Harry runs, panting, not looking back into the darkness. The streetlights go out one by one where he runs. There is no one on the street at this late hour but him and the one who is chasing him. No, what is following him. Since childhood, Harry has always been warned to avoid dark, unlit places where even the rays of light do not reach, because such places are home to monsters that thirst for blood and flesh.
They have red, bloodshot eyes, a huge body, tall height and claws instead of nails, black, sharp, capable of tearing a body to pieces. They have the ability to disguise themselves so that hunters cannot easily identify which of the crowd is a monster. The divine beauty of the face to trap and tear the life out of the body.
Harry knows about them, what they are capable of, and how dangerous it is to move around the city at night because of them. Despite the fact that he has no fear of death, that he has a huge amount of courage, Harry did not expect to face a monster on his first mission — the mission that will decide whether he will become one of the hunters or not.
The monster follows him, walking slowly, calmly, but not a step behind Harry. He is hopelessly winding through the streets, his lungs burning from the long run, sweat trickling down his skin. He feels disgusted by the cloth stuck to his skin, by the way his heart is ready to burst out of his body.
Harry is getting tired. He can feel it happening, how all his energy is gradually leaving him until his running turns into a quick pace. Harry's breathing is so heavy and his throat is so dry. He can't go on, but he doesn't dare stop. Behind him, low, guttural laughter echoes down the street. Harry feels trapped in a cage with no escape and no way out.
The monster attacks him suddenly, knocking him face first into the ground, and Harry coughs, gasping for breath. He can't struggle — the heavy weight of his body prevents him from even moving. The monster leans over Harry, laughing triumphantly in his ear. Clawed fingers gather strands of hair and slam them hard against the ground. One blow makes his eyes go dark.
Harry wakes up tied up, in pain, somewhere where there is nothing, just an empty room with empty walls. He realizes that his face and hair are wet with water, and his throat is no longer dry, but he cannot understand why the monster would do this. To prolong the pleasure of tormenting him? Harry gulps as he notices the monster walking in circles around him. The monster looks incredibly pleased with the prey it has captured.
"What am I going to do with you?" the monster asks, playing with the knife he holds in his hand.
Harry bites his lower lip and forces himself to remain silent. Not to react, just to ignore. The monster smiles, showing his sharp teeth.
"I think I'm going to make you bleed."
The monster walks up to him, presses the knife blade to his neck, slides it down his skin, leaving bloody wound marks. Harry hisses in pain. The monster cuts the obstructing fabric with a sharp movement, and the fabric gives way easily, falling to his feet. Harry sighs. He tries not to care what is being done to him. The monster falls to his knees in front of him. Harry holds his breath for seconds in surprise. The monster looks at him, smiles, running its tongue over its sharp fangs.
"I will make you beg."