Ch. 17

While everyone disappears into the dining room, my gaze lingers on Dr. Stalker. To my surprise, he doesn't join the majority. Instead, he stands there, silent and lost in thought. Something about him seems tense. Almost... worried. Hmm...

After I put the new cutlery down for Cuno, I leave the group inconspicuously. 

But as soon as I'm in the stairwell, my mother calls me back with an insistent voice.

My brother and mother talk for hours about relatives I've never heard of before. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Stalker turns out to be a real stalker - within a few minutes, he seems to know my entire family history by heart. 

I, on the other hand, ask myself just one question: who was that again?

Finally, my mother has an understanding with me. 

While the others are probably chatting away into the early hours, I retire to my room, relieved.

Cuno or Crevan? What do these names really mean?
Brave warriors and...
I laugh softly. This fox has deliberately made it easy for me. But the crucial question remains: What exactly does he have to do with my family?
Supposedly, the magical power of foxes of this rank is not particularly pronounced. According to Loog, of course.
No matter. As soon as I get the chance, I'll ask him.
Stop questioning him? Do I want to quiz him?
A soft noise snaps me out of my thoughts. A rustling.
My gaze wanders to the window as if of its own accord.
No. Please don't! Please, dear God, just let me imagine it.
I force myself to lie down. Close my eyes. Just sleep. Quietly. 

I'll just lie peacefully and happily in my bed, travel into the dream world and wake up tomorrow feeling refreshed.
It rustles again.
The strange shadow I saw earlier has disappeared.
I look around searching. For the first time in this strange time, I seem to have really imagined something.
Relief spreads through me. I almost want to laugh.
Almost.
But then I suddenly feel an ice-cold hand covering my mouth.
My heart stops.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see a long neck snaking smoothly past me. 

The creature's head stops in front of me.
A hideous face. Distorted, with deep black eyes and a grin that is far too wide.

I flinch, startled. My whole body is paralyzed.
The creature wipes a drop of sweat from my forehead with a grin.
“Don't be afraid. It will be quick and painless,” it hisses.
Then it opens its mouth. A mouth full of razor-sharp teeth.
It could devour me in a single bite.
I close my eyes in the face of death. I don't want to see those fangs. 

I don't want this gruesome image to be my last.
My mother will think I've run away. Aaron will tell her to call the police. 

Years will pass and no one will know if I'm alive or dead. My body will never be found. Just one bite will be the end of me.
A truly horrific end.
Suddenly, completely out of the blue, a muffled scream breaks the silence.
Startled, I open my eyes.
A hand grabs the hideous creature. Fingers dig into its grotesque face. It is squeezed with brutal force.
The creature shrieks, writhes - then fizzles out into a black shadow.
I stagger back, but before I can fall, I feel a firm chest behind me.
The hand that destroyed the monster glides gently over my head.
“Asta, don't be afraid. I'm here,” whispers a familiar voice.
A tremor goes through me. Then I burst into tears and cling to him.
This strange warmth calms me. But not enough to forgive him.
I clench my fists.
“You!”