Greed

One

A howl rang out in the distance, startling Anne as she was walking through the village. It was almost dark, making the area even more ominous. The winter air was met with the cool nighttime breeze, freezing Anne to the bone. Her hands trembled as she pulled her coat tighter against her body as she stomped through the thin blanket of snow. The basket of fruits and vegetables on her back felt like a million pounds. They're coming, she thought, better get to the cabin quick. Being out this late frightened her and she was eager to sit by a warm fire and wait the night out. Maybe she would pick up with the novel she started the night before, it's not like she would be able to do much of anything else.

The village was a ghost town, not a single resident to be seen. The fog swirled as the wind began to pick up, causing the already rickety windows to clap on the almost deteriorated cabins around her. Though it was not abnormal, knowing she was walking the streets alone put Anne on edge. Villagers were too frightened to come out at this time, which made sense. Since the factory was put in, lycans began to appear. They roamed the streets at night, making the residents of the village turn to protection spells and prayers to make it through the night. They were superstitious people who clung to their beliefs like a lifeline.

Anne was the same, yet she found herself out late because she needed to gather food for her family. There was slim pickings, which caused her to take even more time as she had to separate the good produce from the rotten. Their limited garden was shrinking, which was worrisome as it was their only means of food now. Only the rich and those in close relations with the four lords and Mother Miranda were lucky enough to have meat. It was up to the villagers to grow and harvest their food, yet it was near impossible to get anything to grow. It was as though their beloved village was slowly dying, in means of the residents and the land.

Shadows seemed to grow darker as she continued up the path towards her cabin. Anne felt as though she were being watched by something lurking within the dark. The tree vines seemed like tentacles attempting to reach out and grab her ankles. She quickened her pace. The darker it got, the more danger she was in. Though she had not encountered any lycans herself, she heard the stories and noticed the missing villagers. Elders had kept the incidents quiet, telling the children that lycans were just stories, that illnesses and accidents stole away their loved ones. It was their way of comforting the young ones. Yet, they could not explain the screams heard throughout the village as the lycans stole another life.

The porch steps were slick with grime, squishing below Anne's feet as she trudged into the cabin. Relief flooded through her body as she plopped the basket down and sank into the nearest chair. She closed her eyes and thought to herself, I'm home. Silently thanking the gods she made it back without trouble, Anne also sent a silent prayer for the others to make it as well. Wind began to pick up outside, causing a draft throughout the home. Anne told herself she would start a fire after resting her eyes for a minute, the journey between her home and the village garden was a long one and it always took a lot out of her when she returned. However, she was happy to do so as long as it meant her family would live another week. Anne slowly began to drift off to sleep, exhaustion finally getting the better of her.

Heavy footsteps caused her to jolt awake in fear. Anne shot to her feet and wildly looked around, only to see her father's tired, yet smiling face staring at her from the small hallway. He was leaning heavily against his crutch, which meant his leg was giving him trouble again. His leg hadn't been the same since a piece of lumber fell on him while adding onto the house. Anne frowned, wanting to scold him for getting out of bed when he was in such obvious pain, yet she couldn't bring herself to do so as she knew how much he loved and worried for her.

"You're okay," he breathed out, limping into the living area. Anne smiled as he embraced her, relishing in his affection. "I've been worried sick." Guilt flooded through her, knowing the conclusions her father must have come to when she didn't come home on time.