Eyes of the moon

CHAPTER ONE

From the top-floor window of her parent's house on Charles Street, Jennifer stared deep into the thick darkness, her eyes a beacon of determination as if she hoped their intensity would tear the dark. It had been her culture every night since she was fourteen. She would often, like a child would find comfort in lullaby, find comfort in the dark. It reminded her of herself – of her life. In the dark, there was no beauty, light or hope. It bore similitude with her life."I hate everyone" she muttered. "Everyone hates me too so, fair!" she blurted out into space. Her thoughts drifted back to the haunting echoes of her childhood. Her father, a drunkard, had left indelible scars on her existence. The scent of alcohol lingered in her memories, an oppressive presence that suffocated the very air she breathed. She never even got to know her mother.She silently moved away from the window and found solace by her old dressing table. Her room, adorned with faded wallpaper and curtains, felt like a cocoon of solitude. The worn-out carpet beneath her feet bore witness to the weight of her past. The chair creaked slightly as she lowered herself onto it. The dim light from a solitary lamp cast a soft glow, illuminating the framed photographs that adorned the tabletop – snapshots of a life filled with both joy and heartache. As she sat by the dressing table, her reflection in the vintage mirror revealed a blend of sorrow and strength. The scars etched into her heart served as a reminder of the tough journey she had life had taken her through.Jennifer is a junior year college student and sometimes – a depressed 22-year-old. Despite the arduous journey through life, she was lucky to have been adopted by her foster parents, the Lesleys. Wrinkled and retired, the Lesleys adopted Jennifer as a 14-year-old. She didn't like them so much and made it known at every opportunity, but they were her ticket to a better life. She had a roof over her head and never worried about her next meal. They even ensured she went to college. Mrs. Lesley's words, "I don't want you to end up miserable like your parents. You've got to go to school, honey," echoed daily in her head. This admonition had come after she was reported to have slapped a teacher. Everyone judged her but they didn't care for her side of the story. Miss Jane had called her a monkey because she chose to jump and hop on seats while leaving the class instead of walk like every other person did. "A monkey. A monkey. That's what you are. A stupid mon..." Jennifer, fueled by frustration, cut short Miss Jane's insult with a slap, leaving the classroom in shocked silence. The once-revered teacher now stood vulnerable, and Jennifer, gripped by fear, fled home to escape potential consequences. Her escape carried not only the fear of punishment but also the weight of a society quick to judge without understanding her struggles.The humid Towson air clung to Jennifer like a second skin, as she walked home from the bus stop. Her backpack, laden with the weight of her textbooks and the anxieties of junior year, felt heavier than usual. Today, something felt off, something felt somewhat unusual.It started with the aroma. A pungent, metallic smell, like blood and earth, crept through the open window of her house, a deviation from the usual smell of simmering stew that usually greeted her. Her parents, ardent vegans since she knew them, would never willingly bring meat into their home. Yet, there it was, undeniable and primal, a guttural growl in the air."Mom? Dad?" she called out, apprehension coiling in her stomach like a cold serpent. Her father, a gentle man with eyes that held the warmth of a thousand sunrises, appeared from the kitchen, his brow furrowed."Jen? What's wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with concern."I... I smell meat," she stammered, the words tasting alien on her tongue. "Deer, I think. Like... like someone brought it inside."Her parents exchanged a surprised glance, a silent conversation flitting across their faces. "Honey," her mother said softly, "we haven't brought any meat home."Jennifer's heart hammered against her ribs, doubt gnawing at the edges of her certainty. Could she have been mistaken? The library, usually a haven of hushed whispers and rustling pages, had felt weird earlier that day. Four girls, seated a few rows away, had spoken in hushed tones, their voices strangely amplified in the stillness."Did you hear about Professor Jerry?" one had whispered, her voice a conspiratorial hiss. "They say he... he killed himself after the werewolf hunt.""Suicide?" another had scoffed. "I heard he was accused of being behind the werewolf hunt."Jennifer had dismissed it but she on the other hand also wondered why she had heard them so clearly even though they spoke in hush tone and were a distance away.She made to go take out the trash. Stepping out, she collided with James, her neighbor's son."Just taking out the trash," he said, his voice a shade too nonchalant, a smirk playing on his lips. "Had a successful hunting trip with Dad earlier today."He untied the bag, revealing a mess of bloody fur and flesh. The stench, now undeniable, washed over Jennifer, a primal terror clawing at her throat. Her knees buckled, the world tilting on its axis.The fear she had long suppressed, the whispers she had dismissed, the memories she had tried to bury - they all converged in that moment, a terrifying symphony of truth. The realization, sharp and cold as a butcher's knife, sliced through her: she wasn't just smelling the meat. She was feeling it, tasting it, a primal hunger gnawing at her very core.Was she... a werewolf?The question, which once whispered in the shadows of her mind, now roared her soul. The hunt, it seemed, had begun for the truth that now howled within her.

CHAPTER TWO

Moonlight cast long, skeletal shadows across the clearing where the pack gathered. The air hummed with anticipation, thick with unspoken accusations and the scent of fear. In the center stood Jennifer, her emerald eyes wide, reflecting the ethereal glow above. Just days ago, she'd been a runaway girl, lost and terrified after discovering the truth about her lineage. Now, she was surrounded by beings like her, their faces etched with a mix of curiosity and suspicion."The old ones speak of him," Elder Milrus, his voice gravelly with age, addressed the crowd. "The Alpha who quelled the Kalemdrom uprising, who saved our kind from extinction." He turned to Jennifer, his gaze piercing. "Are you truly his granddaughter?"Jennifer swallowed, the lump in her throat threatening to choke her. "My grandmother confirmed it. She told me stories about him, about his bravery...""Stories," scoffed a burly wolf named Tye, his eyes glinting with distrust. "He might have been a hero, but that doesn't excuse the blood he spilled. He was ruthless, a tyrant who ruled with an iron fist."Murmurs of agreement rippled through the pack. Jennifer's heart hammered against her ribs. Her grandfather, a revered figure in her grandmother's revelation to her a few days back, was now a villain in these eyes."Tye speaks truth," another wolf, Anika, stepped forward. "We cannot trust the descendant of a tyrant. She might be here to reclaim what he couldn't – the leadership of the pack."Jennifer's anger flared. "I'm not here for power! I just want a place to belong, somewhere I'm not a monster.""You are a monster," Tye snarled, his fangs bared. "The blood of a traitor runs in your veins."The clearing erupted in chaos. Accusations were hurled like weapons, claws bared, growls echoing in the night. Jennifer cowered, tears stinging her eyes. This wasn't the haven she'd envisioned, not the pack her grandmother promised.Suddenly, a deep, authoritative voice cut through the din. It was Kai, the young Alpha, his fur bristling with barely contained rage."Enough!" he roared, his voice silencing the pack. "We are wolves, not hyenas! We don't tear each other apart based on whispers and ancient grudges."He turned to Tye, his eyes blazing. "Do you forget the sacrifices Jennifer's grandfather made for this pack? The lives he saved. He gave his own life protecting us!"Tye's defiance faltered. "But his legacy...""His legacy is etched in every moonlit hunt, in every howl that echoes through the valley," Kai interrupted. "He may have been flawed, but he was our Alpha, our leader. And Jennifer deserves a chance to prove herself, not be condemned by the sins of her ancestors."A tense silence descended. The pack shifted, some lowering their heads in shame, others glaring at Jennifer with suspicion. Jennifer held her breath, her future hanging precariously in the balance."Speak, Jennifer," Kai said, his voice softer now. "Will you stay and be one of us? Will you prove your loyalty to the pack?"Jennifer looked around at the faces staring at her, some filled with doubt, others with a flicker of hope. She knew this wouldn't be easy, that she'd have to earn their trust, day by day, howl by howl. But for the first time, she felt a spark of defiance, a determination to carve her own path."I will stay," she declared, her voice ringing with newfound resolve. "I will prove myself worthy of your trust, worthy of this pack. I will honor my grandfather's legacy, not by his mistakes, but by his courage, his loyalty. I will be a wolf of this pack, not a shadow of the past."A beat of silence, then a slow, rumbling applause. It started with a few hesitant claps, then grew into a wave of acceptance. Jennifer felt a surge of relief wash over her, tears stinging her eyes again, this time tears of gratitude. She had found a pack, a place where she might finally belong.But the road ahead wouldn't be smooth. The whispers of doubt still lingered, and the ghost of her grandfather's legacy loomed large. Jennifer knew she had a lot to prove, not just to the pack, but to herself.Days turned into weeks, and Jennifer settled into the pack life. She learned to hunt with the grace of a phantom and fight with the ferocity of a storm. Anika, though initially skeptical, became her mentor, her gruff exterior hiding a well of knowledge and respect for Jennifer's tenacity. Kai, the Alpha, watched her progress with a mixture of amusement and concern. He saw the potential, the raw strength within her, but also the shadow of her grandfather that seemed to follow her like a persistent echo.One evening, as the pack gathered around a crackling fire, the whispers began anew. Tye, ever the thorn in Jennifer's side, fueled the flames of distrust with cryptic remarks and veiled accusations."The old ones say the Kalemdroms are restless," he growled, his eyes glinting in the firelight. "They say they seek a descendant of the old Alpha to lead them through the gates."Murmurs rippled through the pack, anxiety replacing the warmth of companionship. Jennifer felt a cold dread grip her heart. Was this why she was truly here? Was she a pawn in a game she didn't understand?Kai stepped forward, his voice firm and unwavering. "There is no evidence of Kalemdrom activity," he declared. "These are just whispers, shadows in the moonlight. We cannot let fear cloud our judgment."But the whispers wouldn't be silenced. They followed Jennifer like a pack of hungry wolves, gnawing at her sense of belonging. She started noticing subtle shifts in the pack's gaze, a hesitation to share stories, a distance that felt like a wall slowly being built around her.One night, unable to bear the isolation any longer, Jennifer sought out Anika. She found her sitting by a secluded stream, the moon casting long silver fingers on the water."They hate me," Jennifer confessed, her voice choked with despair. "They see my grandfather's shadow everywhere I go."Anika sighed, her face etched with age and wisdom. "The past is a wolf that hunts us all, child," she said, her voice raspy. "But it doesn't have to define you. You can carve your own path, one howl at a time."Jennifer clung to Anika's words like a lifeline. She knew she couldn't change the past, but she could control the present. She would prove her worth, not by denying her lineage, but by embracing the best of it.Days later, the pack received news of a Kalemdrom attack on a nearby village. Fear and anger erupted in equal measure. Kai, his jaw clenched tight, called for volunteers to launch a counterattack.Jennifer stepped forward, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. "I will go," she declared. "Let me fight for this pack, for what I believe in."Anika's hand rested on Jennifer's shoulder, a silent encouragement. Kai, after a moment's hesitation, nodded. "Be cautious," he warned. "But remember, Jennifer, you fight not just for the pack, but for yourself. Prove to them, prove to yourself, that you are more than your bloodline."The journey to the village was fraught with tension. The air crackled with the anticipation of violence. Jennifer, though inexperienced, fought with the ferocity of a cornered wolf. She moved with the agility of her lineage, her eyes glowing with an emerald fire. She fought not just with her claws and teeth, but with the spirit of her ancestors, their strength coursing through her veins.The battle was fierce, Kalemdroms falling under the combined might of the pack. When the dust settled and the moon washed over the ravaged village, Jennifer stood tall, her fur matted with blood, but her eyes ablaze with triumph. She had proven herself, not as a monster, but as a defender, a wolf who belonged to this pack.As the pack returned, a new respect flickered in their eyes. The whispers remained, but they were now murmurs of admiration, of grudging acceptance. Jennifer had carved her own path, her howl echoing through the valley, a testament to her courage and her right to belong.But her journey was far from over. The legacy of her grandfather continued to cast its long shadow, and the whispers grew louder. Jennifer knew more challenges awaited; more secrets buried beneath the moonlight. She would face them, however, not as a shadow of the past, but as Jennifer, the wolf who found her voice.

CHAPTER THREE

"Zeon," Jennifer whispered, the moonlight casting her in silver as they stood at the edge of the forest, "I overheard something disturbing. Some in the pack... they want me dead."Zeon's eyes, old and wise with a glint of something unreadable, met hers. A gentle hand, calloused from battles long gone, rested on her shoulder. "You are the legacy of your grandfather. They fear what they do not understand. But I am here, child, and I will protect you.""Thank you, Zeon. I don't know what I'd do without you," she said, a genuine smile touching her lips."Come," he beckoned, leading her deeper into the woods. "You must learn to hunt-not just for survival, but to become untouchable to those who wish you harm."Jennifer nodded; her heart filled with trust as she followed him into the darkness.--"Are we all agreed then?" growled Tye, his amber eyes flickering with malice within the council's cave. "She cannot stay. Jennifer must be dealt with... permanently.""Agreed," snarled Lysa, her voice sharp as the blade she often carried. "But how? She's guarded by that old wolf Zeon. He won't let her out of his sight.""Ah, but hunters know no loyalty to werewolves," Tye sneered. "We lure her to their den. Her demise will look like an accident.""And how do you propose we do that?" asked Thorne, skeptical as ever."Leave that to me," Tye grinned, his plan unspooling like a dark thread.--"An escape route? Why would I need that, Zeon?" Jennifer's brow furrowed in confusion as they sat beneath the ancient oak, a map spread between them."Because, my dear, even the mightiest warrior cannot find herself outnumbered. You must know the land better than your own skin," Zeon explained, pointing to a narrow path sketched on the parchment."Through the ravine, past the river, and straight to the northern fields," she recited, committing it to memory. "But, why there?""Because" Zeon replied, his voice a low rumble, "it's where you'll find sanctuary should the need arise. Trust me, Jennifer.""Always," she affirmed, her eyes not leaving the map.--"Jennifer's headed right into the hunter's trap," Tye smirked, sharing the news with his conspirators. "By dawn, she'll be nothing but a memory.""Perfect," Lysa whispered, satisfaction curling her lips. "Once she's gone, we'll have no more ties to the old ways.""Let us toast, then, to a new era," Thorne said, raising an invisible glass."Indeed," Tye raised his head in a silent salute. "To the future."--"Zeon, wait!" Jennifer called out, her breaths coming out in visible puffs as she sprinted through the underbrush to catch up to him."Quickly, child! The hunters are upon us!" Zeon cried, urgency lacing his voice as he motioned her forward."Where are we going?" she panted, her legs pumping hard beneath her."Remember the escape route I taught you? Now's the time to use it!" he shouted back, pushing her ahead of him.Adrenaline surged through Jennifer's veins as she veered toward the ravine. The knowledge of the land Zeon had imparted gave her speed, and she clung to the hope of safety as she ran for the northern fields.But as she burst through the treeline, a net cast from shadows fell upon her. Strong hands grabbed her, restraining her struggles. Werewolf hunters, their faces twisted with hatred, surrounded her."Zeon, help me!" she screamed, searching frantically for his familiar form."Jennifer, my dear," Zeon's voice came, not with warmth, but icy cold. He stepped into view, not as her protector, but as one of the hunters. "There is no one coming to save you. I am the leader of these hunters. And I killed your grandfather.""Wh-what?" Jennifer's world shattered, tears streaming down her face. "Why?""Revenge, my dear," Zeon said, his gaze devoid of any affection that once dwelled there. "Your grandfather and your precious pack took everything from me. It was only fitting I return the favor.""Zeon, please..." Jennifer's voice broke, pleading with a man who was never truly there.

CHAPTER FOUR

Jennifer's breath condensed as she watched the werewolf hunters gather around their roaring campfire, the flames casting long, dancing shadows that flickered like specters against the canvas of their tents. The air was thick with the scent of burning pine and the heavy musk of unwashed bodies. Zeon stood amongst them, his face illuminated in the firelight-a face she had once thought kind, now twisted into something harder, crueler."Never trust a soul in these woods," Zeon chided, glancing towards Jennifer with a smirk. The hunters laughed, a rumble of deep voices that seemed to blend with the growling of some distant creature. Jennifer shrank back, her heart hammering against her ribs. She'd trusted him-trusted Zeon with her life-and it turned out he was leading her straight to the wolves' jaws, albeit of a different sort."Keep an eye on her," Zeon said to one of the burly men beside him, then turned away.Jennifer let the sounds of the camp fade into the background as she stared at the ropes binding her wrists, her mind racing. If Zeon wanted her gone, there wouldn't be many more sunrises in her future. Her fingers twisted and writhed, working at the knots subtly while she planned."I thought you were different," she whispered when Zeon passed by her again, this time alone."Life is full of disappointments," he replied coldly, not meeting her eyes.She noticed a knife strapped to his belt, its handle carved from bone. An idea sparked within her-a risky, desperate plan. When night fell completely, and the hunters settled into a drunken slumber, she would have to act."Maybe I was wrong about you," she said louder, making sure her voice carried a note of defeat. "Maybe I was just another fool lost in the woods.""Sleep well," Zeon sneered, leaving her in the cold embrace of the night.As the hours crept by, Jennifer strained her ears for the telltale signs of sleep: the softening snores, the slackened grips on weapons. Her own pulse thrummed loud in her ears, each beat a countdown to the moment she'd attempt her escape. Finally, the camp was still. With painstaking care, she unraveled the last of the rope and slipped free. She crawled toward Zeon's tent, the ground cold and unyielding beneath her palms. Her fingers closed around the bone handle of the knife, and she cut away the remaining ropes with swift certainty."Zeon trusted too much in his own infallibility," she thought bitterly as she stepped away from the sleeping forms of the hunters. He hadn't considered that his betrayal would sharpen her instincts rather than dull them.With the darkness as her cloak, Jennifer ran away from the camp, every step deliberate, silent. She didn't dare look back, for fear that hesitation would snatch her newfound freedom from her grasp. Ahead lay the treacherous woods, but they were a sanctuary compared to the den of those who hunted under guise of righteousness."Goodbye, Zeon," she murmured, the name tasting like poison on her tongue. "Your deceit has taught me well."Her figure melted into the shadows between the trees, a wraith borne away on the whisper of survival and the promise of vengeance.The moon hung high in the indigo sky as Zeon and his hunters slowly stirred from their slumber, the lingering tendrils of sleep reluctantly releasing their hold. Blinking away the remnants of dreams, they rubbed their eyes and groaned, their minds still heavy with the weight of exhaustion.A wave of confusion washed over the camp as the realization dawned on them: Jennifer was gone. Panic gripped their hearts, their breath catching in shallow gasps. The hunters frantically searched every corner of the camp, their shouts piercing through the silence of the night.Zeon's face contorted with a mix of rage and disbelief. How could this have happened? He had underestimated Jennifer's determination and cunning. His arrogance had blindfolded him to her true strength, and now she had slipped through his fingers like smoke.The hunters scoured the surrounding woods, their footsteps echoing through the ancient trees. Branches snapped beneath their hurried tread, leaves rustling in protest.Jennifer's breath came in ragged gasps as she plunged through the dense, thorny underbrush of the dark forest. The moon, a mere sliver of silver, provided scant illumination, and branches whipped at her face as she fled from the snapping jaws and guttural growls of distant werewolf hunters. She could still feel the sting of betrayal; Zeon's eyes, once so warm and guiding, now flashed coldly in her mind's eye, his treachery as sharp as the claws of the beasts he'd led her to."Can't trust anyone," she panted to herself, stumbling over a gnarled root. "Not even him.""Trust can be as fleeting as the wind, young one," an unexpected voice rasped suddenly from the shadowed foliage.Startled, Jennifer recoiled, her back slamming against the rough bark of a towering oak. She squinted into the darkness where a figure emerged, hunched and cloaked in tattered robes that blended with the night. His eyes, a piercing yellow, held hers with an intensity that rooted her to the spot."Stay back!" Her voice was a mix of command and plea, her hands raised defensively."Peace, child. I am not your enemy." His voice was gravelly but softened by age. He stepped closer, revealing a snout more gray than black and scars that crisscrossed his muzzle-marks of many battles fought and survived."Then what are you?" Jennifer demanded, her heart thundering against her ribs like a caged bird."An outcast," he said, spreading his arms as if to show her his harmlessness. "Much like yourself, I suspect.""Outcast or not, you're still one of them. A werewolf." Jennifer's words were laced with suspicion, the accusation hanging between them like a noose."Once, yes. But now merely an old wolf banished by his own kind." His chuckle was dry as autumn leaves. "Too weak to hunt, too stubborn to die.""Then why should I trust you?" Her gaze never left his, searching for any hint of deception."Because, Jennifer, we share a common enemy, and I have no love left for those who hunt our kind with such hatred." He stepped closer, and she tensed, but his next words caught her off guard. "You are running from Zeon's treachery, are you not?""How do you know about Zeon?" Suspicion flared anew, tinged with fear."His reputation precedes him, and the woods whisper many secrets to those willing to listen." The old werewolf sighed, a sound filled with the weight of years. "I know betrayal's bitter taste all too well. It is poison in the blood.""Then help me." Jennifer's voice cracked as she lowered her guard, just a fraction. "Help me get away from here.""Indeed, I shall guide you through these woods, past the hunters' traps and their prying eyes." He extended a clawed hand, not as a threat, but an offering. "But I ask for something in return."

CHAPTER FIVE

"Anything," Jennifer said, desperation coloring her tone."Remember me, Jennifer. And should the time come when the hunted become the hunters, speak for those like me who desire peace over bloodshed."She hesitated, the pact hanging heavy in the air. Then slowly, with determination etched into her features, Jennifer placed her hand in his."Agreed."The old werewolf's grip was surprisingly gentle as he clasped Jennifer's hand in his own, their fingers intertwining. A solemn promise passed between them, a silent understanding of their shared plight and the cruel world that sought to tear them apart."Thank you," Jennifer whispered, her voice thick with gratitude. "I never thought I'd find someone who understands."The old werewolf nodded, a glimmer of compassion shining in his yellow eyes. "In this vast forest, we are not alone. There are others like us, hidden and hunted. We must find them, unite our strength."As they ventured deeper into the labyrinthine woods, the old werewolf revealed himself to be a font of knowledge – an encyclopedia of hidden paths and sheltered safe havens. His wisdom was hard-earned, gained through decades of survival and a determination to outwit those who sought his destruction.With each step they took together, Jennifer's fear began to dissipate. The old werewolf became a beacon of hope amidst the darkness, guiding her not only through the physical perils of the forest, but also through the tangled emotions that threatened to consume her. He listened to her stories of Zeon, offering a sympathetic ear and words of comfort that she had desperately needed.Days turned into weeks, and Jennifer found herself growing closer to the old werewolf. His name was Gabriel, a name he had chosen for himself after his banishment. Under his guidance, she began to understand the complexities of the supernatural world she had been thrust into and discovered a strength within herself she never knew existed.One night, as they huddled around a crackling fire in a hidden alcove deep within the heart of the forest, Jennifer couldn't help but ask Gabriel about his own past. His eyes clouded with memories as he recounted his days as a fierce warrior among his kind, fighting for survival and acceptance."I was once a leader," Gabriel said, his voice tinged with regret. "ButI was once a leader," Gabriel said, his voice tinged with regret. "But I made choices that led to my banishment. Choices that I thought were for the greater good."Jennifer leaned closer, captivated by his story. "What kind of choices?""Choices that required sacrifice," Gabriel replied, his gaze fixed on the dancing flames. "I believed in coexistence between werewolves and humans, but many of my kind saw it as an abomination, a dilution of our pure bloodline. They feared the loss of their power and dominance.""And you tried to change their minds?" Jennifer asked, her heart heavy with the weight of his burden.Gabriel nodded solemnly. "I formed alliances with humans who were sympathetic to our cause, those who saw us not as monsters to be hunted, but as beings capable of reason and compassion."Jennifer's mind filled with images of Zeon and the hunters he had led her to. "Just like Zeon," Gabriel echoed, his voice laced with bitterness. "He was once a comrade, a brother in arms. But power corrupts, and he fell victim to his own ambitions."A shiver ran down Jennifer's spine as she remembered Zeon's betrayal, the way he had lured her into the clutches of the hunters. "I trusted him," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.Gabriel placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It is never easy to see the true nature of those we hold dear. But remember, Jennifer, not all werewolves are like Zeon. There are those among us who still believe in peace and understanding."Jennifer looked up at Gabriel, her eyes filled with both sorrow and hope. "Do you think we can change them? The hunters?"Gabriel's gaze met hers, a flicker of determination burning within his yellow eyes. "I believe that there is goodness in every heart, even if itis buried deep beneath layers of fear and hatred. We must show them that we are not the monsters they believe us to be."Jennifer nodded, her resolve firming with each passing moment. "Then we will fight for that change. For a world where werewolves and humans can coexist in harmony."Gabriel smiled, a rare sight that softened the lines etched upon his weathered face. "In unity, there is strength, Jennifer. Together, we can bring about a future where our kind is no longer hunted, where understanding replaces fear."