Late one October night, Gela was jostled out of her slumber as her family left the bed. There was shouting outside and the telltale orange glow of fire came from the open door. Father held a pitchfork and was about to head out.

“W-what’s going on?” Gela asked.

“The Beast,” brother said, picking up a shovel. “After all this time it’s decided to show its face here…”

“You’re going to fight it?!” she exclaimed. Clutching the crucifix Gela jumped out of bed and glanced out the door. The Beast was nowhere to be found. In the middle of town she saw several of her neighbours lifeless on the ground, surrounded by puddles of blood and viscera. She saw one of Driek’s sisters menaced by… by… Driek? 

He hunched over his sister. Fingers dripping with blood.

No.

No, no, no.

“It’s here for me,” Gela said resolutely, turning to her father. “It’s going to continue doing this until it finds me. You must get everyone into the woods and to the next town over. Whichever direction is the quickest. Take the pitchforks and the shovels to protect yourselves.”

Father frowned. “And where does that leave you?” He asked, but Gela found herself marching outside. 

Barefoot, in nothing but her nightgown she approached Driek. 

“Oi, Beast!” She yelled. “Leave the girl alone. She’s got nothing to do with this. It’s me you want, right?” 

Behind her, she heard father and brother get to work evacuating the remaining survivors.

Driek - no, the Beast - turned around to face her. The blood wasn’t only dripping from his hands, but from his mouth as well. His eyes glowed red in the light of the full moon. 

Not a step away from his sister, though.

She spotted brother from the corner of her eye, readying himself to grab Driek’s sister and take her to safety.

“You want easy prey, then?” She goaded, taking a step forward, nearly slipping in one of the puddles. With slow, deliberate movements she removed the crucifix from her neck and spread out her arms. “Come and get me!” 

Finally, the Beast began advancing towards her. One step. Another.

“That’s it… Just a bit further,” she mumbled. “Come to me.”

One more step. 

Brother ran, lifting Driek’s sister over his shoulder and sprinting to father’s cart.

The Beast twisted around at the sound.

“No!” Gela yelled. “It’s me you want, remember?”

It snapped its gaze back to Gela. 

“Good…” she swallowed thickly, taking a deep, shaky breath. “Very good… good boy…? Now come to me.”

Behind her, father gave the mule the signal to run. At last, she was alone with this not-quite-Driek, who slowly advanced on her.

“Driek,” she called, but saw no recognition in his face. Gela swallowed thickly, beginning to feel she was in too deep. “Drieka,” she tried. 

Still, nothing.

Gela sighed. The crucifix fell to the muddy ground. Slowly she advanced, reaching for Driek, inviting him for an embrace.

“I love you.” 

She closed her eyes and kissed him, tasting the blood of his victims, and accepted what came next.

*

'What would you become to protect your family?'

'Anything,' so says the Prey.