Chapter 4: Hunt in the shadow
The noise from outside woke Aria from her sleep. She dozed off after yesterday's encounter. She lifted herself up slowly with sleepy eyes and held her head feeling an instant headache. She heard the noise coming from the villagers outside. She stood up trying to maintain balance,rubbed her face and opened the door. She found lots of villagers outside marching and murmuring with different tools in hand,some women holding sticks,others holding rake men with guns and knives. Some ran towards the crowd. The noise crawled through her ears as she tried to make sense of what happened. She went into the crowd trying to find out what happened. She was looking for clues and who to ask when she heard words from a gingered hair man,who seemed to be their leader
“A wolf has been spotted lingering in our village!” He announced
“Footprints have been seen, we have children, wives, dependants and livestocks we need to protect them. “He commanded”
“Yes!” One of the crowd responded
“Bloody hell you're damn right” another roared
“That is why we need to find it,kill it before it hurt any one of us or our loved ones” He declared
The crowds filled the air with their chats raising up their weapons in agreement. A woman asked stoping the chants.
“ But the forest has been a dreaded place for us, how can we go knowing it's not safe?” She questioned. Whispers began flying around as some villagers nodded their heads in agreement with what had just been asked. The leader sees the situation and addresses their questions and fears politely.
“You're right lady! The forest has been a dreaded place for us and who can assure us of safety? Sadly no one. A predator capable of terrorising and killing us has been spotted. We take the chance to save our children and loved ones. That's why we go in groups; whatever might be there can't take on all of us at once. We must stand together and fight this beast!!” He roared, stepping his foot down.
They chanted in uproar raising their weapon acknowledging what he just said
“At night, we march to the forest to look for that bloody beast and show it's end! We go at night” He instructed
The villagers marched into the forest armed and angry. Aria follow torn between fear and curiosity. They moved in tight pack their torches casting shadows on the trees. Aria lingered ar the back her heart pounding as the forest looked ahead. The air was thick and musky with scent of pine and rustling of leaves made her heart jump. She clutched to her crescent necklace pressing into her palm like a lifeline.
“Stat close Aria,” Max whispered,his voiced tensed. “If that wolf is out there,it wouldn't hesitate to attack.”
She nodded but her eyes keep darting the forest. The wind and trees felt like they was whispering her name.
Kael watched from the shadows,he's silver eyes glinting in the moonlight. He heard the villagers coming and the smell of fear and anger lingering all over them. His eyes caught Aria,he's heart skipped a beat. She stood apart from others with her wide curious eyes her presence like a light in the darkness.
His chest tightened as he watches her. There was something about her— something familiar. He took a step forward ,then controlled himself.
“No! I can't risk it. Not yet!” He cautioned
“This is a waste of time” one of the villager shouted, slamming his rake against a tree. “There's no wolf here! We're chasing shadow!”
“Aye” another agree his voice bitter “We've been led on a wild goose chase”
Before anyone could respond a low growl could be heard through the trees. The villagers froze, flickering their torches as the shadow seems to come alive. With a roar a massive brown bear bust from the underbrush eyes blaring with fury.
“Peg it!” Someone screamed and the group scattered, forgetting their weapons in the panic.
Aria stumbled as the villagers fled,her breath coming in ragged steps. She turn to run but froze when she saw it—a wolf,it's fur glistening in the moonlight. It's silvery eyes locked with hers.
For a moment time seemed to stop. Her heart pounded as she stared into those eyes,so full of longing and pain. She saw a shadow of herself refkected in them. It was as if the wolf knew her— like it as been waiting for her.
“Aria!” Max voice broke the spell,and she felt his hand grab hers. “Come on! We have to go!”
“Wait..I ..” she hesitated,her eyes still on the wolf but the bear roar echo through the forest filling the air and He pulled her away. As they ran,Aria looked back one last time but the wolf gone.
The villagers gathered at the market,their face pale,and voices trembling with anger. “This is madness!” One of them shouted. “We nearly got ourselves killed for nothing!”
Max find a place for Aria to sit. Her mind was racing ,she could still see the wolf eyes—so full of emotions. “Who are you?” She thought, her hand touching her necklace. “ And why do I feel like I know you.”
The villagers in anger dragged their feet home. Max helped Aria up and walk her home. Aria stole glances at the forest as her mind was not at ease. They got home max bud her farewell. “ Make sure you lock your door! The wolf might still be out there!” Max urged her. She smiled and nodded. “My regards to Alberta and Hugh” she said as he bid her farewell and left.
She got to her bed, rolling from edge to edge and couldn't sleep. She got up and went to the window,the moon hung heavy in the sky, it's pale light casting shadows actress the forest. She rest her face at the edge of the window her mind replaying the forest scene. “I can't tell the villagers they'll never believe me not after tonight even if they do I can't bring myself to tell them. It feels somehow personal—like I know it. I'll go and find out myself.” She made up her mind and went to bed l
etting her thoughts induce her to sleep.