Something has been causing a disturbance in the village. Several of my neighbor's chickens have gone missing. The mayor's sheep dog was found in pieces a couple mornings ago. Someone else's prize sow was split from snout to tail last week. And now, my daughter is gone. She disappeared from her bed last night.
Rumors of a midnight shapeshifter are running rampant. I heard from the gaggle of gossiping laundresses that it's something hairy. No one wants to go out at night to investigate, but the daytime searches -- let's just say they aren't working.
I enter the forest beyond my property as dusk turns to night. If no one else will seek out the monster, I will. After all, it took my child. At first, my feet struggle to navigate the uneven ground, but soon, the moon overhead lights the way. I acclimate.
The night becomes clear and bright. I can smell the trail. I follow it until I reach a clearing. Among the gnarled roots of a large tree, I find a fistful of straw-colored hair.
Something shifts under my skin. I lean my head back and howl at the moon.
Image Description: An angry, frightening werewolf stands on two legs. Fur sprouts from the flesh of his arms and legs. His body is muscled and his face is that of an aggressive wolf with hackles raised. The image is in tones of white, black, and gray. Gnarly, leafless trees stand in the background.
Credit: This image was created using NightCafe generative AI.
About the Author
Laura Browne-Lambert is a queer, neurodivergent, and chronically ill writer whose writing emphasizes the characters, identities, and experiences she missed out on in her youth. She lives in Boston, MA and enjoys gardening, painting, and finding new science fiction or fantasy stories to enjoy. She is also the creator of the Underground Bookshelf. This project provides free short stories and literary resources with the intention of making diverse stories more accessible to everyone. Visit Underground Bookshelf at https://www.underground-bookshelf.com/.
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