The Ruby Empire

The Forest Monster

Female Reader x Male Monster

It was during this time of year your little village became engulfed in fog. Every morning and evening it swept down the streets like flooding water. Sometimes, it was so thick and opaque that even the brightest lanterns could not penetrate it.

It was during this time of year that curfews were placed in effect. If you had to travel outside of the village you had to wait for the fog to clear. You could not return until you were certain you'd return during daylight. People whispered that while the fog was out, that was when the creature that lived in the woods was able to roam free. He could slither out into the village and steal babies from their cribs. Slip under the sheets of virgins. All sorts of hurried whispers as people place charms and extra locks on their doors and windows.

When the town wasn't glutted with fog, the woods were still a place to be avoided. All your life you had heard stories and warnings to never go into the woods. The creature that lives there would find you. Once it did, who knows what horrible things it would do to you.

"Like what?" You had once asked when you were really young.

"Well," you father says with a hesitant voice. "All manner of awful things. Does it really matter what he could do to you?"

"You say awful things," you say with a huff. "Bur awful could mean he makes me eat squash or steal my candy."

You mother tries to suppress her laugh from. While your father can only shake his head in exasperation.

"That isn't the sort of awful I mean little one." He sighs, running his hand down his face.

You still have a hard time not questioning this supposed creature as you grow up. You pepper anyone who will listen with your questions and theories about it. You wonder why he never comes out into the fog when he can. Every time there is a fog no baby ever goes missing. No virgin ever gets sullied, even though you find that even more ridiculous.

You father fusses that you stare too much at the woods. "He'll see you staring. He sees everything."

"Why does it matter I'm staring?" You ask back. "It's right there. Everyone stares at it. Why does my set of eyes matter?" You huff and return gazing. Your head always so full of questions. Part of you doesn't believe there is anything in there except the usual wildlife. Yet there is a deep part of you that yearns for the creature to be real. There are days your eagerness to prove everyone wrong (or even right) is so strong you make it to the edge of the woods. Every time though, you shrug and head back home. You make some feeble excuse to yourself about why you can't make yourself do it. You know, though, that the fear is the village has rubbed off on you. You're as afraid of the forest as anyone else around you.

One day, you folks have to travel towards the coast to meet with family arriving on the ship. You stay home to keep an eye on the house and tend to things before the company arrives. You way your folks off as they head off in the carriage. As soon as they are gone though, so are you. You packed a small bag the night before and filled it with water and as well as some bread, cheese, and dried meats. You've decided to stop being afraid. You're going to go into the woods come hell or high water. Well, you hope that hell doesn't happen.

You come to the edge yet again. You face it, eyes wide and fists clenched tight. You take a few deep breath and close your eyes and hold your hands out far in front of you. You take a step and then another. You step inside blind. Only opening your eyes when your hands touch a tree. You look up and then behind yourself. The trees split the scenery and you exhale. You continue forth. No reason to go back now when you're already inside.

You were teased that if the creature should ever find his way into the village you would be the first it came for. When you would ask for a reason why they would laugh harder.