Blood Curse

Chapter 6

It was three days after the events in the forest that the Ferrer siblings returned to Lupinoath. After a period of recuperation under the protective gaze of Micah, Adrian's wounds had healed supernaturally fast - other than the faint scar lines, there was no physical evidence that the wolf had inflicted such mortal damage. Elenor was still obviously shaken by the brutal death of Keno, and Max was unusually distant and withdrawn.

Adrian squinted as he emerged from the shadows of the forest, his eyes adjusting to the now harsh sunlight. His eyes surveyed the village, as he saw it in a completely new light - he had often complained of the tediousness of life, but was now enlightened to how much he had literally taken his life for granted.

Elenor and Max began to hurtle across the grass towards where their father sat on his workbench, but Micah's firm hand held Adrian back.

"Remember what I told you Adrian. You are to come back to my home at the next full moon. Will you be able to find the way back?"

Adrian nodded, ignoring the almost condescending nature of the question.

"Who are you Micah? Why do you live out there, with that thing loose?"

Micah's chest erupted with deep laughter, and shook his head in disbelief. Then, without another word, turned and disappeared again into the forest gloom.

Adrian started across the grass to be reconciled with his father, but was interrupted by a feral snarl from startlingly close by. Turning swiftly, Adrian was mortified to see the wolf crouched down behind him, preparing to pounce. He lifted his axe in a feeble attempt not to come to further harm, as the creature leapt, blood stained claws outstretched - Adrian flinched.

When he opened his eyes, there was no trace of the wolf. Adrian rubbed his eyes in a stupor, trying to rationalise the vision he had just experienced - but there was no earthly explanation for what was happening to him, and what was still to come.

When Adrian joined his siblings, they were in a tight embrace with their father. Ben Ferrer was a stout and strong willed man, but his face was now etched with lines of exhaustion from anxious nights spent waiting for the return of his children. His eyes welled with tears as his eldest son approached.

"Adrian, I can't believe it! You're all alive and unharmed!"

"Adrian and Max saved me father, they fought off the creature when it came for me! It hurt Adrian though...." Elenor's face dropped as she relived the occurrences of the Cursed Night.

Ben inhaled through his teeth as Adrian lifted his sleeve to reveal his scar.

"There is a man in the forest, father. He tended my wounds, and gave us safe refuge."

Ben seemed to dismiss this last statement, and replied almost too quickly, as if to change the subject.

"All that matters is that you are safe and home now. Now, you must let your mother rest. She has fallen ill with worry - don't fret, give her a few days to recover. I think the three of you should show your faces in the town, let everyone know you are alive."

******

Once satisfied that his children were away from the house, Ben moved slowly up the stairs, intent not to disturb his slumbering wife. He entered the room as quietly as possible, and attended his duties in tending to her sickness. Laying a gentle hand on Alison's burning forehead, Ben whispered softly to his wife. 

"It's ok, I'm here now."

He then proceeded to draw back the quilt, to reveal the bloodied makeshift bandage that covered the stump of Alison's arm. Ben sighed slowly, fighting back another torrent of tears.

"Though how we are going to explain this situation, I do not know."