7

SEVEN
I awoke with a dry throat, my tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth.
I wondered if the ladies were still waiting outside my door. Now I wish I had just told them to get me some water before going to bed last night when they had asked if I needed anything. It was past midnight already.
“I need some water or else I might die.” I whispered to myself as if taking permission from myself. What could happen? The highest was that I would get caught by a staff member or the guards. I decided I would find my way to the kitchen and try as much as possible not to get caught. Though I knew I shouldn’t wander the werewolf palace alone at night. Our guide had mentioned that we should never step out of our rooms without being called for. But I couldn’t wait inside my room when I was dying of thirst could I?
“There goes nothing..” I said as I gathered my dark long hair into a braid and slipped on a modest nightdress before creeping to the door.
Stepping into the shadowy hallway, I shuddered, the cold stone chilling my bare feet. I paused, straining to recall the way to the kitchens. The castle was a like huge labyrinth; one wrong turn could leave me lost until dawn. When we were coming up to my room, I hadn’t really taken time to memorize the hallways.
After a moment of hesitation, I descended the winding staircase, trailing my hand along the rough wall to guide myself in the dark. The stairs spiraled lower and lower into the belly of the palace. I shivered, wishing I had brought a candle to pierce the oppressive blackness. Still, my thirst compelled me to move forward. “You can’t back down now Freya,” I tried to encourage myself.
I crept through the silent halls, my breath loud in my ears. I passed a large empty space before I finally came upon the kitchen, the pretty lamps in the great hearth providing just enough light to make out the contours of the room. I jumped right in and quickly scrambled for a bottle of water on the preparation table and gulped it down greedily, the cool liquid soothing my dry throat. The moment I lowered the bottle, I heard a loud scary bang from another side of the palace that made me jump in alarm. My heart pounding, I slowly moved towards the door and peered into the darkness but could not find the source of the noise.
Curiosity battled with fear within me. What could have caused such a loud noise at this hour? I knew I should return to my chambers straightaway, but the thought that some ill fate may have befallen someone spurred me forward. I had to know what it was. If anyone was in danger and they needed someone’s help. I crept down the corridor, ears straining. My imagination conjured all manner of horrors in the dark. My courage wavered with each step until I finally admitted defeat. Whatever caused the noise was nowhere to be found. It was time to retreat to the safety of my room. I hurried back the way I’d come, nerves jangling. I needed to more careful and keep from wondering around in the midnight. I would make sure I had a bottle of water before going to bed every night. Something in my mind told me that this palace held many secrets, and some were better left undisturbed.
I had nearly reached the staircase leading back to my chambers when a prickling sense of unease crept over me. I paused, peering back into the gloom. There was nothing, yet I could not shake the feeling off. As I turned to continue on, a massive dark shape loomed before me, eyes flashing red. I stumbled back with a gasp, heart seizing in my chest.
A black huge werewolf stood in front of me. A werewolf! I stood paralyzed, my mind blank with terror. The beast was enormous, its jet black fur seeming to absorb all light. Muscles rippled under its pelt as it stared at me with those burning crimson eyes. Its fangs glinted wetly as it prowled closer. I knew then that it could tear me apart in an instant if it chose. I was going to die tonight.
OH my God.
I trembled uncontrollably, certain that death was already upon me. What chance did I have against this hulking monster? I was helpless, completely at its mercy. I was practically a helpless human against it. I couldn’t wolf out and I didn’t have any physical strength.
As it closed the distance between us, all I could do was whimper and squeeze my eyes shut, bracing myself for the killing blow.
Just as I was certain the end had come for me, a voice sounded in my mind, seeming to emanate from the werewolf itself.
“It is dangerous for you to wander these halls at night, little one,” it rumbled, the words reverberating in my head. His voice was the thickest I had ever heard in my life. “You could easily meet your death here.”
I cracked my eyes open, shocked that the beast could speak. Before I could hold down my tongue, I found myself speaking. “W-what could happen to me?” I whispered tremblingly.
The werewolf didn’t say a word. He stared at me as if wondering how I was this stupid. I stared back at his dark red eyes which seemed to pull me in. Then he began stalking closer, forcing me to stumble back until I was cornered against the cold stone wall. I could feel the heat radiating from his massive body as it towered over me.
“Please, don’t hurt me,” I begged, squeezing my eyes shut once more and turning my face away. My entire body shook with fear. I was completely at this monster’s mercy. One snap of its jaws and my life would end in an instant. All I could do was wait helplessly for his next move, praying he would show me mercy.
I braced myself, certain my end was near. But instead of teeth tearing into my flesh, I felt the werewolf’s coarse fur brush gently against my cheek. The contact was so light, it felt more like a breeze than an attack. I felt the hairs on my neck stand at alert, my heart beating so fast. I couldn’t explain his touch felt so soothing.
Confused, I slowly opened my eyes once more. But the beast was nowhere to be seen. The hallway was empty, with no sign of the werewolf except for a lingering musky scent in the air.
I sagged back against the wall, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. Had I just imagined the entire encounter? It had felt so real. But now there was no trace of the creature. I took a few deep, shaky breaths, willing my pulse to slow. The werewolf, whether real or imagined, was gone. For now at least, I was alone and unharmed.
Exhausted from the fear and adrenaline, I hurried back to my room on trembling legs before my luck could run out. I had tempted fate enough for one night. From now on, I would stay safely in my chambers after dark. The risk of wandering these halls again was too great, real or not. For now, I was simply grateful to be alive. I softly closed the door behind me and sagged back against the door, my breaths coming in short as I thought about what the hell had just happened.
*****