Hyena_Dawn

The blissful calm of a rainy night emanated throughout the coastline. A mesmerizing rhythm of raindrops striking the thick, leafy foliage and the already drenched beach. The constant wrestling of the waves and rain from the sea summoned a sentimental aroma. Encouraging such a memorable night is the moon’s light, beginning its First quarter. As it enters every raindrop creating prominent threads of silver shine.

Sleeping without issue is the Party; each with a massive leaf that was retrieved by Selene for the night. Luna wrapped her blanket around her head and shoulder, as if she were a small gift; likely to get her delicate ears warm from the cool rain. Lying on her back, Selene covered most of her body with the large leaf; only exposing her thighs and below, even removing her footwear revealing her crimson toenails.

Leaning upright against a tree is Purnama as Bulan cuddles close to her on her left side, making little movement. Appearing to still be awake, Purnama’s eyes are peering silently at the rainy shore. She must find a reposeful quality in nights like this, restfully staring at the translucent rain with the natural sounds, accompanied by her lips slightly unlocked, as she has her right hand gently caressing her right ear.

Lastly, there is the boy. Ignorant of this bliss. Shivering as the night continued, discarding the blanket from the over dampness, sitting very close to a tree near the forest in the hopes to avoid as much rain as possible. The boy was surely having thoughts of misery. Shaking his head in an untold disagreement: wanting to leave this world as soon as possible, or wanting to be provided with supplementary shelter. It was clear that the boy was not used to this way of life that the Party has been able to adapt to.

Strangely the boy’s distraught gaze turned into a mild revulsion. Frequently rubbing his nose as if it were irritated by something: a scent maybe. Soon enough, the boy took a deep breath through his nose, gathering the possible scent that is annoying his senses. He repeated this several times with concern, before looking around to find the source of this scent. Looking back into the forest, he squinted his eyes, as he likely believes that the scent is coming from the forest. Without further thinking, the boy got up to venture into the forest to investigate the scent.

Soon into his walk in the forest, the rain suddenly stopped. Looking at his once wet hands, he appeared to be confused, to then rub his eyes with his hands. The boy might believe that he is dreaming at the moment. Quickly hears an odd chortle. Looking around, forgetting the possibility of a dream, he simply moves forward to investigate.

Moments later, he sees something. A light, not with colors of the moon, or a campfire. Out of place colors, greens and grays—with a color that can’t be named. Getting closer with every step, he moves the back of his hand by his nose with a disturbed expression, and yet, he pushes onward. Unknowing to him, sneaking just behind him is Purnama, still awake and clearly saw him enter the forest. Either, she has noticed the peculiar scents and sounds, or is suspicious of the boy’s random stroll.

Now just steps away from the source of the colorless light. His expression begins to turn to caution, as he hears the euphoric laughter. Slowly approaching a tree, he creeps his head around the tree to remain somewhat hidden. In an instant, his eyes widened with a similar euphoria. The source of the light and scent is a massive bonfire. A meager attempt to even compare such a bizarre site.

The bonfire is a discolored inferno, manufacturing an illegitimate light that infects the darkness. The apex of the inferno dissipates into an noxious spiral of smoke, fading into the pitch black sky. The originators of the bizarre site are not one, but possibly many. Expanding around the fire are an assortment of women: elderly yet nimble women, middle aged women without a care, even young, faithless women. All in a manic disarray; showing the impression of some form of dance, swaying, shaking, gyrating without thought or direction.

The clear and most enthralling aspect about these women is that they are completely nude, as the only covering some are dirt filth or shredded cloth. The boy was so enchanted by the nudity. That he has yet to notice that most of the women are levitating around the fire. Gently drifting around the fire, almost mimicking red embers that would escape a natural flame. Continuing to dismiss the clear reality of this site: he must believe he is dreaming. Each of the women is missing one of their eyes—No—Their other eye has somehow altered. Indescribable is the center of their eye.

Struggling to even begin to comprehend the relentless trepidation of the night this far. The space that their eye should be is replaced by nothing. Devoid, and somehow this nothingness rejects this reality as their eye is now a tangible light. An Unnatural Light. Circling at the center of the eye and only one eye. To then grow, more closer to a spread, throughout the entire body. From that distinction, these women may just be infected with something horrible.

From this lack of cohesion, it slowly returns to a recognizable terror. From that eye began to infect the entire face. Around the eyes and neck forming thick, stringy abscesses moving toward the chest. Their teeth turning into dark, crooked thorns. With some of their hair changing to gray and white. Judging from the discoloration of the poor infected women with the spread of this Unnatural Light, it seems to be that these women have been at some point not monsters. They could have been forcefully changed into these miserable creatures. Some have had the Light for longer than others, with some could be more recent.

As the women raved their horrified mockery of a singing chorus. The boy walked closer with the hopes of a dream. The second he walked beyond the tree, he was ripped backwards, forcefully behind the tree. With that aggressive jolt, the boy is now flat on the ground and he recognized the hand that is now covering his mouth. Once his vision adjusts to the diminished light, he sees Purnama’s concerned face above him. Peeking over to the bizarre inferno.

“Nima? What? Quid? Hvad?” Slowly walking to them is one of the women, strangely staggering several sounds that resemble some form of a language.

“Tasukete—Tolong—Help—Pomocy.” Approaching closer with every disorderly step, the Girl's voice turns into a whimper. Reaching its hand forward with a desire for something. While Purnama tightly gripped her blade, hoping to avoid the potential skirmish with the one and the others.

A frightening screech instantly took over the forest; possibly from one of the other women. Distracting the Girl near Purnama and the boy. Seeing the opportunity, Purnama quickly lashes her smaller blade and fiercely jabs it directly into the strange eye of the Girl, guessing that it may be a source of weakness.

“Quick! Go get the others!!!” Purnama shouted with urgency. Completely muddy, the boy pauses before recognizing the situation, to then promptly run back to the others.

Purnama then looked at the writhing monster, in great pain as it clutched the Unnatural Light from the damaged eye. Purnama then readied her blade to execute the monster.

“Wait!” As Purnama was about to thrust her blade into the monster, a brawny voice traveled quickly to Purnama’s ear. Swiftly causing her to halt her action.

“Hey!” A person then ran up to Purnama, donning a white leather cloak with light pink belt and tight pants. “Don’t kill them, they aren’t monsters!” A relatively Young Woman, but different from the bipedal species part of the Party. “My team and I came out to the nearby village to rescue this group of girls from this Parasitic Monster!” The Young Woman promptly explained as she got down to the infected Girl.

“What?” Confused, Purnama soon asked.

“Here, hold her…” The Young Woman paused. “You don’t have to help us, but please don’t kill any of them.” The Young Woman humbly requested.

Purnama stared at the Girl for several moments as she looked at the other infected women fighting the Young Women's team. She sees that they aren't monsters, but victims of some form of truly terrifying. As the disheartening bellows of the infected Girl on the ground traveled throughout the forest, Purnama’s gaze of focused battle shifted to pity as she looked at the number of women held against their will.

“Alright, what do I have to do?” Purnama softly asks, growing with sympathy, as she looks at the dozens of innocent women taken by the monster, or monsters.

“Just hold her arms tightly as I remove the Parasite… I’m Cassandra, by the way.” Cassandra explained with a quick smile as Purnama promptly held on to the infected girl’s arms.

Confirming that the women are indeed infected by this Parasitic Monster. Just creates even more horrifying possibilities for this world. Much less horrifying is Cassandra, speedily removing the monster with incredible precision. It is clear that she has performed this type of procedure before. What isn't clear is the species of Cassandra. Confusingly, she seems to be more close to the boy than anyone in the species of the party.

Within minutes the Parasitic Monster was removed by Cassandra. The no longer infected girl’s screaming lessened, as she slowly lost consciousness. As soon as it was no longer in its host, this Unnatural Monster of Light faded into a blackness and permuted into equally black particles.

“Purnama!”