Matthew’s body was slowly transforming into something else. His skin became covered in dark fur. His figure stretched, contorted with the wet noise of muscles tearing and twisting. The sight was as mesmerizing as it was grotesque. I didn't even realized my grip on his hand didn’t weaken. Don’t stay here! Flee! Run! I screamed inside. My instincts were begging me to act. But it was to no avail. I remained tetanized as it claws grew to the point of piercing the back of my hands.

  My hands felt warmer, blood was gently soaking my fingers. The wound was barely painful, yet it was enough. It was kindle igniting my desperate struggle. I tried to pull back, but he did not let me go. “If you are still human, let me go! I beg you!” I was thrashing out, using my whole body. Don’t even think I’ll let myself die! As writhing of his flesh was slowing, I lunged at him like a trapped beast. "You aren't the only one with teeth!" I yelled to rouse myself and bit his arm with all my strength. I could feel my jaw muscle tightening against my skull and my blood pumping against my temples. I shook my head like a vicious dog. As my nose got filled with the stench of iron his grip finally weakened. Not waiting a second I pushed him away and fled in the woods without turning back.

  Faster! I ran with everything I had, but the bushes and root were slowing me. Even though it was a full moon, the light barely reached me. I tripped on the ground once again. Quick, get up! My dress was in tatters, my arms covered in bruises and I didn’t even know if I was heading in the right direction. However, each step forward, was a step away from Matthew or what was left of him.

  I passed tree after tree. My body was reaching its limit. I quickly cast a glance behind me, nearly tripping...he was not there. I couldn’t hear him either. My body was begging for a break, and not sensing his presence, I nearly stopped. However, the silence was eerie.Not now, just a bit more. I wanted to puke, the exertion was too much. However, I forced myself further, and further again.

  I made it! I passed the last row of trees. I was finally out of the forest. I was panting, feeling each breath lacking air, but I felt relieved for an instant. However, as I looked up, I realized I was far from safe. I still needed to run across the fields with nowhere to hide. I moved my head frantically, searching somewhere to hide. Behind that tree? Too small. In that patch of tall grass? Maybe. Still instead of trying to hide like a fawn, I decided to move my abused body once more. I run with the grace of a newborn calf to the nearest farm. As I was closing in, I saw the open door of the barn.

  I dragged myself inside, praying not to be seen. I slowed to a crawl, afraid of knocking some of the clustered mess. I couldn’t see much beyond the entrance, but I managed to spot the small glint of a blade on a workbench. I grabbed it, before crawling under the furniture. I huddled in the tiny space, in nearly complete darkness. My body ached, my lungs burned and as if to mock me, the tool I grabbed was a carving knife with a ridiculously small blade. However, at least I was no longer in the woods, and I even had the luxury of a makeshift weapon. I’ve survived worse... Well, not really, but I’m sure I can do it! I just have to wait here a few hours. I encouraged myself, forcing an empty smile in spite of my tears. I didn’t care how pathetic I looked, I promised myself I would survive the night.

  Why you hide it Matthew?! Why did you ask me to stay? Please let it be bad dream. I want to wake up! I want to be at home! I barely held back my sobs. I loved you... Why did you betray me? I was on the verge of cracking. There was only the soft noise of some critters in the back of the barn, to distract me. Then I heard it. The quiet rustling of tall grass being pushed away. I nearly stopped breathing, taking only the smallest, quietest puff of air. I nearly suffocated, afraid of making the slightest noise with my respiration. I turned my head slowly. The imprint of the moonlight spilling through the entrance had shifted. Just slightly. A distortion, Barely perceptible. He was there. Waiting. Silent. Standing just outside my only way out.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  How did he find me?! I held the knife firmly against me, silently cursing him. He crept inside, walking with his arms, his gait was uncanny, unlike anything else I’d ever seen. His gaunt body masked the already faint light pouring in. I was trapped. Each time his gaze moved I felt my heart tighten. Then his head stopped, his gaze locked... But not me.

  “It's too dark.” The barn brightened as a curtain was pushed open. The noise I heard earlier wasn’t rats. It was someone else. He was completely oblivious to the monster behind him. Turn back! Now! Yet, as if mocking the gravity of the situation, he examined some pumpkins like he was at a market. This was my chance. Matthew’s focus was elsewhere. I could escape now, but I hesitated. The knife I was holding was far from a sword, but I wasn’t unarmed. I led the monster to him and now I was torn between guilt and saving my own life. However, the beast was already creeping closer to the man, taking measured and silent steps. I bit my cheeks, letting once more the pain move me. Only a few more step before he reached him. I gritted my teeth and grabbed the edge of the bench ready to bounce.

  I'm an idiot. But I can't simply flee. At least not without trying... I left my cover with no real plan. I was just focused on Matthew's unprotected back. I raised my weapon high, praying that somehow it would be enough. Hoping that this clueless man would be able to escape too. I battled with my fears to take another step forward. However, before I could act, the stranger casually grabbed a pumpkin and devoured it. In a mere instant the fruit twice the size of his head disappeared with a wet crushing noise. Not even the stem remained. Huh? He didn’t stop there and continued to engulf more and more of them.

  It took me a few instants to process what I just saw. Am I the only normal human in this goddamn village?! Even Matthew, mid-hunt, froze in place. My fighting spirit was doused instantly. There was nobody to save here, only grotesque creatures parading as humans. I got back under the workbench, hiding didn’t seem so bad after all.

  The pumpkin eater finally turned back, face to face with the tall and distorted figure of Matthew. “Aah!” He flinched a little “You scared me! I didn’t think there would be a monster here,” he blabbered while he unsheathed a knife without any haste. This awakened Matthew's predatory instinct. He lunged at the man. The sound of flesh getting torn and blood splashing resonated in the barn. Even in the dim light, the gruesome gash was clearly visible.

  The weird man faltered for a second, taking a step back. However, it didn’t last long. He jumped toward his assailant. I thought he missed his counterattack, but that wasn’t the case. To my surprise and monster’s too. He rolled and stopped just behind his opponent. It was the perfect opportunity to strike, but he merely took out an apple, and swallowed it loudly. This idiotic antics looked like mockery, and Matthew was losing his temper. The beast was bouncing, clawing, roaring. The barn was laid to waste, and amid the chaos, this clown rolled and dodged effortlessly.

  The fight dragged on, and eventually the breathing of the beast became ragged. Matthew flailed his claws, never connecting. The slower his movement became, the closer this jester rolled around him. Then, a flash cut through the obscurity. A deafening pained howl resonated. Roll after roll, cut after cut, the stench of blood became stronger. It was gruesome and sickening. Even after everything, my throat tightened while I was wishing for it to stop.

  Every few rolls the man halted, panting, then after a time too short for even the shortest break. Yet it seemed enough as he got to roll again with energy. This macabre trick played again and again. The glint of moonlight grew dimmer as his dagger became drenched in blood, just as the wails of pain faded. Hiding in the dark, in a small barn, at the edge of the village where I had lived my whole life, I witnessed the death of my once close friend, my first love, and finally enemy. I had so much I wanted to ask, so much I wanted to say, yet everything was over. I watched breathless as finally his deformed body fell on the ground.