Edgar -Part 1-
The rain poured harder as the thunder crashed overhead. The sound of running hooves slowly drawing nearer to me. As I tried running faster, the pain in my stomach increased. I almost crash into a tree as the muscles violently contract agaisnt the pain. My vision is beginning to grow hazy.' I've got to loose them soon,' I thought as the rain fell hard agaisnt my face. ' I cant keep this up much longer.'
As the sound of howls fills my ears, I realize they are closing in faster this time.' How could I have been so careless? Letting them see me in form? How could I have been so foolish?' I try to concentrate on running but my head is swimming in a fog. I keep thinking to myself, trying to keep myself from blacking out. 'Maybe thats why they are after a beast tonight, loadmouths obviously didn't keep their mouths shut.' I smile to myself as I replay the earlier scenes of this evening in my mind. 'Or maybe its because I decorated the tavern walls with their insides?' Whatever their reasons were, it made no difference to me. If they caught me they would end my life, no matter what my crime. This doesn't seem like it's going to end well for me if I don't get away soon.
I finally decide to give up my foolish attempt at playing human. Although it was easier to squeeze threw the dense tangle of trees and shrubs in this form, I could run much, much faster in my other form. I stop and quickly change. Every nerve and muscle in my body screaming in agony as my body takes on its new shape. I stop as the sound of speeding hooves begins to slow. The barks and whines of their hounds is now ringing in my ears. I turn just long enough for them to take a good look at exactly what they are hunting and if it's really worth the chase. As the shock takes over I quickly take this perfect opportunity to make my escape. I dash to the right into an unusually thick patch of tree branches and prickly shrubs. The pain in my stomach quickly returns as the web of branches begin to snag and pull at the raw exposed flesh of my underbelly. I can no longer contain my agony and cry out to the beautiful mother moon. Beging her to take away this pain, if only for a moment, so I can make my escape.
I stop as I come to the edge of a clearing. The sounds of horseback men and whimpering dogs...gone. I turn and stand still as a tree. I prick up my ears in a feeble attempt to hear anything. I strain my almost nonexistent vision for any signs of movement or light. Nothing. The sweet sound of the wind and the now pounding rain of the storm rushing through the trees is the only things that fill my ears now. 'I lost them!' I start to smile, trying hard not to burst into a histerical laughing fit. 'I finally lost them!' I take advantage of this moment to rest. I sit back, struggling for breath. The pain in my stomach quickly ends my peace. 'Damn, little prick did get me good.' I lean down and attempt to clean my wounds. My tounge only making things worse. The sting of thorns sunk into my flesh is brought to a boiling point , causing me to howl out again. ' I've got to get moving, cant stay here. I'm like a sitting duck here.'
I get up and slowly start to make my way threw the dense brush. After what seems like hours of stagering aimlessly around, I pick up a welcoming scent. Very faint, but not to far from where I stand. I pick up my nose and take a long, deep breath. The smell of what could only be meat over an open fire fills my nostrils. My mouth begins to water. ' When was the last time I ate?' I slowly make my way threw the trees. My nose now leading the way. After another painfull walk, I come to the edge of a much smaller clearing. I look out to see that most of the space is filled with a large cottage. The front open to a path leading into the woods. As I make my way closer I see a single horse tied up in a makeshift shelter. A thick leather conopy above its head to protect from the storm as it sleeps on a paltform keeping it off the ground.
I slowly make my way to the front door. As I pass by a darkened window I catch a glimpse of myself. I stop as I realize I am still changed. ' I should probably change back. I dont think i'll get a very warm welcome if they open up the door to a giant black wolf.' I quickly change back, my body screaming even loader at the pain transformation brings. I tear off the tatered fabric that was once my clothing. Now stagering to the door, naked as the day I came into this world. As I look down at myself, I hate what I see. I hate my human form. No matter which village I went to I was always the outcast, too different to fit in. All the men in this place where short plump fuckers with light hair and skin. Probably from the lack of sun around this hell hole I call home. And then here I come, the stranger is what the last village called me, a tall, thin, well groomed individule with dark hair and tan skin.
I finally reach the front door, my body seconds away from total collapse. I pull what is left of my strength to knock on the door as I fall against it. My head begins to spin as the fog returns to cloud my vision. My heart is racing as I hear fotsteps draw near. As I begin to fade into darkness, I feel myself begin to fall as the door is moved away. But rather than hit the floor, I fall against someone. I feel my faced pressed agaisnt the warm broad chest of a stranger. I can feel myself being half carried, half dragged inside. I feel myself being layed down on something soft. I must be in front of the fire. I can feel the warmth on my side, the smell of burning wood fills my nose. As does another smell. The smell of meat, the smell that brought me to my sanctuary. With the last of my strength I open my eyes. The last thing I see before completly passing out is a warm smile, and the piercing blue eyes of my savior.