My hand found a stone in the snow, struggling at first to find purchase on the slippery surface. I wrenched my arm free, the dog’s claws raking down my arm in the process. I brought the stone up and rammed it against the animal’s head with a loud thud. It yelped and recoiled. I used its disorientation to my advantage and heaved my entire body weight against the creature, knocking it off of me. I staggered to my feet and darted for the trees once more. I knew I hadn’t injured it enough to hold it off for long. The trees were close and I knew that if I made it into the forest, I had more chance of hiding than I did out in the open.
I could feel the dog snapping at my heels, hear it baying angrily for my blood. I reached the edge of the forest and tore through the trees, thanking my lucky stars for the limited light, praying it would hide me.
My legs guided me, an instinctive knowledge drawing me towards safety. In my mind I saw a home, or what had become a home, offering shelter in desperate times. I smelled smoke before I saw it, heard a whisper in the branches as though the forest itself was on my side.
Up ahead I saw a ramshackle cabin and my heart leapt. I clutched my stomach and surged on, my other hand reaching out for the door as I drew near.
The dog was closing in. I threw myself inside, seized the door handle and pulled the door shut just as the dog stuck its head inside. The door clamped down on its neck as I tried to close it and the animal fought to get inside. I pressed my weight against it, keeping it shut as the beast snapped at my ankles. I knew I needed to open the door to get it out of the way but if I did that it would get in and kill me!
I held the door in place as it snarled and spit, thrashing back and forth to get loose, and glanced behind me to see if there was anything I could reach that I could use to drive him off. My eyes caught sight of the dagger at my belt and with a grimace I pulled it free.
The door shook and I gritted my teeth, steeling my nerves for what was to come. It was better than nothing. I didn’t have enough time to look for something else. A thundering roar came from outside and a tremor ran through the wood. The sudden move startled me, the dagger tumbling from my hand, skidding just out of reach. I cursed, shifting my weight to try and keep the door closed as much as possible.
I stretched out my arm as far as I could. My fingers grazed the handle of the knife. The dog slammed itself against the wood and I swore I heard a crack. My foot inched out slowly, unable to move to far or too fast in case I lost my hold on the door, and touched the side of the knife. I slid it slowly back to me until it was at my feet. Now the tricky bit. I would have to move fast.
I slid down the door, keeping my back pressed against it, until I was close enough to reach out and grab the knife. I was terrifyingly aware of the dog’s head sticking through the gap, inches from my arm. Fortunately the door not only restrained it but limited its movement enough for me to avoid getting my arm bitten off.
I grabbed the knife and went to raise it above the animal’s head. His eyes seemed to narrow and he stilled a little. I hesitated, his sudden stillness making me uneasy.
He lunged forward suddenly, slamming his body against the door, making it shake and pushing just a little bit more of his neck through the gap. His jaws clamped down on my wrist, biting down hard. I screeched and dropped the knife. He worried the flesh, trying to pull me back through the gap. I screwed my eyes shut, trying to push the pain away. I grabbed the knife with my other hand and drove the object as far as I could into its eye.
The noise the animal let out was the stuff of nightmares. A horrific wail that was a mixture of howling, screaming and growling all rolled up into one shudder inducing sound. I wrenched my arm free of it’s now gaping mouth, tore open the door and kicked it hard across the jaw, knocking its head out of the way. I slammed the door shut and locked it hurriedly, pleased that in this moment of crisis my hands didn’t fumble and fail me.
I lay on the ground, holding my stomach with blood pouring from the wound on my arm and tears streaming down my cheeks.
THE MONSTERS AMONGST MEN
FAOLAN
Blair woke with a start. I had been with her for nearly a week and the nightmares had become a concerning occurrence. Fearing that tonight might be the same, I had stayed awake to watch over her. She doubled over, burying her face in her hands. I quickly rose from my perch on the window seat and came over to her immediately.
“Hey boy… did I wake you?”
I nuzzled her hand reassuringly, silently trying to convey my concern.
“Just more dreams. Don’t worry.”
I was worried. I could not help it. We had spent our time together curled up inside for the most part. Blair would read to me or draw. She’d changed my bandages and taken me out into the garden when she was sure no one else was around. It had been… nice. Pleasant. I liked to think she enjoyed spending time with me in the same way that I enjoyed spending it with her.
She patted the bed and I clambered up. I tended to sleep by the window unless specifically invited. I could not get over the ingrained instinct that it was very improper for me to share a bed with her. I knew that times had changed… and that I was an animal but I tried to maintain boundaries wherever possible.
“I’m back to school today. It’s probably just that.”
Oh yes… she had explained to me about her suspension and I knew that she would have to return to school at some point but I had secretly hoped that time would not come. It was rather lonely when she left the house.
I rested my head on her lap, letting out an aggravated huff as I closed my eyes. She laughed softly and ruffled my ears before turning her attention to my leg. I made sure to lay still as she removed the old bandages and examined the injury. I knew that it would most likely be healed by now. Maeve had wanted me to live as long as possible with my curse, which meant it had the added bonus of being rather hard for me to die. Luckily it seemed, since Blair was skilled at many things but not especially at first aid. Chances are a regular dog would have required stitches while I just needed to rest it for a little while. I could not tell if Blair realised that the rate I was healing was unusual and choosing not to comment on it or if she was just that naïve.
“It looks like you’re all better… I guess I should start looking for your owner.” She seemed saddened by the prospect. Could she really have grown so attached in such a short space of time? Well… of course she could. All she saw was a large fluffy friend permanently pleased to see her. How could she not get attached? I was adorable.
Blair glanced out the window, gauging the time by the level of light and sighed.
“I need to get ready for school… and I’ll be home late. I have to do some work for my uncle at the pub. But I’ll use the cash to get you some nice steak, okay?” I wagged my tail enthusiastically. I did feel guilty that she was spending money on me, but now that I was fixed up I could hunt for my own food. “Oh! And tomorrow night my aunt and uncle have a wedding or something out of town. We can go out and do something fun if you want?”
I barked excitedly at the prospect. Blair grinned and wriggled out of the bed, grabbing her school uniform before disappearing downstairs to take a shower. I stretched, relishing in the sensation. I’d gained weight since staying with Blair, my bones were no longer visible when I moved. I felt stronger and more alert than I had in a long time. If I was honest with myself, I didn’t really want to leave. I wasn’t sure whether it was having a roof over my head, regular food or if it was just having company for the first time. Maybe, if Blair was agreeable to the prospect, I could remain. After all, what did I have to return to? A crumbling cottage haunted by ghosts and painful memories of a life I was likely to never get back.
I had spent years telling myself that one day I would break the curse, regain my true form and resume living. But I knew that at this point, that was just a daydream. My family were long dead. My wife, my child, slaughtered. I did not know this world or belong it any longer. Maybe it would not be such a bad thing to play pet for a little while.
It was not a permanent solution, after all I would outlive Blair and eventually she would notice that I was not getting any older, but it would serve for a time.
The door opened and Blair came in, skin stained pink from the shower. Her uniform was too big for her, hanging loose on her body. She reminded me of Liadan in that regard. My wife had always been small, especially compared to the other women in the village. She had always looked so frail, childlike in a way. Even when she was pregnant, she had not gained much weight, remaining waiflike.
“I’ve asked the twins to come by and let you out for a bit later. Do not bite them,” Blair ordered me, giving me a gently poke on the flank. She was teasing but I could sense an undercurrent of nerves running through her. The prospect of returning to school was as unappealing to her as it was to me and it only took a brief look at her knees to remind me of why. She had left the various cuts and bruises that still lingered across her body exposed, rather than cover them up like she usually did.
I watched as Blair went to her mirror and locked eyes with herself, adjusting her jacket.
“I can do this. I won’t let them beat me.”
She looked strangely warrior like, her flame red hair cascading down her back, face set in fierce determination. I went over and gently nuzzled her hand, silently reassuring her that it would be okay and maybe trying to reassure myself a little. I was somewhat concerned about her.
“I’m in isolation, they won’t be able to do anything…” She seemed to be talking to herself more than me, suggesting she was not entirely convinced.
Nodding to her reflection, she grabbed her satchel and headed out of the attic, leaving the door slightly ajar. I went to the window and watched as she made her way across the garden to the road. Once she had disappeared from view, I slipped through the gap in the door and scampered down the stairs.
I was not entirely sure what my plan was, but I felt that it was important for me to stay close to Blair. At the very least I could keep an eye on her… just in case.
But first I needed to get out of the house. I searched around, checking the various doors for one that might have been left unlocked. Hopefully if I found one I could use my weight to knock it open and get outside.
Unfortunately all three of the doors out seemed to have been firmly secured. With a disgruntled huff I sprawled by the glass doors, staring out mournfully at the garden. It looked like I was going to have to wait until one of Blair’s brothers came to ‘let me out’ and then sprint off… I just hoped nothing happened to my… to Blair in the meantime.
I felt unnaturally restless. My fur was bristling and as I laid there, I felt a strange surge of electricity running through my muscles. I got up again, unable to remain still, and fell to pacing around the living room. A dull tapping came from the window by the staircase, a bird pecking at the glass. The window was slightly ajar and I briefly wondered if I could squeeze through.
I heard footsteps on the stairs and looked up to see one of the twins. I still had difficulty telling them apart. They had slightly different scents but it appeared they shared shower products so straight after washing I struggled.
“Hey mutt.”
Oh. It was Grayson. He had developed a habit of being rather impolite to me. And I had developed a habit of snapping at his ankles when he did that. But he was also the better choice to let me out, as he would not have any desire to chase me if I ran off.
I scratched lightly at the door and did my best pleading look. He rolled his eyes but unlocked the front door, padding over to the kitchen as he grumbled under his breath. More focused on his morning coffee which suited me just fine. I ran across the drive to the road and took off in the direction of the town. I could follow Blair’s scent easily.
I had not gone more than a few paces when I skidded to a stop, gravel flying up around me. My body was frozen, fixed in place, and I felt like a rope had been fastened around my throat, pulling me hard in the other direction.
No. No. Not now.
The breath twisted in my throat and I felt a sharp pain in my skull. Every strand of fur was standing on end and tremors ran through my limbs.
Despite my efforts to resist, my body twisted and I was compelled up the hill, first at a stilted walk that graduated into a frantic run. I careened up the path, past the farmland and across the valley to the ruins. Even as I approached I knew what I would see and I dreaded the sight of it.
Seated on one of the low stones that was all that remained of the wall was a female figure. She was dressed in faded grey gown, torn and stained. Her hair was unkempt, a matted waterfall of straw.
Maeve.
Even now she still held a strange beauty that I could not deny. Her very being held an uncomfortable, dark intoxication that twisted everything good and wonderful into something bitter and poisonous.
“Faolan, you really should find a safer place for these,” she said without looking around. In her hand was a small bundle of faded purple cloth and at the sight of it, I felt my heart momentarily stop. A snarl ripped through me and I bared my fangs, hackles rising. “Now, now, none of that. After all I am here out of the goodness of my heart.”
Liar. You never had a heart.
“We had a deal and you have not been holding up your end of things. And if you want to ever become more than a flea-bitten cur, you will need to get to work sometime soon.”
Maeve rose from her seat and approached me, kneeling before me. Up close I could see the dark veins livid against her skin, the thick red mark around her throat where the rope had tightened all those years before.
Why did it have to be you who came back?
She held out her hand, the bundle falling open. Eight vials, each stoppered and sealed with wax. They were filled with liquid, ranging from deep crimson to a rusty brown.
“Ailis… Ceara… Eachna…Niamh… Cliona… Rohan… of course your sweet Liadan and Sarai. Eight. But eight is not all. Is it?”
I ducked my head, whimpering softly. I could see their faces clearly in my mind as if it had been yesterday.
“Don’t play dumb Faolan. We both know that there’s more out there. And we both know what you need to do… or have you forgotten? The blood of the bride and all who follow must be shed for your life to return to you.” She knelt before me and ran a hand across my cheek. I snarled and snapped, disgusted by the mere idea of her touching me. She pouted. “You’re not still mad are you? You really need to move on… I did it for us after all. One day you’ll have to forgive me. I’m all you have left.”
Maeve rose to her feet, gazing out in the direction of the lake.
“I suggest you hurry up. That’s the problem with a curse like yours. The longer you wait, the more you have to kill.”
I pawed at the ground anxiously. I had already spilled too much blood in the pursuit of this cure. I did not even know if it was real. Maeve was a deceptive snake who had ruined my life and I was expected to place my trust in her.
And what did I really have to be human for?
“Perhaps if the prospect of breaking your curse is not enough, I could find another incentive for you? Blood is a powerful tool and can do many things my love… take it from one who knows first-hand its power…”
Of course. It was not enough for her to learn her mother’s black arts. Instead, she had not only surpassed Cessair’s skills but had used the gifts her mother gave her to ensure her own survival at the cost of her own family. She was a despicable evil.
“It is down to you my love… cure yourself and re-join me. We can be one as we used to be.”
Maeve knelt slightly and kissed the top of my furry head. I closed my eyes, shrinking back from her. When I opened them again, she was gone, leaving nothing but the empty moors and a small blackbird with a white ring on its neck perched on a stone.
The vials of blood were resting on the rock and I carefully nosed them into the middle of the cloth, folding it over with my teeth. Then I used my paws and nose to nudge it back into the safe space I had forged
within the wall.
Satisfied, I trotted back down the path. When I neared the house I paused, trying to decide if I should carry on with my original plan or return to the home. The appearance of Maeve had put me on edge. I knew death would not hold her, no matter how much I had come to hope. I decided to continue on to the school. The run would do me good. If I returned home, I would only find myself restless and unsettled as everything that had happened ran through my head on an endless loop. The run would distract me and I could check on Blair. Knowing she was okay would soothe me a little.
I followed the trail of Blair’s scent, keeping to side streets and avoiding contact with people. The road steered out of town and through the countryside. At times the smell faded but I had grown so accustomed to it by this point that it did not take me long to find it again.
By the time I made my way to the edge of the school ground, it was midday. There was a rectangle of tarmac separating the road from the buildings, all squat ugly grey brick affairs. Running beside the school was a fenced off area, a mixture of gravel and grass with benches and play equipment. Children were scattered around, huddled in places, running and yelling. I scouted around the edge, searching for any sign of Blair. As I wandered, I found myself feeling a strange sense of familiarity and déjà vu. I had been here before, years ago, before the buildings were established and the grass stripped back.
My eyes were drawn to a large apple tree in the centre of the grassy patch. It was the only tree on the grounds, the trunk twisted and arms stretching up towards the sky. A flash of red amongst the green of the leaves caught my attention and my head perked up. It took me a moment to make her out but soon I was able to identify Blair huddled in the crook of the branches. She was reading, legs tucked up in front of her. At least she seemed to be okay…
The Cuckoo's Eye Page 7
