Hell Beast

I am a monster

I wake up the next morning, slightly confused. I then remember I had fallen asleep at Olivia's house, and she had been cuddling me as she slept, god she was adorable...

I then realize she is no longer in the bed. I groggily get up and walk downstairs. I go into the kitchen to see her pouring a bowl of cereal. Her hair is slightly matted on the side that was pressed against me.

"Morning, sleepyhead," she says as she looks up. I smile.
"Morning."
"Want breakfast?"

Olivia shakes the box of Cheerios in her hand. I take them from her hand and begin pouring myself a bowl while she starts eating. I join her at the table a few minutes later.

God, she even eats beautifully. At eight in the freaking morning, too. She is just a gorgeous creature.

After we eat, I throw my dishes in the sink and follow her back up to her room.

"I, um, should probably be getting home..." I stutter.
"Oh, yeah," she says, her face falling slightly.

I go back into the bathroom and change into my clothes from yesterday. She gives me a tight hug.

"If you need anything, just tell me," she whispers as we pull apart.

I nod and let myself out, going out to my car. I hesitate, wanting to go back to her. I want to run into her arms and kiss her, to confess my feelings. I want to tell her that she is my world and I need her to save me.

I know that I can't. So I start my car and go home.

-----

"I'm home!" I shout as I walk in the door.

My mother walks out, slightly glaring at me.

"You need to train." She sneers.

I consider protesting, but decide against it. It would only create more problems and more difficult training. I trudge up to my room and change into shorts and a t shirt. When I come back downstairs, I see my brothers, Gus and Sawyer, already shifted and ready to go.

All three of us have dark hair, and green eyes which turn red. We all get pale skin and fangs when we shift, but mine are the longest. Gus is a year older than me, and has long claws and razors on his arms. Sawyer is three years younger, and has long horns and shorter claws. He has not been training long, as we only begin to do the course when we turn 13. I have been training for five years and I'm still not quite perfect. He has only been doing it for one.

Both boys look at me and nod. I sigh and shift, my tail poking out of my shorts. We all walk outside, and then begin running down a dirt path which leads into the woods. We know our parents will be waiting.

My brothers and I arrive, slightly sweaty, and see our parents glaring at us. We immediately stand in front of them, awaiting instructions. My mother and father also have the black hair, green turning red eyes, fangs, and pale skin which runs in the family. My mother has long horns and feathery wings. My father has long claws and a razor like tail.

I feel my parent's red eyes boring into me. I am tempted to look down, but I steady my gaze straightforward.

"Do the course," my mother growls in a bored tone. My brothers and I move in sync, as the unit we had been trained to be. We had done this course a thousand times, and have it down to a near science.

The course is composed of many medieval looking torture devices. We are first met be a ton of spikes shooting out from the walls. They are easily dodged, the sound of shoes slapping wood the only noise to be heard. We advanced to some arrows being shot at us. We all sprinted through, protecting each other. After passing through, I pulled an arrow out of one of my horns. There are more spikes and arrows and traps covering the expanse of the long chamber. Gus and I get through easily, pulling Sawyer along.

This is only the warm up. At the end of the hall, we are to be met by the true task at hand. It is an arena which is usually used for us to face animals or other creatures, but occasionally we are pitted against each other. Today, we will only be going up against a few mortal animals.

We enter into the arena, where we face four lions. I am relieved, as they are not a very difficult animal to fight. Gus immediately attacks one, using his razor arms and claws to shred it. The lion thrashes and flails. I sink my teeth into another's neck, waiting for Gus to come finish it off after he has finished his. I stay fastened to the lions back, attempting to drain the life out of it. I taste blood filling my mouth, and try to swallow as little as possible.

I then realize that Sawyer has never faced lions. He has no idea how they work, how to effectively fight them. I then hear Sawyer scream. I extract my fangs from the lion I am on, hanging onto the thrashing creature. I use my tail to anchor myself as I look over to see Sawyer, with a lion growling atop of him. Gus is preoccupied with his second lion, and I realize what I have to do.

I dive off of the lion I am on, as it is weakened anyways. In bounding strides I run to Sawyer, tackling the lion away from him. I stick my tail into him and hang on, shouting to Sawyer.

"Go claw the one that's almost dead, right across the neck!" I yell just before I sink my teeth into the lion I am on.

The blood pulses out and I feel an adrenaline rush. I decide to finish this lion myself. I let my Beastly instincts take over.

I feel my body take over my mind, as if I am watching a movie. I tear into the lion, ripping it apart with my teeth. I use my horns to pierce it, as my tail keeps me balanced.

After a minute of going crazy, I feel the lion go limp beneath me. My adrenaline fades, and I crawl away from the lion. When I look at it, I am terrified. It is barely recognizable. Gus and Sawyer are both staring at me, as I never display that much Beastliness. I am also shocked by myself. And completely horrified.

I hear slow clapping behind me. I turn to see both of my parents, with surprised but pleased smiles on their ghastly faces.

"That was fantastic, Cameron," my mother compliments. My father nods behind her. I nod and manage a weak smile. But I am nowhere near happy.

What the hell is wrong with me?