Red

“I’ll slay the beast and see who will be laughing then!” I exclaimed.

Hi, sorry about that. My name is Logan Wellington, but everyone calls me Red because the red hood I wear on my vest. You’re probably wondering why I snapped back there. Well it all started when my two jerk brothers and cruel father started picking on me. Just because I’m smaller than them and younger doesn’t mean they can boss me around. Not everyone is a skyscraper with tons of muscle. I’m just fine being average height and semi muscular. Anyway, back to what I was talking about, I’m tired of being ignored or mistreated for being different. My mom tries to understand, but she doesn’t get it.

The beast I was talking about is the Shadow Brook werewolf. Werewolves are my village’s greatest enemies, or at least were since there is only one left. For years they have haunted our homes. When my great grandfather founded this town, he vowed that he would slay every last one of them. Sadly, one took his life in the process. While growing up I trained with other children my age to hunt these beasts. Now that there’s only one left, they changed the hunting law to sixteen and up. Good thing I’m seventeen. Some say it’s almost the size of a small cottage, wild as a stallion, and clever as a fox. After slaying it, maybe then I will be accepted.

“Darling, don’t be irrational. You know your brothers and father mean well,” reassured my mother.

“No, we don’t,” said Michael and James, my annoying brothers.

“Stop that, you’re hurting little Red’s feeling,” laughed my father. “Like I said before, allow them laugh all they want,” I remarked.

The next day I loaded my rifle with silver bullets and sharpened the blade of my sword. I began my first day of hunting through the woods. Where should I start? There’s so many places where a werewolf could hide. My best bet is to start near water. I reached the river still no sign of the beast. Maybe I should start a wolf call. I started to howl when I heard a voice.

“What are you doing,” asked a female voice.

When I turned around she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. Her long curly dark hair complimented her forest green eyes. Her built was strong. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her. Wait! She just asked me a question!

“Um just howling. Who are you?” I blurted out.

“Tay, and what are you howling for?” she questioned.

“I’m trying to hunt a werewolf. Oh, my name is Logan by the way, but everyone calls me Red,” I stuttered, “How come you’re in the forest only usual animals dwell here?”

“Uh um I was just going for a walk,” she stammered.

“That’s weird no one ever comes to the forest if not hunting. Everyone knows it’s not safe out here with the werewolf around. With the slightest sound it could hear you,” I said.

“Maybe I don’t want to be like everyone else,” she smirked.

 “This might sound strange, but would you like to help me?” I asked.

Nice going Red. Why would she want to go hunting?


”I don’t know if it would be a good idea. I might get in the way, but sure,” Tay replied.


While strolling through the forest, Tay and I got to know each other better. Coming to find out Tay lives with her grandmother since the rest of her family were murdered. Poor Tay, I thought my life was bad. Even though her past was horrible, she still is happy. Tay also knows the forest very well. Just as good as I know my weapons.

“Here help me set up this trap. Tie this rabbit to that tree right there.” I said.

As Tay reached for the rabbit she pulled her hand back. I thought I heard her growl. She probably was just muttering.

“What’s wrong?” I questioned.
Holding her hand Tay asked, “What is inside the rabbit?” “Nothing really just some pieces of silver. Why?” I asked.

“Sorry I have to go. Maybe I’ll see you again. Nice to meet you,” she shouted as she left.

Wonder what’s her problem? Probably cut her hand or something. Well whatever it is I hope she’s alright. The rest of the hunt was a waste. There was no sign of the werewolf. Maybe I’m just in over my head, but never mind that. For some reason I can’t stop thinking about Tay. She’s smart, funny, and gorgeous. I never thought I’d say this anytime soon, but I think I like her. I doubt she feels the same though.

It’s been three months, and I still have not found the werewolf. On the bright side I’ve been hanging out with Tay. She’s probably one of the main reasons why I’m still out here. Before meeting each other, both of us were lonely. Now I think we found a friend or more.

“Red, what does the “W” on your vest stand for?” Tay asked.

“Hm oh, it just stands for my last name, Wellington,” I answered.

After saying that Tay’s eyes widened, but then closed. She turned her head, and looked away. What did I do now?

“Are you ok?” I gestured.

“Yeah, just thought about something. Aw man it’s getting late. My grandmother wants me home before night fall,” she said.

“See you tomorrow I guess,” I sighed.

“Yeah,” she said.

Before Tay left, she turned back and kissed me on my cheek. I didn’t have time to say anything because she left so fast. Wow! She does like me. Maybe finding the werewolf isn’t my goal. I started to head home with a smirk on my face.

“What makes you so happy little Red?” teased my father.

I ignored him. He was not going to ruin my parade. Things were looking better.


“Red looks different. What’s wrong with him?” asked James while sparring with Michael.


”I don’t know, but I’m glad to see him smile,” sighed my mother.


“Werewolf! Werewolf!” exclaimed a voice.


I jolted out of my bed. It must’ve been two hours past midnight. After slipping on my vest, and buckling on my boots, I put on my hood, and ran out the door. Approaching the crowded and turbulent town square, I met up with my brothers, father, and other warriors of the village.

The night was silent until the ground began to shake. From the east, a sharp howl ripped open the night air. It put chills down my spine.

“Ready, aim,…fire!” ordered my father.

As he said those words the beast lunged itself towards us. The legend was more than real. The werewolf was the size of a regular cottage, and you could see the death in its eyes. This is my moment. I can finally prove myself. No more jokes or pranks. Finally, I’ll have acceptance and respect. Trying to get a good shot is hard. The werewolf is a fast creature. It knocked through the crowd like your hand through grass. The beast smacked me against a wooden cart. I cut my cheek on the wood. Oh great, the beast must have smelled it. It started to charge my way. I can’t move fast enough to my rifle. Is this it for me? I wish I saw Tay one last time. I would tell her how I really feel.

Faster and closer the beast approached. I thought it was over until my new neighbor, the lumberjack, saved me. She began to distract the werewolf by taunting it. Thanks to her it forgot about it me. By this time I grabbed my rifle, and loaded it. Only two bullets left. Have to make the count. For a better shot I climbed on top of a cottage. The shot from the roof is too far. I’ve got to get closer. I decided to run off the roof then shoot. Here I go 1, 2, 3! Only two shots let’s make it worth it.

“Bam! Bam!” went the rifle.

Slowly the werewolf went down. As it crashed toward the ground it began to look human. More than just human, it looked familiar. That hair rang a bell in my head. It couldn’t be.

“Tay?” I whispered.

I ran to her lifeless body. Pushing through the crowd I reached her. Feeling her neck, I felt a faint pulse.

“Tay, can you hear me? Speak to me,” I cried.

Tay’s eyes slowly opened. She looks like she’s in so much pain.

“Red, is that you?” she asked painfully.

“Yes, it’s me. I’m so sorry Tay. I wish I’d known. Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked about to cry.

“I had found a friend, and I didn’t want to lose you or hurt you. You were so focused on hunting the beast. The human side of me ignored the fact that you hunted my kind while the beast let’s just say, well there’s a beast in my heart and it wouldn’t let you leave alive,” whispered Tay.

Like magic I leaned in and kissed her. During the kiss I felt her lips grow cold. When I rose up, I looked at her. Tay was gone for good. Everyone in the village stared at me as I held her.

I had lost the only person who understood me. With Tay I didn’t have to fight for acceptance. She loved me for the way I am. Now I had no one. Today I learned I must accept myself to be accepted by others. Just like the rest of my family I murdered Tay’s and hers.

“Red was in love with the big bad wolf!” laughed Michael.
”He puts shame to the good Wellington name,” sneered my father.

“Enough!” I exclaimed, “The shame of our family was not from me, but our forefathers. Shedding the blood of the innocent for their own sport. That’s the shame of this family.”

Angered I left the village that night for good with Tay’s body. By daybreak I finished her grave. I covered her grave with red flowers and carved her name on a tree. Two hours later I found her Grandmother Silva’s house. After telling her about Tay’s death, I promised to stay devoted and loyal to her. Her grandmother agreed under on condition. I had to be turned into a werewolf. Tay was not the last one after all. In Tay’s honor, I agreed.

Now I’m living my days caring for Grandmother Silva and protecting the forest in Tay’s memory. I protect it from the ruthless hunters who prey after the animals and other life in the forest. Before becoming a werewolf, I never knew how cruel us hunters were. I’m starting to understand why Tay didn’t tell me she was a werewolf. If someone were to find out I would be considered a traitor  and killed with Tay. She saved my life and I will be forever grateful.