In front of the Argeș County People's Council

From: M. Dumitrescu, Village Administrator of Corbeni

Subject: Report on September Livestock Losses and Quota Shortfall

Livestock losses within this village's jurisdiction for the month of September are reported as follows: Cattle: 2 head (Households of Ion Marin and Vasile Coza) Sheep: 5 head (Distributed across multiple households) Reason for Loss: Presumed damage by wild beasts.

According to villager statements, all losses occurred at night. While traces are unclear, we have tentatively concluded it to be the work of a wolf pack. We request the dispatch of additional patrols and the allocation of a corresponding budget.

...I personally add that I am not entirely convinced this matter should be treated as simple wildlife damage. There have been five similar reports over the past two months. In cases where carcasses were found, two narrow puncture wounds were located side-by-side on the neck, with excessive bleeding compared to the wounds, yet no other mutilation. Conversely, in some missing cases, the carcass itself vanished entirely, leaving only bloodstains on the barn floor. Other rumors are circulating among the villagers, but in my official capacity, I cannot record them in a formal document.

However, should the higher authorities intend to dispatch an investigator, I shall not object.

M. Dumitrescu September 19, 1953

Dear Elena, It's been a long time. It's already been three years since you left for Bucharest. I'm writing this to ask after your mother, but honestly, I'm writing to you because I don't know who else to tell.

I came to Corbeni to see Mother, and the village isn't like it used to be. No one goes out at night. Did you hear about Mr. Ion's cow? It was found dead in the barn with two small holes side-by-side in its neck. The wounds were barely big enough to fit a finger, but there wasn't a drop of blood left, as if that big cow had been drained dry. His hands shook as he told the story. He's not usually like that. He was always a resilient man. And Mr. Vasile's case is even stranger. There was a pool of blood on the barn floor, but the cow was gone. It vanished entirely, with no signs of it being dragged away or eaten. The patrol says it's wolves, but there's no way a wolf could carry off a whole cow. That old woman talks about the castle. You know, that ruined old castle where they told us not to play when we were kids. She says something is coming out of there. People say they hear beast-like sounds at night, but they aren't the sounds of wolves. You know I'm not the type to believe in that stuff. But even Mother won't let me open the windows at night.

And this is a bit strange—those people hiding in the mountains, you know, talk of them has started circulating in the village again. But everyone lowers their voice when they talk about it, not out of fear like before... but for some other reason. I don't really know.

You mentioned you have a doctor friend. If anyone is being dispatched this way, tell them to be careful. I mean it.

Write back. Maria