Chapter 2

The further the Clause family got from the village square the loud music faded. Soon they could only hear their breathing and the snapping of twigs under the sole of their feet. Aurora hugged herself as she exhaled a fleeting misty cloud. Her cheeks were a deep shade of pink. Her teeth chattered together as she caressed her arm. She pulled her wool coat tighter around her body. She felt as if she would die of hypothermia due to the cold weather condition. They were months away from winter thus she could only imagine how cold winter would be that year.

Up ahead she spotted a dirt path leading through the dark woods. It was a shortcut to their household. Her feet began to ache and she felt as if they would fail her any moment. 

"Can we take the short cut papa?" She asked her dad.

"No, we stick to the straight route Aurora." Came his reply. "It's a full moon neither of us knows what awaits in those woods."

She rolled her blue orbs in irritation. She was disappointed in her dad for letting the elders of their village brainwash them into thinking forest creatures exist. What was even more puzzling to the little girl, no one knew for sure what the creature was. It could have been a mountain lion, a fox, or some kind of wild animal. The entire village lived in fear for over centuries. 

Aurora pushed her burning legs to move faster but they felt as if they didn't belong to her. They felt numb and lifeless. She walked until her feet gave out and she fell forward kicking the air outside of her lungs.

"Aurora!" Her mom startled voice filled the night echoing into the distance of the forest. 

"I'm so tired." Her eyes filled with tears but she never cried. 

Her dad picked her up in his arms. She rested her head against the man's shoulder. She peeked down at her older sister who threw icy glares in her direction. She smiled down at her knowing how much she would be boiling with rage. Their one-story board household came into view. It was almost midnight when the family got home. The house was dimly lit. They warmed themselves by the fireplace before they decided to put the children to sleep. But the girls sleep subsided when they spotted their grandmother. Though Aurora knew her Grandmother was on a mission to convince them both of forest monsters. She still enjoyed her grandmother's stories. She could always travel places without leaving the comfort of her bed.

"Aurora darling." Her grandmother lifted her chin to take a look at her beautiful eyes. Her grandmother had to admit she had the most captivating blue orbs that could bring joy and mend a broken heart. She idolized the little girl as if she was the most precious jewel in the world. Indeed she was outstanding amongst every other six-year-old child in their village. She had a different mindset and she portrayed the values of a feminist. Her grandmother was astounded by her granddaughter's braveness. She lacked the necessities to be as brave and smart as the little girl thus she admired her instead. 

"There is absolutely nothing your old grandma can say to change the concrete hard mind of yours." She chuckled caressing the young girl's cheek. "But what I can tell the both of you is that this forest monster is not a myth." 

She sat on the bed and pulled both girls to her viewpoint. Violet smiled eagerly awaiting her grandmother's spooky story. While Aurora rolled her blue orbs and groaned in annoyance. The woman smiled down at both her loving grandchildren before resuming the story.

"It all started a century ago when a plague struck the land. Man's heart was bitter and void. They were as hard as stones and they became greedy. Among us lived witches."

"Wait a minute," Aurora said laughing hysterically. "First there are forest creatures now you are telling me witches do exist. No offense but I think you read too many fairy tales."

Violet glared over at her sister. "Maybe if you should just keep your opinions to yourself. I know for a fact that these creatures are real and so will you, one day."

Aurora snorted but she never replied to her sister knowing the girl would blabber on and on about the forest creatures. 

"As I was saying they were greedy. But I'm not certain when the forest monsters came about. It's like they were always there. These monsters were the root of all evil. We thought the humans were corrupt but instead, it was these wild animals. They brutally slaughtered humans because they are blood-thirsty beasts. They always feel the urge to kill."

Aurora became interested in what her grandmother said. She didn't believe her stories but was instead interested in what the beast was. She surprised herself when she asked. "Grandma what was the beast."

"This might sound blizzard but the beast can shape shift into a human at daytime and a ferocious beast at night that craves the human flesh. The beast might live among us without our awareness."

"Grandma what was the name of the forest monsters," Violet asked eagerly her eyes danced with sinister interest in the beast.

" It was a werewolf."

Aurora almost chokes on her spit. But she kept her mouth shut not wanting to offend her grandmother. She knew the entire village believed in the mythology. But seeing her entire family was obsessed with a creature that probably didn't exist pained her heart. Not only was she a child but she was smart and observant. Her grandmother clasped her hands shut tightly and ground her teeth together. She emitted off an aura the little girl didn't know. But she knew it was nothing good but instead anger, hatred, and frustration. But why was her grandmother angry? 

She rested her head on the woman's shoulder. Aurora could feel her grandma's tense muscles loosened.

"The witches gave a few chosen humans the ability to hunt these creatures down and kill them. It will soon be your responsibility to carry on the legacy."

Aurora's eyes flew open. "What legacy."

"We are werewolf hunters darling it's our responsibility to maintain the balance of this village."

"What are you saying, Grandma." Her mind was comprehensive. She didn't quite understand what Ellis was trying to say. "You kill these creatures and you expect us to follow in your footstep. What if they were wild animals that probably felt threatened."

"It's only a matter of time Aurora before you will take everything I said to you into consideration. These monsters are real and they are dangerous. They won't hesitate to rip your throat out."