Always Fear the Forest

Loupeau - Prologue

The village of Loupeau was one not widely known of. An insignificant place to most, and a name they'd heard in passing to others. If you spoke of it not many would react, most would likely ignore the name, some might inquire. But it wasn't familiar to many people in the country.

But to those who do know of the place, they would all tell you the same thing. Regardless of whether they'd spent a moment or a year in the village they would all tell you one thing.

Do not go there.

No one was ever able to put their finger on it exactly, what it is. What sends a shiver up peoples spines as the enter through the twisted, wrought iron gates, coated in dead vines and winged by two large wolves. Rusted and snarling at visitors. Weeping streaks of discoloured metal from their eyes and mouths. Something changed in the air at those gates. People found that they couldn't put into words what it was about it that felt so unwelcoming, unsafe and cold. But something was wrong, the town itself was sick with something that didn't seem to have a cure. A perminent dark cloud hung over Loupeau, a visual representation of the spiritual plague. Sunny days were rare and suspicious.

The people were kind enough, personally welcoming to anyone who stumbled upon their quaint home. Visitors were rare and treated well. But the town itself was unnerving. Those who live there are born there. By cruel fate of birth and lack of fortune to change their surroundings, generation after generation have grown up together in the eerie place. No one moved to Loupeau. No one wanted to.

And the residents of Loupeau will tell you another thing:

Always fear the forest.

It was a caution instilled into every citizen of Loupeau from birth. Under no circumstance are you ever to enter the forest to the north of the village. The road that travelled along the edge of the dark woods was all but abandoned, no one dared to go near it, even if it is the fastest route to the closest town. Everyone took the longer route the one with a much smaller chance of a mysterious death or disappearance.

It isn't without good reason that the forest is so feared. There are many stories that circle, rumours of all manner of things, lurking in amongst the trees. Some verged on truth, others were complete fantasy, but none were quite right. Only a few know of the real threat, the creature that preys on humans and animals alike. The monster on the village door step.

But no one speaks of that, no one even hints at what is in the forest. A hushed, stoney silence would fall if anyone dare bring it up. They only ever mentioned the warning, the warning is the only answer to any question. A farewell among loved ones and neighbours. A welcome message to strangers.

Always fear the forest.