[ When the sun sets and the shadows widen swallowing the sun's luminosence that was cast on the forbidden land, the starless sky is covered with black stromy clouds where it feels like the blood red moon is the only hope of light... That's when it comes out of it's lair. Dragging the crimson fog where ever it goes. Cowered with fear the villagers locked them selves in their home every month when the blood moon rises. Hoping it won't see past the occlusions. But for their foolishness they were blinded by fear forgetting that... It will never leave if it's eyes land on it's prey... ]
"That's not a bedtime story!" Nicholai shrieked.
Grandma had promised to tell us a bedtime tale, so we had eagerly climbed into bed. But now, it seemed sleep would never come tonight.
"Oh, why, Nicholai?" Grandma asked, her lips curving into a sweet smile. "You didn't like the story I told you?"
"It's scary! How are we supposed to sleep now? What if… what if it's real?" His voice cracked at the last word.
Grandma replied calmly, her tone almost soothing.
"But it isn't a story, Nicholai."
Both Nicholai's heart and mine sank as she continued.
"But you don't need to worry. As long as you stay together and lock the windows and doors tightly every blood moon—"
She stopped when our whining filled the room.
Hearing our shrieks and squeals, Mother rushed in. The moment her eyes landed on Grandma, she knew exactly what had happened.
"Did you tell them that story?" she asked sharply, sitting on the edge of the bed and patting our backs in a reassuring manner.
"The one you scared me and my sister with?"
"Nicholas and Nicholai don't need to worry," Mother said gently. "Grandma just told a fable. Fiction. Right, Ma?"
She glanced at Grandma, who didn't seem displeased at all.
"You know, darling," Grandma replied, "that what I said is the truth. They need to know it to stay safe."
I clutched Mother's sleeve tightly.
"See?" I whispered. "Grandma says it's true. And we live near the forest… in a secluded place…"
Mother continued to comfort us, though her words felt hollow now—especially after what Grandma had said.
+if only the story she told us had been nothing more than a fabricated lie, just like Mother claimed.+