One Shot Collection #2

44 - Moonlit Shadows

The year is 2050. Despite the world advancing beyond what anyone could imagine, ancient myths and forgotten legends still haunt the outskirts of civilization. In a remote village at the edge of a vast, mysterious forest, there are whispers of werewolves—creatures that roam the night, feared by all. The village elders keep the stories alive, warning the younger generation to never venture near the dark woods where these beasts are said to dwell. But Amy, a young woman with a heart full of curiosity and a yearning for adventure, refuses to be shackled by fear. What starts as innocent curiosity leads her down a path of love, loss, and discovery, as she embarks on a dangerous and transformative journey.

The sky blazed orange as the sun slowly sank behind the treeline. Amy sat on the porch of her small cottage, the gentle breeze carrying the earthy scent of pine and moss. Her mind wandered back to the tales of werewolves, the same stories her grandmother used to whisper before bed. She could still hear her voice: "The forest is alive, Amy. They say creatures that shouldn't exist roam those woods, waiting for the night to claim them."

But Amy didn't believe in monsters. Not really. To her, the forest was beautiful, wild, and untamed—a place of magic, perhaps, but not of fear. Her heart ached for something more than the quiet life she led, the routines that numbed her soul. There was a pull, an invisible thread that tied her to the forest, and tonight, she felt it stronger than ever.

The moon, full and radiant, began to rise. Its silver light bathed the village, casting long, eerie shadows over the cobblestone streets. Amy's pulse quickened. She grabbed her coat, ignoring the tight knot of unease in her chest, and stepped off the porch. Her feet carried her down the winding path that led to the edge of the forest, a place forbidden by the elders. But Amy wasn't a child anymore. She had heard the warnings all her life, but something inside her whispered that the forest held answers she couldn't find anywhere else.

The trees loomed above her as she crossed the threshold into the woods, their dark branches clawing at the sky. The further she ventured, the quieter the world became, the village fading into the distance until it was nothing more than a memory. The only sounds were the crunch of leaves beneath her boots and the soft, rhythmic hum of her breath. And then, as if by magic, the atmosphere shifted. Amy stopped.

A presence.

She wasn't alone.

Her heart thudded in her chest as she turned slowly, eyes scanning the trees, searching for the source of her sudden unease. And then she saw him. A figure stepped from the shadows, his movements graceful yet predatory. His golden eyes glowed like embers in the moonlight, locking onto her with an intensity that took her breath away.

He was tall, with dark hair that caught the light in silken strands. His features were sharp, chiseled, and handsome, though something about him was otherworldly—dangerous, yet oddly comforting.

"You're not supposed to be here," he said, his voice low and velvety, like the soft rumble of thunder before a storm.

Amy's throat tightened, but she found herself unable to look away. "Neither are you," she replied, her voice trembling despite the confidence she tried to project.

The man—no, the creature—gave a small, sad smile. "You're braver than most," he murmured, stepping closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "But bravery can be dangerous."

"I'm not afraid," Amy lied, though her heart raced wildly in her chest. Something about him drew her in, even as every instinct screamed at her to run.

He studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "You should be," he said quietly. "My kind... we're not meant to be loved. Not by humans."