Ch 1: The Beast in the Shadows
The sky was overcast, casting a gloomy, grey hue over the empty, abandoned park. The place had an unsettling stillness to it, like the land itself held its breath, waiting. The old metal gate creaked in the wind, partially rusted and half swallowed by the overgrown vines. It was as though nature had begun to reclaim what once was a place for laughter and joy. Now, it lay in silence, untouched, except by the few brave—or perhaps foolish—souls who dared wander into its depths.
Mahnoor was one of those few. At 23 years old, she had a bold spirit, a curiosity that often drove her to places most people avoided. She wore her confidence like armor, though today, she felt a faint prickle of unease as she strolled along the cracked path of the abandoned park. Dressed in a simple black sweater that clung to her perfectly thick, curvy figure and a pair of jeans, she looked more out of place here than anywhere else. Her diamond nose pin glinted faintly in the dim light as her long, dark hair swayed gently with each step.
This park, once full of children's laughter, had been closed for years now. Rumors circulated about why—the whispers of mysterious disappearances, sightings of strange creatures lurking in the shadows, and, more chillingly, the animal killings that had brought death to the doorstep of those brave enough to venture too close. Yet, Mahnoor wasn't one to be easily scared. Still, today something felt different.
Her steps slowed as she noticed the signs of something unusual: large claw marks on the nearby trees, scattered bones half-hidden by the brush, and a distinct absence of any sound—no birds, no insects, just the wind.
Suddenly, without warning, something grabbed her.
A large, clawed hand wrapped around her wrist, yanking her into the shadows with a force that left her breathless. Her scream caught in her throat as she was dragged swiftly across the ground, the world spinning around her. She tried to fight, tried to pull away, but whatever had hold of her was impossibly strong.
Her back hit the cold, damp floor as she was thrown into a dark, cave-like space, hidden beneath a thick overgrowth of trees and rocks. The air was colder here, more suffocating, and the stench of old blood mixed with the damp earth filled her senses. Gasping for breath, she struggled to sit up, her hands shaking as she braced herself against the uneven ground.
Her heart raced as her eyes adjusted to the dim light filtering into the cave. And then she saw him.
Towering over her, a creature unlike anything she had ever seen. At least seven feet tall, his body was covered in a thick coat of dark blonde fur, his muscles bulging with raw power beneath it. His face—half-human, half-lion—was a terrifying blend of primal beast and man, with sharp golden eyes that glowed in the shadows. His mane was wild, framing his broad, fierce face, while his large paws, equipped with deadly claws, scraped the ground as he stepped closer.
Mahnoor's breath hitched as the creature let out a low, rumbling laugh that sent shivers down her spine.
"Human female..." his voice was deep, a growl that echoed in the cave. "Ahahaha, after so long... another kill today after ages!"
Her blood ran cold. Every instinct screamed at her to run, but her body was frozen in place, paralyzed by fear. She swallowed hard, her mouth dry, and managed to force the words past her trembling lips.
"Uh, no... please... don't kill me," she stammered, her voice weak, almost a whisper. "I, I won't tell anyone anything. I'll... I'll disappear. I'll never come back. Please, don't hurt me."
The creature's golden eyes narrowed as he crouched down in front of her, his massive form blocking out what little light there was. His sharp teeth glinted as he smirked, his breath hot against her skin.
"That's what they all say..." he growled, his voice thick with amusement. "But no one ever leaves." He circled her slowly, his massive body moving with an unsettling grace. "Unless, of course, you can satisfy this lonely lion... and keep me company."
Mahnoor's chest heaved, her heart pounding wildly against her ribs. She was trapped, cornered in a den with a beast that had clearly killed before. Her mind raced, desperately searching for a way out, for something—anything—that might save her.
Her hands clenched the cold earth beneath her, her knuckles white, as she dared to look up into the creature's eyes. There was something more there, hidden beneath the bloodlust and violence—a loneliness, a desperation she couldn't quite place.
The cave felt smaller now, the weight of his presence pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe. Her thoughts were a tangled mess of fear and survival, and yet, somewhere deep down, something told her she might be able to reason with him. If she could just find the right words.
The lion-man stood over her, his tail flicking behind him impatiently as he waited for her response, clearly amused by her fear. His golden eyes watched her intently, like a predator playing with his prey.
"I..." she swallowed, her voice trembling but stronger now. "I can keep you company... if that's what you want. I... I'll stay."
Lazarus paused, his eyes narrowing slightly, curiosity flickering in their depths. He tilted his head, his expression unreadable for a moment, before his deep, rumbling laughter filled the cave once again.
"Bold, this one," he mused, his voice mocking, but there was a hint of intrigue now. "Very well, human female. Let's see how long you can last."
Mahnoor shivered as his words echoed in her mind, her heart still racing. She wasn't sure if she had bought herself time or simply delayed the inevitable, but for now, she was still alive. And that was all she could cling to.
The beast stepped back, watching her with those sharp eyes, his smile never fading. He was a predator, and she was his prey—but maybe, just maybe, she could survive this.