A WEREWOLF’S TRANSFORMATION



This tale will leave you in question and in doubt about the vision and the innocence of a child who sees no evil. Fear is something she will never display.


A WEREWOLF’S TRANSFORMATION


The week ended with the gibbous phase of the moon. The full moon was nearing. Grandma Ana gathered her grandchildren to teach them about the different phases of the full moon. It would be a week before the Superlua and on that day, the moon would be closer to the earth which means the transformation of the werewolf was inevitable and dangerous. Grandma Ana did not want to scare the children but wanted to keep them from harm especially as the events during the last full moon had everyone in panic in the region. Some animals died and a newborn baby was taken without leaving any trace.
The theories for his disappearance had multiple versions but had not yet given any results. The people searched but nothing came of it.
Wide-eyed and with attentiveness, Grandma Ana began to explain in her soft, firm voice.
“My children, the great moon is about to come. I ask you to be wary of any abnormal situation that may happen. If you see one, you must notify the adults immediately, or it may be too late,” Grandma Ana said, her voice unwavering.
“What kind of situation Grandma Ana, give us an example!” Leonard said, demonstrating interest about the event.
“My children, this week, strange noises, intense and long whistles, screams, cries of a child, birds flying aimlessly at night, dogs barking all the time to the moon, and chickens awake all night may occur,” Grandma Ana answers with as much detail as she could give.
“Can it be the werewolf Grandma Ana?” Leonardo said, trying to anticipate the answer.
“Who said anything about that? Where did you get that from?” Grandma Ana replied softly and slowly.
“I’ve heard the men talking about it Grandma. I think it’s something that will happen soon since everyone is nervous and armed,” Leonardo answered suspiciously.
“That is not true Leonardo. This is something a boy won’t understand,” Grandma Ana answered sternly, her tone of voice changed.
“Okay Grandma, I won’t ask anymore, sorry!” Leonardo said, trying to hide the fact that he was right, it was because of the werewolf.
“Pay attention. No matter what happens, do not leave the house, do not walk around the farm without an adult, and never approach the Ingazeira when it’s already close to dark, understood!” Grandma Ana said angrily with a serious tone.
When Grandma Ana finished her talk, she had the children go shower and go to bed, for the night would be long. After Grandma Ana left, Leonardo talked to the other children.
“You keep quiet and don’t tell anyone where I am. If someone looks for me, tell them I’m not hungry and I will stay in my room, understood!” Leonardo said in a firm and authoritative way.
All the other kids nodded, acknowledging Leonardo’s position in their group. Without wasting time, Leonardo left to seek for adventure, not knowing what might happen. From afar, Leonardo saw the great Ingazeira surrounded by smaller trees which all together made the area dim, cold, and silent. The branches swayed as it was getting dark. Leonardo approached the Ingazeira proudly without a hint of intimidation. He sought a way to climb and find a strong full branch with leaves. He hid
where he could see anyone who came.
The day was being swallowed by the night and the tip of the big moon was appearing slowly behind the mountains.
Moonlight began to drive out the sun’s rays. As they intertwined, their glittering sparks scattered in the shadow of the Ingazeira as if announcing the arrival of something. Leonardo, still hidden among the branches, watched the transformation of day to night and, for the first time, felt a chill down his spine.
His mind began to assimilate fear but he had no choice, there was no way out. Then, a sudden noise caught his attention.
Clutching the branch, he waited for what was coming.
The noise came closer and closer until an old slow donkey came under the Ingazeira. It urinated and defecated. Then it stopped, as though noticing someone’s presence. Leonardo thought the donkey might have noticed him, but soon realized something else was coming. A figure of a man behaving strangely emerged. He looked strange and suspicious as he glanced around like a patient who is carrying an unknown disease.
The day had, by then, lost the fight with the night which had dominated the place. The moon was full from behind the mountain. Its light penetrated through the leaves of the Ingazeira, making bright spots on the ground. The darkness took over and only the moonlighted kept the place lit. The strange man crouched on the ground and began to wallow in the donkey’s urine and feces.
His clothes were torn as his body was gaining and size. He was starting to look like an animal. Leonardo’s eyes widened. The chill down his spine had now enveloped his entire body. His pallor was clear, but he could not move for fear of being noticed. He breathlessly watched every change the man went through. The big moon in the sky has now prevailed. The man turned into a werewolf looked in his direction for a moment, then, after a few seconds, he lifted up his strong furry arms and roared so loud it seemed to reach the moon. Provoked by fear, the birds sleeping in the Ingazeira flew in despair. The others struggled, falling to the ground. The nocturnal birds responded as if they had received an order to make a great chorus of foreboding fear to overpower and dominate the night.
Leonardo grabbed the branch tightly. Fear was now his companion. His breathing increased and he was sweating so much that his clothes seem wet. The great beast stopped howling and stood quietly for seconds before glancing up at the Ingazeira. He stared at it. Leonardo then found himself in trouble. He thought he had been found and he would soon be crushed by the werewolf. Suddenly, the werewolf climbed fast up the Ingazeira onto one of its thicker branches. He began to
look at all the corners of the Ingazeira. The dark was great but the moonlight coming through the leaves and the branches made it appear as if the tree had occupants.
Leonardo caught his breath and his whole body was paralyzed. The werewolf seemed to feel Leonardo’s presence among the branches and leaves. It then began driving away the leaves with its big hands. Leonardo felt him coming close. Then the werewolf stopped, holding a twig by his hand, as he looked in several directions, finding nothing. Leonardo was waiting for the moment the werewolf will attack him but nothing happened. A sudden noise came from near the Ingazeira drew
the werewolf’s attention. It ran down quickly and got lost in the dark.
Leonardo, realizing what happened, ran a hand around his body. “I thought I had been eaten. If I were, Grandma Ana would be very sad,” he thought.
Leonardo rushed home to tell his cousins what happened so none of them would ever risk their lives for an adventure like his.