Chapter 7

In the dead of night, her voice echoed loudly, a melodic sound reaching the far ends of the forest and every creature that lived in it.

Resembling a primal mating call, her vocals stirred a frenzy in the forest. Birds darted erratically through the air, their wings beating frantically, while the once serene creek transformed into a tumultuous torrent, crashing against the nearby rocks. The animals became unsettled and agitated, added to the cacophony of sounds, and created chaos in the tranquil woodland.

Fear seized me yet again.

At that moment, fear manifested as a primal force, a deep-rooted response to the disruption of the natural balance, leaving me vulnerable and exposed amid a chaotic night when the forest turned turbulent.

I closed my ugly eyes to block out the scene before me.

However, when I opened them again, the sorceress stood at the foot of the tree, waiting for me to come out of hiding.

The bats on the trees flew away at her sight.

White Rose smiled the most angelic smile and beckoned me to get down the tree.

“Come down, before I send a wild beast up there to drag you down.” I became terrified and slowly traced my way down.

Then the sorceress walked into her garden.

Her dark hair shone in the moonlight, and she looked magnificent.

I limped to where she stood. I tried to show a brave front and said, “Take this curse off me, I say. How dare you? You have destroyed me by this wicked spell you have cast on me. Lift this curse off me, right now!!”

White Rose laughed cynically, then, in a mocking tone said. “What, you dare stand there in that hideous form and demand your release? Don’t you know I can curse you for another thousand years to remain like that or turn you into a wild beast?

Walking around the garden with a menacing glint, she spoke sharply, "I entertained the idea of unleashing the wild beasts on you. Yet, I've chosen to spare your life for future use. Your blood remains mine to claim whenever I desire. In essence, your survival is imperative to me."

She started laughing hysterically once more. “You just never know! The old sorcerer who cursed me might return to haunt me again!”

My heart cringed at her wicked words. I scampered away, frightened, and sat under the tree I had taken refuge in moments before. I saw her watching me take laborious steps as I retreated, knowing that she would be elated that I was in so much pain.

She smiled sweetly and mocked, “Tired, are you? Maybe, tired and afraid. Well, rest now, and I shall see you in the morning. Why don’t we become friends? That might make you less miserable.” Her laughter rang loud and vibrated in the winds of the forest.

There was a sudden strong draft as I saw her disappearing into the bushes and trees. Her scent left a lingering fragrance as she left.

The vicious eyes that watched out for her followed her, and I thought I heard that lone wolf around me again.

I closed my eyelids, as they felt heavy with sleep, but sleep didn’t come as quickly as I thought it would. My whole body started aching and I twisted and turned in that hideous form.

At around midnight, when the moon hid behind the clouds, and darkness covered the whole of the forest, I started howling like a wolf.

I still sat under the tree. I felt a small animal run over my feet and scamper into a hole in a tree nearby. I jumped and started howling.

My howl was that of a tortured animal and I couldn’t stop the mournful cry escaping my blistered mouth.

Suddenly the shape of my face took on that of a wolf. My eyes stretched across my face, and I felt my form turn into that of a big burly animal.

My furred webbed feet scratched the ground until I made a deep impression in the soil.

The black hood fell off my head and dropped onto my shoulders, and my black outfit turned into long, thick fur covering my entire hunched body.

The moon shone brightly as I roamed the garden looking for food.

I was famished and I hungered for blood and meat. I howled louder this time.

I saw a small four-legged animal come out of the shadows of the bushes nearby, as if in answer to my hungry call.

I ran towards it with the speed of lightning, caught it in between my sharp fangs, devoured the animal, and left its bones out in the open. There was blood everywhere and I felt my hunger appeased.

Having satisfied my hunger pangs I walked out of the garden to where the creek was. I stood on top of a high rock and howled at the moon.

The light from the moon cast shadows in the forest. I howled up at it in the sky. It was no use. The moon couldn’t lift the curse that had befallen me. As its rays fell on the waters, they shimmered and shone. When I saw my reflection in that light, I became afraid and started scratching the surface of the rock frantically with my sharp claws, then; I jumped down from the rock and ran to where I had first hidden and had the glimpse of my grandmother and the search party.

The tree I took shelter from was ravaged by the torrent winds unleashed by White Rose, leaving it shattered on the ground with its branches scattered around.

The owl was nowhere to be seen, and the bats had flown to another location.

A chilling silence enveloped the garden.

A powerful gust of wind swept through, causing my long, furry hair to bristle in the icy cold. Examining my arms, I noticed the resemblance to a frightened animal, the fur stiff and prickly on its ends, as if anticipating danger. Where did the other creatures disappear to?

I shuddered as shadowy forms danced under the moonlight, and unknown figures lurked among the bushes and trees. I braced myself for a potential threat, my senses heightened in anticipation of impending danger.

Lost in uncertainty, I ran into the garden, hesitant to return to the creek or stay in this place any longer.

As darkness crept back into the forest when the moon faded into oblivion, I sat in the centre of the garden where White Rose had stood earlier, feeling weariness seep into my human form.

Despite exhaustion, fear kept me from lying down or closing my eyes. I stayed vigilant amid the ominous stillness of the garden.

I wasn’t sure if sleep would overcome me anytime during the night. I knew I had to stay awake to face the imminent danger.

I sensed something strange about to take place and braced myself for the worst.