Twilight Beast.

Point o

surrounding garden was vibrant, bursting with colors of every flower imaginable. Princess was there, her laughter ringing out as we played, her small hands reaching for me as I bent down

en I w

we lived. No distant chatter, no movement-just silence. It felt wrong, unsettling. I pushed myself up,

floor cold beneath my feet. As I reached for the ha

voice cutting through the

cloth toward me, the fabric soft and plain. "Wear that," he s

n that lay on top of it. Confusion prickled at the back of my mind. "Is this what the hunters wear now?"

d, turning on his heel and heading

he fabric cooled against my skin. It felt strange, almost ceremonial, and as I placed the crown on my head, a shiver ran down my spine. For

racted. I quickly stepped outside to find Mark waiting for me, his expression as stern as ever. His

ked again, trying to push

aid shortly, not off

ht, making my skin glow. The birds' songs filled the air, their melodies like a sweet harmony that seemed to lift my spirit. I felt al

ailing behind, so I jogged to close the distance. "Did I do something wr

id without

I said, trying to lighten the mood, but he ignored me. His pac

moment, confused. Then, one by one, all the villagers came out of the cave, surrounding me. The l

rt racing. "Is this how the first hunt goes?" I asked, tr

. "Finally, we can do whatever we like with you," he

round at their hard, hostile faces. That's when they pulled

th, the head cook, sneered. "Even

king a step back, my he

ripping with malice. "We've all been waiting for

nd," I whispered,

d, joining the others as they laughed. "Since toda

ated, my voice

the truth about you on our first hunt. That's wh

listened. The knives and cutlasses cut into my skin, slashing at my arms, legs, back. Pain burned through me, unbearable. I was covered in bl

ered, but she only laughed,

large circle drawn on the ground, skulls and bones scattered around it. At the center, a pile of skulls sat ominous