Collection of Short Stories

The Village

The scene was horrific. Blood covered the walls and dripped from his mouth. Hovering over the hollowed body, he sat on his knees. As he looked at me, sorrow was in his eyes. I couldn't tell if he was sorry for his terrible crime or for getting caught.

"You don't understand," he says now panicked.

"It makes sense. The disappearances. The bodies," as the pieces fall into place, my voice rises then falls to a whisper, "You're the monster they've been looking for."

I turn, trying to rush for the door and tell the townspeople. He's faster than I expect and stands in my way. "Please, you have to trust me. I would never hurt you," He says. Half of me wants to believe him, but the other half knows how dangerous he can be.

Outside I hear shouting. The townsfolk must have heard the noise and are headed this way. He stands still in front of me. His eyes pleading. I know he can hear them, too. "Come with me. We can run away and live our own lives." His hand sticks out in front of me, allowing me to take it. I reach out, but at that moment, an arrow strikes his back. Monstrous roars escape from him as he falls to his knees. Obviously in pain, he holds his hands to his head. Shouting for the others, the man that shot him stands in the opposite exit.

I'm fearful of what will happen next. Then the man I once knew begins to transform. His bones breaking as though something crawls through his back snapping each vertebrate. His arms seem to bend inward. He grows bigger until his clothes can no longer fit. Ripping open, his skin is revealed and hair begins to fill his body. Last to form is the snout. He now sits in front of me. Half man. Half wolf. Snarling at the man that shot him, he's thirsty for blood. The archer draws a new arrow and aims at the wolf boy again. Before the archer can shoot, the wolf lunges for him and knocks him off his feet. Another body added to the bloodied room.

I'm overwhelmed and fall to my knees. So many sights seen in one night. The wolf stares at me with his big black eyes. I know what he wants, but I can't get myself to move. His head falls and he leaves the room. I'm left alone with the bodies and blood. I cry, mourning for the loss of the people, myself, and the man I loved.

I hear a noise and look up. I woman stands there in shock seeing the same scene I saw moments ago. A scene that will always haunt me. She looks to me, then the bodies, then the blood. I look guilty with the blood all over me. I know what's about to happen.. Yelling for the rest of the townsfolk, she screams.

"Here! Somebody help! I've found the beast!" she shouts.

Now I am filled with panic. I try to shush her. Quiet her down. Get her to stop yelling, but it's no use. Staring at me and holding their bows, I am now surrounded by men. They raise their arrows at once. Aiming at me, a man begins to count down. "Three," he begins. I try to speak. I try to do anything that could save my life. "Two," he continues. There are no words leaving my mouth, only gibberish. "One!" he shouts, and at the moment, all the arrows are released simultaneously.