Stories of an Imaginary Werewolf
by LDEJRuff
Story one: Creation in Italy
It was one fine day in Italy. The Valerosa family, a Latin-American family, was there for a visit. Nina Valerosa, the firstborn child, was still three years old then, and her parents were working on a campaign.
One night, Nina got separated from her parents while skipping in a forest. She got a little scared sometime later after being separated.
"¿Mami? ¿Papi? ¿Dónde están?" Nina asked, her voice quivering. She was wandering in the woods.
A wolf crept behind her, growling.
Nina shrieked in shock, and started running. "¡Mami! ¡Papi!" Nina called to her parents.
Another wolf pounced right in front of her, and she stopped short. She started running again.
"¡Mami!" Nina called to her mother.
Suddenly, an entire pack of wolves started following her. Now cornered, Nina felt very frightened, and started to shriek.
However, a wolf howl got the wolves' attention, and they all ran away from Nina. Nina still felt very frightened, that is, until an Italian-accented voice called to her. "Stai bene, bambina?" The owner of the voice said, reaching one hand to comfort her.
Nina stopped feeling frightened, and looked at the figure—it is a werewolf wearing blue jeans that have the feet torn, an earring on his left ear, spider-like fangs, a scar where his left eye is, and a kind expression.
Nina was relieved. "Sí," she answered. "Gracias for rescuing me. ¿Did you come to take me back to mis padres?"
"Certamente," the werewolf answered. "Mi è capitato di parlare sia la vostra lingua e la mia. E parlo anche inglese."
"You speak Spanish, Italian, and English?" Nina asked. "Yet, you are like a guardiana to me."
"Si è creato in quel modo," the werewolf said. "Il mio nome è Leonardo. Leonardo Pedro Valerosa."
"Leonardo," Nina said. "Are you strong like a lion, like your nombre means?"
"Si," Leonardo answered."As I said, you created me that way. And not only that, bambina," Leonardo continued. He hugged her. "I am not only a guardian, but also a protector."
"¿Un protector?" Nina was amazed.
"Ti porterò ai vostri genitori, Nina," Leonardo offered. "È il minimo un amico immaginario può fare per il suo creatore."
Nina climbed and sat on Leonardo's shoulders. Together, the guardian werewolf and the little girl who created him walked out of the forest.
During the week Nina stayed in Italy, Leonardo did his best for her at taking care of her, and playing with her, and teaching her how to face her Achluophobia (fear of nighttime), and her Luposlipaphobia (fear of wolves).
When it was time for her family to leave Italy and go back to Mexico, Nina and Leonardo share one more hug.
"Are you sure you don't want to come with us, Leonardo?" Nina asked. "There's a lot to explore in Mexico."
"No Grazie, Nina," Leonardo replied. "Inoltre, l'Italia ha bisogno di me. Farò del mio meglio per proteggere la foresta che è stato creato, in cui ogni bella notte."
"Arrivederci, Leonardo," Nina said, with tears in her eyes. "Que el Señor de ver que al proteger el bosque."
"Arrivederci, Nina," Leonardo said back to her. "Sono sicuro che ci rivedremo più."
As soon as the embrace ended, Nina ran over to the plane to Mexico, and Leonardo watched as the plane was heading to the air.
"Buena suerte, Nina," Leonardo whispered.