Chapter 1

It was nearly dusk. The sky painted bursts of orange clouds. Just the typical sunset we always had. I suddenly felt my bronze hair bounces as I hurled my body from running. My brown linen long sleeve was pressing against my back because of sweat. The wind started to blow cool, when I found myself through the edge of the forest.

The forest is still. Silent. Then the wind whistled. The leaves of the short trees around me fanned for a moment. I held my bow loaded with an arrow. A bush moved. I flexed. A rabbit hopped from nearby. I fired. The air whizzed. The arrow flew. I missed. The rabbit was gone.

"Hugh! That was almost a hit!" I wiped my forehead dripping with sweat, then hanged the bow on my shoulder. I sighed, "That's enough for one day."

I left and fetched my cow tangled on a tree on the edge of the rice fields. Laid on his back are sacks of rice I got this afternoon. We started to head home.

Meanwhile, the sun had already set. The mountain against the horizon is a giant jagged silhouette.

"Hurry Guss", I urged, pulling the rope tangled on his nose.

My Grandpa will get mad if I'll be late for dinner.

Finally we headed home. I stood at the porch and looked the usual timber wooden pillars of our house.

"Hi Grandpa, Grandma", I pulled the sliding door and greeted.

The light of the bulbs from the ceiling reflects to the white walls. Our furniture are but not all made of wood, the sofa and the racking chair in the living room, the gigantic spoon and fork hanging on the wall and a lot more antic stuffs my grandfather used to keep. I had my collection of different sword-like knives and daggers sorted inside a glass frame hanging right next to the door of my room.

Grandpa's smiting his old knife, a long and shiny knife which more like of a sword. Grandma's cooking our dinner in the kitchen as I've smelled.

My grandfather was a tall man and still retained the shapes of his muscles despite of his age. He is starting to grow white hairs but he's incredibly strong. On the other hand, my Grandma is a more of a very nice old lady. She's starting to grow white hairs too.

"How's your day young man?" Grandpa said while sliding his hand on the blade of his 'sword'.

"Just the usual." I replied then took a seat right next to the door and I started to untie my sandals. "I just wish I could be one of those boys you could hear out there every afternoon."

"Oh, my boy. Come on here." Grandpa arched his arm and as I walk close, he grabbed my neck and led me to sit. He said, "Don't worry, your own time will come very soon. Trust me, they'll never left a Guste in here, my boy. It's in our blood."

I just smiled as a reply. My grandfather patted my head and braced his arm tighter to me.

"Oh yeah. Let settle things up and tomorrow is another day for all of us." Grandpa said and led me up.

"Adrian, when you're in there, don't mess with things up", Grandma came behind. She teasingly added, "Just like you're Grandpa at his age. You know, he's deteriorating."

"Hey! I'm still good enough to show Adrian some guts." Grandpa defended giggly.

"Yeah, I know." I replied to Grandma. It's her fifteenth time of reminding me about being behave inside the school. That will be soon enough. I trust them with their words. After all, they're old people who earned gray hairs not in vain, trust me.

Only with one exception. Every time Grandpa is smiting his sword, he got wounded. Well, that goes for me when I had my adventures right before Guss and I go home. Being wounded. Getting used to it that much.

"Time for sleep Adrian", Grandma told me as she walks her way to her room with Grandpa after we had our dinner.

"Goodnight", I headed to my room and pulled the door.

For few moments, lights were off. I was there on my room lying on my quilts, pillowing my arms, looking outside the open-wide window to see the blue moon. I don't want to go to sleep yet. I want to think for a while.

A tiring day again. But another comes until the days most people are scared of will arrive.

My name's Adrian Brandon Guste and I am 17 years old. I am staying with my grandparents with our old silly cow since I was a kid. I have a dark bronzy wavy, bouncy thick hair. I am slightly thin but my muscles are growing. I am still in the middle of my adolescence but I had a lot of things I never had to understand in days of my childhood. What remarked most about me is that I eat a lot and sometimes, I am losing my mind, seriously.

The rest of my life as far as I can remember was normal, until hard times come overtook me. Then there are my nightmares.

Anyway so much for my story, you see, we are living in a kingdom called, Irro, having the rule from its great city which happens to be the geographical center of the whole kingdom. That city is surrounded by a great stone wall. We call it, "central walled city". Here is where the palace, the academy and any other governing buildings are situated. Though Irro was commonly called a kingdom, it never had monarchs to lead it but with powerful people headed by the prime minister and his councilmen. The surrounding 25 cylindrical shaped districts which were arrayed outside are divided by branching walls from the central walled city like rays of the sun. And what separates Irro to the rest of the world is a giant metal wall. That wall was called, "Outer walls".

Life in Irro wasn't really simple. It follows a strict system. See, it is quite complicated and you don't definitely have the time to slack off. Kids were taught with every rule and trained with skills for living by their parents until they reach 16. That is when they need to go inside the central walled city to study things for the future. Not for theirs, but for all of us. I still don't get it why. According to laws of our kingdom, everyone must do their best whatever and wherever it may be for the good of the kingdom because in a blink of an eye, the kingdom will fall to devastation. That devastation wasn't clearly talked about or mentioned in everyday conversation but rather under the discretion of knowing it at school. Well, what was that? Some dark secret?

These laws are fulfilled after someone leaves the central walled city to work for the future. To be more precise, to work after graduation and of course marry. Future is what the kingdom is trying to secure through the present. And what best describes that future, it is us, kids. Well, I am a young man now though. But I could brag to everyone that I am still a child at heart so I could make myself counted.

"Before we die, we should do something good for everyone. It is not for praise, but because it is right. No one might ever know it might be you or you will not be remembered for it but the best thing to think about is you did what is right." I remembered Grandpa's words since I was a little boy. To be more accurate, it was just after dinner.

Well, I feel getting grown up every time I hear my old folks words.

"Yes, Grandpa! I'll do my best to do great things like you." It was my little kiddie voice answered him. I am only 7 (teen) but it is quite like yesterday. But hello, it was just right after dinner he said it.

Grandpa taught me to always keep it in mind. Devastation somehow may be too far to think but until the right time comes, we will understand why. I will. I pledged myself in always doing what is right. Indeed, if you want honor and sense in life, what else you have to do? Right?

So much for the legal system, each district has each capitol halls headed by district chiefs. Don't get freaked out when a huge intimidating guard who breaths like a bull tells you out of nowhere, "trust me, I got this." Most kids feel bullied but that's the way it is. As I said, there's some dark secret around here and it's so stupid to act stupid right? I mean, acting like you know everything is stupid. And what, feel creeped out and cause a revolution? My you, suck. Anyway, the government had their reasons most especially when they are doing some discreet plans, particularly with the involvement of kids like us.

What terrifies me is what lies beyond the walls that surround the districts, what was beyond the, outer walls. I never know anything about it. It was pretty obvious that those are the dark secrets. But it was color red out there you know? It should be called, red secret, not dark, it isn't even black. And we kids are too scared to talk about it. Elders say, it is a land full of terrors. Yes of course, I mean what else could you feel when you see red land? According to the stories, the outer walls were built by early men of Irro to keep everyone from the extreme deadly creatures. I've never been there. And no one is allowed to be there, especially those who haven't entered the central city, only by special command. Grandpa had been there, but he always refrains from talking about it.

They say, there are a lot of lurking beasts in that land. So great, so hideous, that by just looking at those creatures will really make someone poo in your bed. A lot of elders say, no one had ever known to be seen again after staying there for weeks. No one. Because they have died before they could return. Some people found their bodies dismembered, or decaying gruesomely. The most common speculation was they were devoured by the creatures out there. And the rest of the deaths recorded were all unexplainable. Their bodies were all dried up and very stiff. Their muscles are very hard and elastic like a rubber. No one at my age can explain its cause.

But what I have known is far more terrifying than these stories. What lies out there is more than grotesque beasts. I have it seen it myself. I always dream about it. And it is like it's true, like I've been there. I have been there. It is not a guess. And that makes me look like crazy. I am crazy.

And, here I am. In few days, I'll be inside, I promised to myself. I'm already 17 years old. I've been late for a year by now. Last year, I failed to go with the batch of my age to start their studies at the academy. I've just wondered why I wasn't chosen this year, I mean, I am pretty cute, you know. I once thought it just I don't get it why most girls at my age blush when they happen to talk or pass through me. That made me heart broken up until now. Now I finally get it that it has definitely nothing to do with appeal and girls. I particularly wanted to be a hunter. I want to know more about those poisonous, dangerous and killing entities in that land beyond the outer wall, the greatest threats of our devastation, elders say. And to go out there and see it again, the things the world had hid to everyone.

I'm pretty sure I'll be inside. I promised myself. I'll be a hunter.

Then, I felt like sleeping.

My ear caught noises outside. The dead leaves on the ground were cracking gently. The sounds are far. Thumps. The gentle cracking are getting louder. And it's coming closer. Closer to our house. I froze myself lying, seemed my chest will burst. Then, the thumps got faster, and getting louder as it gets closer. It was very close to our house. Then it was outside my window.

The thumps stopped. The air muted. I've heard my own gasps. I rushed to get up on my knees and sit straight. My teeth gnashed then I suddenly felt scared. There's something outside. Is it someone? Or something?

I stood and gazed the window. I let my head out of the brim while my jaws trembling. I haven't seen anything, just the great pasture covered by the moon light and the glittering sky up there.

Then my eye caught a strange silhouette standing next to the apple tree, just few meters away adjacent to our house. It is more like a part of the tree trunk but it's not the usual I see. Then it moved.

My jaws trembled harder. I can hear my teeth gritting so loud. The silhouette moved itself away from the trunk, slowly, in the middle of the gloom. As it moves, an arm leaves on the trunk leaned. And then it steadied. It resembles to a man standing, putting all his weight on the tree trunk.

I yanked myself against the wall to hide. I felt it watches me, like it's up to get me. It is too late now for me to close the window. I tried to cheer myself up through thoughts quickly struck my mind. I'm inside the dark after all. It does not see me, if it has eyes.

What is that? A question hit my head. Why am I acting like a scardy-cat? What if it's afraid of me? I started to form freaking thoughts until I turned out being curious.

I pulled myself through the window and looked out. The silhouette was gone.

"Hugh!" I sighed inside. That was close. I thought I'll be....

Whoaahh!!!!!! HHAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

A huge shadow jumped over my window. Then I felt my body dragged through the floor then I started to fling my arms while almost rolling my body. Something pressed my stomach. But I flailed and got away and rolled. I can't see anything. The moonlight shattered until my eyes never cope with the darkness. I hit the wall while rolling. Then I heard strange fierce growl. It's… It's right next to me!

I screamed loud. When the moon light flashed bright, silhouette bursts out in front of me. I tried to get up, but I can't. I pushed myself hard to roll on the other direction to get away from it.

"Adrian!" someone shouted. Then, the light in my room flashed on.

"Ahhhh!!!!", I shouted loud as the silhouette turned into a very huge black wolf standing stiff right in front of me.

"Adrian, it's alright", it was Grandpa, holding his breath, standing in the door of my room together with Grandma and some neighbours behind, murmuring.

The wolf stands and it is still growling. It is very huge to have my sitting height. It looks hideous on its thick gray to black fur and its glowing yellow eyes. It opens its mouth revealing two great fangs and two rows of sharp teeth clothed with saliva and black tartar.

It took a step towards me. Then another. Then another. Then another. Still, I can't move a muscle. I turned my eyes to them at the door. Their foreheads have fountains of sweat. Some gnashes their teeth. I can hear their trembling cries. They couldn't do anything to save me.

What would this hideous thing do to me? Eat me? I'm not delicious, not even tasty or having good flesh texture since I always sweat, the best joke I can tell myself at this dreadful moment.

My mind starts to cloud with panic. I start to tremble. The wolf took another step. Still, I can't move. I rolled my eyes to everywhere in my room. Then, it caught a knife, at the top of my study table, few inches closer to me.

"Rahhh....." the breeze swept my arms. I swiftly pushed myself up towards my study table. My right hand luckily grabbed the knife. The wolf roared loud and started to gallop. Its snout snapped as it got close.

Its snout caught the edge of my shirt. I was pulled back and it jumped and stepped on my trunk. I bumped my head hard on the hard ground. My body slammed over the floor.

"Ohhh...", I groaned for sudden pain flooded throughout my entire torso. The monster's forefeet lay on my stomach, pinning me against it.

Suddenly, the pointy ends wolf's sharp claws pressed on my shirt. Then, it quickly nailed and penetrated my skin. Its claws tear my skin, leaving a long, deep slit of pain. It burrows deeper, and started to rip the flesh. My hot clogging blood oozes from the painful wound.

"Ahh", I cried. I felt the excruciating pain of its claws digging my stomach muscles. I still feel the warm blood that slowly bursts out. What do I do? What do I do? I cried in panic inside. I felt my eyes to brim tears.

"Oh, Adrian", the only thing Grandpa can say, and only thing he can do.

My sight blurs. But then, it can see the wolf snout's getting closer to my face, closer, closer. Its saliva oozes from the middle of its filthy teeth until it falls on my face. I can smell all the stink.

"...oh poor kid. Fight for it Adrian.", I heard someone said.

My hand gripped with a light strength. Suddenly, my mind floats. I said to myself, Will I die tonight? I've got to get inside the academy. I will defeat him.

"You cannot defeat me. You will rot here as long as I live." A scary deep voice whispered through my ears.

Shock pressed my muscles to tense. The heart pumps faster and all my blood vessels dilated. My body was flooded with power. I looked at the wolf straight to its glowing yellow eyes. It points its snout on my face. It howled and slowly bowed its head to me with its sharp teeth.

Not a wolf would destroy my future. Or any beast I could meet can stop me. Never. I am never letting that happen. I'll do my best. I made this far. I was this close. I will defeat him.

"Yah!" I took a hard grip on the handle of the knife, and, and stabbed it in the wolf's right eye. The blade buried down the socket.

The wolf bellowed loud over me, blowing a stinky breath. I twisted the blade inside and slowly, buried to its brain. Its body twitches hard and still roaring, revealing its dirty teeth. Its blood gushed from the socket. Then, it tried to pull itself against me. But I don't want to let go. Blood sprinkle on me. It comes out of its nose.

"Raaaaahhhhh." I screamed.

Its left eye slowly goes out of its orbital followed by mass of red bunch. Finally, I managed to get on my feet.

I can't help myself. I want to do it more. I pulled the knife out and stabbed it hard on the top of its head. The clots cover my knife. The hard skull is crushing. Then, I scooped inside the head with the knife blade. Ohh, I heard the bones crushed more. And the mass inside are tearing, grinding apart.

"RAHHH….." I pushed the knife on the dog's neck. As it burrows, I waved my arm, slowly cutting the muscles inside. The dog's blood showers on my face. Then, my hand pulled it down, swiftly ripping the dogs neck.

The visceral masses start to ooze around the dead head. It is really crushed.

I feel I am insane. But I can't control. I stood with a smile. I don't care if I'm bathing with its blood especially on my baby face, my body and on my clothes. I even tasted it. Salty. I freed the knife in my hand. It falls on the floor and bounces together with blood droplets. Then the body of the wolf slowly falls on its feet. Its blood clotting on its fur gives it a more disgusting appearance.

I stepped on its stomach. I said out of my mind, "You've messed up with the wrong guy."

My right foot was pushed against its belly. I felt the soft fur of its body and its skin. I pushed my foot down, down, down, until I can feel the floor. I tend to see all its internal organs gone out of its mouth and blood that starts to flood on my feet.

My body stood with this tricky smile on my face, standing still for moments I never notice to pass.

I think I've done something really horrible. It's late for me to realize, I was there hugged by my grandparents. Our neighbours enter my room to see the corpse. I can hear there murmurs. Still, I'm lost in motion.

"Where in the world that wolf came from?" Mr. Chanester said few moments after the incident. Everyone's in our living room now.

Mr. Chanester's a fat man having long moustache. He is standing in the middle of our living room with about 8-10 district night patrollers which surround him. They all wear brown cop vest and cap with light brown cross stitch yarn, 14 over its dark brown color. Probably that's our district number. By the way, he's our district chief.

It's very late night when everyone in my village knew what happened to me. The officials rushed to investigate in our house, that's why they are all here.

I am sitting in the wooden sofa wearing my white linen robe and white pajama pants with my grandparents in both sides. One of our neighbours cleansed my wound and put bandage on it right after that insanity. They said the wound is not deep as what supposed to be since the length of the nail of that huge canine is about an inch. That monster! I knew I can defeat him, despite his dirty plans.

"How does it feel my dear?" Grandma asked while rubbing my head softly. Grandpa nearly braced my neck with his left arm.

"It hurts but I'm ok." I replied. I can still feel its nail inside, ripping me. I added, "I'm lucky that it doesn't bite me."

Neither of my grandparents replied. I thought they'll bump me up with crazy punch lines like, "And its unlucky, you've killed it."

Two night patrollers carry a wooden stretcher covered with thick white cloth towards my room. One's at the front and one's at the back followed by two more behind them. Soon, they went out carrying the corpse of that strange creature. Everyone was fascinated. The cloth is easily penetrated by the flowing maroon blood. We all saw the entire head of the wolf, nearly shredded in pieces and the roughly jelly-textured bunches of clotted blood and mass around it. Probably that mass is its brain. Though its head features are unrecognizable, I can see the orbital surrounded by torn skin of its right eye where I thrust the knife.

Some of them were about to vomit.

I can't believe what I have done. I can't believe I've done that brutality. It's not the first time but it's the goriest ever.

"Where exactly is this thing came from before it attacked you, my boy?" Mr. Chanester asked me while the stretcher is driving along him.

"It just came out from my open-wide window, Sir." I answered straight.

"Sir, I found something right outside the window of his room!" someone shouted from the outside. Everyone rushed to see him.

The man stands right next to my window outside over the moon light holding a dog tag. Weird. Despite the gloom, we can recognize the collar and the round pendant in the middle. We came inside the house. Mr. Chanester examined what was found. The dog tag has a thick leather collar surrounded by silver spikes. Its pendant is bronze, having engraved letters, H and G.

"Oh Adrian! You've done something really horrible!" Mr. Chanester exclaimed. He exclaimed creepier in the tag than in seeing the corpse. Weird. I am starting to become nervous.

My eyes had gone big. All of a sudden, I feel frightened. Guys with the brown vest bowed their heads. Some of our neighbours had gone out. I can't read what they feel.

"What do you mean Mr. Chanester?" Grandpa asked.

"We will know something about this wolf soon. But, I'm afraid that things might going to be hard for you Adrian", the chief explained.

For the next coming moments, I maintained complete silence. I let these people unravel the things beyond my concern. I don't know but, in the middle of this night, I feel something really strange. I wish that morning would come easily. "I'm afraid that things might going to be hard for you Adrian" scares me more than the hideous thing I killed.