Unsuspected Hero
An unsuspected hero has emerged in a town plagued at night by a monster. For months, the no name town has lost person after person to the cruelty of the monster. With their savior, they are safe from the fate of their fallen brethren. Right?
I emerged from the darkness lurking at the edge of the filthy, dilapidated town I called my home. Music soared into the air drowning out the silence I always thrived in. The darkness I enjoyed skulking in was eliminated by the large bonfire blazing in the town’s center.
The smell of sweat was the first to ambush my senses as I neared the mob of townspeople dancing and cheering for their newly reclaimed safety. High pitched giggling filled the air along with the blaring, off-key music as the festivities continued. The young girls were watching the young boys they had known for years make complete fools of themselves for their enjoyment. It was a ridiculous mating ritual I would never participate in, however it didn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy it too. Their childish antics amused me. They were so naive to the inner workings of the dark, cruel world around them.
The town had transformed throughout the day from the dull town it always was into the extravagant scene before me. Paper lanterns hung above the fire attached to the houses on either side of the road. The sound of the beautiful trees in the forest being chopped down for the bonfire permeated my sweet dreams. Now, the wood of those proud trees burned for an undeserved celebration.
I gazed up into the sky as I stood at the edge of the crowd not wanting to join in on the festivities being held for the hero that saved the town. The moon was high in the sky, illuminating the scene of debauchery tainting the purity of the nature surrounding it. Shadows danced upon the rooftops of the houses as the moon’s rays were stopped by the leaves the trees held onto with pride.
I looked around me to see no one was aware of the tranquil forest around us. No one seemed to look at the beauty remaining among the ugliness plaguing the world. But who could blame these small minded creatures for blocking out the cruelty within this world? They had found their savior for the night. There was no reason to continue the fear for a slain creature.
I glanced at the bonfire. The flames licked at the large logs as sparks flew into the peaceful sky before burning out. The orange, red, and yellow colors fought for dominance as they consumed everything within their grasp. They lived a simple life, asking for nothing more than sustenance to continue living. There was nothing more the flames wanted. I could respect that. It was a lifestyle I was trying to embrace during my time in this no name town.
On display by the fire was the corpse of the supposed monster plaguing the town, the supposed monster I slayed. A large rock sat in its mouth to prevent it from eating anyone ever again. Tomorrow, they will bury the body far from town in hopes the monster will never return to feast upon them. I knew the corpse lying in the dirt with the rock in its mouth would never reanimate to destroy the town. I knew they were not the monster picking the townspeople off one by one. The town wasn’t free from the nightly fear consuming their bodies making them smell all the more delicious.
I was pulled into the crowd against my will as the drunkards raised their wooden mugs to toast me, the hero they never saw coming to their rescue. However, I did not rescue them. I only averted their fear to another. It was a matter of my own survival.
I looked at the faces surrounding me. None suspected the trick being played on them. None dared to question who I was and how I had killed the beast taking their loved ones. In fact, I was met with only admiration. The women who believed they were my age held lust in their wide, doll-like eyes. The fire flickering behind me only enhanced the impure thoughts being conveyed through their eyes. The men, young and old, were fascinated by my achievement. They aspired to be me, the hero the females of their species would give everything to gladly.
The irony hung in the air for all to see. The blinders covering each and every one of these humans’ faces kept them from glimpsing it. They were aspiring to be the thing they hated, the thing they wanted to exterminate.
The attention left me as suddenly as it was placed on me. I ventured through the crowd catching the attention of drunk, single women. I pushed through ignoring their advances as if they were the plague. I couldn’t be here. I couldn’t be a part of the false festivities.
I lurked among the shadows at the edge of the party in my honor. The pounding of their living hearts consumed my mind as I thought about the sweet, aromatic liquid coursing through their veins. I was the monster they feared was stalking them through the moonless night, ready to strike them down. I spilled the liquid they found more precious than the gold sitting below the earth’s surface. I chuckled to myself as I watched a female leave the safety of the herd. No one ever thought that their hero would be their worst nightmare. Their naive minds couldn’t fathom the possibility.
I stalked the swaying straggler in the blanket of darkness. The smell of alcohol coursing through her weak mortal body was prominent. I typically liked my prey sober, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to feast like the humans. The girl fell to the ground, unable to take another step forward on her shaky legs. I seized the opportunity to grab her. She flailed as my grip tightened around her body, but it was no use. I sank my sharp fangs into her neck without slapping my hand over her dainty mouth. Her screams echoed through the night mixing with the beautiful melody already carrying on through the air.
