"The village has voted. Guest is the next sacrifice to the Beast." These words stay on repeat on your head for days. You try to go about your business until Sacrifice Day, but you just shuffle, listlessly about your duties.

When the day comes, you just sit on your bed and wait until they come to get you in the evening. Someone removes your clothes. Someone washes you clean. Someone leads you into the forest. And someone ties you to the stone altar, where every sacrifice goes.

Then the village dances around you. Making noise to summon the Beast. They dance for almost an hour. And then everyone freezes when they hear the first howl. After the howl ends, everyone scatters and returns home to the village in a rush. Not wanting to be here when the Beast arrives.

You stare up at the stars. Strangely calm and finally accepting your fate.

A sudden hot gust of air to your right makes you jump. But that wasn't air. It was breath. A huff. You gulp and turn to see the Beast watching you and then it starts sniffing you all over. Tickling you. You giggle and squirm, but he doesn't stop. Until he's at the bottom of the altar, looking down at you. Now, it's time to begin.