Chapter 1: The Annual Purge
Meredith's POV
Meredith Rutherford pulled her hood tighter around her face as the wind whispered through the nearby trees. The narrow pathway before her was illuminated only by the pale glow of the moon. She knew she shouldn’t be out tonight, of all nights. The Annual Purge—the werewolves’ brutal celebration of their supremacy over humans—was about to begin.
Her heart raced as she recalled her conversation with her neighbor earlier that day. Lorelei, a kind-hearted woman who had always treated Meredith like a daughter, had pulled her aside.
“You shouldn’t be out tonight,” the woman had said, her voice low. “It’s the Purge. Go home, Meredith. Lock your doors, hide… whatever you have to do. Just stay safe.”
Meredith had nodded, appreciating the concern, but deep down, she knew that hiding wouldn’t change anything. She was just a human in Colossus—where humans were little more than prey.
As she walked, memories of past Purges flooded her mind: tales of families torn apart, of innocent lives taken without mercy. The werewolves claimed it was their right, but to Meredith, it was a reminder of how powerless her kind truly was. She could have stayed home, but something within her refused. Perhaps it was that if the werewolves decided her fate tonight, there was nothing she could do to stop it.
Meredith reached the edge of town, where the pathway ahead led into the darkened forest. She paused, her breath catching in her throat. The sounds of celebration—growls, laughter, the distant baying of wolves—grew louder. Still, Meredith felt an unexpected calm. She was here now, and if this was her fate, so be it. Besides, she was already an orphan, alone, and broke. She had nothing else to lose.
The massage parlor was dimly lit, with flickering candles casting shadows that danced on the walls as she moved from one client to the next. It was the last shift of the week, and Meredith could feel exhaustion creeping into her bones. Hopefully, Carrick, the owner, noticed her weariness and gently suggested she take over as a waitress for the evening, giving her a break from the more physically demanding work.
She took up her new role, balancing trays and serving drinks, her mind drifting as the hours passed. Meredith’s heart pounded in her chest as she served drinks to the men at the far end of the table. Their eyes followed her every move, making her feel like a mouse cornered by a pack of wolves.
One of the men leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. “You look tired, girl. Long night?” His voice was rough.
Meredith forced a polite smile, her hands trembling slightly as she set down their drinks. “It’s been a busy week,” she replied, trying to keep her tone even. “Lots of work, not much rest.”
The man’s gaze didn’t waver. “Not many humans around here would dare to work this late, especially tonight. Do you know what happens during the Purge?”
She hesitated, unsure how to respond. She could sense the other men watching her intently. “I know enough,” she said quietly, meeting his gaze with as much courage as she could muster. “But work doesn’t stop just because it’s dangerous.”
The man chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that sent a shiver down her spine. “Brave words for someone like you. Or foolish. Which is it?”
“Maybe a bit of both,” she answered, feeling their eyes boring into her, searching for any sign of weakness. She knew better than to show it.
Another man, older with graying hair and a scar that ran down the side of his face, leaned forward. “You ever heard of the Moon Goddess?” he asked.
Meredith nodded, her throat dry. “Everyone here knows of the Moon Goddess. She’s…”
The man smirked. “She’s everything. And tonight, we honor her with the hunt. You should be careful, girl. The hunt doesn’t end just because the night does.”
She swallowed hard, her hands clutching the tray for support. “I appreciate the warning,” she said, backing away slightly. “But I should get back to work.”
As she turned to leave, the first man called out to her. “What’s your name, girl?”
She paused, glancing over her shoulder. “Meredith.”
“Meredith,” he repeated, as if tasting the name. “We’ll be seeing you again, Meredith. Don’t wander too far.”
She didn’t respond, hurrying away as quickly as she could without drawing more attention.
The hours dragged on, and by the time Carrick announced the end of the shift, she was fully exhausted. As the others left, Carrick approached her, concern etched on his face.
“You should go home now, Meredith. Lock the doors and stay hidden. Tonight isn’t safe.”
Meredith shook her head, forcing a tired smile. “I’ll be fine, Carrick. Just need to finish up here.”
Carrick sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You’re strong, Meredith. But strength doesn’t always keep you safe. Remember that.”
“I will,” she promised, watching him leave before turning back to clean.
When she finally stepped outside, the moonlight was casting long shadows across the empty streets. She pulled her hood up, ready to make her way home. But before she could take a step, a rough hand grabbed her shoulder.
“Leaving so soon?” a familiar voice rasped.
When she turned around, she saw the men she had spoken to earlier.
Meredith’s feet pounded against the cobblestone streets as she ran aimlessly, the cold air burning her lungs. She ducked into every alley she could find, hoping to lose them. She tried to think of a way out, but there was nowhere to hide.
“You can’t run forever! Come quietly, and we might make it quick.”
She ignored him, forcing her legs to move faster. She stumbled into a narrow alleyway, hoping it might lead to safety, but found herself trapped. The walls loomed high on either side, and as she reached the end, her heart sank as she heard the footsteps behind her slow, then stop.
“End of the line, girl,” the lead hunter said, his silhouette blocking the only exit. The others emerged behind him, their eyes glowing in the dim light.
“Please,” Meredith begged, backing up until she was pressed against the cold brick wall. “I don’t want any trouble. Just let me go.”
The hunter shook his head, his smile darkening. “It’s not about what you don’t want…”
Before she could react, two of the men lunged forward, grabbing her arms and pinning her against the wall. Meredith screamed, struggling against them with all her might, but they were too strong. Her breath came in ragged gasps.
“Shh,” the lead hunter whispered, stepping closer until his face was inches from hers. “There’s no point in fighting. It’ll only make it worse.”
Tears welled in Meredith’s eyes. “Why me?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “What did I do?”
The hunter’s expression softened slightly, though his eyes remained cold. “I assure you, it's nothing personal, Meredith…”
With a swift motion, he pulled a cloth from his pocket and pressed it over her mouth and nose. Meredith struggled, but the sharp, pungent scent of chemicals overwhelmed her senses. Her vision blurred, the alleyway spinning around her.
“Sleep now, Meredith,” the hunter murmured as her body began to go limp. “You’re coming with us.”
The last thing she felt was the rough hands lifting her off the ground, carrying her away from the only life she had ever known. And then, there was nothing but darkness.