In tandem With The Huntsman

Four

I found out a few days later that the purification rite was a safety measure.

The incident at Mr.Colin's home had worried the entire town, understandably so. People became more cautious around one another, some even suspecting certain villagers of being the culprits. It was a sensitive topic to say the least, but one Ellias had no trouble bringing up for the sake of it.

Public meetings became more frequent, with the huntsmen involving themselves far too much for my liking. I thought they'd taken an oath of silence, but Emily clarified that in certain situations they were allowed to speak. To me, it seemed as though they spoke a little more than it was deemed necessary, but I kept myself quiet for good measure. Grassglow was usually peaceful, but I couldn't help but think that those masked men had turned my world upisde down after their sudden appearance.

Amir lectured me and Faris about our behavior many, many times. Apparently, we had a hard time hiding our distaste for the hoodmen (a nickname Faris used once that I couldn't help but adopt) and it made things difficult for our family. I tried to explain that it couldn't be helped, because they were intimidating and weird-looking, while Faris haughtily said that they smelled and he couldn't be arsed to pretend that they didn't. Amir had responded by dragging him outside by the ear; a privilege only the eldest brother had. I was merely thankful that it wasn't me.

Our family became tense since the purification rite; Father barely saying anything during our few moments at the dining table. He would usually talk about work and what the villagers were up to, but these days had been very quiet. Mother was angsty as well, but instead of voicing her thoughts like she usually would, she favored silence. I frankly found it worrying.

Noor acted like usual, though she had a few moments where she would stay frozen in place and stare at nothing. Faris didn't hide his hatred for the Halites, which was not new. And Amir... Amir was essentially the pillar of this family.

As for me, I still heard weird noises at night, but I tried to forget all about them during the day due to a lack of explanation and evidence. I figured I was too stressed and tired to properly make sense of what was happening, and so I tried, to the best of my abilities, to ignore it.

Easier said than done.

Some nights were dreadful, oh so dreadful. The growls, the weeping. I couldn't help but toss and turn in anguish whenever I heard them. Many times I thought I'd heard a person call for help, and many times I found myself outside seeking for the owner of that voice, only but to find the endless darkness beyond the trees and not a soul in sight. There was nobody, no one-- not even a shadow or animal. Everyday I was more certain that the beast I had seen was a hallucination, and everyday I was getting more convinced that I was becoming insane.

My prayers became more fervent-- I woke up for fajr regularly, something that was difficult for me in the past. I would ask for forgiveness, for peace of mind and health with a wordiness I found tiring and repetitive-- and yet I knew deep in my heart that Allah heard me, and that there would be a solution.

When that solution would come, I was unsure, but my faith remained steady.

During a particularly difficult night, I woke up for a fresh cup of water as usual, this time while draping the shawl over my head as a precaution, since it was still somewhat early. I went towards the back of the house and scooped up some water with the wooden cup, my body shivering from cold and lack of proper sleep.

I then heard footsteps.

Initially, I thought that this would be another trick from my mind. But the overwhelming aura of a presence made me believe otherwise, and I immediately turned around upon sensing a broad figure standing a foot away.