Terror by Moonlight

Terror by Moonlight- Sarah's story/prologue

    It's so dark. I have to run, to keep moving, or it'll all be for nothing. I can't let-  WOOSH!!

"Aaaaiiiieeee!"

   I fell, rolling against the side of the ditch and hitting the bottom with a thud. My hand slid on a rock when I tried to get up, and I fell into dead leaves. I scrambled to get up. Speed was my friend; I wasn't about to slow down.

   I finally got to the trees when I heard a ghastly howl. I pushed my way through the shrubbery, quickening my pace.

   I ran towards a light in the distance, adrenaline making me faster than usual. I spotted a small cabin, the light emanating from the tiny, curtained window. What ever I find there will be way better than what's out here. My feet carried me to the door. I knocked.

  A slight shuffling came from inside. I knocked again. "Anyone there?!" My terror was building. The door opened.

He looked young; 21 at the most.

  I knew I was a wreck, but I just couldn't help but seek safety in his arms. He pulled me inside and set me down on the couch. A howl sounded and I squeaked. "It'll be fine," he assured me. He didn't look too convinced, though.

  After a minute or so, he started talking.

  "So," He began, hands shaking. " Do you live in Briggsdale?" I nodded. It was close to the woods we were in.

   "Not too far from here, then."

   "Yeah." My voice shook despite my tone being light. I peered at him from under my tangled brown locks, studying him in the low light.

  He had mop of wheat blond hair, a bit messy from his hand running through it. A small scar was all that marred the skin of his large, strong looking hands. I looked up, and was shocked to find out those deep blue eyes were studying me, too. I blushed.

  He said something. "What?" I wasn't listening.

  "What's your name? Mine's Derek." A small smile played about his lips.

 "Sarah," I replied. Derek's smile got bigger. "What's so funny?"

  "Nothing. I just like your name. It's pretty."

   My face heated. I wanted the attention off of me, so I asked, "Is this your cabin? It's very nice."

  He nodded in assent. "I've lived here for a year. It's usually quite peaceful." As if to disregard what he said, the door splintered, snarls emmitting from the cracks. We jumped from the couch and Derek pushed me behind him towards the kitchen.

   Threads of drool hung from it's furry, wolf-like snout, but it was no wolf. The thing was large, towering over Derek's 6' frame. It looked like the werewolf from Harry Potter, except more muscular.

  I froze. No. It couldn't be... "Werewolf," Derek muttered. It snapped at him, and he pulled out a gun from his waistband. He fired.

 It roared with pain and batted him away. The gun flew out of his hand and landed at my feet. I was frozen as it grabbed me, bathing me in it's foul breath. It's claws dug into my skin. I cried out in pain.

  "Get the gun," Derek wheezed, the blow to the stomach leaving him gasping for air. I clawed at its faced and it dropped me.

  I reached the gun and shot at the monster, hitting it 3 times. I retched, disgusted at the sight of its arm and chest riddled with holes, the skin and fur surrounding the wounds looking eaten away by acid.

  I heard a shout. "Move, Sarah!" The werewolf was swaying. I got out of the way before it crushed me, Derek wrapping me in his arms. The gun fell from my hands. I trembled as a small groan escaped its muzzle. Silence rang throughout the house.

  Suddenly the body started to shimmer, changing shape. I inhaled sharply as I recognized the man who was taking shape. No... He can't be... I started to break down, sobbing uncontrollably. It can't be him! Derek just held me and called for the police and an ambulance.

A couple hours later, at Briggsdale Hospital

  The police arrived soon after I- killed- the werewolf. Derek was surprised when the cops actually believed our story. Turns out a whole pack of them were terrorizing the town.

  The police officer, Officer Benson, saw my arm, they rushed me to the hospital. 

  After I got stiches, Officer Benson questioned me, asking if I had any connections to any of the creatures. I started crying again and said yes. I explained that the werewolf we were attacked by was my boyfriend, who I thought had died earlier. He said he was sorry for my loss, and then asked to speak to Derek in the hall for a moment.

  I think he told Derek to take care of me, that I had suffered a lot this night. He said he would. They came back in, with the nurse. She asked Officer Benson to leave, and was about to ask Derek the same thing when she saw my face and thought better of it.

  Derek sat down in the chair beside the bed as the nurse gave me a sedative. He grabbed my hand as she walked away, whispered to me that everything will be alright, and said he was staying with me. I sighed with relief and drifted off. I'm glad Derek's here. I have a feeling I'm really gonna need him.