Don't go out tonight.
It's bound to take your life.
There's a bad moon on the rise.
- Bad Moon Rising by: Creedence Clearwater Revival
***
"What's this? Oh, a little boy. How wonderful. Come, child, come.
Come and play. Let the moon tell you her secrets.
Come and play. Forever and ever."
***
This wasn't what he was expecting. Not in the least.
***
"Oh? And what are you doing out here all by yourself, child?" the voice makes him jump, turning on heel and stumbling back as a woman towers over him, pink lips spread in a soft cheeky smile. "It's not safe."
She gives another pleasant smile, small hands twisted in the fabric of her scarf as bouncy caramel curls fall over her shoulders and chest in waves and waves of browns and gold. And even though girls are still an unknown species to his little mind, with their odd behaviours and masked words, he cannot deny the fact that this woman is beautiful, gorgeous and perhaps even that dangerous word his mother scolds him for. Hot.
"Well?" her voice is like honey, sweet and smooth, though a bit sticky and he blinks repeatedly, trying for the life of him to think of a good excuse of why he's out here.
"I--uh--well--" her lips part and anything he has to say comes to abrupt halt, because jesuschristwhat'swrongwithherteeth?
Soft pink lips part more, curling up and exposing shimmering teeth and a flicking tongue, lapping and twisting around the sharp edges. "It isn't safe, boy." her tongue flicks out again, briefly tapping the tip of her nose and he stumbles back again, scrambling on the dry grass as his back hits the dirt floor. She grins, eyes twinkling and holycraparetheyredohgodtheyreredohgodohgodohgod.
"I-I-you-but-" his words stop again as she leans down, sniffing and snorting.
"Oh...don't you smell delightful? Young and still fresh. Untainted." her teeth bare, snapping at the air near him.
His skin crawls, her breath smelling nothing short of the roadkill he had prodded with a stick the other day. Like death.
He reaches for leverage, trying to get up, to run because she's getting closer, the once beautiful face twisting and cracking. Pink lips bleed, stretching across her jaw in an unnatural manner, teeth bared and yellow, eyes dark with hunger and blood lust. "Don't be scared." she whispers, voice like gravel and smoke, deep and thick, scratching the surface of the air. "Who's afraid of the big, bad wolf?"
Her words are taunting now, jaw dropping as she snaps and licks at the air surrounding him, back hunched and curved, the bones of her spine twisting and stretching. He lets out a small whimper, fear clouding his senses as he scrambles for purchase against the dying grass beneath him.
She was crossed now, neither human nor wolf. Caramel curls fell in clumps along her broadening shoulders, eyes slanted up and blinking crimson, dark tongue rolling down to flick at the hair along her chin.
"The moon promised me a mate," it was nothing more than a low growl, a huff of steam leaving her nostrils. "I was beginning to think she failed me."
"Creature's gunna find a mate tonight." his heart thuds in his chest as Jess' words echo through his clouded mind. "Forever and ever mate."
--------------------
"Riley Timothy Lexington!" the voice is high and shrilled, clawing at the back of his skull. He visibly flinches, eyes closing briefly in agitation. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Out." he grounds, tugging his coat on. "Won't be long." he adds, as some form of reassurance.
"Out? Out?" she snaps, plump face growing pink. "Do you think you can just waltz out of here like you're the king of England?"
He frowns, slipping on his mittens. "Mom-it's the Queen of England." he regrets his words as soon as the leave his mouth.
"That's it! That's it!" her voice is booming now, filling the living room. "Your room. Now! You are ten years old. And do you know what that means, child?"
He opens his mouth, then bites his tongue, grey eyes narrowing in a sharp glare. His mother seems to not notice, going on in her little rant. "It means exactly that. You are a child. Not a adult. You can not just come and go as you please. Especially at this god awful hour." he bites his tongue just that much harder. "Go to your room, right this instant. Your father will have a word with you in the morning!"
Grey eyes grow wide, before narrowing once more, a sharp tang of blood filling his mouth as he nearly bites his own tongue off. "Of course, Mother."
***
The window glides open with ease, a head of dark curls poking out. "To hell with staying in." he climbs out, sliding down the siding of the house with grace from previous years of practice. His feet thump lightly on the grass and he grins his triumph briefly to the moon. His eyes flicker to the gates, zooming in passed the bars and into the woods ahead. "Perfect."
***
((A/N: You've just meant two new characters. Yeah! Though I will tell you, the female with no name does not show up again to much later on. But our little guy here, Riley, has a huge part in this story:) Though I'm sorry for the short chapter.
Hope you all enjoy!))
YOU ARE READING
Lay Your Weary Head to Rest
Adventure"Why are you crying?" His ears twitched at the sound. Soft and innocent. Comforting. Two large paws fell away from his snout, a quiet whimpering following. "Don't cry."
