A strange attack

Sophie sat quietly in her father's study, gazing out at the gardens of their family estate. She had just turned eighteen and felt the weight of her family's expectations pressing down on her. Her father, a wealthy businessman, had always been strict about her education and upbringing, demanding nothing but excellence from his only daughter. Though she appreciated the privileges of her life, she couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped, longing for something beyond the rigid world of high society events and expectations.

"Sophie," her mother called as she stepped into the study.

"I just got a call, your dad is coming home today," she announced with a smile.

"Really?" A bright smile spread across Sophie's face.

"Yes, your eighteenth birthday is going to be splendid. Hmm—I need to check on the cake," her mother said before swiftly heading to the kitchen.

Excited, Sophie hurried to her room, searching through her clothes until she found the beautiful gown her father had gifted her on her seventeenth birthday. Her father was often away on business trips, rarely making it home for her birthday. But today was different.

A loud car horn blared outside.

"He's here!" she squealed, rushing outside.

"Dad!" she cried, running into his arms.

"Sophie," he murmured, wrapping his arms around her.

"My princess is all grown up," he chuckled.

"Hmmm, I smell something. Your mother's in the kitchen, isn't she?" he asked, grinning.

"Yes, she is," Sophie giggled.

They walked inside together, Sophie helping to carry his bags.

"Sweetheart, I'm home," her father called.

"Baby," her mother responded, stepping out of the kitchen. She hugged and kissed him warmly.

"I could smell your food from outside," he teased.

"You missed them, didn't you?" she chuckled, and he kissed her again.

"I missed you. Both of you," he said, his voice filled with affection.

"Hope you're not leaving again?"

"No, I'm staying for good this time. I'm finally home with my family," he reassured them with a smile.

"This calls for a double celebration," her mother chuckled.

"I have a surprise" he whispered. "We're going on a picnic," her father announced.

"Really, Dad?" Sophie squealed.

"Let me pack the food and the cake. Sophie, go get dressed," her mother instructed as she hurried back to the kitchen.

"Love you, Dad," Sophie whispered, running upstairs.

"Be careful, Sophie," her father chuckled.

******

"Are we there yet?" Sophie asked eagerly.

Her father turned off the highway path and onto a bushy path.

"Almost there, princess," he smiled.

Sophie was tall with long, dark hair. Her large, expressive eyes, the color of warm chocolate, were framed by thick lashes. When she gazed at someone, it felt as if she could see into the depths of their soul.

She thought back to her high school days remembering her first boyfriend, Ryan. They had been together on the night of their graduation, their first time spent in each other's arms. Though the relationship had been sweet at first, it hadn't lasted long.

One Friday night, she had agreed to go to a house party with her roommate. That was where she met Ryan, and within a week, they had started dating. He had been charming and kind at least, in the beginning.

She could still recall the way he had whispered her name that night.

Ryan had grunted and thrust above her, his breath ragged. She had clenched the sheets, arching her hips against him, her body trembling. A final, moan had escaped her lips as he gasped her name, shuddering in release.

But everything ended when she discovered he had cheated on her, with her best friend.

A bitter smile crossed Sophie's lips at the memory, but her thoughts were interrupted as the car rolled to a stop.

"We're here," her father announced.

He parked and turned off the engine. The air was cool, an unusual chill for late August. Though summer had not yet ended, the dampness in the breeze hinted at the coming autumn.

"Whoa…" Sophie breathed.

"Do you love it?"

"Yes! It's beautiful," she exclaimed, running toward the small house. A swimming pool gleamed beside it, and the front lights shone brightly, making the house sparkle like something out of a dream.

"I love you, Dad!" she squealed, dashing inside.

Her mother turned to her father, surprise in her eyes. "When did you do all this?"

"I planned it a month ago," he chuckled.

"Thank you for making Sophie so happy," her mother smiled.

"And thank you for staying by my side, even when I was gone," he said softly.

"I love you," she whispered, kissing him.

"Love you too," he chuckled, and together, they followed Sophie inside.

"Oh my God, this house is amazing!" Sophie gushed.

Her father smiled. "I have something for you." He pulled out a small box.

"A present? Wow!" Sophie gasped, covering her mouth with her hands.

"Open it." He handed it to her.

Inside was a beautiful necklace with a locket. She opened it and gasped.

"Dad…" Tears welled in her eyes as she hugged him. "This is the best gift ever."

Inside the locket was a picture of the three of them together. Her father fastened the necklace around her neck.

Just then, a blood-curdling howl pierced the air.

"What was that?" Sophie's heart pounded.

"I'll go check it out," her father said, stepping outside.

Her mother smiled warmly, her fingers brushing against Sophie's necklace.

Minutes passed. Then thirty. Her father hadn't returned. They started to Panic.

"Stay here while I go look for him," her mother said.

"No, I want to come with you," Sophie insisted, grabbing her mother's hand.

Her mother hesitated but nodded, and they stepped outside together, only to freeze at the sight before them.

Her father lay in a pool of blood, his body torn apart. A monstrous creature loomed over him, its jaws dripping red.

A scream tore from her mother's throat. Sophie clutched her arm, shaking violently.

The beast turned toward them. Then, with terrifying speed, it lunged.

Sophie and her mother ran, but the creature was too fast. It pounced, slamming her mother to the ground.

"Run, Sophie!" her mother choked out with her last breath.

Sophie screamed, her legs moving on instinct. She bolted inside the house, slamming the door shut behind her. But it was no use.

The door burst open.

The monster stepped inside, blood dripping from its fangs.

Sophie's face paled in terror. It lashed out, it claws tearing into her leg. She grabbed a nearby stand fan, swinging it desperately at the beast's head. The impact made it recoil, releasing her.

She scrambled to her feet, but the monster pounced again, knocking her down. It pinned her beneath its massive body, its snarls vibrating through her chest.

Sophie struggled, kicking and thrashing, but it was useless. She was growing weaker, her strength fading.

Her trembling hand reached for a heavy rod nearby. Summoning the last of her energy, she swung it at the creature's head. It howled in pain, momentarily loosening its grip.

Sophie crawled into a corner, clutching her necklace to her chest, tears streaming down her face.

The monster lunged again but before it could strike, it was thrown back with immense force.

Sophie heard a furious snarl, then a gurgling scream.

She squinted through hazy vision as a figure leaned over her.

A pair of startling blue eyes met hers.

With the last of her strength, she weakly clawed at his face.

"Mom… Dad…" she whispered.

The man grunted and scooped her into his arms.