Page 19 of Red's Beast

As I lie on the couch and try to sleep, my body is restless. The monster or beast can speak to me and it seems like I’m tied to it, but how?

Sadly, there isn’t anyone I can truly ask about it. They would think I have lost my mind.

A deep breath escapes me as I try to make myself more comfortable, but every time I move, it just makes me that much more uncomfortable.

I finally give up and stand from the couch to go to the window. After a few seconds of aimlessly staring, I feel disappointed to not see something.

“Come on, I have to know what you are going to say. I have so many questions.”

I prop my elbows up on the windowsill and lean forward as I close my eyes and slowly run my hands over my face. When I finally glance out the window, I find a set of glowing red eyes staring at me.

I let out a small gasp as I jerk away from the window.

Lily.

"How do you know my name?” I search the window with my eyes, expecting to find some hint of the creature's shape, only to feel a wave of disappointment when I find nothing. All I can see are his glowing red eyes in the window, looking at me.

Mine.

“It would be nice if you could explain that to me, especially when I’d be in danger if people knew you were claiming me as yours.”

I reach out and press my hand against the window. A clawed paw suddenly appears on the other side of my hand.

"Lillian, who are you talking to?" Grandmother asks.

"I can't sleep,” I whisper as I jerk my hand away from the window.

She stares at me intently from the entrance of her bedroom door. "Did you see something? What are you doing at the window?”

When I look at the window, the beast is gone. "I guess not. Sometimes I just like watching the critters at night.”

"Looking for the beast, perhaps?” She asks as her brow raises.

"You told me you don’t believe in the beast, but even if you believed, he’s not out there.”

"He? When did the beast become a he? Is there something you need to tell me?” She rests her back against the doorway and crosses her arms firmly over her chest.

"I just know."

She takes a deep breath and releases it with a soft huff. "Well, since you are okay, I'm going back to bed, but if I didn't know any better, I'd think you're dreaming about the imaginary monster."

A small, quiet chuckle escapes my lips. If only she knew that what she believes is imaginary is very real and living outside her house in the woods. "Goodnight again, Grandmother. I'll sleep soon."

With a loud thud, she shuts the door behind her and I remain standing, my gaze fixed out the window. I wait for several minutes, but the beast never returns. "Maybe another night."

I drag my weary body to the couch and collapse in exhaustion. I'm so tired that I can hardly keep my eyes open, and before I know it, I'm asleep.

But once again, my dreams come no matter how tired I am.

I see the man again, standing in the middle of the village. His back is facing me, but he turns to look at me over his shoulder once he hears me approach.

“You’re back.”

“Yes, and so are you,” I say as heat floods my cheeks. “Why do you keep coming back?”

He turns around fully and I can tell he is grinning, though I can’t see his face clearly. “One day, you and I will be together, Lily.”

I remember hearing those words early, but not in a full sentence. “Just who are you?”

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