For tonight, I was done with the forest. I was going to go back into my domain of laughter, gossip, and mystery. Them damn woods begged to differ.

  At first, it was nothing more than a faint hum. The wind carried it all the way from the edge of town. Then, I saw them. Three figures, each carrying a lantern, humming a melody in unison. Something was… off about those three.

  I sprang forward, moving through the brush like a shadow on the hunt. Soundless. Flawless. It lacked the thrill of the chase, of the real hunt, but it was damn close regardless. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed it. The raw power, the ability to rule the night.

  *And yet… it wasn’t enough to save him.*

  The thought, however true, was an unwelcome one. I found myself slowing down, choosing my steps more deliberately. It hadn’t dimmed the thrill of the hunt, though—not in the slightest. If anything, it added a weird, dangerous edge to it. Picking up the scent, I knew my suspicions were right. And when I appeared in front of the three travellers, I couldn’t blame them for screaming. Too high-pitched to be an adults.

  “Well, well, well. And what are you three fireflies doing so late in the forest?”

  Upon hearing my voice, the screams slowly subsided.

  I had seen those three faces before, although I couldn’t keep track of all the new kids in town. Three very young, very human faces. I felt a waft of warm, delicious smell, so tender, juicy…

  *Holy hell, I really am hungry!* I thought, taking a step back. Like so many times before.

  *Count to ten, wipe the drool, hide the fangs…*

  “Well? Why am I not hearing any answers? Do your parents know you’re here?”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Three pairs of eyes stabbed into the ground.

  “No, miss Inn lady,” they admitted.

  *Miss Inn lady, huh…cute. I’ve been called worse.*

  “Alright then, let’s get you back between buildings. You can play there.”

  “We are not playing! We are on a mission!” said their leader with child-like insistence, as I herded them back onto the road.

  “Oh?”

  “Yes, very important mission! We will save the woods! With an ancient ritual!”

  I scoffed at that. On a second glance, the kids were carrying small drums, knives, and a small basket. On a third glance, I could tell that they were from one of the few native families that stayed.

  “Nope. Not happening. These woods ain’t safe for little snacks like you.”

  “B-but—”

  “No buts. We’re going back, no discussions, no rituals.”

  *Especially not native ones. They have one itty, bitty problem. They tend to work.*

  They were fussy, of course, but they did waddle onto the road. I was walking few steps behind them. Gotta stay vigilant. Keep an eye for all the monsters in the dark. Myself included.

  After a bit of walking, the hunger grown. They started to look too good. Sound of four hearts beating hammered my ears, and...

  *...and wait o goddamn minute. One, two, three...

  Hm...

  Interesting. And convenient as hell.*

  It didn't take much effort to yoink the basket. Like taking a candy from a grown baby. I could hear the tiny heart racing inside.

  The kid, young boy, looked upset. "That's Chester. Give him back!"

  Peek inside the basket revealed a rabbit. My stomach let itself known.

  *Well, Chester was gonna be sacrificed, so...*

  "Stay here." I commanded, and jolted behind a nearby bush, out of sight.

  "Sleep!" I adressed the rabbit inside. And sleep it did when I opened the basket. And it slept throught my fangs sinking in, and throught all of it's blood leaving the small body.

  "I thank you."

  Standard orbituary for my meals. Making extra sure I wiped the blood from my lips, I returned to the kiddos. There they were, standing frozen as statues. Maybe I owerdid it with all that charm. Something was off tho. And I couldn't shake that feeling as I commanded them to march, and they did so without hesitation.

  That was fishy, howewer convenient. Natives had their ways of protecting themselfs from the supernatural. And no one was as protected as their young and elderly, who made all the charms and amulets. The point is, that I shouldn't be able to command them around this easilly, not after failing to charm a simple drunkard. This called for investigation.

  And the night, as I found out, was far from over.