A Hunter's Curse

Chapter 5: Trust

" Many, many years ago my great great great grandfather Howling Wolf, as he was so ironically named, was out searching in the woods for "The Great Wolf" that had been rumored to be in the area, believing that the wolf was his spirit animal he went looking for it so that he could make an offering to it. He made a fatal mistake....he went out on the night of the full moon." Mileena whispered and finally turned around to meet Manak's innocent brown eyes.

He gulped.

Mileena continued, " Upon entering the woods a howl ripped through the trees and my grandfather knew that he had found what he was looking for and followed the sound to a clearing, but little did he know that he was been followed by none other than the wolf itself."

Mileena paused watching Manak's face which had an interested look rather than a nervous one like before.

"My grandfather had felt a warm breath on his neck and when he turned around he came face to face with the beast. It snarled at him and it was said to have hunger in its eyes and all of a sudden it pounced and bit him so hard that his chances of survival were slim. He was found the next day by some members of his tribe, barely breathing, and they carried him back to the village where he healed within 2 weeks."

"The next full moon he began to change, feeling sickly and getting aggressive. The village chief was with him at the time and ever since then the curse has been carried down through the family and it became traditional to tell the chief, whoever they may be, about our history so he at least is aware of any danger and can protect the village without killing one of us. So nobody but my family,the chief of our village and now you knows about our family secret." Mileena finally finished.

"So that's why you ran away last night, to try and protect the camp." Said Manak as he realised what she had been trying to do. "Yes, i would never dream of hurting anybody other than an enemy," Said Mileena quietly "you must please promise me that you will not tell anyone about me, people already think i'm strange but i don't want them to fear me too..."

Manak heard the sadness in her voice and saw tears glistening in eyes, ready to fall. He rushed to her side and took her hands in his and comforted her" Hey, its alright, i promise not to tell anyone and i don't think your strange, i think your quite strong to burden your curse and everyone's judgement but you shouldn't listen to them, hey i'm your friend now right?" He asked with a small hopeful smile and Mileena couldn't help but smile back.

"Yes i guess you are" she laughed. Manak dried her eyes for her."Good now lets go and eat breakfast, i'm starving" he said with a big smile as he took her hand in his and dragged her out the tent.