RED HOOD ✔

3: GIANTS MAKE GREAT TARGETS

"That again? Whoever you guys think is the 'Red Hood' isn't me. I'm just plain Vincent," I say, exasperated by their insistence. They both smile at me, which irritates me even more. Why are they smiling? Am I amusing them? This isn't funny. "Vincent, there is nothing plain about you, you are—" Aunt Liza begins, but a loud sound from the woods interrupts her.

"They're coming," Apsychos announces grimly, his face hardening as he scans the shadowy treeline. "We will need you to camp out for the night, to keep them from hurting anyone else," Aunt Liza adds, her voice tinged with sadness, as if the memories of past tragedies weigh heavily on her. "I won't let that happen again," Apsychos interjects, his tone grave, as if reflecting a personal vow against whatever horrors they'd faced before. It's clear they don't want to delve into those memories; the pain seems to still linger.

Aunt Liza turns to me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, the mask of her usual strength faltering. "How about you take Vincent with you, teach him a thing or two about the place?" she suggests to Apsychos. I'm about to protest, to say that I want no part of this, but the look of desperation on her face stops me. It's as though she's holding back a sea of sorrow. "Fine," I relent. "I'll go, but we're not done with this conversation." Still unsure, I follow Apsychos into the woods.

The forest at night is a realm of eerie quietness, where the occasional owl's chilling hoots pierce the silence periodically and the rustle of leaves beneath our feet adds to the symphony of nocturnal sounds. Oddly, the air is tinged with the rich, familiar scent of coffee, adding a surreal layer to the experience. Apsychos, looking more at ease in this environment, strikes up a conversation with the trees—yes, the trees. I stay silent, my mind reeling from the day's revelations.

Suddenly, one of the trees, its bark wrinkling into what looks like a smirk, asks, "And who's that guy?" Apsychos replies with a proud smile, "That's Vincent, the new hood." The tree laughs dismissively. "Ha! Him, the new Red Hood? That's a good one. Ain't he a bit too small to be the Hood?" Anger flares within me. What does my size have to do with anything? I'm completely capable of being the next Red Hood, even though I don't want to be.

Before I can voice my frustration, a deep growl cuts through the night. Apsychos hears it too, because he suddenly picks up his sword and tosses another one to me. I instinctively dodge, afraid it might hit me. "Pick it up, you might need it," he says urgently. That's when I remember Aunt Liza's earlier warning about 'an evil that stalks the night'—the beast of Gi ton Thàvmaton.

"That's it, isn't it? The beast," I whisper, my voice barely audible. Apsychos nods just as another growl vibrates through the air, and I swear I see a pair of glowing red eyes peering at us from a bush.

Hello, Vincent.

"Apsychos, did you hear that?" I ask, panic rising.

"Hear what?" He turns to me, puzzled.

No need to fret, Vincent. It is I, the beast.

The voice in my head makes my skin crawl. I clutch the sword with both hands, ready to defend myself despite the beast's assurances.

No need for that Vincent, I will not harm you today, just wanted to see you for myself, the next red hood is truly here... I have to say, I am quite disappointed, you are no where close to being the red hood your mother was, but alas I can only hope for your potential, looking forward to devouring you as well.

I would love to stay here and chat, I must depart for now, just know this: your time will soon come Vincent and this will not be the last time we'll meet.

The glowing eyes vanish, leaving me shaking. "Apsychos, I heard it, the beast," I say, my voice trembling.

"It spoke to you? What did it say?" Apsychos asks, concern etching his features.