The Monster Within - Book 1

Chapter 6

After spending the whole day inside with Ester again, I decide to go for a run when Trish arrives. There was this overwhelming need for me to go outside and stretch my legs. I wasn't the sort to sit inside all day and not do anything. I couldn't waste my day like that, so I slipped into my running gear and left.

Without even realising, I'd ran all the way to town.

I pulled the zipper of my hoody high up to my chin as I walked into the diner, needing something to drink.

'Hey girl.' Hayley, the waitress shouts from behind the counter. 'How's everything going?'

'It's good thanks. Just out for a run' I say, demonstrating my running outfit as sweat clings to my forehead.

'Ohh, very nice. But if I were you I'd get going. It's a full moon tonight and you know what they say...' She jokes.

'Was that not yesterday?'

'No, it's definitely tonight. I have an app on my phone. Look out the window at that moon.' She points toward the front of the diner.

I edge to the window and look up. Damn it.

I remember what my nan told me, and with the way people act around here it makes me believe that there is something to be scared of out there in those woods.

'Okay, well I better get going.' I half joke. 'Could I just grab a glass of water before I go?'

I don't hear the same noises as I make my way through the woods today. I don't hear anything. Just perfect silence. A weird eerie silence.

Where are all the birds? Where's the sound of the breeze and the rustle of the leaves?

I start to feel uneasy from the lack of noise as I carry on running towards the cabin in the darkness of the night with only the flash light of my phone to light the way.

I push myself harder and harder the more unsettled I start to feel about being out here in the woods. When I see Esters cabin not far from where I am, I slow down, relieved I'd made it back in one piece.

I'm less than 10 ft from the steps when I hear something behind me. The quiet sound of a tiny twig snap. But with the silence that surrounds it, it sounded so much louder.

Before I could turn to see if there was anything there, I'm ripped off my feet and sent flying to the floor. The side of my body makes contact with a stray rock, poking out of the ground. I move my hand to my ribs, feeling the heat of the pain. When my hand pulls back, I see the sheen of blood in the light of the moon. Not masses of blood, but enough for me to know I'll be hurting tomorrow. I stay on the floor confused about what happened. Did I trip?

Then something grabs my ankle and pulls my body away from the house. Startled, I scream as my arms swing around, trying to grab hold of something, anything to anchor myself too. But its no use as my body whips passed all the trees too quickly, making it impossible for me to reach or hold onto anything.

I can't even move my head to see what has hold of me. All I can do is feel the razor sharp teeth of the beast digging into my skin, threatening to remove my foot from the rest of my leg.

I scream out again, hoping someone might hear and come to my rescue, but there's nothing. The woods are silent around us as the creature lets go of my leg, long enough for me to turn around and see it's not a bear at all.

As I lay on my back I look up to the wild, angry wolf looming over me. The beast bears it teeth at me in a vicious snarl as I try to pull myself away on my elbows. But with every move I make to put some space between us, the wolf moves with me, denying me any freedom. A pathetic whimper escapes me as I look between its prominent fangs and the deathly look in its eyes.

Without warning, It lunges at me, gripping me shoulder between its teeth. It bites down, sending a blazing shot of pain through my body as it draws blood.

In that moment I know I'm going to die. This is it. There's nothing I can do as the wolf drops me and picks me back up with his teeth, playing with me like a chew toy. Every time it picks me back up in its teeth, it pierces my skin, until all I can feel its the heat from my blood, poring from me.

As I lay there, feeling woozy, I know I have to try. I have to try and fight back. But with the beast twice my size I don't know if there's much I can do it protect myself.

Lost in some sort of delirium I guide my bloody fingers through its thick fur, moving towards its head. For a second, the beast hold on my loosens as I caress its snout. It's breath is warm against my touch.

With the pain dulled I can think more clearly. I run my fingers over its face one more time before gabbing the creature in the eye hard enough for it to release its hold on me, entirely.

The beast yelps, momentarily blinded.

I take my chance and run as fast as I can, towards the cabin, hoping the beast isn't following me. I don't know how I manage to make it back, but when I do I rip the door open and slam it shut behind me, locking it as if it'll stop that thing. Sucking in gasps of air I try and look through the window, but darkness takes me. I don't make it any further then the front door when my body drops to the ground, pulling me into an unconscientious state I wasn't sure I ever wanted to wake up from.