He waited, crouched low to the ground. She was closer now, almost in reach. His goal was close to being achieved. As the girl neared he pounced, pinning her to the ground. His goal wasn't to maim her, to kill her. A ray of moonlight revealed his face: a wolflike snout, ears pointed, canine teeth elongated. His fur was jet black, but his emerald eyes were eerily human.

But he covered her mouth with a pawlike hand. Then... he spoke: "Stay here. Stay hidden. Stay silent. He dies now."