As I drew closer to the scent trail’s destination I picked up the traces of smoke. I had been moving slowly for about half an hour at this point and was now deeper into the woods away from the village. A branch suddenly cracked and I darted into a nearby bush and held still. A stumbling man was walking towards me. He caught himself from falling and pulled himself up on a nearby tree, the stench of cheap booze formed a small cloud around him and a few seconds later was joined by the smell of piss as he began to relieve himself. I stalked silently out of the bush and retracted my new claws. Nearby I could see a fist-sized rock which I collected as I made my approach. The man had misjudged his need in his drunken stupor and was suddenly franticly trying to pull down his bottoms and squat. The lingering smell told me he was already too late. His position was even more advantageous to me however and in a sudden leap, I clobbered him over the back of the head, his body slumping to the floor. I checked around me to see if I had been spotted but luck seemed to be on my side.  

Although difficult to both maintain control of the beast and trace spells I placed my hand on the back of the unconscious thug’s head. I began the same process as with my father but this time I used a more brute force method to keep the beast in me still. It was fine, it’s not like I was concerned about the amount of energy I took from this thug anyway. I scrolled back through his recent memory, although hazy due to his intoxication I was able to chart out a rough beeline towards their camp which had been set up not far from here. It seemed they were not native to the area considering the fact they had set themselves up in tents. I didn’t exactly want to see any horrors of what they may have done to this child’s mother but braved the scene in an effort not to leave anything up to chance.  I witnessed her being dragged by her hair into the tent of the large ugly thug that threw me into the river. I paused the memory on my mother… my mother? The child’s mother, and pushed the man’s brain to search for linked memories to her, spending more than enough of his mana for him to probably be unconscious for a good half a day or so. I skipped past the bridge and continued onwards. 

The thug and his cohorts were sitting at what seemed to be the local inn. They had half-eaten plates of food in front of them and several mugs of ale. The atmosphere seemed charged. These men were here to have a good time and what couldn’t be bought with money they were ready to take by force. The faces of the other patrons looked concerned but none were brave enough to say anything which only seemed to encourage and amuse the thugs. My mother approached the table and placed down a tray with another round of drinks, she looked tired and a little dishevelled as if overworked but was putting on a smile. The leader grabbed her waist as she tried to leave and pulled her onto his lap. She struggled and tried to get away but the ugly thug just laughed and rubbed his disgusting greasy hand over her and began moving up her dress. At this point, the other patrons seemed to have had enough and voices were being raised. My father burst in from nowhere wearing what appeared to be a kitchen apron and covered up to his elbows in bubbles. He pushed the leader off his chair, grabbing my mother by the hand and pulling her to her feet. I still couldn’t fathom what was being said but the leader stood up and started shouting. Not at my father though… instead he began pointing at my mother, raving with madness as he did. The whole tavern went silent as he finished his sentence and my parents began to look afraid. Before anyone could react the two of them made their way towards the exit only for the thugs to follow shortly afterwards. 

What horrible people. I took my hand off of the man’s head and dragged him into the bush I had hidden in previously and began to prepare. Whether mine or the child’s, these parents are the only thing I have in this world. I could feel my blood boil in my veins. The beast within me began to howl with anticipation. I smiled and tried to remember the last time I fought for anything but my selfishness. It felt good.