The Monster Within

Not Yet

Hollis' head pounded, her eyes feeling sunken, her tongue like sandpaper. Her body was failing her, giving up in a petulant fit because she'd not been able to find water. The land around her felt cool, though, as it did after rain, and the smell of earth was sharp and distinct in her nose. She peeled one eye open, then another, and her heart soared. There, perched on a rock a few feet from her, was a silver thermos.

Without hesitation, she leapt for it, downing the icy contents, not caring that it splashed over her neck and soaked her flannel as well as her grimy, once-white shirt. Her belly protruded with the intake of water, but she craved more, a new need making itself known: salt.

It was as if someone was reading her mind and answering her each time. She'd knocked the package of peanuts and raisins and chocolate off the rock in her haste to quench her thirst. She now tore open the small pouch and slid every last morsel into her awaiting, salivating mouth. Barely chewing, the food slid into her stomach, satiating her for the moment. She sat back, gripping the thermos as though it were her lifeline. In a twisted way, it was.

A subtle movement in the trees ahead of her caught her eye, and her once light and happy chest seized with terror.

There he stood, the golden-eyed beast, the one who'd held her, who'd ran his fingers through her hair. She gulped, for in the daylight, he was much different. His bare chest glistened with droplets of water, running down the rivulets of his muscles. Her eyes wandered down his long torso, puzzled at the swath of hair near his navel, before they roamed back up to his face, his deep brown hair dripping wet and shining in the sunlight.

Her muscles tensed, her stomach rioting, but the feeling wasn't altogether unpleasant. With no hint of emotion, he sauntered forward before he crouched in front of her as he had last night. She leaned back, eyes darting to the fallen, decaying leaves on the ground to her left.

"What do they call you?" he asked, unrelenting. She shivered at the deepness of his voice. He waited.

"Hol-Hollis," she whispered finally.

"Haul-lis?" he repeated, the name seeming difficult for him. She peeked at his curious face, feeling herself redden as she nodded. He rocked back, falling onto his butt, still studying her with his arms propped on his knees in a casual manner. She was thankful he still wore his shorts.

"I am Oberon," he said, and she peeked at him again, pulling her bottom lip in-between her teeth and worrying it before she offered him a slight nod. His hand reached out in a flash, and she jerked away with a sharp intake of breath. He slowed his movements, changing his course from her face to her hand. He grasped her wrist, eyes boring into hers.

"You are young, or old?" he asked, heavy brows pulling together. Hollis began to shiver in the cold morning mist.

"Umm, y-young, I suppose," she said, wondering how he couldn't tell.

"You do not have children," he said, more of a statement than a question. She reeled at his words, eyes bulging and staring at him with the full force of her gaze. She shook her head quickly, lips parted.

"Why do you hide?" he said. Again, she felt herself reeling, but felt it best to answer his strange questions. If she kept him talking, perhaps he wouldn't be bored and force himself on her.

"It's dan-dangerous, people, umm...there aren't a lot of people around here, anymore..." she trailed off, wondering how he didn't know this.

"Humans are rare?" he asked, voice piquing in interest. She gave a subtle nod as his thumb brushed over her wrist. She stared at him, bewildered by him. She knew him, somehow, yet there was no way she could know him.