My senses heightened. I could feel the grass, the roots of the trees, the evening dew and every little rock right under my paws. I could hear every bird and animal that was there that night. And I could smell everything. The smell of the flowers, the fuels of the city and something else. Something that seemed like fire and decomposition.

I heard something like a crack near the clearing. I knew it was her before I could actually see her. That woman who could transform from a beautiful human being into a monster with sharp teeth, flaming hair and bat wings. She was tall, with one bronze leg and one goat leg, something that made her seem even creepier than she already was.

I was about to start running because I knew what she wanted; she wanted to kill me and take the moon dust that my horn contained. But then I heard something else. Something that sent shivers down my spine.

"What the hell are you?" I heard Josh say. I couldn't possibly know whether he was referring to me or Empusa. But I was about to find out soon enough.

"Well, that evening keeps becoming better and better..." she said. "Not only I'll finally kill her, but I will also feed on you," she whispered.

Instead of moving towards my salvation, I started running towards Josh. Either I would save him, or we'd both end up dead.

© Victoria Moschou. All Rights Reserved 2016.