The Beast Under The Cross - Chapter Three: By Light of Day

The sun rose sluggishly over Bedburg, casting a pale, watery light over the thatched rooftops and frost-covered fields. A heavy mist clung to the earth, curling around the trees like ghostly fingers, refusing to lift entirely, as if the night still lingered, unwilling to yield to the safety of daylight.

In the village square, the bustle of daily life had begun, though quieter than usual. The events of the previous night had not gone unnoticed. Whispers followed the farmers and merchants as they went about their business, casting nervous glances at the forest’s edge. The disappearance of the boy was on everyone’s lips, though few dared speak openly of it. The fear gnawed at the villagers, their eyes darting to the woods as though the beast still lurked among the trees.