Darkness.
His eyes remained shut, as if refusing to open. He felt misplaced, as though he were not supposed to be here. Until the stench of wet earth, mixed with sharp metal, filled his senses.
The full moon had risen high, its light piercing through his eyelids and forcing them open. What met his gaze was not the faint warmth he vaguely remembered, but the tall and terrifying shadows of trees encircling him.
Where is this place? That was what he wanted to say. But his voice caught. What slipped from his throat was nothing more than a low, hoarse whimper. What is this...? What happened to me?
Pain crept through every inch of his battered body. His fur was wet with blood and mud. He couldnât remember what had happened. Worse yet, he might not even know who he was.
It hurts...
The creature tried to rise on all fours. There was a strange sensation as he staggered toward a nearby puddle. His sharp golden eyes stared into the murky surface, locking on the reflection that wavered back at him.
A small black wolf with golden eyes. His fangs were not yet fully grown, and his pointed ears stood tall. His body was frail, as if he hadnât eaten in days.
Is this... me? he thought, tilting his head.
His gaze was empty. He didnât understand what was happening. His memories were vague and distant. Yet deep inside, his chest felt hollow. As if something had been lost.
That woman... where is she?
He glanced around, trying to find the vague presence of a woman that suddenly surfaced in his memory. But there was nothing in the cold, damp, dark forest.
Realizing there was no one, he sat down again, silent.
Was that... only a dream? But it felt so real. Who was she?
He looked down at the wet earth beneath his feet. Just then, something growled within him. Not a voice, but a real soundâhis stomach, rumbling with hunger.
Tch, I donât even know who I am, but I know I have to survive.
His thoughts now filled with nothing but the need to satisfy his hunger. He stared into the distance, his nose twitching, as if catching a scent carried by the wind.
I hope I find something to fill this emptiness.
He walked unsteadily over the muddy forest floor, searching for anything that might ease the hunger inside. He let his wild instincts lead him to food that could sustain his frail body.
He dragged his tired feet forward. His ears were sensitiveâhe could hear everything in the forest. His nose, too, picked up every scent.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Eventually, he found the carcass of a giant bird, already beginning to rot.
It disgusted him, but hunger urged him forward. He crept closer and began to tear at the soft flesh with his imperfect fangs.
The first bite was bitter and vile, but he forced it down. There was no time to be picky now.
After two or three bites, he started to grow used to the taste. Not so bad. At least this will give me some energy.
Once his stomach felt a little more stable, his mind cleared. He circled the dead bird curiously.
What kind of creature am I eating? I donât think Iâve ever seen a bird this big before.
His pointed ears stood alert. Something was approaching.
His fur rose, sensing danger. His eyes scanned the surroundings before he suddenly took off running.
He ran with all his might, dodging exposed roots and pushing past every obstacle with his underdeveloped legs. At times, his claws slipped on slick branches.
He could no longer hear the rustling behind him. He slowed down and smirked.
Looks like Iâm safe, he thought, glancing back.
He exhaled. But only for a moment. A bad feeling crept up his spine. Even as he sharpened all his senses, he could detect nothing. Still, that dread lingered.
Grrr... he growled softly as a warning, creeping forward with caution.
As he glanced down at a nearby puddle, his eyes widened.
Ssshhhah!
A massive horned serpent lunged down from a tall tree. Its jaws opened wide, revealing fangs ready to strike.
Luckily, he jumped back in time. The serpentâs fangs bit only empty soil.
Without hesitation, he sprinted with all his strength. No need to look back. I just have to run!
But the serpent didnât give up. It slithered after him, fast and silent beneath the shadows of trees.
The terrain betrayed him. The wet ground was too slick for his tiny paws, which couldnât grip properly. For the serpent, it was the perfect surface to glide across.
The distance between them closed rapidly. His small body was about to be devoured.
His heart pounded. His breath ragged. His mind raced, searching for a way to escape. His eyes scanned the forest for anything that could give him a chance to survive.
Damn it! Iâll die if this keeps up!
Sruuut!
A green liquid splashed in front of him. He stopped just in time.
The grass where it landed immediately melted. Steam rose from the ground.
His eyes widened. The serpentâs venom?
Even though heâd only paused for a second, the serpent was already behind him, ready to strike.
No time!
Suddenly, a giant centipede appeared and sank its fangs into the serpentâs neck, splitting it in two. Blood sprayed everywhere.
His eyes widened at the gruesome sight. But then he noticed the centipedeâs gaze.
Its eyes were glowing red. The serpent hadnât been enough.
As he tried to run, the centipede slashed his hind leg with its gleaming fangs. He fell to the ground again.
The centipede loomed over him, grinning with malice. Its long body coiled around him. Its legs scraped at his fur.
Awooo... He howled for help, but no one heard him.
His cry echoed like a mourning song, only feeding the centipedeâs hunger for cruelty. His body was carved with wounds from its sharp fangs.
As he was about to give up, a womanâs face flashed in his mind. Blurred and distantâbut it stirred something inside him.
That face... it hurts to remember. But... I canât give up.
Just as the centipede lunged for his head, he opened his jaws wide and leapt, biting deep into the left side of its neck.
Grrr!
Sssssrrrk!
The centipede shrieked. It shook its head, trying to dislodge him. But he held on tight.
He tore at its neck without mercy. Blood gushed. The centipede weakened and finally collapsed. With one last ragged breath, it died.
I... survived.
He looked up, his eyes blank, gazing at the crescent moon above. His chest ached with a hollowness that wouldnât go away.
Who was that woman? Why canât I stop thinking about her?
Her face returned to his memory. A presence that gave him the will to fight. One that brought warmthâand sorrowâto his heart.
Without realizing it, he howled.
It echoed into the night, a lonely song trembling with longing and unanswered questions.
âAwooooo.â
Even if I am a monster... I will survive. At least... until I find her.