ONE SHOT COLLECTION #2

The Moonlit Shadows #44

The year is 2050, and while the world has grown more modern and advanced, some ancient myths still haunt the edges of civilization. In a small, quiet village nestled at the edge of a vast forest, there are whispers of creatures that roam the night—werewolves. For years, the elders have kept these stories alive, warning villagers to stay away from the dark woods where these monsters lurk. Yet, amidst the fear and superstition, one young woman finds herself drawn to the very place they all fear. Amy, a dreamer with a heart full of curiosity and a yearning for something beyond the ordinary, finds herself embarking on an unexpected journey of love and danger.

Amy had always been captivated by the forest. Even as a child, the stories of dark creatures and dangerous werewolves never deterred her; instead, they sparked a fascination deep within her soul. The elders told tales of these creatures, their howls echoing through the night, but to Amy, they were mere legends, stories meant to frighten children.

It was a crisp autumn evening when she first ventured toward the forest's edge. The sun had just dipped below the horizon, and the full moon rose like a guardian in the sky, casting its silvery glow upon the earth. The wind rustled the leaves, and as Amy stepped into the shadow of the trees, she felt the weight of the legends pressing against her. Yet, there was something in the air, something magnetic, that made her heart race with excitement.

The deeper she wandered, the more the world around her seemed to fade. The village, with its predictable routines, became nothing more than a distant memory. But as the night grew darker and the shadows longer, Amy felt an overwhelming sense of being watched. Her pulse quickened, and a voice deep inside urged her to turn back. But before she could, the rustle of leaves interrupted her thoughts.

Out from the shadows emerged a figure—a man, tall and imposing, his presence both comforting and frightening. His eyes, glowing gold like molten amber, seemed to pierce through the darkness, and Amy's breath caught in her throat. His features were sharp yet kind, his dark hair framed by the moonlight. There was an aura of mystery about him, as though he were part of the very forest itself.

They stood in silence, each staring at the other, and Amy felt a pull in her chest, a strange, magnetic attraction that neither her fear nor the legends could explain. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and rich, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Hello, Amy," he said, his gaze softening. "I've been waiting for you."

"How do you know my name?" she whispered, confused but somehow unafraid. She should have been terrified, but instead, all she felt was curiosity.

"I've been watching you," he replied. "I've seen you wander near these woods before, drawn to them like a moth to a flame."

Before she could react, he stepped closer, and Amy felt an inexplicable urge to trust him. She hesitated for a moment before asking, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and fascination, "Who are you?"

"I'm Michael," he said simply, his eyes never leaving hers. "I am... not quite like anyone you've ever known. But I promise, I mean you no harm."

Her heart raced in her chest, her curiosity now fully awakened. Amy was caught between the eerie stories of the forest and the undeniable pull she felt toward him. She stepped closer, her breath catching as she reached out to touch his arm. His skin was cool to the touch, like marble, and the sensation sent a spark of warmth through her.

"Michael," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. "What are you?"

A faint smile curved his lips as he looked down at her, his eyes flickering with a sadness she couldn't quite place. "I am... something that shouldn't exist. A creature of the night. But that doesn't matter now."