Helping of Helpless Child

The forest's atmosphere became tense and overly heavy. Watching the three villagers corner the little beast-human girl, Ark crouched inside the dense bushes. With each second that went by, his chest grew tighter. While his heart cried out louder—help her, she's an innocent child—his mind urged him to remain hidden and apply caution.

Finally, he whispered under his breath, "I will help her. I never leave a helpless person.”

Ark showed up from the bushes with that determination, his small body now exposed by the gentle rays of sunlight that were peeping through the forest haze. He turned to face the three men, leaves crackling under his shoes. His tone relaxed, but there was a desperate determination in his words.

"Please... leave this girl. She's innocent. She's just a child," he said, almost calmly.

One of the men, tall with a scar across his face, said. "Child, don't interfere in matters you don't understand. If you value your life, walk away now."

Before he could advance, the second man held out his arm to stop him. His eyes narrowed, recognition dawning on his face. "Wait... that's Karl's son." His tone shifted from irritation to nervous caution. "If we lay a finger on him and Karl finds out, we'll be corpses before the sun sets."

The third man, younger and visibly nervous, quickly nodded in agreement. "Y-Yeah... better not do anything.”

The second man forced a smile, turning toward Ark as if coaxing him. "Listen, boy. We're not doing this for fun. That girl... she's the one who killed dozens of goblins in the forest. She's dangerous. Deadly, even. Don't be fooled by her body. She's not innocent."

Ark's lips tightened. His small fists clenched, but his face showed no clear emotion. Slowly, he stepped back, his voice quiet. "...So, you're saying I should leave her?"

The men exchanged glances, relieved. "Yes, little boy. Go home. Leave this to us.”

They returned their focus to the beast-human girl, who felt cold and pressed up against the roots of a big tree, satisfied that Ark had apparently backed off. One villager moved forward with uplifted hands, and her purple  eyes glowed with fear.

Then-CRACK!

The body of one man fell, his chest crushed inward as if smashed by an invisible force. The dirt was covered with blood. With their faces absent of color, the other two blinked. The sudden, violent death made even the girl shake in horror.

The forest fell silent.

Step. Step. Step.

Footsteps echoed steadily. Emerging from the shadows of the trees was Ark, his gaze cold, sharp, and far older than his young age should allow.

"I changed my decision," he said, his voice low, carrying an unshakable finality. "I'll protect this village... but in my way.”

The same crushing force struck before either villager could react. Crack, crack! Like dolls squeezed by unseen hands, their bodies fell apart horribly. The forest was once again covered in silence.

He turned to the girl slowly. Her tiny body trembled as she stayed on the ground. Her chest rose and sank quickly as she gazed up at the boy who had just killed three men in the blinked of an eye.

Ark knelt down, softening his expression. "Where are your parents?”

She tightened her fists and cried through tears as her lips were shaking. "Humans killed them! Humans are monsters!”

Her voice cracked with rage and grief.

Ark's heart twisted, but he forced calm into his tone. "Relax. I'm not like them. You saw what happened here. If I were the same as them, I'd have left you. Believe me." He extended his hand, palm open, inviting. "Let's be friends.”

The girl hesitated, her gaze changing from his face to his hand. But she reached out hesitantly and slowly. Her clawed little fingers brushed him. Ark stood her confidently and gently pulled her up.

Why?" she asked, confusion still in her voice. "Why would you... help a beast-human?”

Ark smiled faintly, scratching his face. "Because you're cute."

Her face flushed slightly, though her gaze remained cautious. Still, she followed him when he turned to leave.

After a few steps, Ark stopped. His eyes darkened. "...No mistakes this time.”

He raised his hand, magic swirling faintly around his fingers. The crushed remains of the villagers-blood, and flesh-were drawn into the earth, buried deep until no trace remained. The ground swallowed the evidence of his decision.

"Hm. No one will find out what happened here," Ark said. His tone was casual, but his eyes betrayed a sharp awareness of the weight of his actions.

The girl looked at him but said nothing, quietly stepping closer, as though unsure whether to fear or trust him.

Together, the unlikely pair walked toward the direction of the village. The forest behind them fell silent once more, as though nothing had happened-only the faint, lingering echo of Ark's choice remained in the shadows.

When Ark finally arrived at an area of the village, the girl's little hand was still shaking in his. He stopped and looked around at the fields and houses. The idea of taking her directly into the village made his chest tighten. Everyone is going to shout and possibly attempt to kill her if they see her. I cannot allow that to happen.

Turning toward her, he said firmly, "If you come with me, they'll hurt you. So, I have a plan. I'll hide you."

Without waiting for her answer, Ark gently tugged her along, weaving through bushes until they reached the far edge of the village. An enormous oak tree stood there, its ancient roots twisting around a hollow cavity at its base. Ark crouched and pointed inside.

"You'll stay here," he explained. "It's safe, and no one will find you. I'll bring food every day."

Then Ark said firmly, “ First, tell me your name!”

The girl lowered her gaze. "I... I don't even have a name. My parents... they died right after I was born.”

Ark's heart sank as he studied her features. She had long black hair, wolf-like black ears that twitched nervously, and a fluffy tail that curled tightly around her legs. For a moment, she looked so fragile that Ark felt an ache inside him.

"Then I'll give you one," he said with a small smile. "From today, your name is Delta."

Her purple-gold eyes widened. She clutched her chest as though the word itself carried warmth. "Delta..." Her face flushed faintly, and she whispered shyly, "Thank you.”

Ark said. "It's ok. Now, go inside." He helped her into the oak's hollow and carefully covered the entrance with bushes and fallen branches until it looked natural.

That evening, Ark slipped back home, secretly wrapping food in cloth and sneaking it out to Delta's hideout. He crawled into the hollow and set the meal in front of her.

"Here, eat."

But she only stared, her stomach growling loudly, yet she didn't move. Ark blinked, confused. "What's wrong? You're hungry."

Delta shook her head, her ears drooping.

Ark thought hard, then realized. "You think it's poisoned?" Without hesitation, he bit into the bread himself, chewing and swallowing. He held it up. "See? It's fine."

Delta's shoulders relaxed, and slowly, carefully, she took a bite. Then another. Soon, she was eating hungrily, crumbs clinging to her lips. Ark smiled faintly. She really was hungry.

After she finished, Ark stood. "I need to go home now, but I'll bring you more food for the night. Take care of yourself, Delta. I'II come again tomorrow."

Delta's ears twitched, and though she didn't speak, her eyes followed him until he disappeared from sight.

Back at home, Rose stood at the doorway, her arms crossed and her face stern. "Ark! Where were you? Didn't I say the village is dangerous right now? A beast human is roaming freely-what if that creature attacks you.”

Ark lowered his head. "Sorry, Mom…”

Her anger softened into worry. She sighed, brushing his hair back. "I only scold because I care about you."

Ark forced a small smile, but his thoughts were already drifting back to Delta.

Later, as he washed up and joined his parents at the dinner table, Karl came home, his face tired and grim. He dropped into his seat with a heavy sigh.

"Honey," Rose asked quickly, "any news about the beast human?”

Karl rubbed his head. "The villagers searched everywhere. Nothing. But... three men went missing. People assume they found the beast human and fought her. Some think a monster showed up and killed them all. Whatever it was, we haven't found their bodies. Maybe the beast has left the area. For now... it looks like we're safe.”

Rose exhaled in relief. "Thank goodness..."

Ark quietly ate, his father's words sinking heavily into his chest. He glanced down, hiding his expression. So that's what they think happened. Good. No one will know the truth.

That night, Ark lay on his bed staring at the ceiling. His thoughts kept circling back to Delta-her shy smile, the way her ears twitched when she was nervous. She must be alone in the oak tree right now... I hope she's not scared.

Far away, inside the hollow, Delta curled against her fluffy tail. Her eyes closed, but in her heart, one thought lingered. Why is that boy helping me? Ark... he's different from humans.

Morning came swiftly. Karl called Ark for training, but Ark rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Uh... I'll go play first, Father!" Before Karl could argue, Ark darted off, heart pounding.

Reaching the oak tree, he slipped inside the hollow and handed Delta bread and water. She accepted it with a small smile. Ark daily skipped his training, but Ark and Delta became good friends.