Moonbound: Bounded By Blood

Aurora was beyond shocked at what she just witnessed.

Although she had seen a similar creature here in Halewoods, she'd never imagined actually seeing one directly in the night glow right in front of her.

But what caught her curiosity was that unlike the other similar creature she saw last…it didn't attack or snarl at her.

And her confusion increased because she wasn't terrified at what she felt wasn't only a surprise but another feeling she couldn't quite decipher.

She still stood her ground after the beast had disappeared secretly glancing around if she could sight it again.

She had this feeling of connection between her and the wolf –or she would prefer calling the 'beast' – she saw.

She was too lost in thought to notice that her wrist where the mark is embedded was enacting a warm glow of a fierce orange similar to the eyes of the said beast.

As she finally, though hesitant, headed back inside, she drank a cup of water and went to her room.

But as she passed her mirror table did she notice something on her wrist, she immediately turned fully to the mirror and indeed the mark was glowing.

She held back her scream but gasped hard at the tattoo-like mark on her left wrist that was glowing.

With shaky fingers she lightly traced it – a warm electrifying spark streamed through her whole body. It wasn't painful, it was warm and soothing.

Her eyes turned upwards, the spark felt so powerful like she felt a somewhat connection. Her body trembled slightly…but stopped. Everything

The sparks

Trembles

The connection

All came to an end like a light switch.

Aurora clutched her body as she fell on the floor of her bedroom. Too weak to stand like all her energy was drained, laid there gasping for breath at the intense feeling she just had right now.

And just as weak as she was, she fell asleep there but had in mind to meet Aaron the next day.

*******************

I stretched my body, pains surged through my whole body.

I dragged myself up and like multiple tiny hammers hitting directly on my head, I felt this immense ache.

My vision was blurry, I could hardly blink.

I managed to slowly reach my bed and opened my bedside drawer and took some painkillers dry with no water.

I had no water here and my water jar was empty.

I didn't have any strength whatsoever to get up from this bed, added with my having no connection here.

******************

Aurora woke up some time later with no knowledge on how she had overslept.

She checked the time and it was already noon.

With her body somewhat feeling better, headed downstairs to have a brunch which wasn't much since she had no appetite.

Some minutes later…

She stood in front of her mirror staring at her left wrist though she was set and ready to go meet Aaron today.

She didn't really want to wear any sleeveless that could show off her wrist so she decided to just wear an oversized purple hoodie and denim baggy jeans and black boots.

Her hair in a neat bun. She applied light make-up to cover up the dark circles around her eyes.

She was set to go.

**************

Just a step away from my door, the bright sun bathed me in its glow.

I took cautious steps and evaluated my environment because my first event around here wasn't nice either.

I didn't glance at anyone, and everyone was on their own business for the day.

I followed the same path and finally sighted the mart.

I hastened my steps a bit and entered.

As usual he was behind the counter attending to a customer –a red-haired woman.

I waited and pretended like I was searching for something on the shelves.

I wanted to so badly eves drop but decided that I already have a lot on my plate.

I was at the snacks aisle and they all looked tantalizing.

'Bobbys'...looks nice. I grabbed like two packs and headed back to the counter.

Luckily the woman had left.

"Aurora –nice to meet you again" he gave a warm smile my way.

I nervously waved back.

"Hi…same"

His facial expression changed because of my down tune.

"What's wrong?"

Since I was the only remaining customer, he came from behind the counter and took me to the grocery aisle.

"I… Aaron I've been seeing some strange things here in Halewoods and it's scary." I blurted out everything because I can't keep it in anymore.

He just stood there with mixed emotions. I can't really say it was a blank expression –curiosity, anger, anxiousness, fear?

The silence from his side was kind of getting awkward.

"Uhmm… I know I might sound crazy but –i promise I'm not lying…please" I didn't want a situation where I would be seen as crazy.

He sighed and rubbed his temple.

Oh…no.

"Aurora I don't know what to do seriously speaking…but maybe when I have an answer – I'll come tell you."

What!!

He turned to leave.

"Wait..wait..wait –please believe me…I know you might find it crazy –but once a creature from the shadows tried to attack me" I held on to his shirt sleeve.

I didn't care at this point –I can't be the only one going crazy in this town.

"And I know you know something you are not telling me either!" I argued, my frustrations slipping through.

"Aurora…please –stop." He said calmly but not that kind of calmness someone would be comfortable with.

Shocked – my palm loosened around his sleeve slowly and took a step back.

"Fine…I really thought you were someone I could confide in."

With that I left the mart with no space for anymore argument.

I don't know why…maybe I didn't notice earlier but the atmosphere changed.

The last time I was here heading home I met something I really hope never to see again.

I stuffed my palms in my pockets and headed straight for home.

I saw that bakery and felt attracted to it because of its homey structure.

I crossed the road and opened the door as the little bell chimed.

Inside was warm and felt homey just like I speculated.

It had the soft smell of honey and cinnamon with a hint of vanilla.

My goodness…

I walked to the counter after my observation and the cashier –a dark haired woman around my age with hazel eyes –stood.

"Hello..welcome to honeybloom bakery what can I get you" she welcomed cheerfully like she had memorized the exact words to say each time a customer comes in.

"Hi –I'm new here…so I would like to get the best slice cake honeybloom has to offer" I leaned slightly on the counter to get a closer look at the menu on top.

She gave a small smile "of course."

I sat at a table near the window. I feel slightly better now.

Not long after, the girl said my order was ready, I walked back to the counter, it was packaged as a to-go order.

"Our best…honey-cinnamon cake –our special recipe." She explained excitedly.

Then she gave me a smaller slice "sample"

I took a bite from it and –oh my…it was like different flavors exploding in my tongue softly.

The honey and cinnamon mixed so well, giving it a unique and marvelous taste to your taste buds.

I nearly moaned at the feeling.

"This is so good" I said mouthfully.

She chuckled, "yeah…every customer says so."

I left the bakery and headed home with my delicious package –excited.

I finally reached home and the first place I headed for was the kitchen.

Mission: to devour the beautiful masterpiece.

*************

This was exactly what Aurora needed to fix her bad day.

She finished her snack with a cup of hot chocolate and headed straight to her room.

She changed her clothes to a normal tank top and comfy joggers.

She stared at the mark on her left wrist because all this was still new for her and she was about to live with it forever.

She laid on her bed and picked a new book to read.

Her thoughts on Aaron's behavior came flooding back.

She was sad that Aaron disregarded her when she thought he could be the only one she could at least confide in in this town.

Upon all these she didn't allow her thoughts to be disrupted like that and focused on her novel.

Reading.

It was the only hobby Aurora loved because it helped her to get over the day.

By the time she was twenty five chapters deep in the novel her stomach decided to make an entrance by growling.

Yep it's time to eat. It was already dark and by the look of it, it was after seven.

She headed to the kitchen and ate a light snack and went back to her room.

'Such a boring life to live indeed' she thought.

She went straight to bed exhausted, and fell asleep immediately.

********

'CRACK!!!' I immediately jolted up from my sleep as a glass shattering sound was made.

And the worst part, it came from her room.

She didn't know if she should go check on the sound or not.

With little courage she stood from her bed and stared at her room door.

Her table lamp was having an issue switching on, leaving her in a dark room with the soft glow of the moon.

She couldn't see anything at her door side but her gut told her something was there.

And indeed, there it was…a shadow figure moved slowly around her room like a fog.

She couldn't move nor talk –she was paralyzed.

The figure slowly crept to her and there it was –red eyes glaring at her like it could see through her soul.

It started to wrap itself around her and raised a sharp claw ready with fiery veins about to strike her once and she would be gone.

But immediately…like time stopped –a large wolf jumped through her window breaking it and attacked the figure.

IT tried to morph into a wolf too but the wolf was much stronger.

Tables breaking.

Mirrors clashing.

Walls breaking.

Aurora just stood like in a trance, she couldn't understand anything going on around her and fell hard with her head hitting the edge of her bed.

With her last strength and Shakey fingers she touched her forehead and felt warm liquid dripping down her face.

Blood.

And that was all she saw until darkness.