• A chilly breeze swept through the village of Cinestra, gently plucking the remaining multi-colored leaves off their branches and carelessly tossing them upon the soggy ground below. The shutters of houses creaked open and shut, but their cries could not be heard over the uproar at the village square. All the villagers had gathered around to witness the hanging of a man who had brought havoc to their land for many years. Everyone embraced one another and let out their hollering excitement at the end of the man’s tyranny. Everyone, except one.
    A young girl stared deeply into the man’s sunken eyes. They had grown dull and lifeless, no longer possessing the fire within them that made the villagers fear him. He was no longer the man she had known. His muscular body slumped as though death was already beginning to drag his body beneath the earth. The dark ears upon his head were sunk back beneath his greasy black hair, trying to shut out the screams of hatred thrown at him. His tail, once full and swaying freely behind him, was now scruffy and hung motionless between his legs.
    At that moment the mayor of the village walked up onto the gallows, waving the villagers into silence. Without a second thought he reached over and grasped the lever that held the criminal’s fate, as if his death was nothing but an amusing game. Blood began to fill the young girl’s mouth as she bit down on her tongue, keeping the rage and sorrow that screamed within her silent.
    As she gazed into the man’s eyes one last time, lost within their yellow glow, she saw them twinkle like they used to. His eyes seemed to speak to her, as if to tell her that he would always be with her to protect her. She kept staring into those eyes until her vision blurred, blinded by a stream of tears that finally pushed their way up from within her. As the mayor pulled the lever back, the man flung back his head and with his last breath he let out a bellowing howl that echoed throughout the land. Then all went silent as he was engulfed by darkness.
    Not a minute passed before the villagers erupted into a cheer, celebrating the end of the man’s terror over them. While everyone danced and laughed and sang songs of happiness, the young girl fell upon her knees and looked upon the corpse that swayed in the chilly breeze.
    “Father…,” she whispered.