it'll help keep the friendship between you two, if that's what you want."
Helena smiled back, feeling a bit more relieved. "I'll follow your advice. Thank you for being here and helping me see things more clearly."
Ed made a supportive gesture. "Anytime. Good luck with your talk with Liam."
Helena nodded, feeling more confident about facing the situation with Liam. With one last smile at Ed, she stood up.
Part 2
Liam was walking towards the dormitory when he spotted Helena standing near the entrance. Their eyes met, and he noticed an expression on her face that mixed seriousness and nervousness.
"Helena, what are you doing here?" Liam asked, approaching her.
"It's late to be out of the dormitory."
"Liam, I need to talk to you." Helena replied, a determined tone in her voice.
"Can you come with me to your room?"
Liam nodded, curious and a bit concerned. "Of course. Let's go."
He led her down the hallway to a small set of stairs that led to the residents' rooms. The rain intensified, creating a constant sound against the windows and filling the environment with a slightly more stifling smell than usual.
Liam opened the door to his room, lighting an oil lantern that stood by the entrance. The room was simple but functional. The walls were decorated with maps and documents, and there was a small table with a wooden chair. A simple bed was pushed against the wall, covered by a slightly rumpled wool blanket. There was also an old wardrobe in the corner and a stone floor that seemed a bit damp due to the night's humidity.
However, what immediately caught Helena's attention was the strong, unpleasant smell that lingered in the air. It was the scent of carrion, a stench of decomposition mixed with the dampness of the environment. Helena grimaced, trying to disguise her discomfort as she looked around.
Liam noticed Helena's expression and frowned. "Sorry for the mess. I didn't have time to clean everything today. It must be the smell of hunting gear and some provisions I left here."
The rain fell at a steady pace, its patter against the windows blending with the distant sound of the storm. The light from the oil lantern cast distorted shadows in Liam's small room, creating a dark and unsettling atmosphere. Helena, seated on the chair near the table, could still smell the decomposition lingering in the air, but she was focused on what she needed to say.
Liam, with an anxious expression, looked at her. "So, what's your answer? About what I told you?"
Helena took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Liam, I can't return your feelings. I really value our friendship, but I don't feel the same. I'm sorry."
The silence that followed was heavy, and Liam tried to hide the pain in his eyes. "I... I understand." he murmured, but there was something in his tone that was more than just sadness. There was a growing unease.
The full moon, visible through the large window of the room, cast a pale, supernatural light on the environment. The moon's glow seemed to intensify the feeling of discomfort and anguish that was growing in Liam. Suddenly, a tremor began to run through his body, and he gripped the edge of the bed tightly, his eyes widening with a mix of fear and pain.
Helena watched, her heart racing as she saw the transformation. Liam's body began to twist in a grotesque and brutal manner. His skin seemed to melt, peeling away as if it were being torn from the inside out. The layers of skin that fell away revealed muscles and bones that were reconfiguring into a new form. His bones cracked and elongated in almost impossible ways, forming a different bodily structure with each moment.
He groaned in pain, a sound that mixed agony with a kind of primal roar. The process was violent, with Liam's body distorting in a horrifying spectacle of transformation. His fingers elongated, his nails turning into sharp claws. Liam's head stretched, his jaw expanding to make room for a bestial snout and sharp teeth. His eyes, once human, now glowed with a fierce, predatory light.
The process lasted only a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity. When the transformation finally ended, Liam was now in his werewolf form, a monstrous and imposing creature. His eyes, still carrying a glimmer of the humanity that remained, looked at Helena with a mix of fury and despair.
"No... you, no!" Liam growled, his voice now a combination of roars and a deep, almost inhuman tone. His skin was still covered in bloodstains and wounds from the transformation.
Helena, paralyzed by terror, tried to stand, but her body seemed to struggle to obey. With a quick movement, she drew the small knife she carried with her, her hands trembling as she held the blade in front of her as a last line of defense.
"Liam, please, don't do this!" Helena pleaded, her voice echoing a mix of fear and desperation.
But the werewolf, now frantic and agitated, charged at her. His movements were fast and brutal. Helena tried to defend herself, slashing the air with the knife, but Liam was relentless. He grabbed her with overwhelming strength, and his sharp teeth found Helena's neck, sinking into the flesh with a painful crunch.
Helena screamed, the pain spreading through her body as she tried to push him away. Her eyes were fixed on the full moon, still shining ominously through the window, as a silent witness to the brutality unfolding in the room.