A Stroke Of Originality

The crew gathered around Frank and engaged in an open dialog as they waited for him to address them. He looked around and observing their wide eyes and grins as they prepared to hunt the great beast of the forest.

“Listen up you mongrels!” Frank directed and waited for the chatter to stop.  “People go missing, and are killed in this forest, but today we will slay the beast responsible!” Frank assured his team as they cheered him on. “Now let’s go get him!”

Frank watched as they all ran into the forest, shouting and cheering with their pitchforks, swords, and other weapons. He was determined to leave the woods with the beast head on a platter. It’s been ten years since the day his brother disappeared in the woods, and Frank didn’t want to wait a day longer to kill the beast responsible for his brother’s disappearance. He would use whatever means necessary, even if that meant involving the townsfolk, and mercenaries. He would have his day.

Frank waited outside the forest until he began hearing shouts of people yelling that they’ve found the beast.

“It’s showtime!” He yelled as he drew his sword and advanced into the forest.

Once he entered, he heard growls and the screams of panic and fear throughout. Even hearing such horrible screams, it didn’t derail his determination as he went towards the screams. Looking at the ground and tracking footprints, he discovered the ones belonging to the beast and followed them quickly before he lost them. To his surprise, as he followed the footprints blood followed and gave him hope that someone got a lucky shot off on the beast and it was wounded. Frank followed the blood-stained path until he finally came upon the black beast. Slouched over on a rock panting, licking its wound.

“I’ve finally found you, you monster. I will have revenge for my brother.” Frank growled.

The beast turned, and let out a terrifying sound hoping to steer Frank away, but Frank was unwavering. The creature stood displaying its terrifyingly tall stature, extending its long claws and baring its teeth as it stared at frank, giving another warning.

“You don’t scare me beast, your life is mine to take.” Frank snarled as he charged the beast.

Frank swung at the brute with immense power in his attempt to take the beasts life but missed with every swing as the beast dodged.

“Nooo!” The creature struggled to speak, its voice gravelly.

Frank paused in shock when he heard the creature speak.

“What sorcery is this? You can speak?” Frank doubted.

The beast nodded but didn’t speak again.

“That doesn’t change anything!” Frank exploded as he charged the beast again.

Frank nicked the brute’s arm this time with a swing, but the beast retaliated, clawing Frank across the chest breaking through his armor. They stared each other down when the townsfolk began shouting in the distance the creature let its guard down for just one moment, and Frank wasted no time impaling his sword through the creature’s chest. The beast let out a howl in agony as he felt the blade pierce its body.

“N…o..” The beast spluttered out as he and frank fell to the ground.

Frank looked at the creature’s body began to dissolve, and a human shape began to take form.

“What is this?” he questioned.

He didn’t know what had happened. Did he hallucinate and attack a townsman, or was he under the spell of a witch? When the townsfolk arrived, they stared at Frank, then the men who now laid on the ground lifeless.

“The beast has taken another life!” One man yelled.

Frank looked confused as he tried to muster the words to tell them what happened, but they just wouldn’t come out as he stared at them.

“Don’t let it get away this time! kill it!” Another townsman yelled.

They began charging at Frank with their weapons drawn as he tried to explain what happened. When one of the townsman got close to frank, he stuck his hands out to try and stop him but looked down and saw his hands were no more. He had developed claws, and he was now being hunted. Frank ran deeper into the forest trying to get away from the townsfolk, but they were relentless in their chase. As he continued running within the woods, a path guided him towards a cliff with nowhere else to go. The townsmen closed in quickly pushing Frank towards the edge of the cliff. Frank turned around and looked down at the fall, and realized he couldn’t take another step, so he turned back towards the people and tried to muster more words.

“Nooo!” Was all that would come.

Hello everyone, continuing the Sunday trend of Flash Fictions. This one came to me when I was actually writing more to my Novel(more to come) and I thought, what if I write a quick story about someone who didn’t want anyone to kill them because then the curse of the beast would be transferred to them. I hope you enjoyed it, and as usual, leave a comment below to let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading! Until next time.