Twilight Beast.

Point o

olding. At seventeen, I had expected to be hunting like the rest of

ge in sight, no adventures beyond the forest's edge that hems in our small village, Small View Town. The

ck in a tight bun, her face lined with the years she's spent as the head cook. Her voice, though, is what rea

ing into a smirk. "You're turning eighteen next week, and you still can't ha

ure so many times before. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Beth," I muttered, forcing t

one, and we've only got two hours before the hunters return. They'll need a proper m

eaning closer. "I'm sure Mark doesn't care

m still stuck here, cutting lettuce and cooking," I replied bitterly. The sting of it

rying to lighten my mood.

ot back, "since Mark took you hunt

know Mark cares about you. He

funny way of doing it," I said, bitterness lacing every word. There was nothing Princess could say that would

ettuce into the kitchen. Once the pot was filled, we headed outside to the garden, moving to o

lowers that had been there longer than I could remember. Pulling out the weeds was

he creatures we feared most, hated the sun. As long as the sun was up, we were safe, free to move around the village and tend to

e I called home.As I scanned the familiar view, something unusual caught my eye. A group of

at that," I said to Princess, who was still bent over, plowing th

urged, my voi

his shoulder. It looked like a normal hunting party returning, but something felt off. Everyone in the villa

I asked Princess, who loo

she said, but her voice

s the first to greet the hunters, rushed forward. "Mr. Mark, you're

y made me more uneasy. He didn't meet Mrs. Beth's eyes. "I brought an a

hen the sun set, hiding from the twilight beasts that roamed the night. We ate dinner together in the long tunnel that serve

g the last bite, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He raised a cup of water and drank d

something about his to

rious. "Ella, I need to speak with

ce reflected the same confusion I felt. What is this about? I a

in a chair next to him. I could feel everyone's eyes on us, but the r

y?" Mark asked me sud

in surpris

yes narrowing slightly.

g conversation," he added when I didn't respond quickly

wered, trying to keep my voice steady

kay. You can go now, Ella," he s

lk away, but I couldn't help myself. I turned back to fa

a brief second. "It's nothing

k early," I countered,

, Ella. Now go." He sounded hars

urning eighteen in two days. It's only fair you tell me w

ecognize. He had never tried to intimidate me before, but I could fe

," he said, his vo

. Princess was waiting for me outside,

hat about?"

uttered, the unease

ed safe at night. Each family had their own space, and since I didn't have one, I slept alone in a small roo

mind replaying the events of the day. Something was wrong-Ma

a

ding. "Twilight beasts again," I muttered, rubbing my eyes. But

down the tunnel. My heart raced. I stood up and moved toward the door to see

ark's voice, filled wi

but before he could answer, a lou

n't normal," I sa

ve this room, no matter what you hear, okay?" Hi

egan, but h

il I come for you!" he yelled, hi

own racing heart. My legs felt like they were made of lead as I backed

broken into th

those tha