Golden eyes

Grover’s POV

The wall clock kept ticking slowly.

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

I sat on the living room sofa, staring at the front door, which was still firmly shut. The lights in the house felt too dim tonight, making the shadows in the corners of the room look darker than usual.

It had been nearly an hour. The house was tidy again, but Uncle Sargon still hadn’t returned.

My hands are clenched on my knees. I try to focus on reading the book on the table, but my thoughts keep drifting back to the forest, towards the darkness where my uncle disappeared alone.

The night breeze blows gently through the gap in the living room window. The thin curtains move slowly, creating a faint rustling sound that only makes the atmosphere in the house feel even more unsettling. I glance at the back door.

Darkness.

Only the shadows of tall trees from the direction of the forest. For some reason, the forest felt different tonight, as if it were alive.

Creak.

I turned immediately when I heard a sound from outside. The front door opened slowly. I stood up reflexively.

My uncle entered with his usual calm stride. His black jacket was slightly soiled with mud and wet leaves. His black hair was also a bit disheveled, as if he’d just been through something quite trying. But his expression remained impassive.

“Uncle!” I hurried over. “How? Did you find them?”

He slowly removed his black gloves before replying briefly.

“They’re all safe.”

I let out a sigh of relief without realizing it.

“Thank goodness…”

For some reason, I was afraid someone might actually go missing tonight. Although I didn’t particularly like Simon and his friends, I didn’t want them to die or disappear in the woods either.

My uncle walked past me towards the kitchen. I followed behind, watching him quietly.

“What actually happened out there?” I asked.

He turned on the tap and washed his hands, which were slightly covered in mud.

“The forest isn’t safe.”

“That’s not an answer.”

His hands stopped moving for a few seconds. Then, finally, he said quietly, “Something is living there.”

I furrowed my brow.

“A wild animal?”

My uncle turned off the tap. His gaze slowly turned towards me.

“If one day I forbid you from doing something…” he said softly, “it means I’m trying to protect you.”

The atmosphere in the kitchen immediately felt heavier. I turned my face away in frustration.

“Why do you always talk as if there’s some big secret I’m not allowed to know?”

He fell silent again. And I began to hate that habit of his. Always silent, as if hiding something.

“I live in this house too,” I continued, quietly but irritably. “If there really is something in that forest, I have a right to know.”

His expression shifted slightly. Not anger. But like someone thinking too deeply about something. Then, finally, he let out a small sigh.

“It’s not the right time yet.”

I laughed hollowly.

“Of course.”

I walked out of the kitchen before my mood got any worse. Sometimes I feel like I’m living with a stranger. He raised me. Protected me. Gave me a place to live. But I have absolutely no idea who he really is.

Suddenly, the sound of a car stopping in front of the house could be heard. My uncle and I immediately turned towards the window. The car’s headlights illuminated the front garden. Then, a few seconds later—

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

The sound of someone knocking on the door.

I walked over to open it, frowning in confusion. And froze instantly. Simon was standing in front of the house with two of his friends. It looked as though the driver had brought them back here.

Their faces were pale. Their clothes were covered in mud. One of them was even shaking. And Simon’s eyes… Fear.

For the first time since I’d known him, Simon looked genuinely terrified. It was a sight I’d actually wanted to see. He stared at me for a few seconds before finally opening his mouth.

“G-Grover…”

I furrowed my brow.

“What is it now?”

Usually, he’d immediately taunt me or push me for no reason. But tonight he just stood there silently. He even seemed to be struggling to speak. His friend, standing behind him, kept looking towards the forest, pale-faced. As if afraid something would come out of there.

Then footsteps sounded behind me. Uncle Sargon appeared in the kitchen doorway. And the atmosphere changed instantly. Simon looked downcast when he saw him. I’d only just realized something tonight.

My uncle isn’t actually that tall compared to other men. But there’s something about him that makes people feel intimidated the moment they’re near him.

His gaze. The way he stands. And that strange, dangerous calm.

“You should go home,” he said coldly.

No one answered straight away.

Simon even seemed to find it hard to meet his eyes.

“I…” Simon swallowed. “We came to say sorry about the house earlier.”

I almost thought I’d misheard.

Simon Watson apologizing? Wow! I must definitely be dreaming.

My Uncle took a step closer.

“That’s not your biggest problem tonight.”

His tone was low. But it was enough to make one of Simon’s friends instinctively step back. Simon tried to look calm, though he clearly failed.

“What… what exactly is in that forest?”

My uncle stared straight at him for a few seconds. Then he said quietly,

“Something far more dangerous than you can comprehend.”

The night breeze blew gently through the garden. Silent. Unnerving. And then my uncle continued in an even colder tone.

“If you still want to live a normal life… forget what you saw tonight.”

Simon slowly clenched his fists.

“But that Monster—”

“It’s none of your business.”

His tone was sharp and decisive. I could see Simon’s jaw tighten. But strangely, he didn’t argue as he usually would because he was afraid. And he knew the man in front of me was no ordinary person. My Uncle stared straight at Simon.

“And one more thing.”

The atmosphere immediately grew heavier.

“Don’t you ever bother Grover again.”

Simon froze.

My uncle’s gaze turned sharp.

“If I see a single bruise on his face because of you…” His voice was very soft now. "I'll make sure that night in the woods was the easiest thing you’ve ever experienced.”

Silence. I could even hear their breathing. Simon’s face slowly paled. For the first time since I’d known him… he looked down first.

“Ok.”

I stared at Simon in disbelief. Was this the same person who’d beaten me up in the school corridor earlier that day? Simon’s friend, standing behind him, gently tugged at his arm.

“Let’s just go…”

Simon remained silent for a few seconds before finally looking at me again. And strangely… his gaze was different this time.

Not hatred.

Not anger.

But confusion.

As if he’d just realized I wasn’t an ordinary target. They eventually walked towards the car without saying another word. I stood in the doorway until their car lights disappeared at the end of the road. Then I slowly turned towards my uncle.

“What exactly are you doing there?” I asked quietly.

He stared at the forest for a few seconds before answering.

“I was saving some naughty children.”

“I’m serious.”

“I’m serious too.”

I sighed in frustration.

“Uncle!”

He finally turned to look at me.

And for a split second… I saw something strange in his eyes—a faint golden gleam. I froze. But a moment later, the color vanished as if I'd seen something. My uncle walked past me and back into the house.

"Go to sleep," he said quietly. "It'll be busy tomorrow."

"Thank you, Uncle," I said with a smile.

Uncle Sargon wasn't as indifferent as I'd thought. And most importantly, now Simon and his friends wouldn't bother me anymore.

…

I couldn't sleep. It was almost two in the morning, but my eyes were still open, staring at the ceiling. The wind outside was making tree branches rustle against the window.

Creak…

Creak…

Usually, that sound was soothing. But now it was making me anxious. I turned slowly in bed. My mind kept replaying last night's events.

The monster.

The forest.

A terrified Simon.

And My Uncle.

I closed my eyes slowly. Then I remembered something. His eyes. That golden color. I immediately opened them again.

"No. I must just be tired. How could human eyes change color?"

Knock.

I sat up straight. The sound was coming from outside my bedroom window.

Knock.

Knock.

My heart started beating faster. I turned slowly toward the window.

It was dark. There was no one there. I swallowed hard.

“It’s probably just a tree branch.”

Thud.

Louder this time. I plucked up the courage to get out of bed.

“Uncle?”

No answer. I walked towards the window, taking careful steps. And when I pulled the curtain aside just a little, my breath caught in my throat. There was a figure standing near the edge of the forest.

Tall.

Motionless.

And a pair of faint yellow eyes could be seen staring straight at our house from behind the trees. My body froze instantly. That creature. The creature from the forest. It stood motionless for a few seconds. Then slowly… smiled.