John Callahan - The Blood Moon

s in t

first, like the faint rustling of leaves before a storm, or the way the wind shifts direction just before the first

heard before, not the familiar howls of wolves or the distant calls of owls, but something deeper, more primal. The first time he heard it, he had dismissed it as the groaning

o a thin line. Even Daniel, usually so full of energy and enthusiasm, seemed quieter, more subdued. The boy had always been fearless, but now he hesit

, the latch broken. Inside, feathers were scattered everywhere, and the remains of a few birds lay crumpled in the corners, their necks twi

advantage of an unlocked door, and though it was strange that the latch had been broken, he didn't th

open, the heavy wooden bar that had secured it splintered in two. Inside, the scene was even worse than the chicken coop. Blood stained the straw-covered floor, and the b

look of disbelief on his face. She didn't say anything, just placed a

s?" she asked quietly, he

ore. A wolf, maybe, or a pack of them, but... this doesn't make sense. They wouldn't just kill

frown creasing her brow. "Maybe we should talk to the

, but he was more used to dealing with drunkards and petty thieves than mysterious livest

ed that people were keeping to themselves, their conversations hushed, their eyes darting nervously towards the surrounding hills. It wasn't just

e wind. Inside, Sheriff Thompson was seated at his desk, a cup of coffee in hand and a stack of paperwork spr

to his feet. "What brings you into tow

ff. We've had some trouble with the livestock. Something's been getting into t

d by a look of concern. "What kind

animals, and the brutal way the ones that had been left behind were kille

livestock going missing from other farms, but nothing as bad as what you're describing. Could be a pack of wolves, though it

seen them break through a door like that. And the way

lse it could be. We've got some trappers in town who might be able to help. I could send one

e problem. "I'd appreciate that, Sheriff. But there's something else. Have

alk, yes. People are saying they've been hearing things, seeing things in the woods. But you know how folks are,

an, just standing there, watching the farm. He didn't say anything, just disappeared into t

ard, his interest clearly piqued. "You're sure about th

ething off about him. Something... I don't k

tant as he considered John's words. Finally, he l

e to go on, there's not much I can do. I'll send someone out to lay those traps, and I'll keep an eye out for any suspic

n't much anyone could do. Still, the thought of just waiting for something else to happen didn't sit well with him

n said, forcing a smil

was a quiet one, each of them lost in their own thoughts. As they passed by the fields, John couldn't help but feel a

ung low in the sky, casting a pale, ghostly light over the landscape. The air was still, the usual chorus o

eet. It came from the direction of the forest, carried on the wind like a warning. John's heart skipped a beat,

. Just the growl,

the night pressing down on him, the shadows closing in. Every instinct in his body screamed at him to turn back, t

oser, more insistent. John's hand drifted to the rifle slung over his shoulder, his fingers brushing the coo

ice steady, though his heart was pou

ering just above the ground, fixed on him with an intensity that made his blood run cold. They were too large to belong to any

ld hear the creature's heavy footsteps now, the sound of its breath rasping in the night air. It was larg

as he aimed towards the eyes. "Stay back!" he wa

ohn's words. And then, with a sudden burst of speed, it lunged toward

ng into the darkness as quickly as it had appeared. For a moment, John stood frozen, his breath coming in s

ns. He had hit it-he was sure of that-but whether it was wounded or simply driven off, he cou

darkness for any sign of movement. But the creature didn't return, and as the first light of dawn began t

ssed through, and there were tracks in the dirt-deep, clawed prints that sent a chill down his spine. They were too large to bel

derbrush, leaving him with more questions than answers. When he returned to t

said, her voice a mix

last night, Mary. I saw it. I shot at it, but I don't know if I hit it. There

wards the forest. "What are we going to do, John?

round the property, reinforce the barn doors again. But I think we need to

led with fear. "And what about Daniel

er. "You're right. We'll send him to stay with your sister in

orry in her eyes didn't fade. "Alr

ear gnawing at his insides. "We'll get through this, Mary. We've faced hard times befo

f his mind whispered that this was different, that the danger they

he familiar sounds of his family's presence conspicuously absent. He spent the rest of the day fortifying th

his lap. The moon was full, casting an eerie light over the fields, making the shadows see

John was beginning to think that the creature wouldn't return, he heard it-the

for the telltale glow of the creature's eyes. But this time, there was nothing. J

ing through him. "Come on, then," he muttered under his brea

arkness, its massive form hurtling towards him with terrifying speed. John squ

ff his feet, its claws raking across his chest as it tried to tear him apart. John fou

face, its hot breath washing over him in waves. But then, with a final, desperate effort, John ma

ough it. And then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, it was gone, disappearing into th

ore. Slowly, he pushed himself to his feet, wincing at the pain in his ch

be back. And when it returned, it would be even more d

had seen, what he had fought. It wasn't just an animal, that much he was sure

nd him, a single thought echoed in his mind, filli

he Lycans were real. And