Riley's Curse, A Moon's Glow Prequel, Page 2

  Chapter Two

  Monster

  The next evening, the air was warm, despite the slight chill brought on by the quick disappearance of the sun. It was dark, with the exception of the occasional flash of a lightning bug, and the bright glow of the moon. All I could focus on was the blood that dripped from the wolf’s fangs, her blood.

  Finished with the girl, it turned to me. It's growl was low and terrifying. It stared at me where I stood frozen with fear. The wolf's fur was reddish brown, and the body was nearly tall enough to look me in the eye.

  Standing up on it's hind legs, it took a step toward me, and I realized this was no ordinary wolf.

  I backed up slowly, afraid to make a sudden move.

  Glancing down at Lucy’s body lying on the ground beside it, I knew I was next. My only hope was that the end would come quickly.

  The wolf continued in my direction, finally dropping down on all fours, preparing to chase.

  Normally there were many sounds in the forest: crickets chirping, birds twittering, squirrels and moles scurrying through the brush. But right now, as the animal crouched down closer to the ground in order to stalk its prey, the only sound was the thump, thump, thump of my heart beating rapidly. It echoed loudly in my ears, and I was sure the wolf heard it too.

  I couldn’t help it, fear enveloped me, and I took off running as fast as I could, knowing it was not fast enough.

  The moonlight helped guide me in the darkness as I rushed toward the road, praying someone would come along, causing the beast to run away. I felt him right on my heels, biting at the back of my leg. I stumbled. My hands flew out to stop my fall, and they dug into sharp rocks that were wedged into the rough ground. I knew they were bleeding, but I didn’t have time to look at them before the wolf took the opportunity to pounce. I kicked it in the jaw with my boot. The beast fell back with a squeal. That’s when I saw the road ahead. I gathered all the strength I could to reach it before the monster that was biting and growling behind me.

  Just as my feet hit the dirt, I felt claws dig into my back, and I was shoved to the ground, my face smashed into the road. A sharp searing pain exploded in my nose, blood dripped down my face. The taste of copper filled my mouth.

  When the wolf sat up on it's rear, preparing to feed, I took the chance to flip over. If I was going to die, I wanted to see it coming. His muzzle hovered above me. Glassy yellow eyes stared into mine, right before it let out a loud snarl, exposing long, pointed teeth. It's horrid breath smelled of death.

  As the monster lowered his muzzle closer, I squeezed my eyes shut. I felt the puffing of his breath, and drool dripping on my face--then nothing. I waited for the pain, for the end of my life, and for Lucy. But none of that came. When I heard the sound of horses galloping down the road, I opened my eyes, and the wolf was gone, scared off by the buggy that was now about to run over me. I couldn’t get up. I was paralyzed with fear.

  Once the buggy stopped, I heard footsteps running toward me. “Are you all right sir?” A deep voice asked.

  He was bent down, hovering above me, his cap fell forward, covering his eyes, but I could tell that it was Mr. Morgan, Henry’s father. “Nathaniel, are you okay? What happened?”

  I tried to speak, but it was difficult, still winded from running, and shaken by what I had just seen. “It’s Lucy,” I gasped. “An animal…attacked her.” The last few words felt like gravel in my mouth, I didn’t want to voice them. “She’s dead.”

  “You mean Lucile, Jonathan Stewart’s daughter?” he asked, leaning down to help me sit up.

  “Yes, we were out for a walk, when a wolf came out of the forest and attacked her. It was just about to kill me when you came down the road and scared it off.”

  His expression was a mix of terror, and grief. Events such as this never happened in our sleepy town. “Show me where she is. Come quickly before another animal comes after her.”

  I stood up, still feeling weak. Mr. Morgan held onto my arm as I led him through the meadow to Lucy’s body or what was left of it.

  He released my arm, and gasped at the sight before him. “Dear lord. What kind of animal would attack someone like this?” We stared down at her. She was lying among the clover and long grass. Her sapphire colored eyes were glassy and lifeless. The pale yellow hair I had once admired was now matted with blood, her body was mangled and unrecognizable. The necklace I had giving her just a week before, still hung around her neck.

  Breath escaped his lips as he bent down to pick her up, it could have been another gasp or even a cry of grief. He remained still, his eyes closed with his arms wrapped tightly around her. Once he opened them, he stood up, and then headed back to his carriage without another word.

  I followed slowly behind him, unable to look at Lucy’s body in his arms. She was such a sweet, funny girl only an hour ago. Now, all that was left of her was this broken shell, flopping about in my friend’s father’s arms. I would trade places with her if I could. I didn’t even hear the beast approach us. It was suddenly just there, and Lucy was dead.

  Once we arrived at the Stewart’s house with Lucy, Mr. Morgan told them the news. Her mother and sisters were crying loudly, while her father peppered me with questions I was too in shock to answer. Instead, I watched in silence as Mr. Stewart hounded Mr. Morgan, after his attempts to get answers out of me had failed.

  There was a low sound in the corner. I glanced over to see Elizabeth, Lucy’s four year old sister sitting on the floor playing with her doll. She was talking quietly to herself and moving the doll along the wooden floor, making it walk. She seemed to be in her own world. Her older sisters and mother stood beside her hugging, trying to sooth one another, but Lizzy never looked up. I thought she was too young to understand what was happening until I saw a shiny tear fall from the corner of her eye, sliding down her cheek. I turned away at the sight, the ache in my chest took my breath away, and it felt like the walls were closing in on me.

  Finally, Mr. Morgan took me home. I went straight to my room, avoiding my parents. Once I was alone, I fell into bed without lighting my lantern. Although our house was well built, it wasn't sound proof, and again I had to relive the ordeal as Mr. Morgan told my story. Even my attempt to hide under the pillow did nothing to muffle the voices.

  I just wanted to close my eyes and hope that when I opened them again, it would all be a dream. I would get up, and look out my window to see Lucy outside her house hanging clothes on the line with her house maid, just like every other Saturday.

  I knew it was wrong to watch her, but she had such delicate features, and her pale blond hair always fell in wisps in front of her face. I loved watching her brush it back with a giggle. Since I had been in love with her for the last year, I always took a few moments every Saturday just to gaze at her.

  Was it just yesterday that we had snuck a few kisses at the river? And now, she was gone.