The Cabin

Albert stepped off the path and began walking deeper into the forest, weaving between the trees. The darkness here was heavier, the branches surrounding him like silent witnesses.

Miguel was still unconscious. Every now and then, he groaned and shifted slightly, only to fall quiet again. For several minutes, Albert heard nothing but the rustling of dry leaves beneath his feet.

Then, a shape emerged between the thick trees , a small cabin. It was old, its wood worn by years of neglect. The roof was moss-covered, the window frames webbed with spiders' silk. But it was shelter, a glimmer of hope.

Without hesitation, Albert made his way toward it. When he reached the door, he gently propped Miguel against a nearby tree and turned the doorknob. It opened with a soft creak.

Inside, the air was thick with the scent of dust and damp rot. The humidity mixed with the decay of the wooden walls. But the place was still standing and hidden well enough.

Albert stepped back out quickly, hoisted Miguel onto his back once more, and carried him inside. He shut the door silently behind them. They were alone. At least, it seemed that way for now.

After closing the door, Albert leaned back against it. The silence inside was suffocating. His breathing was unsteady from exhaustion, and from fear.

He let his eyes wander slowly around the room. The wooden floor creaked under his feet. The walls were blanketed in cobwebs.

In the center stood an old table, surrounded by a few overturned chairs.

Dragging his feet, Albert moved toward the table. Gathering all his remaining strength, he pushed it in front of the door. The screech of wood against wood echoed through the cabin.

Then he returned to Miguel. His face was pale. Albert gently opened his eyelids.

Miguel's eyes were completely white. His pupils had rolled back, as if every last thread tethering him to the world had snapped.

Albert's throat tightened. Gripped by a deep fear, he grabbed Miguel by the shoulders and shook him gently.

"Miguel! Come on, wake up! Open your eyes, man!"

No response. In desperation, Albert slapped him a few times. Still nothing but silence.

He collapsed to the floor. He took Miguel's head in his hands, sat on his knees, and held him close. His body rocked gently back and forth. His voice trembled now.

"What is happening here? Why... why did this happen to us?"

Just then, a sound came from outside.

Albert's eyes locked on a single point, his entire body tensing in reflex. He whipped his head toward the door. His fingers curled into claws, an animalistic expression took hold of his face. He closed his eyes and tuned his ears to the outside world.

Footsteps...

Someone was walking slowly across the dry leaves outside, getting closer.

Albert moved quietly toward the edge of the door. He held his breath, pressed against the wooden wall, hiding his shadow in the dark. He braced to strike...

But his fingers trembled. His vision was blurry. He was on the verge of both fear and exhaustion.

The steps drew closer. Stopped right in front of the door. Silence…

And then, suddenly:

BOOM!

The door exploded into splinters.

The table Albert had pushed against it was flung violently backward, crashing into the far wall. In the doorway, a dark figure stood. Its face hidden in the shadows.

Without hesitation, Albert lashed out with a wild slash of his claw. But a hand caught his wrist mid-air. The grip locked around his arm like a vice. Albert's muscles instantly froze.

Then he felt his body lifted off the ground. It all happened within seconds. He twisted mid-air and slammed to the floor. The wooden boards groaned beneath him. The impact knocked the breath from his lungs. He couldn't even rise to his knees.

The figure stepped fully into the room now. Standing tall, unmoving and staring straight at Albert.

The figure was Jack.

Albert, still on the ground, saw his face…

His pupils dilated; he was panting. He began crawling backward in fear.

With a trembling finger, he pointed at Jack:

"It was you… You did it! You killed my friends, you sick bastard!"

He started waving his hand wildly, still retreating.

"Stay away from me!" he shouted.

Jack looked at Albert, then at Miguel lying unconscious, then back to Albert.

His voice was surprised, but calm:

"Hey, hey… Relax, man. I didn't kill anyone."

He slowly began walking toward Albert. But Albert was in full panic.

He was screaming, his voice cracked and broken:

"Don't come any closer! Stay away! Please don't kill me!"

Jack reached him.

Albert was still desperately swiping his claw through the air. Jack gently grabbed his trembling hand, then firmly covered his mouth.

He leaned in and whispered into his ear:

"Be quiet. I told you I didn't kill anyone. Your voice… it's too loud. You'll draw him here."

Albert struggled helplessly in Jack's arms.

Fear had completely consumed his eyes. Jack held on for a while, but his patience finally snapped. His pupils widened, his jaw elongated, his facial features twisted into something grotesque…

He shifted into a semi-beastly form.

Placing one claw on Albert's chin, he forced his face toward him. A deafening roar filled the entire room.

Albert's eyes widened in terror… but then,

His arms dropped, his legs gave out.

It was as if his body had been drained of all energy. For a brief moment… he calmed.

Jack's face slowly shifted back to its human form. He looked into Albert's eyes, still catching his breath, and spoke in a soft voice:

"Calm down. I'm not going to hurt you."

Albert remained sprawled on the floor. Jack knelt beside him.

"I'm not the one hunting you. I'm here to help."

A brief silence followed.

Only the howling wind outside could be heard. Albert's chest rose and fell rapidly, his eyes still filled with doubt.

Jack's voice was firmer this time.

"Stay quiet If you want to stay alive..."

Albert nodded in agreement.

Jack's eyes locked with his for a moment. A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Good," he said simply.

Then he reached out and helped Albert to his feet. Together, they walked over to Miguel, still unconscious on the floor.

Jack knelt down again, glancing sideways at Albert.

"What happened to you two? Did you see who attacked?"

Albert was still trembling.

He rubbed his hands together, then spoke with difficulty.

"...There was something in the dark... we tried to run. We didn't even see them... just… the sounds… the smell of blood..."

Jack nodded silently, his eyes growing stern. He gestured at Miguel.

"Turn him face down," he said, short and firm.

Albert looked at him in confusion.

"What? Why—"

"Just do it. Now." There was warning in his voice.

Albert hesitated, then carefully turned Miguel onto his stomach.