Page 3 of Monsters we Crave

It was one thing to hear whispered stories of brutality; it was an entirely different experience to witness it firsthand. The helmeted man turned swiftly, a soft glow emanating from the side of his helmet. It was a bizarre and otherworldly sight for me, like watching someone speak to a spirit or summon magic from thin air. The realization dawned that this was some manner of advanced technology, leagues beyond anything I'd ever encountered. My isolated world had kept me blissfully ignorant.

But even with such a revelation, the lifeless man lying a few feet away, and the predatory gleam that had been in his eyes, the violent grip of his hands—no amount of horror at the issued command could coax an ounce of sympathy from me for him.

He would've shown me no mercy.

The man that ended his life forced me to meet his gaze once more. His piercing eyes locked onto mine, leaving me trapped, ensuring that I could focus on nothing else but him as his order was followed.

“Why are you alone in these woods?” His tone was soft, but there was an underlying coldness that made me feel obligated to respond.

"I'm looking for someone," I managed to reply, trying to steady my voice.

He studied me for a moment, his grip never wavering. “It’s dangerous out here, especially for someone like you.”

“Someone like me?” I repeated, confused.

His other hand rose, pulling free a set of chains that rested beneath his form-fitting shirt. One was a dog tag, embossed with the emblem of the dragon—the insignia of the family he served. They were said to have the same mythical blood in their veins. The other was a delicate pendant, formed in the likeness of the very same beast.

He removed it and with a fluid motion slipped the pendant over my head, the cold metal coming to rest against my skin, sealing some unspoken pact between us with a soft sting.

“This was my mother’s. It's said to protect the wearer from harm.”

"Why are you giving it to me?" I whispered.

He looked deep into my eyes, and for a moment, I felt as if he was peering into my very soul.

“Call it a hunch.”

One of his companions, a tall figure, stepped closer. “Are you sure about letting her go?”

“Vedremo la di nuovo,” he replied in a cryptic tongue, a cascade of melodic, mysterious syllables that held no meaning for me. I could only guess their significance. “Segui-la in silenzio” Another exchange in that same language, and then, with a final weighted glance, he released me and stepped back.

“Return to where you shelter and stay put. No one will bother you again.”

I didn’t understand why he’d helped me or how he could be so sure of that, but I wasn’t going to press further. I nodded and allowed him to help me stand. Despite my instincts telling me not to, curiosity got the better of me. “What's…what’s your name?” I asked hesitantly.

A grin danced on his lips. “You'll know soon enough.”

I turned away, inadvertently catching the gruesome scene unfolding behind him. The man who’d attacked me had been stripped naked and was now undergoing the chilling process of having his flesh removed. Curved blades flashed beneath the dim glow of lights the men wore as they worked. The way his flesh curled back reminded me of peeling potatoes. The underside of the skin was a mix of sinewy tissue, blood vessels crisscrossed like delicate, intricate webs, and patches of exposed muscle.

A visceral shudder surged through me, and I forced my feet to move. I could feel the weight of their collective gaze on my back.

A million questions flitted through my mind as the distance grew between us. I touched the necklace, feeling its cool metal against my skin. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to run from the mysterious man who'd saved me and his brigade. It took all the strength I had left to maintain a semblance of composure, putting one foot in front of the other, wondering why he’d let me go.

CHAPTER TWO

Present

Demeter Plaza always teemed with life. The convergence of history and innovation was palpable here. While old buildings stood regal with modern augmentations that barely altered their classical charm, the newer additions to the city, transparent towers of glass and responsive metal, captured the reflections of a past that existed long before I did.

Winding pathways illuminated with sleek, ambient lighting led to myriad stalls. The chatter of enthusiastic vendors peddling, and the gentle hums of tech-displays, combined with the sizzling and bubbling sounds from the food stalls created an orchestra of urban life.

“The skewers from FusionFire smell divine. Should we grab some?" Ophelia asked, her gaze fixed on the stall's sign. It glowed in fiery orange and electric blue neon above the serving window, flickering like a dancing flame.

Inside the stall, state-of-the-art cooking gadgets and equipment hummed and whirred, producing dishes that looked like they belonged in a five-star restaurant rather than a plaza stall. Robotic arms moved about, plating dishes, while the cooks monitored the fusion process and added final touches.

“You said that about the sushi, too. This is why you’re not supposed to go shopping hungry,” I joked.

“You know how I feel about food. I could eat now, then again, and again at dinner.”

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