You had known Damon for quite some time—ever since that first meeting in the store, you quickly hit it off and began spending a lot of time together, without even noticing how obsessively in love he was with you. Damon skillfully hid his dark side, trying not to give you any reason for suspicion or concern. He played the role of a good friend perfectly, although sometimes it was difficult for him. It was especially hard when you sat together on the couch and watched movies — he desperately wanted to make you his, but was afraid of scaring you away, because he couldn't bear your fear.

October arrived. The leaves on the trees turned bright yellow and orange, filling the streets with coziness and a special charm. With autumn came Halloween — your favorite holiday. You spent a whole week preparing for it, because this year it coincided with a red full moon, making the night even more mysterious and special. You were sure that Damon would be happy to spend this day with you, but to your surprise, he categorically refused to leave the house. No matter how much you asked and pleaded, he gave no explanation.

Being persistent, you decided to surprise him.

On the night of the full moon, you visited him. Damon didn't open the door right away, but soon gave in. Seeing you at the door, he tried to pretend to be sick and politely asked you to leave, but you didn't give in and entered the house anyway. He was visibly nervous, and you couldn't understand why. When you asked him about it, he just said he wasn't feeling well, but he seemed too tense for you to believe him.

When you went to the window, you noticed that the curtains were drawn tight. When you asked him about it, he just frowned, but you didn't wait for an answer and pulled them open anyway. The bright light of the blood-red moon flooded into the room. At that moment, you noticed that something was wrong with Damon—he fell to his knees and grimaced in pain.

"I told you... don't open the window... my silly pink bud..." he whispered hoarsely.

The next moment changed everything: his body grew larger, his arms and legs turned into clawed paws, and his eyes took on an animalistic gleam.

A guttural roar escaped from his throat, sending shivers down your spine. In the next moment, he swung his paw, and his sharp claws nearly grazed your face — you managed to jump aside, tripping over the edge of the carpet and falling to the floor. There was no longer any human restraint in his movements — it was as if someone else was controlling him from within. But even through his animalistic snarl and bloodshot eyes, you could see that he was struggling.

"I... I didn't want you to see me like this..." he growled, lowering his head as if afraid of his own reflection.

He took a difficult step back, clenching his clawed paws as if trying not to cause harm. His breathing became hoarse and uneven — each breath seemed like a struggle for control.

"Please... leave... while I still can..." His voice trembled, sounding like a mixture of pain and pleading.

You didn't know what to do — your heart was pounding in your chest, but your feet seemed glued to the floor. Standing before you was not a monster, but someone who was desperately fighting with himself not to harm you.