Chapter 8

Scarlett’s POV

I woke up with a head splitting ache. It throbbed and banged really hard that I almost went unconscious again. I groaned as I forced myself up, holding my head with hopes that the ache would reduce. I've had horrible headaches, but this was one of a kind. It almost threw me off a balance I hadn't totally gained.

As the ache slowly faded away, the events that led to this moment crept into my head also. My heart made a large pound that could have pierced my rib cage as soon as I remembered the beast in the woods.

Slowly, I opened my eyes, and the sight surrounding me was barbaric and evil. I whimpered softly as I stared at several broken human bones and skulls all over the place. The ache that had slowly faded away came back with an intense speed. I held on to my cloth as several thoughts ran through my head.

Am I dead? Did he also eat me? Am I just going through the phase of a conversation with the dead before I'm taken to the land of the dead?

I shifted from where I was, slightly behind me, only to hit a standing skeleton. It fell all over to the floor, and I couldn't hold the scream that pushed out of my lungs. I covered my mouth, but it was too late. I had already let it out.

The room was an old one with thick, cracked stone walls that trapped the cold. Cobwebs clung to every corner like they’d made peace with the darkness. The only light came from a single lantern hanging crookedly from the ceiling, swaying gently with a squeaky sound.

The floor was dusty. Deep claw marks were carved into the planks. Angry slashes that hadn’t come from anything human.

Then there were the drawings. They were woven into the walls with something very sharp, probably fingernails, or claws. The symbols were strange. Circles inside circles, long lines that twisted like serpents, and eyes. So many eyes.

I hurriedly checked my pockets, hoping to find my phone to call for help, but it was all gone. My chest tightened, and my head ached.

All those were nothing compared to the fear that gripped me when I began hearing loud thuds. The beast was coming!

Adrenaline pumped inside of me, and my eyes widened. I began breathing fast, and my heart thumped harder as my survival instincts kicked in.

I looked around for a sharp object, and the only one I could find was a broken femur. I forced myself up from where I was, and although my body was denying me of the strength I needed, I had the determination to come out of this madness alive.

“Oh Goddess, save me from this, and I'll do anything you wish.” I silently prayed, looking around for the best place to hide with the weapon I had just acquired. The thuds got louder, which meant that the beast was getting closer.

“Fuck…” I muttered to myself.

I eventually found a spot to hide in. It was under a table beside the furnace in the room. No one standing would be able to see it.

The door eventually opened, and there was this very loud thud that was definitely his foot. I shook where I was with fear. I now saw how bad an idea it was for me to have thought that I'd defeat him in any possible way. He was way above being beaten my one human.

“Okay, come out.” The beast said with a voice that was perfectly human, just a little bit thicker, and I let out a soft gasp. I slapped my hand around my mouth, causing further noise, but I still stayed with hopes that I would come out alive.

“Come out from under that table now, and drop that nonsense you want to use!” He growled. It was at that moment I realized how helpless I was in this situation. I hurriedly walked out, whimpering and shaking. I held the broken femur up as if it'd protect me if the beast decided to come for me.

“Stay away from me, and if you.come close, I'll stab you!” I screamed.

I came face to face with him, and he was not the typical beast that I had expected to see. He was a wolf, a standing wolf, very tall, about 7 feet tall. He had black fur, and his eyes were golden.

The way he looked at me made my heart pound with fear. He stayed right where he was, and just stared at me, like he was imagining the several ways he'd break me apart and eat me up.

“You're confident, I give you that.” He growled, looking at me with sinister eyes.

“Why do you want to eat me?!” I snapped, close to tears as my body shook uncontrollably. “Why not just hunt for some deers or even goats since you want flesh badly?!”

The Beast chuckled, and even his chuckles sounded like a death threat. I held the broken femur high as my life depended on it.

“Human flesh tastes better than any other type of flesh.” He growled, and my heart sank to my stomach. He growled with his fangs showing, and they were twice as long as my longest claw.

I took the only option left, since there's no way I'm escaping or beating this beast. I dropped the broken femur, and fell to my knees.

“Please, don't kill me, and if you must, make it quick.” I begged, closing my eyes.

“No, no no,” the beast said repeatedly, “the adrenaline rush makes humans sweeter, and you're losing it. Don't make it boring.”

I began sobbing as he spoke his words. The hatred I had for my parents went up the scales in what was supposed to be my last moments.

The thuds began again, as he walked over to me. Each step felt like a long slash of knives to my back. I said a quick prayer of protection for Michelle as tears rolled down my cheeks.

“She'd probably hate herself for ever helping me escape.” I cried softly, letting the tears roll down my cheeks.

Soon, the beast was standing in front of me. He slowly squarted before me, and I could feel his hot breath all over my body. His breathing sounded like an Alpha's growl at its best.

My soul had left my body, and he hadn't even touched me yet.

“Okay, that's enough.” The beast said. “Stand up and come outside.”

I slowly opened my eyes, and the beast was no longer before me. He had turned his back, and was walking out already.

What's going on? Does he want to use me as a form of sports before he eats me? What sort of sick joke does he want to make out of this situation?

I looked at the broken femur, and then at his back, and the temptation to try out what could either be my saving grace, or my end overwhelmed me.

“Uhm uhn… don't try that. Refrain from it, and just walk out with me.” He said as I was about to pick up the femur. He wasn't even looking back.

I hurriedly expelled every idea of trying something so suicidal, and I followed behind him.

I was visibly shocked by what I saw when I got outside the room.

The hallway was nothing like the room I had just left. It was bright, clean, and warm. The floors were made of smooth wood, polished and shining under the soft glow of the wall lamps. The air smelled different here, like fresh bread, old books, and something sweet like vanilla.

I walked slowly, still unsure, but every step felt safer. Just a few steps ahead, I saw a wide open space, and when I turned the corner, my eyes caught something beautiful.

There was a library.

Tall shelves that stretched up to the ceiling, stacked with books of every color and size. A small ladder sat against one of them, like it had been used recently. A cozy chair with a soft red blanket was placed in the corner beside a lit fireplace. A half-drunk cup of tea sat on a small table, still warm.

My eyes caught the kitchen, and it was even more surprising. There were clean counters, shiny pots hanging neatly, and a big wooden table at the center with chairs tucked under. A bowl of fruit sat on the table, and the sink was empty.

This is no ordinary beast.

“Who are you?” I whispered still in fear, and he turned to look at me.

“If I tell you, I'd have to kill you.” He smirked.

What's going on?!