The Monster Within - Book 1

Chapter 5

I wake up feeling so refreshed the next morning. The silence of the woods was so peaceful. I never got used to the noise of the city, even after twenty years. When you experience this sort of heaven, nothing else just seems to come close. This is where I belong. The quiet song of birds chirping. The sound of the wind in the branches of the trees. This is my place. 

After climbing out of bed, I go and check on Nan. I pop my head past the door and see she's still sleeping, snoring softly. Trish said she would sleep more than she'd be awake these days. It makes me sad that I don't have long left with her. But I'm so grateful I have this time to catch up on all the years I've missed out on.
Walking into the kitchen, I open a cupboard looking for something I can make for breakfast. I find some bread and eggs and make myself some scrambled eggs on toast. And save a plate for Ester too. 

It's not long when the morning nurse arrives to give Nan her medication. She also helps Ester into the bath while she's here, making me realise how much she relies on others help. 

When she dressed and back in bed I take her breakfast to her and sit while she eats, watching the way her jaw moves as she chews her food. 

'I made a friend yesterday.' I tell as she takes another bite.

'Oh, that's nice. Who's that?'

'Hayley. I went into the diner for some food and she gave me a lift home last night. Those woods are pretty creepy at night.' I joke.

'Those woods can be dangerous.' she tells me with serious eyes. 'You must be careful. Some monsters can't control themselves during a full moon. You can't protect yourself yet.'

I scoff at her. 'You mean animals? And I'm sure I can't protect myself well enough, nan.'

'Just listen to an old woman would you, you're so stubborn. Just like your mother.'

'What's so scary about those woods?'

'Sometimes stories aren't just stories, my girl.' She says without any hint of humour.

'I'm sure I'll be okay.' I reassure her.

'I know you will. You're a smart girl.'

We spend the morning reminiscing about the things we used to do together when I'd come and visit her. We laugh at all the games we would play and the pranks we would play on my mum. They were simpler times. I wish I could go back and appreciate it when I had it. When my mum and I moved away I had to grow up very fast. My mum would work night shifts so I had to look after myself and learn to cook at a very young age.

'Nan?'

'Yes?' She replied with a tired expression on her face.

'What is this necklace?' I ask pulling mine out for her to look at. 'You have one too.'

'Ah, it's a special family necklace.' She starts, twirling my necklace between her fingers. 'All the women in our family wear one when they've become a certain age.'

'So it's a family heirloom?'

'Of sorts.' she replies before her heavy eyes start to fall shut.

As it approaches the afternoon I let Ester rest. I take the opportunity to make a shopping list of food I want to get at the store, waiting for the carer to arrive for Esters second visit of the day. 

I'm going to need to get a car for my stay here. I can't keep walking to the shops through these woods.

When Trish arrives, I leave her to it, as I try to make as much as I can of the daylight. Today I find town a lot easier than I did yesterday. With the sun only starting to go down when I make it to the store.

The same thing happens to me today when I walk in the store. Everyone glances my way, trying to work out who I am.

'Cassie!' A voice shouts from the end of the isle I'm walking down. 

I let out a sigh of relief, seeing someone I actually know. Justin walks towards me, looking at me like he hadn't just met me briefly for the first time when I arrived. The smile on his face seemed genuine and he looked friendly enough when I met him at Esters. Plus I wasn't in a position to be turning down friends, so I thought I should probably make an effort.

'Oh, hi.'

'Fancy running into you here. The only store in town.' He jokes.

'Yeah, such a coincidence.'

'Doing some shopping?' He asks.

'Yeah, Ester doesn't really eat much so there's hardly anything in the house. I'm about ready to eat a horse, I'm so hungry.'

He laughs and then pauses 'Erm... I was wondering... if maybe... you'd want to go out to dinner with me one night?'

With the break up of Paul being so recent I haven't thought about dating. I'm not in that place yet and I don't know if I will be for a long time. How can I trust anyone after what Paul did to me?

'Justin, I'm flattered...'

'But no.' He finishes the sentence for me. 'You've already got a boyfriend?' 

'No, but I've only just come out of a long term relationship. I'm not ready to date anyone just yet. Plus Ester needs me.' I add.

'No harm in asking.' He says, making me feel a little less awkward.

'Anyways, I've got some shopping to do before I head back. I'll see you around?' 

'Yeah, see you soon. I'll stop by and visit Ester soon. I know my mum plans to. My mum also wants to met the famous Cassie.' He laughs

'Well I look forward to it. I'll see you later.' I say, walking off to finish my shopping.

I only buy as much as I can carry as I'm going to have to walk this back home.

When I get to the edge of the woods a weird feeling runs down my back. Why doesn't this place not have a taxi service?

I slowly walk in looking around and see nothing but darkness. The only light source is the illumination of the almost full moon which doesn't break through the thick trees.

'Great' I say to myself as I bring out the flash light on my phone while juggling my shopping bags.

I walk in and head in the direction of my nans cabin, hoping not to get lost in the dark.

I get about half way back when I start to hear sounds, making me feel like I'm not alone.
A twig somewhere near me breaks as if it's been stepped on. The rustle of leaves as if they've just been kicked.

'Hello?' I ask the dark.

There's no answer. So I carry on walking and then there's another sound coming from in front of me. I stop. I contemplate running in the opposite direction but I decide against it. I don't want to get lost out here at night, because I'm managed to spook myself. I don't hear anything more so I move a step. There's another rustle. With every step I take there's movement from something lurking in the dark and then I hear it. A growl.

Why did I not listen to my nan about walking around in the woods at night? In the dark and all alone my imagination runs wild. Maybe it's a bear? Do bears come out at night? How fast can they run? Would I be able to outrun whatever it is that's out there?

With the fear taking over my logical mind and the adrenaline coursing through my veins, I run.

When I see the lights of the house I slow down, panting and feeling silly for over thinking the sounds of the woods.

'Monsters aren't real.' I tell myself as lock the door behind me, looking out the little window to make sure I was alone.

All I can see out the tiny, glass square in the door is the very edge of the tree line. A shaky breath leaves me as my eyes flick over the woods one last time, not seeing anything at all.