Chapter 48

Scarlett's POV

“Is this a usual thing?” I asked as the growls and snarls drew closer. Fear gripped me, but there was nothing I could do.

“Sometimes.” Franklin shrugged. “Expecially after full moons, when I leave a litter of dead animals all over the forest, they always try to eliminate me.”

“And why do they keep coming back when it has never worked?” I asked.

“Because they've actually killed me several times, but they always forget that I can't die. Maybe they're just not intelligent enough.” Franklin said, and that was even more shocking. I stayed rooted in the spot, almost praying that the Earth would open up and swallow me.

Franklin slowly turned, and I was hoping that he'd really call it a prank like every other time.

“What?” He asked.

“They can kill you, and you won't die?” I asked, and he shrugged.

“It comes with the curse.” He said, walking round with his huge body. He grabbed a piece of metal, and I could already smell the goriness of what was to happen. “You really don't think I've not tried to kill myself, do you?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, feeling the air on my body rise, so much that it could pierce anyone's skin.

“And why's your heart pounding so hard and fast?” Franklin asked, looking at me like he was mad at me. “You don't think I'll let anything happen to you, do you?”

I wasn't sure how to respond since the animals could literally kill him. I immediately gave up hope when I heard a lion's roar.

“How many of them are out there?” I asked fearfully. I heard my voice shake.

“Many.” Franklin shrugged. “This is the only time they never attack each other.”

“Go upstairs.” Franklin growled. “And wait there until I'm done down here.”

“Will you be…”

“I said GO!!” He snapped, and I immediately sprinted upstairs. I locked myself In the room, and I went to the windows to see if I could watch what was going to happen.

I pressed my face against the cold glass. My hands trembled as I peeked through the small space in the curtain. The place was only illuminated by the light from the moon, and the bulbs usually outside. At first, I saw nothing, just the thick trees swaying with the wind.

Then I heard a loud snarl, then a screech, then bones cracking.

My heart thudded painfully. The forest became the abode of chaos. I saw glimpses and flashes of what was happening. Franklin moved like his nature had been for four years. He was fast, almost too fast for my eyes to follow.

He slammed something, a huge wolf, I think, against a tree so hard the trunk cracked. Another beast, maybe a leopard, leapt at him from the side, but Franklin caught it mid-air and flung it into the darkness. There were growls all around him, more than I could count.

I covered my mouth with both hands to stop myself from screaming. There was silence for a while before chaos continued.

It made me wonder why I doubted his success in the first place. Maybe his statement about being killed was what stamped my fear, but I should have never doubted him.

There was another roar. This time deeper, like it came from something bigger than the rest.

A lion stepped into the light, dragging its paws slowly. I couldn’t breathe. Franklin charged straight at it.

I lost sight of them for a moment as they rolled into the deeper parts of the woods. I heard crashing, breaking, howling, but I couldn’t see. I leaned closer, almost too close, trying to catch a glimpse.

I had no doubt he'd kill the lion. He had killed one before, this wouldn't be a problem.

That’s when I saw Franklin stumble back into the clearing. His arm was bleeding badly. There were claw marks down his chest and shoulder. His black fur was soaked in red, and his breathing was rough, almost wheezing. Blood dripped from his fingers, but he still stood tall.

The lion was dead beside him, but I could see more animals moving in the trees.

I wanted to cry.

Suddenly, Franklin tilted his head and looked right at the house, at my window. He probably knew that I was watching . He didn’t smile.

He just turned back to the forest and let out a deep growl, one that shook the glass. The animals paused. I could feel it that they were afraid, but not enough to run.

I backed away from the window. I didn't want to see him hurt anymore. I dropped to my knees, pressing my back against the door, and I waited.

I don’t know how long I sat there. Minutes? Hours?

Then I heard the front door creak open and the heavy sound of footsteps dragging across the floor.

I ran downstairs immediately, and Franklin locked the door behind him.

He stood by the door, bloodied, bruised, and panting, but he was alive.

“Next time,” he said roughly, “don’t watch. It’s not something your pretty eyes should see.”

Franklin slumped on a chair, and I was barely able to catch him. I sat beside him, watching his wounds slowly cover up.

Tears rolled down my eyes gently. The heat of it burned against my skin.

“How badly does it hurt?” I asked with a shaky voice.

“Not so bad now that you're holding me.” Franklin grunted, resting well in my arms.

His weight was absolutely crushing me, but I held on. I kissed his forehead, and I slowly patted his head.

“Why do I feel sleepy?” Franklin asked, almost sounding happy.

“Maybe you'll sleep.” I whispered, kissing his forehead again.

Slowly and slowly, he was just breathing heavily. The sound of his breath shook the room. I imagined how bad it would be if he tried to snore.

****

I slept in the living room the whole night, and by the time I woke up, he was still asleep. I made sure he was breathing, just to be sure that he wasn't dead.

I made him pancakes, and left a note beside him before I left.

About King Jon, I most definitely wouldn't tell him about the witch's curse until I've found a solution to the problem we have.