The Monster Within - Book 1

Chapter 11

I'm laying in my bed, drifting in and out of sleep when I sense a presence in the corner of the room. The same presence that was lurking in the bush outside the restaurant. Instantly my eyes shoot open. Suddenly, I'm wide awake, knowing that I'm not alone. I sit up in the dark room, squinting to see if I can see anything. I feel the same pull on my body that I felt the other night. Like I'm a magnet, being drawn to whatever is in here with me. 

Without seeing anything, I hear the tapping of claws on the floorboards, drawing closer and closer. My breathing hitches in my throat as I wait for the beast to make itself known. But even knowing what I was about to face, couldn't prepare me for the fear and adrenaline coursing through my veins when that black furred beast came in view. My eyes follow the animal as it circles my bed, teasing me as it draws near and then turns, walking back to the bottom of the bed. Then without warning, it pouncing onto the mattress, glaring at me from the foot of the bed.

'I'm not scared of you.' I lie, unable to hide the tremble in my voice.

It snarls, baring its monstrous fangs as it creeps closer to me, forcing me to lay back down on the bed as it surrounds me, giving me no room for escape. Its face was mere inches from my own, but somehow I knew it wasn't going to hurt me. I didn't know how I knew it, but I did.

My hand moves of its own accord, moving to its body as my fingers run through its fur. It was soft. Softer then I ever would have guessed. I watch my fingers as they disappear below the jet black, touching the muscle underneath. The beast stills and growls at me in warning, but I ignore it, running my fingers up its its neck. Suddenly, the beast snaps its jaws so close to my face I can feel the heat from its breath. My eyes pinch shut on instinct, as I turn my face away. But still holding onto the animal, I feel the fur change beneath my fingers. I feel the soft hide turn into warm skin. My eyes snap open as I look back to the beast, to find it gone, replaced by the dark, stranger from the hospital. My hand rests on his chest as I gaze up at him, a mixture of shock and apprehension coursing through my body. I whip my hand away as if his skin has burned me, embarrassed I was even touching him. For a moment he just looks at me with those deep, penetrating eyes before I feel the need to fill the silence.

'Who are you?' I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He doesn't answer me. He just continues to watch me as he rests on his hands and knees above my rooted body.

'Why are you here?'

Still no answer.

'Say something.' I say with a hint of annoyance in my voice.

'One week.' He utters, his velvet voice sending a shiver through my body.

'What's one week?' I dare to ask.

Silence again.

'Can... can you not do the whole silent, mysterious thing. Please. What's going to happen in a week?' 

'The next full moon.' He answers, as if that was explanation enough.

'What does that have to do with anything?' I ask getting very impatient, being held prisoner in my own bed.

He says nothing more, as remains on all fours. I almost flinch when he moves a hand from its position, bring it to my neck. He pulls on my necklace, bringing it out from underneath my clothing. He twirls the pendant in his hand as he examines it, like it means something to him.

'Have you seen this before?' I ask, this time eliciting a nod from him.

'Where?'

He doesn't reply.

'When?'

More silence.

He places the pendant back against my chest gently, pressing his warm hand against my bear skin. Then his eyes find mine again. Neither one of us moving for a long time and at some point during that look I become very aware he has no clothing on. His naked form so close to me. I should be scared. I should be screaming that some stranger has broken into my room and is on top of me naked, but something inside me tells me I'm safe. But that knowledge still doesn't stop my eyes from wondering down his body, taking in the sight.

A small smirk plays on his lips as my eyes come back up to his face.

'Do you not own any clothes?' I throw at him, pretending to be appalled.

But my question doesn't seem to make that retched smile fade. 

'Who are you?' I ask again.

'You already know...' He replies, climbing off the bed. 'Now it's time to wake up.'

'What?'

'Wake up.'

Then he's gone. The morning light shines brightly into my room as my mobile vibrates on my bedside table. It takes me a second to answer it, still a little out of sorts. With one final big breath I reach for it, pulling it to my ear.

'Hello?' The sound of sleep still clear in my voice.

'Hey Cassie, It's Petra.'

'Oh, hi.' I reply with a red mist of embarrassment creeping over my face at the thought of biting her son last night.

'It's Ester.' She starts 'I think you should come back to the hospital. It's not looking good. I think it's time.' She tells me in her calming, motherly voice. 

I pause, taking her words in very slowly, realising she means that today might be the day my nan leaves me. I pick up the phone and call Justin to see if he'll drive me. But he doesn't answer and I can't blame him after what I did to him. I feel more annoyed with myself then at him as I rush out the front door, hoping to get a bus in town to the hospital. I close the door behind me and start jogging through the woods. scolding myself for not having a car already. As I run through the woods I come up to the old Conri house. I continue to run past it when I suddenly collide against a hard mass, ricocheting me to the floor.

'So it's true.' Archer states, looking down at me on the floor with no attempt to help me up.

'What's true?' I ask with annoyance as I pick myself up.

'I can smell it on you.' He says, ignoring my question.

'I'm not in the mood for this. Get out of my way.'

I try to push past him, but then his strong fingers grip the top of my arm, pulling me against his chest.

'Let go of me.' I shout, trying to pull free of his grasp.

'Why don't you beg me?' He breathes into my hair.

'What the fuck is your problem?' I shout, pushing at him, trying to put some space between us.

'You are.' He shouts back, bringing his face right up to mine. 'Everything was great until you came back. Now he's awoken to claim you.'

'What?' I say with complete confusion. 'Why does everyone around here talk in riddles? What is happening?'

'In 6 days you'll change and he'll claim you as his promised queen.'

'You know, I really don't have time to listen to the rantings of a crazy person. Let me go so I can see my nan in the hospital for the last time.' I growl as a single tear slides down my face, unable to control my emotions any longer.

He doesn't respond, but he drops his hold. The second he lets go of my arm I push past him and run. I run all the way through the woods, into town and up to the bus stop just as the bus pulls into the lay by. Then I'm gone without a backwards glance.