An American Werewolf’s Dark Heart

The point is, you are alive when they start to eat you…

——Sam Neill/Alan Grant

In the vast expanse of the night sky, a multitude of a thousand stars shone with a brilliance that was truly awe-inspiring. The gentle flow of the river's slithering stream could be heard in the darkness, its gurgling melody a soothing balm to the senses. A soft breeze swept over the meadow, causing the tall grasses to sway and dance in a graceful rhythm, while the rustling of the leaves among the fallen trees whispered a gentle lullaby.

The Everfree forest assumed a nocturnal threat as Spot, Fido, Rover, and Kudo, another diamond dog, proceeded. Birds cackled through the canopy, owls hooted from overhanging branches, and insects hissed and chattered throughout the undergrowth. Kudo walked slowly, sensing the decaying floor sink beneath his feet. He gazed over the undergrowth, beyond the trees, to the mist lingering in the space beyond. He glanced to the tree tops and saw the glowing eyes of an owl on an overhanging branch. The air smelt of mold and mildew, the decay of plant and animal matter.

For the preceding minutes, Kudo's nerves had been gradually stretched taut, akin to that of a puppet. The ghost stories recounted by ponies during Nightmare Night, coupled with his grandmother's warning, had formed a cyclical chant in his mind.

The question of the veracity of the ghost stories had filled Kudo with an infinite potential for phobias. He found himself scanning the shadows for any indication of a phantom, whether it be an animal or a pony. One of the ghost stories could be true, but Kudo didn’t have the courage to even dare to venture if any of them were true or false. He knew in his heart that it wasn’t worth it.

An icy current flowed through Kudo’s veins. The smiling faces of his vanished friends, frozen mid-smile stared from within. Kudo grunted and shook his head like a dog with a bad taste in its mouth. He was never able to get the images out of his head whenever they surfaced. Not after his friends had disappeared. To this day he still wondered what happened to him; and hoped that he wouldn’t be the one to be taken next.

“How close are we?” Spot asked, glancing up at Rover.

“We should be close.” Rover replied, maintaining the path in his sights.

“I hope so, I’m starving.” Fido groaned, rubbing his belly with his paw.

Rover rolled his eyes. “Quit your whining, we’ll get something to eat on the way back. For now let’s just keep moving.”

As Kudo and his companions made their way through the dense forest, they were struck by a small glimmer of light that pierced through the leaves. As they drew nearer, the light began to brighten, illuminating their path. Kudo deftly dodged bush after bush, bulldozing his way towards the single file's exit.

Upon emerging from the forest, they were greeted with the sight of a magnificent bridge in the distance. The path at the bridge's end led to a winding road that took a small turn before continuing straight until it reached its final destination: an abandoned castle. The castle was surrounded by a thick brick wall, which was overgrown with plants, grass, and trees.

“There it is, boys. We’re here.” Rover announced with a big grin. All but Kudo smiled in relief.

Their smiles dropped, however, when they heard a distant howl reverberating through the valley.

“What was that?” Spot asked, a bit frightened. Rover shrugged his shoulders.

“Meh, probably a Timberwolf. They usually come out during the night,” Rover said, starting towards the bridge while his companions followed him. “We should be fine as long as we stay off of their territory.”

“Ahh, that makes sense.” Fido said.

Kudo wasn’t convinced. “I’m not so sure, Rover. Something about that howl sounded… different.”

Rover waved Kudo off.

“Bah, who cares. Look, we're approaching the castle.”

Kudo raised his gaze and perceived that they were, in fact, drawing near to the dilapidated castle. However, before he could trail his companions up the staircase, Rover restrained him by placing his paw on his chest.

“Can’t risk being caught by any of those stupid ponies; you stay here, and keep watch. Shout for us if some of ‘em come.” Rover said, pulling his paw away from his friend’s chest. Kudo blinked at him.

“You want me to stay out here? Alone? By myself?” Kudo was anxious.

“Oh come on, don’t give me that look. You’ll be fine.” Rover said. “We’re only gonna be in there for like, what, five minutes? Once we find out if this dead beat castle’s got any goods we’ll come back.”

“I still don’t like the idea of being alone…”

“Again, you’ll be fine. Stop being paranoid.”

Kudo observed as Rover and his two companions made their way into the entrance of the castle, their silhouettes vanishing into the shadows. This left Kudo feeling disappointed and concerned, as he was now alone with his thoughts.

Kudo turned around, crossed his arms, and faced the grassy field. He shook his head. Although Kudo did not voice his opinions, he believed that Rover had made a foolish mistake by deciding to come out here during the night. Kudo understood that vicious predators in different shapes and sizes come out at nighttime, and the Timberwolves were no exception.

If they had come here earlier when the sun was up, it would have made entering through the Everfree less scary. Now he was standing here in the middle of the night keeping watch, alone without a buddy to keep him company.

Three gray blurs swiftly passed by Kudo from below. He cast his gaze downwards and observed a group of three rabbits hastily hopping away. Intrigued by their behavior, Kudo trailed the trio around the left side of the castle until he arrived at a large bush. He delicately lifted his left paw and parted the leaves, peering down at the trembling mammals. The three rabbits quivered uncontrollably as they stared up at Kudo with a look of terror in their eyes. Kudo was bewildered, he didn’t understand why.

Kudo’s eyes blinked rapidly. He had been so distracted by the trio mammals that he failed to notice a perceptible shift in the atmosphere.

The air was silent.

A rancid exhalation rushed through Kudo’s fur.

Kudo spun around and jaws clamped shut over his throat. The jaws rolled his body around and shoved him roughly to the earth with a thump. The beast huffed softly. Damp air rushed over Kudo’s face.

A breathless rasp squeezed through Kudo’s lips. His fist bounced like rubber off of the creature’s skull. He pried at the jaws, but they were locked around his neck like a bear trap.

Fangs sank into Kudo’s throat, shutting off his inhalations. The claws on its right paw slashed his stomach open like wet tissue paper. Hot blood ran down his waist and onto the earth’s floor.

Kudo screamed mutely and gaped. The creature pinned him down hard on the ground. He was repulsed by the furnace heat seeping through the animal’s highlighted black and gray fur. Kudo thrashed and the creature shook him violently from side to side.

He stared into the creature’s cold, unblinking eyes; it was like looking into the bottom of a deep well. His hands pulled at the thick plumage of its throat. He looked past the creature’s head and screamed silently. The ruined castle was rushing overhead.

The creature was carrying him away.

The creature swiftly traversed through the forest, maneuvering around tree trunks and nimbly leaping over logs and rocks. Its chest heaved with each breath, resembling that of a powerful engine. Its jaws were slightly tightened around Kudo's throat for better grip.

The overhanging branches and leaves of the forest whizzed past Kudo in a blur of green and brown. He gaped like a suffocating fish. His hands brushed over the predator's soft, warm fur. It was strangely comforting, akin to the embrace of a lover. He felt himself being enveloped by the predator's warmth, like a soft blanket.

Kudo didn’t know how long the creature was running. It almost felt like an eternity before the predator slowed down to a trot. Kudo squirmed, but the predator didn’t notice his struggle. He felt warm, wet snakes crawling over his waist. It was with abhorrent shock he realized that his intestines were slithering out of his gut.

Kudo kicked, but his legs met air. The creature growled lowly and lapped up the blood from his neck. Kudo flailed against the brushing tongue. His limbs were numb. His legs were empty. Minutes felt like hours and he couldn’t help but wonder what was it waiting for? The creature’s head twitched from side to side as if it was making sure there was no one around. Once the animal knew the coast was clear, it returned its cold calculating eyes to Kudos.

The beast dropped him onto the earth’s rotten floor, followed by a long deep growl. Kudo’s horrific screams filled the air. The beast towered over him and growled, claws digging into the dirt. Kudo’s screams transformed into a shriek when the creature buried its snout into his abdomen and tugged out a thick chunk of meat.

Kudo’s skull was undoubtedly mute; a hollow skull filled with overwhelming fear. His screams drifted through the forest. But no one could hear him. In his last fleeting moment of consciousness, he watched the beast swallow down another chunk of meat before burying its snout back into its stomach.

His world slowly grew dark.

Kudo wished he never left home.

20 Minutes later

“Kudo? Kudo?!”

Rover scanned around the area for his companion that suddenly vanished upon he and his boys return. Spot and Fido emulated their boss’s actions, each walking along the field searching for their missing friend. When Rover and his friends went inside the castle, they were hoping to find good loot. Any crystals, gems, or diamonds that would add into their collection back in the cave. Only to find none. Much to Rover’s disappointment.

But that didn’t matter right now. What mattered was the whereabouts of his missing companion.

“Ugh, Kudo where are you?!” Rover shouted, stomping his frustration to the ground.

“Maybe he went back to the cave without us?” Spot guessed.

Fido nodded in agreement. “Yeah, that could be it. He did it one time when we were trying to steal a handful of gold from a dragon’s cave.”

Rover huffed and looked at his buddies over his shoulder.

“Oh, he better back in the cave. He’s not gonna like what he hears from me when we get back.” Rover started forward while crossing his arms. “Come on, let’s go!”

The three individuals strolled across the bridge before proceeding to re-enter the Everfree forest. Unfortunately, none of them notice the trail of Kudo's blood that led to the woods situated behind the castle. Regrettably, not one of them took notice of the distant howl that emanated from beyond the mist of the forest.