Chapter One: No Options
Warning: Death mentioned; slight disturbing imagery.
The moon was a picturesque crescent in a sky with calm clouds floating passed but never obscuring the lunar shape. It shone down on the land below highlighting taller structures and shadowing everything underneath. It gave an air of mystery and ethereal wonder. The air was cool, perfect for a late night stroll. I had never walked in the dark of the night before like most humans. Curfew was anytime before the sun slept, and the monsters woke from their dens. I was sad that the one time I got to witness the beauty of the night that I was running for my life.
My weak human eyes couldn't see passed the shadows- they all looked like more monsters waiting in ambush. Still, I barreled forward as branches cracked painfully against me, and young saplings stubbornly bent beneath me. It was hard and frightening, but what choice did I have? I could only hope that my obstacles were slowing down my pursuer as well. Behind me I could hear branches breaking rather than snapping back, persistent pounding footfalls, and an other worldly wail vibrate through the woods. My heart fell to the deepest part of my innards. Doubt and fear were honest companions to my desperate state.
Tears began down my hot cheeks. I supposed that this was the moment that my life would flash before my eyes. The faces of my loved ones came to mind one after another like a photo reel. My dad, my baby sister, my best friends, and a tombstone. I was able to smile at that moment because I saw all of them that day. I wasn't aware of it, but I was able to say a final goodbye.
Not that I was willing to give into death so easily. I pressed on until I came to a small clearing at a mouth of a cave. Dread came back as the cave gaped out at me, and even in the dark I could see how deep and dreadful the tunnel was. Was this another monster's den? Was I going to be pulled apart and the pieces fought over? It was too late to reconsider my options. The creature crashed through the final line of trees. I closed my eyes accepting my fate. A moment ticked by as I waited for jaws to tear into my back or swallow my head whole, yet nothing came. The monster didn't move closer. I could still hear its growls and heavy breaths. It was pacing but kept its distance. My breath caught in my throat I was so scared, but I was also curious. Slowly I glanced over my shoulder, careful not to make too sudden of a movement.
Seeing the monster up close caused me to bite back a scream. I felt like I was going to bite clean through my bottom lip. If it moved closer, the creature would easily tower over me. I eyed its long, spindly limbs that were decorated at the end with long talons. It was a hairless beast covered only in tight, leathery skin- I couldn't tell the color. The mouth was small, so it would have to tear me into bite size chunks in order to eat me. The eyes, four of them, were small and beady. Not a single one was looking at me. Somehow, I could just tell.
It watched the cave. I turned my head slowly wondering what was going to come out of that black hole. I couldn't see, but I could feel something. A small breeze brought warm, summer air. But how? It was well into fall. Of course, that was the least of my worries as I felt the monster growing restless. It's hunger would urge it to snatch me up regardless of its caution.
With a breeze like that, I could hope that there was another opening on the other side of that tunnel. I wouldn't just be trapped between a cave wall and a monster. Reason warned me that it's possible there was a maze in there, and I would never find the exit. Thing is the odds weren't in my favor, so I was willing to risk it. I rushed into the cave trying to see if I could make out random holes or caverns, but it was useless. All it did was slow me down. I heard the creature wail angrily, and the sound urged me to continue on blindly.
The breeze was getting stronger, and the warmth carried a sweet scent. The monster didn't seem to pursue. I could breathe more freely now. I saw a light, and I stopped running. How could there be sunlight? I hadn't been fleeing for my life that long. It just didn't seem possible. To be honest, I was scared of that unnatural light. My fears didn't change my circumstances regardless. I could continue toward the light or risk being at the mercy of a monster.
I walked into the light, and I can tell you now that my life was never the same.
It was sunlight. Bright and revealing sunlight that showed me I was still in some woods, but I knew in my gut these weren't the same woods around my town. I couldn't explain why, but this didn't feel like home. I should've turned around then and hid in the cave, but my stupid curiosity steered me forward. Into the woods I went.
Enlightenment hit me in that moment. Maybe "hit" wasn't the correct word. It was more of a caress that softly grazed me as I explored these peaceful, monster-free woods. Just moments ago I was in mortal danger. A life in peril. Now, I was on a stroll enjoying another living moment. Life and death had kissed so gently, and fate lead to me being here. I laughed softly. I wasn't so unlucky after all.
"It's so quiet," I allowed myself to wonder out loud, "not a single bird is singing." In my experience, it didn't matter where you went a bird species was always making its survival known. It left an eerie feeling in the air.
A giggled erupted in the silence, and I froze. Was that me? No, no. I hadn't turned crazy...yet. I crept toward the sound watching where I stepped. No twig would give me away. What I saw made me blush and crinkle my nose. It was a couple doing...couple things. I was thankful they still had on their clothes. It did bring relief though because it meant I wasn't alone. Help was close by.
"Oh, Saya," I heard the guy sigh. Ugh. Obviously I wouldn't be getting help from these two. I started to make my leave when a loud smack echoed followed by a pained grunt.
"My name is Milla, you jerk!" The girl stomped off, and I finally noticed them. They weren't normal. That is to say- they weren't human. As the male stood watching the female storm away I couldn't tear my eyes off the giant horns on top of his head. Folklore started filling my mind about how Satan was depicted as a goat. Was this hell? Is this why the monster didn't followed me here? It wasn't ready to go back to the hole it crawled out of into the human world?
The demon sighed and looked right at me. We both froze as we held each other's gaze. I was lost in his blue eyes with my heartbeat pounding in my ears. He raised an arm opening his jaw as he did so. The trance was broken, and I bolted back in the direction of the cave. I would run home and promise Dad I would never miss curfew again. I wouldn't fall asleep in the cemetery. After this I wouldn't try to cheat death; I'd be more careful if I could just make it through all of this.
Deja vu' was setting in as I crashed through trees and bushes toward a clearing with a cave as a monster trailed after me. Except when I reached the clearing there was no cave. Panic returned, and I couldn't concentrate. I quickly tried to remember if I retraced my steps correctly but how could I really know? It was a brand new trail not a worn down path. Deep down I could only accept the truth. The magic that brought me was the same magic that took away my only escape. I sunk to my knees.
"This is it, huh," I gasped suddenly feeling fatigued. No more options. It was time to meet my fate. I heard his steps as he walked next to me. Out of my peripheral I could see his striped pants and brown loafers. What an odd thing for the devil to wear?
He bent at the waist to peer down at me. I didn't understand the expression on his face. It was airy, but I thought I saw concern underneath the calm. He opened his mouth again, and I blacked out.
I groaned as I felt the hard ground and how stiff my body was because of it. The aching pain helped me realize I hadn't died. I was awake and whole. I blinked a few times to take in my surroundings. I was still in the clearing, but the sun was setting. How long was I out?
Clumsily I pushed myself up in a seated position. I noticed a folded shirt behind me where my head was resting. It resembled the clothing the demon was wearing, which confused me. I couldn't help but laugh in disbelief. Nothing made sense anymore.
"Oh, good. You're awake."
My neck cracked as I whipped it around to see the demon had returned. He carried a plate of some kind of food and a bottle of water. This time I didn't attempt to scramble to my feet and run. Call me crazy, but it didn't seem appropriate. I just watched as he knelt in front of me placing the food before me.
"I didn't know what type of food you ate, " he continued on casually, "but it would've looked strange had I gotten anything other than the herbivore option."
"You're not…going to eat me then?" The question came out faster than I could process it fully. Herbivore meal? Versus what? I looked down at the plate and saw an array of vegetables in some kind of sauce. When I returned my eyes on the demon, I saw the appalled expression on his face.
"Eat you? Me? A Dall sheep eating someone?"
Oh. He was a sheep and not a goat. Not the devil either, I supposed. I still didn't understand, but the more questions I had the more exhausted I became. At this rate I would end up with a migraine. The sheep stood up again and ran a hand through long thick fur on his head. He had a lot of it. Now that I could see him clearly I couldn't deny he was actually a lovely looking creature. As I examined him he continued watching me.
"What animal are you anyway? You don't look like any ape I've ever seen?"
"Um, I'm a human." I wasn't sure if there was a better way to answer him. I learned from his question that there must be different species in this place. I wished I had paid better attention to the female he was with earlier.
"Never heard of that species. Are you from the sea?"
"What? N-no."
"…Do you even know how you got here?"
"A cave," I said dumbly as I pointed to the rocky wall, "but it's gone now."
He considered me for a moment, and I hoped he knew something about the cave. To my dismay, he sighed dramatically.
"I have no idea what you're saying. I should get Bill-senpai…"
"Is he a sheep too?"
"Oh, no," he laughed, "he's a Bengal tiger." A shiver ran through my body. I had enough of fangs and claws.
"Please don't," I meeped. He looked ready to persuade me otherwise but said nothing. Fear must have been written all over my face. He sighed again. I had the guilty feeling that he really didn't want to have to bother with me further. Perhaps he was hoping to go off and find the girl whose name he accidentally mentioned earlier once he got rid of me. Either way he leaned back on the grass like he wanted to bask in the fading sun.
"My name is Pina," he introduced himself casually as he motioned to my untouched plate. At his cue, I took a bite of what looked like potato. Whatever the sauce was it was tasty.
"I'm Locklyn," I responded after swallowing.
"Well, Locklyn the Human," he said in a grandiose manner, "tell me more about yourself and this cave of yours."
I couldn't tell if he was just humoring me or trying to decide what to do with me. He was being very kind, and though it was appreciated, it didn't make sense. Besides, how long could he keep this up? How long could I really stay here? I decided to settle on the notion that he was a young sheep who was just as curious as me.
Because, once again, what other option did I have?
A/N: I enjoyed the entire Beastars manga and the complexity of it. I'm glad I was inspired by a more current anime/manga, but I struggled with finding an idea that wouldn't deviate from the original story too much. I suspect this particular story will have more fluff and feel good moments, but that could change.
I don't want to dedicate too much time to this story depending on how it is received by readers, but I will plan to update on April 11th, 2020.
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to read this fanfic. I really do appreciate it and hope to see your thoughts in the reviews.