Beautiful beast

Chapter five

MEGAN

The sound rang into my ears ferociously, triggering me to rise immediately and find my way back. So, I raced down the mountain, despite the aching pain in my leg, and through the bushy path. It was only the pounding of my heart beats that could be heard given the stillness of the environment. Of course, the last thing I wanted dto.haooen to me was to be hunted down by a beast.

Alas! The heavens were on my side as I eventually found the right route back to the hospital. I walked inside, taking frequent glances behind me. Steeping into the ward where Emily had been admitted, I found my Mum sleeping soundly on a chair next to Emily's bed. Dad wasn't there.

As soon as I stepped in, Emily's eyes opened.

“Hi, Emily. I am so happy to see that you are awake”, I said excitedly, careful not to wake Mum.

Emily's eyebrows furrowed in great discomfort. She didn't reply me. She just kept on staring at my face.

“It's a good thing the doctor was able to remove the bullet immediately you were rushed in, which allowed some other tissues to be repaired too”, I continued.

“Are you stupid? Can't you see that I am in great distress? Why do you keep running your mouth like I am interested in listening to you? You are 16 years old, Megan, please use your intuition and stop irritating me with your meaningless words”, she said all in one breath, turning to the other side of the bed slowly.

Shocked, I melted into the empty chair across her bed. I was tongue-tied. Emily was just being cranky, I guess, and it was understandable. But did I really deserve to hear those hurtful words?

A few moments later, Dad walked in. Perfect timing!

“Megan, let's go home together. We will return in the morning”.

I didn't refuse since I needed to recover from my sister's bitter words and unwarranted attitude. I followed Dad out, Emily's demeaning words ringing in my ears.

***

I was running hard, and it was chasing me hard too, unwilling to give up. My breath was heavy, and a million palpitations ran through my heart. Nevertheless, I kept running till I approached a wall, which further gave me the opportunity to see the creature clearly.

“What do you want from me?!” I screamed, clinging to the wall. My heart unsteady as a result of the speedy run I had taken through the thick forest. I knew I had gotten to my wits’ end when I approached the wall. The creature was relentless as it charged towards me. It got closer and I became more terrified than before. I was scared it was going to eat me alive.

It touched my skin with its claws and I cringed, my body vibrating in shock. With its thick and hairy fur, sharp claws, hefty body build, and glowing eyes, there was no doubt that it was a werewolf. If anyone had told me I would be meeting a werewolf in my life, I would have dismissed it as an expensive joke.

Then, it spoke to me. “Why are you afraid, Megan? I am simply here to fulfil your wish”.

“What wish?” I screamed, spitting on its face aggressively. But it didn’t flinch at all.

“Your wish to avenge the robbers who stole your father’s gold and protect the community from their terrific presence. I am here to grant your wish”.

“How on Earth are you going to do that?” I barked, unable to control my agitation.

Dangling its head to the right left, it smiled at me. It drew closer to my neckline and all of a sudden, dug its sharp teeth into my skin. I hollered as the pain coursed through my body.

The morning sun had seeped into my room through the open windows, settling on my face. However, I woke up instantly with rivulets of sweat streaming down my face.

It was a nightmare! A very scary one! The images of the nightmare started running through my mind like flashes of prearranged pictures, and I felt cold with fear.

Revenge? Wish? Werewolf? Bite?

They just didn't make sense. Why would I have that kind of dream?

All of a sudden, I felt the urge to run a side of my neck, which I did and looking at my palm, I saw blood stains. Palpitations ran through my heart as I jumped out of bed in the direction of the full-length mirror in my room. Things were blurry for a minute but I tried to be composed enough to see well.

Then, I stood in front of the full-length mirror and checked my neck. And it was right there. The werewolf’s bite from the dream!

My breath came in short gasps, with my chest heaving with rapid panicked breathing. And as I collapsed on the floor, fear drained the colour on my face and made it ashen. What’s going on?

“Megan, it's time for you to wake up. We need to return to the hospital”.

That was Dad's voice, and I could hear his approaching footsteps. Oh no!

“No, Dad! Don't come in!”