Twilight Beast.

Point o

ssing down on my chest. I glanced at Brown, m

esponded, frown

ural, like something ancient stirring in the darkness. "He will come

n. "That," I said sharply, my pulse

heard it yet. I felt the weight of those words sinking in, the beast's voice lingering

eart skipped a beat, and it had nothing to do with the proxi

till here? The hunters were s

of here." I tugged o

el wearing a murderous expression. I falter backwards

do you think

, for the first time in my entire life, I feel afraid of Mark.

voice is urgent

," Brown blurted ou

demanded, his fur

come for me,'" I answered, fee

oved it through the bars, prodding the caged beast. Chains

d, his voice steady. He was

, its dark eyes narrowing in anger. "He is coming," it said, the words d

rds hung heavy in my mind. I gasped, my heart racing. It ha

d. This office had once been where I lived. Mark used to hang up drawings of us on the walls, changing them out like decorations. I remember the day I drew us a

Mark," Brown said q

o me. "But my anger isn't with you." He took a de

er seen the twilight beast before. I just wanted to se

east hurt you? Or broke out of those chains?" H

As for you, you'll st

en!" I protested, my fr

e should start ear

been allowed to hunt since I was fifteen! Now you're lettin

wn said quietly, befo

, hard and cold. "You were s

feeling ashamed. "I just

ty alone from now on," he

me pause. I looked back. "Who is th

ned. "I pray you don't

wilight beasts came out. But tonight was different. The sun was already setting, casting long shadows

?" Mrs. Beth asked, her

e never seen before," Mark answered, his voice calm, b

"What's he doing?" I asked

kill the beast," she whisper

ght, we feast. We feast on the same beast that has terrified us for so long!

he twilight beast with thick silver chains. The creature was massive, its dark, hulkin

ilver?" I asked Princ

e replied, keeping her

He cut into the beast's arm, and before our eyes, the wound

I stammered, turning

she explained, her voice s

onor of killing this beast," he said, pulling out a

l that echoed from all corners of the villag

from the shadows. People were running in every direction, shoving and trampling each oth

like I was watching a scene in a play, unable to move, unable to act.

ains, locked eyes with me, and fo

" These were the words the

o help. I was paralyzed, w