Sweet Evil Fangs

I faltered on the ground, struggling to keep my balance as I ran for my life. I could barely feel my feet after running for so long. I didn’t need to look back. I couldn’t face those red, chasing eyes. He would slaughter me!

I listened to his yelling, each roar making my knees weak. I pressed my hands to my ears in fear as I lurched along the rough pathway. I didn’t know where to go. I had no idea how I ended up in the woods, running for my life. My breath hitched, fatigue gnawing at me. I needed to stop and take a deep breath, but every time I heard his animalistic shriek, I reminded myself I couldn’t.

I had only ever read about such things in books and seen them in movies. Every time I squinted, flashbacks of what had just happened consumed me. The way blood spread like it was nothing. The way light glinted off his fangs, shining in my vision. Something I couldn’t have imagined had become real.

My foot hit something hard, nearly making me lose my balance. I stumbled against a tree but managed to grab hold before falling. I cursed under my breath, pressing my hands to my chest where my heart pounded wildly. My heartbeat was far from its usual rhythm.

"W-what is that…thing?” I whispered, glancing back. I thought I had lost him, as I could neither see nor hear him anymore.

I let out a shaky moan and rested my head against the tree. He had slaughtered someone—and that was nothing like anything I had ever seen before! I put my hand on my head, trying to comprehend what was happening. I had been too shocked to speak earlier, but my first instinct had been to run, to hide from his terrifying gaze. My hands trembled, so I tried to calm myself.

"I’m probably hallucinating,” I muttered, forcing a laugh as I tried to push away the uneasiness. I looked up at the tree—and suddenly, all the color drained from my face. Red eyes. Broad, sharp teeth. I froze, dazed, unable to move. When a drop of drool fell onto my temple, that was it—I lost it.

I screamed in terror. I could feel my heart hammering in my chest. I was about to run when he pounced over me, pinning me to the messy grass. Pain shot through me as my head hit a rock, but it didn’t matter—I was face-to-face with a werewolf!

"P-Please…” I stammered, completely at a loss for words. He had been human earlier…then turned into this monster!

He didn’t respond. I swallowed hard as I felt him sniffing my face, smelling me. I couldn’t push him away—he was too heavy. Yet, despite the danger, I couldn’t help noticing details. Even as a half-wolf, hints of his human features remained.

I had been walking down the road earlier when I saw him murder a man with his claws. His face had been turned away, so I hadn’t seen it clearly. But now, close up, I couldn’t stop staring at his human eyes. There was something in them, a need…for me? But what could it be?

I swallowed hard, unsure where I found the courage to reach out and touch his face. His eyes softened when they met mine. It was as if his gaze was pulling me into another dimension, suffocating me, dragging me under. Just as my fingers brushed his cheek, he opened his mouth wide—and then I woke up.

A loud shriek from my alarm clock jolted me upright. My breath came in fast, shallow gasps as I looked around. I was in my bed. I touched my face and let out a shaky sigh of relief.

It had just been a dream. But it had felt so real—I could’ve sworn he had eaten me. Whatever. Who even believes in werewolves? They only exist in books and movies. I swung my legs off the bed and stretched. My legs wobbled, but I managed to stand. I glanced at the digital clock.

I was late…again.

This wasn’t the first time. I was usually too apathetic to wake up on time. But today, I had a good reason: a nightmare. I shook it off and went through my morning routine. Like every typical girl, I stayed up all night watching random videos on my phone, then slept late, forgetting class. I looked down and realized I was wearing mismatched socks.

"Great,” I muttered.

I hadn’t even combed my hair. I probably looked hideous—the likely reason why I was still a virgin and no one had ever hit on me. I was tired of it. I sometimes wanted to date someone, but whenever the opportunity arose, I’d shrink back into my corner. Yeah, my life was boring. But I loved music, books, nerdy things my classmates found uncool.

When I finally stepped onto campus, people stared as if I had grown five heads. I checked my reflection on my phone. Nothing seemed wrong with my face. They were probably reacting to my messy, damp hair.

"Sh*t,” I cursed as the school chime rang. Classes were about to start, and my teacher would close the door to latecomers. I ran, sweat pouring down my face, checking my phone. Our lesson started at 9:00, and I had three minutes to catch up.