A/N: I do not remember when I started this story .. a while ago, I know that. After I first saw "Romasanta" .. so ... Also, I changed it around a bit. "Pantalettes" to "pantaloons" (the latter came earlier), some nicknames and what not. Please enjoy it!

Hija = daughter

Madre = Mother

Afligido = Father

I believe ....Please enjoy it! First Romasanta story I ever wrote!

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It was horrible. The rain plastered my hair against my face, making me shiver. But I could not move, I could not breathe, I could not even blink. If I did, he would find me. I am sure he could find me even if I did nothing. Even if I was dead and buried in the ground under mounds of dirt and rocks. He would find me.

The low eerie growl came from deep in the woods; behind me, in front of me, besides me. All around me. I could hear it echoing. The black sky kept pouring down, blocking out all visual signs of where I was. The long thin creeks overflowed with water, rushing past my soaking feet. I pulled my shawl tighter over my face, my shoulders aching from being pressed against the grove of trees.

A sudden snap of a twig caused me to whip my head around. My heartbeat was so loud, I could hear it screaming out "find me!" I swallowed as quietly as I could. I thought for sure the rain would wash out any sound or smell of me. But I heard the growling get closer. Then sniffing. The padding of the paws on wet leaves and soggy branches made my heart leap. I tilted my head towards the sky, praying he would not find me.

I heard jaws snap shut and a grunt. Then the paw-steps receded. It was all quiet except for the rain, but I still held my breath. This was how he lured them. He seduced them then killed them. I would not be one of his next victims, no one would. Finally when I was sure he was gone, I ran. I ran through the mud which splattered all along my boots and stockings and dress. But as long as I was alive, the state of my clothing did not matter.

It felt like I was running for hours, my legs felt like rubber. Finally I saw the dim lights of lanterns in the lights of a town. I wanted to scream, I was so happy. But my voice was not working; I kept running until I was racing down the stone path leading through the hill. I came up to the house I was living in and pounded on the wooden door. I heard rustling and then footsteps. The door swung open, heat radiating out from the fireplace on the other side of the room. I ran inside and slammed the door shut, sliding down into a sitting position. I wanted to cry and to scream and to laugh but all I could do was breathe.

"What is the matter, hija?"

The woman sitting in the rocking chair stared at me with brown eyes that were filled with worry. I panted, hugging myself and leaning against the door. I began to sob uncontrollably. She rushed over, dropping the pair of trousers she had been mending. She pulled me into her, I sobbed into her shoulder.

"Madre," the man said quietly, touching her shoulder. I did not hear the rest of their conversation. After fifteen minutes of shuddering and blubbering, I took a shaky breath and sat up. I wiped my eyes and nose.

"Afligido, madre." I sniffled and looked up at her. She gave a crooked smile, one that was more of "I am worried" than "I am glad to see you".

She brushed the soaking hair out of my face. "What happened, hija?"

"I .. I was in the forest, looking for Adoncia. After a while it began to rain very hard. I could not see anything. But then I heard a scream. I tried to run away, but I knew I had to find her. But I could not. Then I got lost in the forest. And ... And I heard something. So I hid. Madre, it was him."

"Him? You mean ... ?"

"Yes. I am sure of it. And .. I got so scared I ran home ... O, madre, what if he got Adoncia?"

She hugged me, rubbing my back. "It is all right, Lolita."

"Where is Felipa? And Dulce?"

"They are asleep. But by now they must be awake and chattering." She stood up, helping me along with her. "Come with me, dinner is almost finished."

I followed her into the kitchen where a pot of stew was steaming and boiling. She pulled out a wooden spoon and stirred the searing, bubbling mass. I noticed all of the potato and carrot peels on the floor. And a couple drops of blood. Either from the venison in the pot now, or from her when peeling the vegetables.

I noticed a few onion skins on the ground as well. I could smell herbs and spices. I sighed softly, still a bit shaken from what happened.

"Perhaps you should change, Lita."

I nodded and walked out of the kitchen and down the hall into my bed room. I managed to pull off my shawl and soaked dress. I slipped off my muddy boots and petticoats, along with my chemise, stockings and pantaloons. I had not yet chosen to wear a corset. I did not find them attractive.

I grabbed a white towel from my dresser and poured the cool water from the pitcher over it. I rubbed down my body until I was clean. I pulled on a pair of clean pantaloons and a thin cotton chemise. I wrapped a shawl around my shoulders and walked out into the kitchen. I smelled the fresh scent of grass and rainwater. Madre was scrubbing the floor where there had been peelings and blood. She looked up at me when I came in, smiling at me.

"You are so beautiful."

"Gracias, madre." The pot was boiling softly, almost like a slow simmer. I closed my eyes and sighed. I feared I would never see Adoncia again. Madre stood up, wiping her hands off on the apron tied around her waist.

"Dinner is almost ready. Help set the table."

I took out the tin plates and cups, I set out three places on the table. Felipa and Dulce would be sleeping through dinner. Most likely because they had been running outside all day long. I set out forks and spoons, thinking about how the roads would be flooded morrow.

I took the plates into the kitchen for Madre to scoop the stew into. I took out one plate at a time. Padre was sitting at the table, sticking a knife into a block of wood. He stared aimlessly at the wall, thinking hard. I could tell by the creases on his forehead. He knew I was in danger when I left the house. And the sheer shock and reality of what had happened to-day must have hit him hard.

We all sat down at the table. Madre prayed for the safety of us all, of the village and of Spain. That the Queen may rule a long and great era and that she live a healthy life. We all ate silently. I stared at the pieces of veal floating around the plate. It reminded me of the horrible things I had heard in town from the coroner and judge. Apparently the mauled victims' bodies were tangled and stripped of their fat. Their bloodied corpses just left out to dry and rot in the sun.

I felt sickened by the thought. My stomach turned, I had to close my eyes to keep from retching. My spoon clattered against the plate.

"Lita -- what is the matter?"

"I ... I do not feel well. I think I am going to go lay down." Before she could respond I stood up and raced into the bed room. I dropped the shawl on the ground and flopped onto my bed. I pulled the sheets over my head, pressing my face into my pillow. I felt incredibly nauseated.

I turned on my side and stared at the window. The glass was dirty from years of mud and dust. The rain streaked down through the dirt. I felt suddenly exposed. Like a door was wide open for me to be snatched from. I rolled back onto my right side and stared at the wall that my bed was pushed up against. I felt safer this way. With my back to the window?

I pushed myself into the bed and murmured quietly to keep myself occupied from the rain. Finally my eyes grew heavy and I fell asleep.

I dreamt of men contorting, their faces being ripped off by long claws. Their eyes were black, with a glowing yellow circle in the dead center. Their faces grew longer, hair sprouting out of their skin in patches. Long fang-like teeth grew out. I heard a bloodcurdling howl. I went cold, chilled to the bone. I felt my heart stop. One long clawed hand reached out for me, closing in over my face. I felt warm blood trickle down my face, down my neck.

I screamed, jolting up in bed. I felt my face frantically. The blood I had felt was sweat. I jerked my head to the side. It was morning. It was no longer raining; the sun shone through dark clouds though. It was all quiet through the house. I threw the sheets off and ran out into the hallway. There was no noise. At all.

I felt scared. I crept down the hall to the back bed room where Madre and Padre slept. I touched my hand on the door. It felt cold. I pushed it open; it creaked loudly. There was no one in there. I walked back to the bed room across from mine. Dulce and Felipa's room. They were both younger than me. Dulce was 8 years old, and Felipa was 6. I felt like I needed to protect them. From the world.

I hesitated at first; scared of what I might find. Or might not find. Finally I took a deep breath and threw open the door, preparing myself mentally for whatever lay there. Nothing. The room was empty of people. I sighed in relief. So they were not dead. At least not in this room.

I walked into the kitchen. There was nothing or no one there. No food, no plates. Nothing. Nothing on the table or the stove on the ground. No evidence there had been any cooking this morning. I could not even smell burned wood.

Remembering I was not dressed, I walked back to my room and pulled on a white stockings and a white cotton dress. I did not bother putting on petticoats; I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled on my brown ankle boots, tying them in a mess. I ran down the hall through the living room and outside. The clouds had parted and a ray of sunshine lined a patch of green lawn.

I heard cows and sheep and horses. But no people. I looked around, shading my eyes with my hand.

"Madre?" No answer. "Padre?" Same thing.

Suddenly over the horizon I saw someone. A silhouette of a tall man with a big build. He was wearing a broad brimmed hat. Following behind him was his merry band of a wagon and two horses. I grinned happily.

"Manuel!" I picked up the hem of my dress and ran out into the fields. Once I was near him I dropped the fabric and gave him a grateful hug. He wrapped his arms around me as well, chuckling slightly.

"Did you miss me?"

I let go of him, stepping back at bit. "I have missed you since you left." I playfully pushed him. "You are a day late!"

"It was raining too much last night. I could not get the horses along the roads. I am sorry." He smiled down at me.

I blushed slightly, so I looked away. "You do not need to apologize to me."

"O, but I think I do." He leaned over, breathing on my neck. "Because I do not think that Madre is as worried as you are." I blushed again.

"Manuel, do you think maybe one day .. "

"MANUEL!" I was not able to finish my sentence because Madre ran over. Manuel stood up, smiling at her and giving her a hug.

"Madre, how are you?"

"You are a day late, Manuel." She frowned at him, but I could tell she was truly happy to see him. Manuel was a vendor from one of the larger cities. He traveled around selling clothes and such. He was also a magician of sorts. I mostly enjoyed the tricks that had to do with animals.

Manuel glanced over at me, giving a half smile. I felt my heart race slightly. I gave a smile back, one that could be considered sly. I looked away when he stood up straight. "Did you bring me back anything, sir?"

He grinned. "As a matter of fact. I did." He walked back to the wagon and pulled out a pile of sky blue fabric. I watched him as he walked over. "I was given this as a gift for anyone, since they thought it could not be mended. I patched it up and cleaned it. See if it fits."

He held it up by the sleeves. It took all of my self control not to gasp. It was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. It had three-quarter sleeves that had a creamy white lace sewed on. It was an off-of-the-shoulders type of dress, so its neckline was fairly low. I could see that it would have been beautiful with a corset underneath; the skirt poufed out. I could imagine wearing my finest petticoats and maybe even a corset and hoopskirt with it. I blushed and smiled up at him.

"It is wonderful!"

"Well, you have to see if it fits."

"I know." I laughed happily. I could see he was pleased that I enjoyed my gift.

Madre was watching us, smiling softly. She thought of Manuel as a son, as she thought of me as a daughter. I was actually one of the girls she had taken in when my parents died. They had been killed by wolves long ago when I was a baby. I had hated the wolves then, but I grew to realize that they did not mean to kill them. If anyone in this world was meant to survive, it was the wolves. The hunters, not the scavengers or the innocent. We would all succumb to the wolves one day.