The Beast heart beat

trying to conceal the

with me. But I think I'll st

ed slightly, concer

wrong? You see

t the moon – now a silver glow hanging

ied, taking a step back into the sha

e, as if sensing the untru

ted to a cozy cottage behind her "– would you like

one with her in closed quarters would be

entle smile put me at od

I hesitated – a fatal mistake for a w

d of you," I said slowly, "

ser, her eyes spark

always said our home was for sharing with th

tensified with every passing moment. Yet, Ava's words touched

ld stop myse

'd be grateful for

ottage, expecting me to follow. I trailed be

l moon wa

alone with a morta

ation was mere

open the creaky door, inviting me into h

by comforting smells of baking and wood smoke. The contrast between

ehind me, her eyes sp

Elijah. I'll get you a

lly – searching for a place to hide or escape when the transfo

small bathroom door near the firepla

I wait," I called out to Ava, al

began to twitch and nails sharpen

came from the oth

there? You look like yo

my throat as a low g

HIDDEN TRUTHS

va must have heard something – her vo

me... is every

hin. My body began to contort, bones shifting pai

rt, I forced out

. Just... dizz

s palpable even

u need help, please call o

– I was deceiving this gentle

reflected my horri

glowing

tretchin

ngating i

a was mere feet away, oblivio

b turned – Ava was co

d towards the shower curtain and ripped it down – wra

le voice c

ht water... are

as I struggled to remain silent – my w

loser, water glass held out cautiously. Her eyes scanned

e mirror – where my reflected eye

e water glass slipped from her

ered a si

ster

ked away slowly, eyes fixed on me with a

olf form towering over Ava. She stood frozen, eyes

a gentle gesture amidst monstrous appearan

n. Instead, s

that still y

and rough, bare

va, I'm s

s step forward, ey

hey're still E

within my chest – maybe, just may

face, then dropped to her feet

d stories... my grandmother used

nted – perked up

ep closer, voice ba

ppens to you dur

ved to share my secret

this forever unless someon

tened, eyes shining

pt you,