Shadow of the past

ter's P

ight lingered in her mind, a haunting reminder of what she had become. She glanced down at herself, her heart r

transformation and the primal instinct that had taken control. She stumbled away from the clearing, her mind racing

the forest. But even the beauty of the morning couldn't dispel the darkness that loomed over her.

nk as she realized Sheriff Jenkins was patrolling the woods, and he was on the hunt-her hunt. The th

nd she needed to understand her new reality before she could confront anyone. But the thought of facing Jenkins

f fear through her. Emilia froze, heart racing as she glanced out the window

his voice laced with ur

heart twisted at the thought of deceiving him. The memories of their childhood flashed before her

"I'm not feeling well, Sheriff!" she call

about the creature in the woods. We can't let fear take over. Just open

th, but what would that mean for both of them? Could he ever understand? Sh

ed in her mind-a rugged man with piercing eyes, someone who seemed to understand her pli

through her thoughts again, m

a crack, enough to see his worried face. "I c

ed, concern etched

" she replied, the truth spilling from her

ck and empathy crossing his face. "What

th pressing down on her, but she didn't know if she could bear to share it

I'm here to help you, Emilia. Whatever you'

d the vulnerability of sharing her truth. But just then, the distant

he said, her voice shaking. "It

"What do you mean? If there's something d

reeping into her voice. "Just go! I

ainty etched across his face. "Fine, but promise m

wanted to confide in him, but the fear of losing him to the darkness of her reality held

from the truth any longer. She needed to understand her new nature, confront the l

f the cabin and into the forest once