MOONLIT ENIGMA

Chapter 1: A New Threat in Town

The rolling countryside rushed by in a soothing green blur as Liv gazed out the passenger window of her beat-up old sedan. She'd spent the last few hours on the lonely backroads of rural Pennsylvania, turning down the tranquil stretch that plunged deep into the thick forest lining Willow Creek.

After leaving her old life behind in the city, Liv hoped the sleepy village's peacefulness would help mend her still-raw wounds. Two months had passed since the crash that stole her fiancé Ryan, but the pain refused to fade. Each mundane task only amplified her lingering grief and emptiness.

The towering trees soon obscured the setting sun's light. Liv gripped the steering wheel tighter as dusk fell, unsettled by the woods' deepening shadows. Strange how such quiet beauty could stir unease. She glanced at her phone, relieved to see the GPS pinpoint her street just ahead.

Liv pulled into the short driveway of the tiny cottage she'd rented sight unseen. Its well-kept exterior and charming country décor brought a rare smile. Maybe this was a fresh start after all. She began unloading a few boxes of belongings until something on the forest's edge caught her eye.

Kneeling by the treeline, Liv examined odd markings gouged into the earth. Five parallel slashes nearly a foot long, with a pattern of rounded punctures nearby that didn't resemble any paw print. She brushed her fingers over the intrigue but jerked back—the grooves were still damp. A chill raised the hairs on her arms despite the humid evening.

In her city life, Liv had grown used to neatly organized solutions. But these strange wounds defied rational explanation. She told herself it was likely a stray animal conflict blown out of proportion by an overactive imagination. This new town clearly didn't share her fast-paced realities. Best adjust expectations and get settled in for the night.

Over the next few weeks, Liv focused on acclimating to rural life and distracting from painful memories. She joined a quilting circle at the local church, explored winding country roads, and chatted with shopkeepers in the tiny downtown area. Willow Creek felt decades removed from modern civilization, but its simpler pace allowed respite.

One morning, Liv stopped by the veterinary clinic to drop off donations. Through small talk with Dr. Bailey, she mentioned unease over the odd discovery by her home that first night. The vet brushed it off as natural predator activity, but Liv detected a vague concern in her tone. Later that week, more bizarre findings were reported deeper in the dense woods.

Rising curiosity and a journalist's instincts prodded Liv to investigate. She began cross-checking the "animal attacks" reports over the past months for inconsistencies. Wounds varied between deep slashes and gruesome bites that ripped flesh to the bone. Prey species ranged from deer to farm livestock. And the lack of tracks or evidence of struggle seemed off.

On her day off, Liv packed a camera and notebook to examine the latest incident site for clues the authorities may have missed. She parked near a hiking trail entrance and slipped into the thickening forest shadows as the sun sank orange behind the treeline.

Crunching leaves and broken twigs guided Liv's path. A metallic scent lingered, growing stronger, until she arrived at the gruesome scene. Blood splattered bushes and stained the earth in congealed pools. But the mutilated carcass had been dragged off, leaving partial remains strewn around.

Liv suppressed a surge of nausea, examining gnawed bones and tufts of fur clinging amongst gore. Nothing matched any natural attacks she'd studied or scenes from the city. A twig snapped in the distance, jolting Liv from her examination.

She strained to see through dense brush as clouds drifted over the waning moon. Something significant stalked nearby, breathing raggedly. Liv fumbled for her phone's flashlight with shaking hands. Its glow revealed a hulking shadow emerging from the trees, towering far more extensively than any wolf. Its ears flattened, and its lip curled back to reveal glistening fangs.

"No..." Liv whispered, frozen in place. This was no ordinary predator. She was facing a lethal threat alone in the encroaching darkness, with no escape but the menacing beast blocking her path.