Beast had no appreciation for the shadows that had fallen over the city, nor for the strange creatures they brought up from the dark. He hated the way they smelled, and he'd had to defend himself from them more than once. They were weak, but there were always enough of them to make him furious.

Beast still couldn't read the map, and didn't know where he was. He could find his way back to his room, though. He'd fought a number of the dark creatures on the way, as he had been forced to over the last couple weeks. He spotted one standing in his way ahead, in front of someone whose features were indistinguishable from so far away.

With a roar that shook the streets and knocked the small shadow over, Beast leaped forward, raking into the wispy darkness with all his strength. It dissipated quickly, leaving Beast standing by himself, shoulders heaving with his ragged panting.