Beast of Ashford

(Author's Note: The song that inspired this story is linked above, but if it doesn't work, you can always use this one:https://youtu.be/mXgL7tQwpwc?si=bfiiw8jA4KA-HZUA)

Please Enjoy....

Beast of Ashford

We are all curious beings, trying to navigate our way through this dangerous battle life. This world is ever-changing. People are always coming and going. Sometimes, it can be hard to keep up. But for some reason, we can never quite come to a consensus on this word..."monster." When many people hear this word, their thoughts turn to the fantasy realm or the supernatural, but those are just a load of hogwash. No, a monster is not something that can be just invented; it cannot be fabricated. No, no, no! Allow me to tell you what a monster truly is.

I remember one year traveling to the village of Ashford, where I learned about a great tragedy that befell the village some years ago. The population  couldn't have been more than 300. Stores lined the entire street corner, and there was only one school: Lapin Blanc Academy. And our story begins with the lost student of Class D-3.

Her name was Shiori Kurogane, age 14. Blonde hair. White alice bow. Wore a blue sailor outfit with black shorts. She was your average middle schooler: smart, spunky, a cheerful disposition with her whole life ahead of her and surrounded by all the things that kids needed: candy, card games, and alley shortcuts. You know, the type your parents never want you to go through alone or at all for that matter. Still, everyone at school took that shortcut ten million times. Nothing bad could happen.

So when Shiori left school with her friends two days ago, she kind of half expected them to walk with her, but her friends said no. They decided to take the long way this time, and they waved goodbye watching pure-hearted Shiori walk down that alleyway alone. Did they really think she would make it? Or did their conscience bother them a little later?

Who knows?

Two days later, Shiori came to class business as usual, but this time, an announcement was made.

"Class, we have a new student who will be joining us. Please come and introduce yourself."

The class watches as a raven-haired girl wearing a red alice bow skips to the front of the class and writes her name on the board. She turns around, revealing her garnet eyes and her soft smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Merry." The girl bowed to her new classmates, the smile on her face never fading. Then the teacher instructed her to sit in the row near the window, right in front of Shiori who gave a friendly wave. That was the start of a fleeting friendship.

During recess time, Merry and Shiori decided to sit together at the playground. They exchanged food from their bento boxes and played a few rounds of cards. Suddenly, the conversation takes an unusual turn.

"Shiori," Merry asked. "Have you ever heard of the Legend of the Black Forest?"

Shiori tilts her head in confusion. "The Black Forest? What's that?"

Merry looks up with an ominous smile. "Allow me to tell you the story."

The Black Forest is a place covered in a dense fog. The only light you can see are that of the wisps that flicker around. They say if you go into the Black Forest, you are stepping into a world beyond imagination.