I did not know how many hours had passed. I had just woken from a dream that felt like it had lasted forever, and the next thing I knew, I was somewhere far away from any nearby houses.
I tried to make sense of where I was, but all I could see were trees. All I could hear was silence, and I felt as if someone were watching me.
But still, I was glad to be alive, for better or worse.
My heart throbbed when I finally realized what this meant: The Annual Purge. I hadn't really expected it, but guess what? I was now part of it.
I would finally know what it felt like to be one, like how Sarah, my sister, once was. She had been taken the same way, and I had never seen her again.
Once I cleared my mind, I finally realized I was trapped inside what looked like a wooden cage. The wood scraped against my knees as I tried to move. I hardly fit in here. At least there were a few holes on all sides, so I could still breathe.
I thought I was alone. I thought it was just me against the world. But when I peered through the small holes, I saw numerous boxes scattered around me. Although I couldn't see them clearly, I knew girls were also packed tightly inside.
No one probably knew what would happen next. But I already expected the worst. I was sure no one could save me here, not even myself.
From afar, I suddenly heard a voice. "Please, someone save us…"
"I don't wanna die here…" another whispered.
I later realized that I was the one among them who was willing to die now. They probably all still had reasons to live, or thought their lives were worth it. I did not. Not anymore. I didn't belong in this world. I was never meant to exist.
But that didn't mean I could just welcome death that easily. No way.
I tried to find an opening inside the cage, but I couldn't see any. I could barely see the moonlight outside.
The walls of the cage seemed to shrink, making it hard for me to breathe. I couldn't stay here any longer. I had to get out, no matter what, and save everyone.
Suddenly, a noise rustled outside. The sound grew louder until a shadowy figure appeared from one of the holes.
I realized that he was just a kid, probably younger than twelve. I couldn't see his face clearly because of the hood pulled low over his head. In his hands, he carried a flickering lamp.
I felt something strange about him. I thought he had just lost his way and miraculously found his way here. I was wrong.
He leaned forward to check on me.
I immediately met his eyes and whispered, "Please, help us. Let us get out of here…"
The boy paused, then shook his head. "I'm sorry, but we can't," he said softly. "No one should interfere with what's meant to be. After all, you were all destined to this by the Moon Goddess."
When I heard this, my heart sank further. Whoever that Moon Goddess was, I wondered if she was happy out there, playing with everyone's lives.
"There must be a way," I said, hoping there really was.
"Well…" For a moment, the boy hesitated. Then, he whispered, "There's only one." He pointed to somewhere far off, where I couldn't see from the hole.
He added, "If you reach the Salvare River, you'll be free. But you have to be very fast. The Blood Moon is coming, and they'll be hunting any moment now…"
I cleared my throat and asked, "How do I get there? The river. What should I follow?"
"Follow it, and you'll be free." The boy then pointed to a single star shining brightly in the night sky. "It's your only chance."
Before I could say anything more, the boy stepped back and returned to the shadows. Around me, everyone began to stir and cry out, but the surrounding trees just stood still, as if they didn't care.
The boy returned a moment later. He looked at the other boys now approaching the other wooden boxes. It seemed the Annual Purge had finally begun, and the werewolves were on their way to us.
"I wish you very well," he said. He stepped back and finally unlocked my cage, setting me free.
***
Finally, all the wooden cages opened, and everyone began to scramble out, fleeing into the forest. Through the trees, I heard the chilling growls growing closer.
I couldn't just stay there and do nothing, so I ran for my life. I stared at the little twinkling star that seemed to guide me toward my former life.
I ran and ran, not even caring that the branches and twigs scratched different parts of my skin. I just pushed myself harder, thinking of no one else and nothing else but escaping the werewolves.
But then, I was so focused on looking above that I lost sight of what was below me. My foot suddenly got stuck on a protruding root. I stumbled forward and crashed to the ground.
My chest hit the ground first, and I couldn't breathe for a few fatal seconds. When I was able to, I immediately rose to my feet, but my ankle cracked.
"Shit!" I cried out, biting my lower lip. "No, no, no!"
I fought my way forward, limping carefully. When all my hope began to fade, I suddenly heard the sound of running water nearby.
I was so close. Just a little more, and I would finally reach the river, survive this night, and go home.
I really thought I had won. That this nightmare was finally over. But then, as I took a step closer to the river, something slammed into my back.
The impact almost knocked me out, and once again, I fell to the ground.
I immediately felt that strange sensation, like a wildfire burning everything in its path behind me. A moment later, a harsh breath brushed against my ear.
I couldn't see it yet, but I already knew what it was. I could already hear the howl coming from its throat.
Werewolves.
I closed my eyes tightly, wishing for the quickest way to die. I had been so close to living, only to be dragged back here.
Tears began to fall down my cheeks. I could hardly breathe, let alone think. I just composed myself and waited for what was to come.
"Please…" I whispered. "Let's end this now."
I expected to feel the bite of sharp fangs. I expected to hear my flesh tearing bit by bit under their claws. Instead, I felt nothing. I only heard silence.
I barely had time to make sense of everything. Then I felt a warm hand carefully cupping my chin.
My face was slowly tilted upward until I was forced to meet the eyes of the naked man now crouching before me.
He was so handsome, his gaze like fire, enough to stir even the most desperate heart. He leaned closer to me, his minty breath brushing my lips as he whispered softly, "Mate…"
My lips parted instinctively, begging for him to come closer. Before I could say it aloud, two massive beasts appeared behind him. They shifted from their wolf forms until two muscular figures stood before me, staring at me hungrily.
As if on cue, they said, "Mate…"
And so, that night, my life changed forever.