The Man And The Beast It is said there is no sin, In killing a beast, Only in killing a man. But where does one begin, And the other end..?' The#moonhung high, it's silver surface covered the woods around a small B&B with a silver veil. Aidan stared outside his open window, breathing in the sights and smells of this beautiful landscape. He checked his watch. "10:23. Hmm... I guess a walk couldn't do any harm." He sighed to himself. He pulled his brown coat on over his red and blue flannel shirt, and put his boots on. He carefully opened his creaky door, and walked down the small hallway. He slid down the stair banisters, and stood by the back door. "And just where do you think you're going, young Mr Aidan?" Came an old dry voice. Mr Daniels owned the small B&B. He was an old shrew of a man, with grey hair that had all but gone on the top of his shiny head. He had the same greyish eyes, and these were staring right at Aidan. "Out. Couldn't sleep." Said Aidan in his Scottish accent. He smiled a half-hearted smile, and stepped out quickly. He breathed in the fresh air, and stepped towards the forest. 10 minutes later, Aidan stopped. A small cry broke out, and a man suddenly fell onto him from nowhere. "Agh! Get... Oh wait. Sorry mate." Chuckled the stranger. He got up instantly, letting Aidan get up. Aidan stared quizzically. "Uh... Names Mark." Said the stranger. "Aidan. Why were you running?" He replied. The strangers face went blank, his eyes widened. He shook nervously and turned his head. "Is someone after you? Cos you could report them to the police." Aidan offered. "I don't think this thing listens to police." Mark whispered. Aidan nearly burst out laughing but it was cut short. The shrubs exploded to reveal a huge creature. It stood on two thick legs, it's long face bore an expression of anger. It howled and snarled at both men. And without warning it charged. Aidan felt claws tear at his shoulder, and he was flung to one side. Mark screamed, but it was cut short when the creatures dagger like teeth tore at his throat and chest. Aidan struggled for breath, his shoulder burned. More than it should have. He kept very still, trying not to disturb this creature. He caught a glimpse of its cruel malicious face; eyes glowing like fire, orange and yellow dancing together; it's long snout, caked in blood, and bile; it was so real and yet... So unbelievable. Gunshots flew over his head. The creature cried in pain, and snarled towards the source of fire. It turned away, and ran into the forest. It was not pursued. "Told you not to go out, Mr Aidan." Came the sly old voice of Mr Daniels. He hobbled over, and helped Aidan up. "Ah well. Can't be helped. I knew what it was like to be young." He sighed. He sat Aidan down in the kitchen, and rummaged round the cupboards. He found a first aid kit, and cleaned Aidan's wounds. He sowed them together, and helped him to his room. "Goodnight, young fella." He called as Aidan stumbled through his door. Aidan collapsed on his bed, and was asleep in seconds. He dreamt of creatures. Of monsters and demons. Things that go bump in the night, and things that hide in the dark places. He dreamed of walking shadows that whisper secrets, and stones that came to #life. He shook himself awake with a quiet scream. No one heard him. He wiped the sweat of his brow, and sat up. Did he usually feel this hot? He must have a fever. He shook his head and stood up. He was still in his jeans and tattered shirt. He took these of and had a quick shower. He let cold water run down his body, washing away thoughts and doubts for a second. He wrapped a towel around his waist, and stared at himself in the mirror. He saw, for the first time, the scar. A horrific jagged four clawed line across his left shoulder. He noticed muscles he had never had before; biceps, triceps and a bunch of other 'ceps. He stared in shock. How long had he been out? He stared at his face, and noticed his face hadn't changed; same chocolate brown eyes, same stubble of a small beard, same chiseled features. He sighed with relief. He put on a pair of jeans, and a loose red hoody. He put on his trainers, and walked downstairs to the dining room, where other guests were seated for breakfast; a newly wed couple on their honeymoon, a mother and her 5 year old daughter, and a bunch of news reporters. "And here he is! Mr Aidan Brooke himself!" Said the quirky news reporter. "Tell us, Aidan- can I call you Aidan?- what happened three weeks ago?" "Wait, what?" Aidan's head spun. "Mr Aidan had been under the weather recently." Broke in Mr Daniels. "Why don't you go bother someone else's B&B?" He hobbled over. The news reporters left promptly. Aidan's legs toppled, and he had to grab a table for support. His eyes rolled to the back of his head, and he crashed to the floor. He was revived by the smell of pancakes, and woke to find faces around him. He hadn't moved from the place he fell. "Told you he was under the weather!" Came Mr Daniels screechy voice. "I know but we heard a crash." Came the reporters voice. "Oh... Buzz off!" And he slammed the door in their face. "Trust me, they will never let you have any rest." How he came to own a three star B&B, was a total mystery. "How... Long have I been out?" Aidan gasped. "What? Just then? Or earlier?" Said the mother of the girl; Miss Autumn. "Bout 26 days, just over 3 weeks." Said Mr Daniels. "Yes, and my girl couldn't get to sleep, with all your sleep yelling." Said Miss Autumn. "Sorry. Bad dream." Aidan whispered sadly. Nearly four weeks. "Couldn't be helped. Boys been through a horrific thing." Mr Daniels said kindly. The little girl, Amy Autumn, skipped over to Aidan. Her little red curls bounced as she did. She looked at Aidan and pulled down the left side of his hoody. Several gasps were heard when she revealed his scar. Aidan didn't care. He was to absorbed in a distant dream, he could barley feel a thing. He couldn't sleep that night. He just sat on the edge of his bed, wearing nothing but a pair of knee-length shorts. He gazed at the scars, and pondered deep thoughts. He stared outside; the#moonwas nearly full, proving as back up. Nearly four weeks. Something wet rolled down his cheek. It took him a while to realise he was crying. He thought about his family; he had only supposed to be gone the weekend. Did they miss him? Did they pray for him? Anything? He thought about his girlfriend; Christi. Did she still dream about him? Was she over him? Was she dating anyone? A sudden fire burned along his back. It hurt so much, he collapsed and gasped for breath. He clutched at his chest, and stared out the window. The#moonwas almost full. "Hey sleeping beauty." Said Mr Daniels. Aidan remained silent, still only in a pair of shorts, he ate a triangle of toast slowly. Once he finished, he went back up to his room. The next evening, the#moonwas full. Aidan couldn't sleep, but he felt drawn outside. Still in a pair of shorts, he padded slowly to the forest. The#mooncast her silver shadow through the gaps of bowing trees. Aidan stopped in a clearing, and gazed up. Sudden pain burst through his chest, and he gasped. He screamed and collapsed, as his body changed. His chest expanded, his heart swelled to twice its size. His liver and every other organ stopped to reform. His internal changes over, his body shifted to recompense. His eyes; beautiful chocolate brown, changed to glowing yellow. His teeth were replaced by fangs, his nails grew into hooked claws. Black fur grew all over his body, his skin darkened to the colour of coal. He growled and grunted, and when it was all over; an ear splitting, blood curdling howl erupted from his jaws. Tattered shorts still clung to his new self. He sniffed the air, the air smelled different through his new nose. The forest was clearer through his new eyes; he could see every leaf fall, every mouse that scurried by. His new ears picked up noises he had never heard of; the sound of creatures below his feet, the sound of animals running past... The sound of their hearts beating... He lost control then. He took off, towards the sound of a fairly large stag. He couldn't keep up with it on two legs, so he dropped to four, and shot through the forest. Through the gaps in the trees, the#moonilluminated the shape of a deer, roughly the size of a pony, with its head bent low. It grazed unaware that it was being stalked. Instinct took over, and Aidan lurched from the shrubs, cracking the deers back as he fell on it. He tore at its neck and devoured most of the unfortunate animal. The#moonsailed through the sky, and soon the pale light of dawn was just visible through the trees. Aidan shook himself awake, crouching low despite his human state. He noticed he was covered with blood, clinging onto little more than a pair of torn shorts. He looked around, and found that he was still fairly close to the B&B. He wondered if they had heard or seen the events of last night. Suddenly, his stomach lurched. Whatever was in his stomach came out, as it was raw, and a humans stomach cannot handle it. He wiped his mouth, and collapsed, holding onto his knees. "I'm a werewolf?" He whispered to himself. "A bloody werewolf?" He cried into his knees. When he had finished sobbing, he thought he had better get to his room before people question him. He shot of at inhuman speed. He crouched behind the tree closest to the B&B. His senses were sharper than they had ever been before. He could hear every heartbeat, smell every scent. It was incredible. He quickly got to the back door, and silently opened it. He ran up the stairs, and got into his room, just as Mr Daniels door open. Aidan slumped against the door, his pulse racing, and took a deep calming breath. He quickly discarded his tattered shorts, and jumped in the shower. The freezing cold water cascaded down his back, but this time it didn't wash away his doubts. He stepped out, and put on some fresh clothes. Suddenly, his stomach lurched, and he barely made it to the bathroom. "Mr Brooke? Are you alright?" Came a familiar voice. Aidan wiped his mouth, and opened the door. The news reporter was standing outside. Flashes blinded him, and he fell back. The news reporter barged in, asking questions without pause. Aidan's stomach went again, and he ran to the bathroom. How long would this go on? "Oi! Thought I told you to stop bothering my customers!" Came Mr Daniels voice from somewhere in the hall. "Told you he was under the weather." "It's not that. I saw him walk out last night in nought but shorts. Soon I heard him screaming." She replied. Aidan grabbed her shoulder, and threw her out of his room. He slammed the door, and collapsed on his bed. He just wanted the day to end. #werewolf
