The Beast

 

It had been taunting me for weeks. I knew not it’s ultimate goal but I believed it had ill intentions. I certainly did not wish it any harm. We were stuck together. Forced to cohabitate. Not by choice, of course, but I was determined to make the best of our situation. The trouble was, I did not know the beast’s language. There were times I felt we had made a positive connection and even after a few quiet moments of interaction I thought perhaps a breakthrough had been made. But somehow or another, without fail, I would leave with fresh wounds and a confused mind.

I still remember our first meeting. It was late that night and I had been preparing for the next day. Little did I know, everything was about to change. The alarms went off, alerting me of the new presence. At first, it was timid. The beast was curious of its new surroundings and even allowed me to greet it. But that moment was fleeting. Thinking back, I wish I had known how to convey proper salutations. Surely there was a universal language of some kind we could agree on. But it was the first day. Perhaps, the beast would warm up to me and I could finally enjoy some comradery. It was certainly lonely at times, even when I was deep in training. Could this new being become my ally, nay even a friend?

But any hopes I had of forming a bond were slashed the next morning. I arose from my bed chamber and went out, excited to greet the beast. I even brought it a food offering, wishing to convey my heartfelt intentions. After a moment, it approached, hesitantly. With bated breath, I sat motionless, praying that this beast would accept the gift. I watched as it crept silently toward me and began to eat. Elated, I reached out to show my gratitude, but was met with blood. It had attacked, and in a flash, had disappeared. Disappointed, I mopped up my wounds. Perhaps, it had suffered a trauma from where ever it had dwelled before. I needed to gain its trust.

Each day my offerings were rejected again and again. One might consider me a fool. Clearly this beast did not need my companionship and I should let it be. But I was determined to show it I meant no harm. I was stuck here in this wild prison, and I had none other to keep me company. Not until this mysterious beast appeared, giving me hope. Or was it despair? The two were trading places in my mind so often I was beginning to lose sight of which was the truth.

Occasionally, the beast was tired and I would bravely approach it. Of course, by this point, it might be considered stupidity. But in that rare moment when it’s guard was down and it let me in, I bowed before it, barely able to hide my glee. It accepted my open hand. The beast, though powerful as it had proved itself to be, had a gentle side that exuded calm. I felt most tranquil when it allowed me to come close.

As my wounds became scars, constant reminders of my thoughtlessness, I began to develop a sixth sense about the creature. Almost like a voice raising alarm when the beast’s hackles would rise. I would jump back immediately, missing only inches of the beast’s graze. But even then, I felt it was beginning to accept me. It had to know we were in this together. To the death.

One evening, months after our first encounter, I saw the beast resting out in the open. I paused. Was this a sign of acceptance? Had it finally allowed its guard to be set aside? With great exhilaration, before I could stop myself, I had rushed the creature. My arms open wide in an attempt to show I had nothing to hide. I found myself colliding with the furry beast, my hands gripping around it, forcing it to accept me. Alarms went off in my head, dire warnings to back away. I had gone too far. I was going to undo months of work.

 

“Luke! Let the cat go! She’s going to scratch you again!” The mother screamed at the toddler. He barely acknowledged her, only gripping tighter the tail of the violently hissing feline. The mother bounded over to the scene, yanking the little boy off the cat, who then raced away into the shadows.

The toddler looked longingly after his friend, the smile melting off of his face. “Meow?”