The Fray of Werebirds [Discontinued]

Chapter 5 - Beauty or Beast?

Rustle.

My eyes snapped open abruptly. The light was no longer visible in the inky forest, and the weather began to grow rather cold. I sat up painfully. I had slept at a very odd angle, and my hand that held the knife was stiff.

Rustle.

A wolf emerged from behind the bushes.

Oh, great, I rolled my eyes.

I swayed onto my feet and said bluntly, "Listen, bro, recently I was shot in the chest, and today I almost got squashed by a car. I'm pretty much fed up with this whole 'being in danger' thing, so, please, beat it."

A deep growl resonated from the wolf as it drew its lips back; revealing a row of sharp, yellow fangs. Woops. Its eyes glinted, which made it seem all the more savage. Still trying to keep up the brave guy act I held the knife up, ready to attack at any moment, except that my hands were trembling unruly.

Gulp.

The wolf pounced. An abnormally large bird swooped down and managed to strike the wolf's face. The wolf yelped, blood spraying all over its fur. Startled, I watched as the bird flew back and forth, clawing at the wolf's face.

The latter howled with rage and slashed the flying creature, injuring its wing. The bird squawked and viciously tore one of the wolf's eyes out. Whimpering, the wolf retreated, its tail hanging between its legs.

Once the battle subsided, the bird landed and its feathers began to shimmer. Gradually, its wings shrank into the shape of arms and its claws grew into legs. Bewildered, I witnessed its beak and its beady eyes morph into a human girl's face.

Not just any girl, but Sirena herself.

When the transformation was complete, Sirena gazed at me with unfocused eyes. Her face was pale and I glimpsed blood dripping off her arm, but the gash seemed to be healing already once she touched it.

"I need some sleep," she winced, "Wake me up at dawn, and don't you dare try running off again."

With that, she closed her eyes and collapsed on her back.

For a really long time, probably for hours, I stared at Sirena, trying to wrap my mind around what I just saw. She was a beauty, sure, but she was also a beast.

Beauty.

Beast.

Beauty.

Beast.

I nearly thought of plucking flower petals.

I pinched myself several times. It definitely wasn't a dream. Fear seized my heart, overwhelming every single shred of logic I had. It's natural for humans to want beasts dead, right?

Maybe if I kill her, I won't be in danger anymore, I thought, glancing down at the knife in my hand.

I crawled closer to her body. She was exceptionally cute while sleeping that, for a moment, I almost wanted to stroke her hair. I quickly shook the thought away, reminding myself that she wasn't a normal girl.

I recalled the way she had spoken to me and all the fear and pain I had suffered because of her. Resentment filled my heart once more. As long as she was alive my life would constantly be in danger. Besides, if she could fight a wild wolf who knew what she could possibly do to me?

I might never get a chance like this again, I thought, trying to muster up my courage.

Convinced that it was the right thing to do, I raised the knife in the air, aiming for her heart.

I shut my eyes and thrust the blade down as hard as I could.