Beast

Chapter 13

Warren turns his giant head in my direction; those horrifying red eyes beam down at me like burning hot lasers. What was Hugo thinking? He drops the man, who lands on the ground with a snap that makes me wince; no doubt his leg is broken if not both.

When he turns his big body and starts striding in my direction, the urge to run is unbearable, but I stand my ground. He stops when he is close enough that his breath tickles the top of my head; I admit I am afraid to look up. I squeeze my eyes shut when his hand comes towards my face, but his touch is gentle as he carefully lifts my chin. I still refuse to open my eyes, his snarl shows his agitation. I must reek of fear. “Warren?” My chin wobbles. Please don’t hurt me.

He squeezes my chin, and my body betrays me by making my eyes open wide. They fill with fear as he digs his claws deeper. I feel the exact moment they pierce my skin, the blood that trickles down my neck tickles and a slow throb begins where his claws are. “Warren this isn’t you!” I cry, it’s difficult to speak when he is holding my jaw the way he is. “Please, don’t let her win, don’t let her make you a monster!” 

His grip loosens but then tightens even harder making me yelp. I finally look into his eyes, letting him see the betrayal and pain. Nothing changes, he doesn’t even twitch. There is not a speck of green in those once beautiful eyes, just a blood thirsty animal. And you know the only way for my curse to be broken? Sacrifice of the one I love, that’s you Esme!

I remember his words, the regret in them, and the pain. Evalina truly was a monster.

“Do it.” I gasp. He brings his other hand up and places it on my waist, not waiting a moment to dig his claws in my flesh again. The pain burns across my body, causing spots to dance across my vision. “DO IT!” I scream.

Please let this free him and make him happy again. I hate that I have to do this. I hate how typical this all is. Full moon, sacrifices, why couldn’t this have been normal?

The hand on my jaw shakes me a little, making me look at him again. Finally I see something, it’s still animalistic, and it looks like turmoil, caged up with no outlet. I weakly raise my hand and rest it on his face. “Don’t let someone like Evalina rule you.” As I spoke his claws dug deeper, as if he didn’t want to hear anything I was saying. At the mention of her name he snarled, enraged at the mere mention of her. The claws in my chin are ripped out, gruesome and raw, only to wrap around my neck. I don’t think he can talk, perhaps the humanity in Warren is gone, which is why his eyes are red.

He’s become a monster, a beast.

I wait for the claws to rip out my throat, but it doesn’t come. He loves you! Remember that!

My Warren, who nursed me back to health, rescued me and my papa, and cuddles like a giant teddy bear. Something moves at the corner of my eye, a pile of mutilated livestock taunts me; the man who broke his leg is still trying to drag himself away. Then it hits me. “You take the livestock, so you don’t have to kill the humans…” I choke on the lump in my throat; even at his worst he still tries not to kill his people, which would explain the disappearances in my village. He takes a step back, lifting me and taking me with him, his claws move in my waist, restarting the throbbing pain. “You are not a monster Warren!” My begging seems to do nothing; the hope is leaving me with every drop of blood that hits the ground below my now suspended feet. 

Warren continues to stare at me, studying me. If I have to say it I will, I refuse to think that the real Warren isn’t in there. There are no villagers in sight now; it’s just me and Warren. He opens his mouth, a strange sound comes out. He’s trying to talk! I shush him, comfortable in my next confession. “I want you to be happy Warren, I love you! And if this is what has to happen to make you happy again, then I will do it, even if it is all dramatic and silly.” As soon as I say it I’m dropped, landing on the muddy ground in a heap. Warren’s roar is agonising, drawing my attention for the pain in my side and face to a new pain in my ears.