Murder Unveiled

A wave of happiness washed over the beast. He'd been making his way en route towards the village for his nightly 'snack' as per usual.

It'd thought about taking out its pent up anger on its snack after being scolded by his master.

'Stupid human girl. If it weren't for the boss I'd definitely kill her instead of bringing her back'.

Grumbling out of frustration, it dragged itself from its clan's hideout to complete its task before the master decided to do more than just yell at it.

It was just his luck to have stumbled upon a rather average young lad tied to a tree; light grey hair and a rather fair skin. He didn't seem quite special but for a beast like him it was heaven.

It'd been terrorizing the village for years and as a result, it had been able to indulge himself with the best of the best but, in recent years there had been a decline.

It'd started losing interest and was planning on going on a raid with its fellow clansmen but, due to the increase in movement from the church it had held its-self back.

Now, it seemed as though luck was on its side.

It made its way towards the young man tied upon the tree and with its large hand, it touched its head.

Roland froze.

He'd been so caught up in worrying about his fate that he'd completely neglected his surroundings. He only felt a rather soft object, which appeared as though a hand, upon his head, cupping it.

He felt frightened.

His head hung low, not daring to make a move. He kept his eyes looking down and as a result, he was able to make out a part of the figure standing before him.

'T - t - t - t - t - t - t - t- t – t – tentacles!!!!'

His eyes rolled over, he felt light headed and was on the verge of passing out.

'No, I must stay awake. Maybe I'll get a chance to runaway'.

The beast eyed Roland with an amused looked on its face.

'Not a screamer. That's great. For now that is. The screaming is a major turnoff. If I didn't need this to survive, I wouldn't have put up with it'.

It attempted to raise Roland's head but, he'd firmly held it in place out of fear.

'I can't just use brute to get him to look up at me. I'll definitely kill him if I do and he'll be of no use to me then'.

A look which resembled that of a frown appeared on its face. It was clearly frustrated.

It removed its hand from Roland's head and moved it towards the wisps as though it was about to rip it apart.

Seeing this gesture, Roland's eyes glistened. He unconsciously let his guard down and so before he could react, the beasts hand had placed a firm on his face, forcefully raising it up.

'Dammit'.

"Humans are always falling for such petty tricks. If they keep this up, they'll be extinct in no time".

'I – I – I – I – I – I – I – I – It spoke' Roland was momentarily shocked.

'Shocking, but then again it shouldn't be'.

Barov's words to him previously echoed in his mind.

"...originally they were human but after the first holy war a few thousand years ago they evolved....."

'I find it hard to believe though. Humans yet they're demons. I'd need Barov to explain it to me but it looks like that won't be possible'.

Roland had been so caught up in his dilemma that he had not noticed the change in the beasts' demeanor.

'How is this possible?' its body shook violently 'How is he even alive? After what I'd done to him that time he was as good as dead'. As it thought of this, various images flashed through its mind.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Two figures walked through the empty streets one night.

"Your highness, it's really late. We should quickly head back to the castle before those beasts come out" a rather malnourished man begged to the young man.

The beast, hidden by the trees, looked towards the two, a smug expression on its face.

"You actually believe in those things? Just some folklore parents tell their kids to keep them off the streets. Kids are quite rebellious. I would know".

He took a seat on a wooden bench situated before a carpenter's shop.

"Loosen up. Have a seat. If you're quick to believe the words of those peasants, they'll see that and take advantage of you and who knows, kill you in the end. They despise having me here and would go to lengths to have me overthrown".

"But your highness, many have seen and lost relatives at the hands of the beasts. They strongly advised us to stay indoors.

I know that they despise you but, based on my observation today it's not entirely you. It's just the fact that the royals have not been fair and you're akin to the royal family".

"Whatever. If you strongly believe their claims then go".

"Your highness…."

"Go away"

"I - "

The young lad gave him a look which made him close his mouth.

With one last look the malnourished figure walked away.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

His eyes scanned every inch of Roland's body.

'He looks exactly the same. I can't be wrong'

It pulled on Roland's collar revealing his pale neck.

'The mark is there' he eyed a light pink, circular marking on his neck.

'But how?'