Chapter 19: Severed

As they headed deeper into the woods, the scent of the elusive monster grew stronger, guiding their path like a beacon in the darkness.

Fallen trees blocked their way, their twisted branches creating natural barricades.

For most people, dealing with these obstacles would be a bit of a hassle, but for the father-daughter team, it was no big deal.

With a flick of Anna's wrist, multiple crimson tendrils extended from her, parting the branches effortlessly and allowing them to pass.

Her mastery over these tendrils was so precise that they felt like extensions of her own hands. She didn't need to consciously direct each one; they simply responded to her will, moving effortlessly as if guided by her very thoughts.

With excitement in her heart and her unique ability at her disposal, they pressed on. Each step forward brought them closer to their objective .

As they got closer to the river bank, tension filled the air.

Fear was written all over Anna's father's face.

Unlike Anna, he was really scared. This was his first time meeting another monster besides his daughter and ex-wife .

Every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs rattled his nerves, yet Anna stayed composed, her senses sharp, and her focus steady.

Anna tightened her grip on her father's shoulders, her eyes gleaming with excitement .

"We're almost there, Daddy," she reassured him, her voice filled with joy.

For so long, she had lived as a solitary figure, yearning for companionship from someone like herself —someone who wasn't bound by human limitations, someone who could truly comprehend her inner struggles and desires.

She longed to ask the monster about their shared origins, wondering if there existed a place for beings like them, akin to the realms depicted in fairytales where demons and monsters live.

THUD!

She leaped down from her father's shoulder, allowing him to check his shotgun, just in case of a full-blown confrontation.

Despite his daughter's being 20 years old, she occasionally displayed a spoiled child's mindset.

He feared the monster they were about to confront might harm her. While he was confident in her power, the fear of the unknown still made him anxious.

In contrast, Anna's eyes were widening in delight.

She could sense it: within the cave, someone with more potential than her was currently sleeping. Despite her father's concerns, she felt drawn to the monster's scent for reasons she couldn't explain.

As they stood at the entrance of the cave, her excitement grew more.

"Anna, are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

"Yes, Daddy. I can feel it. There's something special about him," Anna replied, her eyes shining with delight.

Her father hesitated, torn between his instinct to protect his daughter and his trust in her abilities. But seeing the determination in Anna's eyes, he nodded reluctantly.

He was really weak-minded when it came to his daughter's affair. Even though he knew she was a monster, he still spoiled her.

"Be careful, Anna. We don't know what we're dealing with," he cautioned.

"Don't worry, Daddy." With a reassuring smile, Anna stepped into the cave, her senses heightened as she followed the scent of the sleeping monster.

Her father followed closely behind, his shotgun at the ready, locked and loaded to defend his daughter at a moment's notice.

As they headed deeper into the darkness, the air grew heavy with the scent of the monster, mingling with the earthy aroma of the cave. Anna's heart raced with excitement, her anticipation building with each step.

Finally, they reached the inner chamber of the cave, where the monster lay sleeping, its presence filling the air with a sense of power and mystery. Anna approached cautiously, her senses on high alert.

As she stood before the sleeping monster, she felt a strange connection, as if they were kindred spirits bound by fate. Without hesitation, she reached out and gently touched its forehead.

"You're safe now," she whispered.

Suddenly, the monster stirred, its eyes fluttering open to reveal a feral gaze.

"RARRRRR"

Out of nowhere, Anna found herself under attack as the creature lunged forward, its jaws clamping down, severing her head from her body.