Chapter Text
A pale moon stood above the dense forest, barely illuminating the messy path Jim carefully treaded, bushes and other earthly debris tangling themselves into his patchy duster. The freezing winds never waning as he headed towards the last remaining trap he set to catch the elusive monster that had been terrorizing the residents of Eastwood.
As he trekked through long stretches of grass and stone, his mind couldn’t help but wander back to that fateful day, and everything that soon followed when he first arrived at this humble corner built somewhere along the great frontier.
Residents were quick to tell the origins of their plight; local farmhands had complained that some of their livestock had suddenly vanished in the night, the sheriffs went looking and were able to locate them just outside the woods that laid near the settlement, or what was left of them at least.
Their remains were strewn about haphazardly in the grass and picked completely clean, not a single piece of flesh was left anchored to their scattered skeletons. It was a strange sight, even stranger was the fact that some of the larger pieces were missing. Still, they deduced it must have been the doings of a common creature, a large wolf or perhaps some sort of feline. It was hard to tell but they understood no person could be capable of performing such brutality, especially in such a short-time frame.
Had it been just this one isolated case, it wouldn’t have caused much fuss inside the community. The farmers still had enough cattle to feed themselves and make some profit. But the nightly assaults carried on, every Saturday it came and raided their fields, taking the largest animals it could find and darting towards its supposed den in the forest. A few were able to catch glimpses of this mysterious plunderer with their lanterns when they attempted to kill it, and they only saw a black and fluffy tail tipped white that quickly scampered into the inky darkness of the night before they could even raise their weapons, many of the animals having disappeared with it.
Attacks continued unabated and, hard as they tried, nothing was able to impede it. This fruitless back and forth persisted for many weeks, their plates of food lessening more and more until they were only enough morsels to spare for breakfast and dinner. Hunger gnawed at the town, and a chill began to settle over as winter’s hand loomed ever closer.
Whatever this thing was, the farmers felt it needed to be dealt with as fast as possible before things truly turned dire and so, along with many other desperate residents, they scrounged up all the money they could and set up a huge reward for any person that successfully dealt with the menace.
The message spread like wildfire all across the country and Jim, along with other numerous hunters, heeded the call when they saw the absurd bounty that had been placed. So large was the amount of cash to be had that even after deciding to split it equally amongst themselves to avoid infighting, it still made for a very lucrative venture for all. This was cause for celebration for many and during the first few days, it was like there wasn’t even a hunt going on. The job just asked to kill one lousy creature after all, how troublesome could that be?
The animal proved more tenacious and resilient than expected, somehow evading any and all traps they set up. Carefully placed snares were left tangled up in branches, cages that had been meticulously hidden held only stones inside and deactivated foothold traps littered the terrain within and around the woods. This played out for many days, no plan or trap anyone came up with ever coming close of succeeding, and the hunt was turning out to be an absolute disaster. In a desperate attempt, someone spread a poison all throughout the forest. Unfortunately, that plan didn’t pan out and many hunters got hurt, he himself falling ill too due to his carelessness. Thankfully, he survived and quickly got booted out of the hunt once he could walk on his two feet without any issues.
Week after week passed, the beast continued to routinely slaughter the farmstock without much trouble and the hunters’ resolve began to wane. Many lost hope and what was once an entire team of experienced rangers slowly trickled down into the select handful that continued scouting the forest in hopes of claiming that coveted prize.
Jim Calloway was one of the few that decided to continue the chase. Resources have dwindled during the hunt, rations turned scarce just as winter approached, and his body screamed for rest as clothes turned ragged due to constant contact with the elements… But he’d been through worse gigs, these were all just minor setbacks that kept him from taking his reward, those 1,500 dollars would make the blood and sweat worth it.
So, with his head held high, he hastened his pace as he continued hiking deeper into the woods. The rest of his arsenal may have failed him tonight, but he made sure to place a couple more traps in the morning to cover some spots of key interest.
Before most of the group broke up, someone brought with them a few professional sniffing hounds to assist with locating the creature, or so the wrangler claimed them to be. They didn’t do much of anything to help and just did their business wherever they pleased, irritating not only him but the rest of the hunters too. Those were some miserable days, every step was bound to hit something gross and that horrible stench now occupied a place in his nightmares. However, during their short stint, he did notice how the dogs meandered to certain places to watch… something.
He remembered how their floppy ears abruptly perked up high towards the sky, beady eyes intently observing off into the distance, all the while staying completely still like statues for hours on end. Jim wasn’t the superstitious type, father and mother seldom visited His house and reading holy books wasn’t an activity he found comforting. Even then, he couldn’t deny how unnerving it was to see that unfold, and he always made sure to set up a few more candles before going to bed during those days.
His hurried steps steadily carried him towards that cursed region, aching legs deftly avoiding any obstacle that got in his way. The darkness only grew the further he travelled, the dense canopy above him now only allowing trickles of moonlight to filter through. That didn’t do much to slow him, he had spent enough time scouting the forest to understand it like the back of his hand and his eyes had accustomed themselves to seeing in the dark after spending dozens of sleepless nights trying to locate the creature. After passing some mossy boulders and climbing over a fallen tree, he finally reached his destination, and he couldn’t help but gawk at the wretched state his last-ditch project was left in.
What he originally built there wasn’t anything impressive, just a few snares tied around the trees and multiple bear traps buried deep in loose pockets of soil. He’d already constructed similar entrapments before, but he hoped this new strategic location would finally be the edge he needed to trap that accursed beast and end this exhausting struggle. Life had other plans stored for him unfortunately.
Those wires he had rigorously woven around the area had come undone, now rolled sporadically all across the forest floor, their shiny metal texture glinting under the narrow beams of the moon. The well-hidden bear traps were now completely unearthed and arranged in various different spots, a few sitting over some large rocks and others near the exposed roots of the trees, their rusty jaws clamped shut.
This wasn’t what he expected. It was one thing to see another of his elaborate designs fail yet again, but for them to be dismantled in such a way? He couldn’t help but feel the beast was somehow taunting him. He examined the scenery with a keener eye in hopes of salvaging more information and discovered that one of his larger bear traps remained untouched, its comically large jaws barely peeking above the leaves. The beast shifted everything else but left the most glaring trap alone? How the hell did it miss that one?
Rationalizing the situation only worsened his confusion, and it didn’t take long for reality to rear its ugly head.
Winter was fast approaching. That persistent chill he fought to suppress ceaselessly gnawed at his defenses and it was hard to keep his malnourished physique from shivering. The need for warmth never stopped making itself apparent after spending endless nights in the freezing darkness. The vile voice at the back of his head began to pester him again, urging him to quit before things got worse, to pack what he had left and return empty handed to his folks… if they even wanted him back after everything he’s done, that is.
The calm temperament he had maintained began to crumble, and he kicked the soft ground beneath him in a sudden fit. He kept at it for a while, his worn leather boots tearing at their seams as they pushed and shoved the earth. Somewhere along his fury, he punted a particularly large piece of rock from the floor, sending it flying through the air. The sharp pain that flared from his foot afterwards snapped him back to his senses and he leaned down to check up on the achy appendage, a few of his toes now poked through his damaged boot.
He let out a tired sigh as he crouched into the ground to massage the tender area, muttering colorful obscenities at himself for being such a dunce by letting anger overwhelm him, and ruining the only pair he had. Mother raised him better. The rock he had kicked didn’t stop soaring, and it careened towards the only remaining trap. It landed straight inside and activated it.
The jaws snapped shut with great force, breaking the rock into tiny fragments that exploded all around. The terrible noise it generated was harsh and loud, a metallic twang that rang throughout the entire forest and drowned out all other sounds inside the nightly ambience for a split second.
Whatever fatigue he felt was swept away by the adrenaline that coursed through him as that horrible sound reached his ears and he leaped straight back to his feet, the rapid motion upsetting the lower half of his already weary body. He stood still for a bit, completely alert and aware of his surroundings, but his knees began to shake as the adrenaline wore off and they promptly gave out, forcing him to seek support from a nearby boulder. He held on to it for dear life, his calloused hands finding it harder and harder to grip its rough surface as they continued bearing the brunt of his collapsing weight. Nothing ever seemed to go his way.
He craned his head upwards to the moon, its faint light still piercing through the thick foliage that stretched above him, and began to pray in silence. Praying that his struggles shall not be in vain and that success is soon to come…
A hearty laugh suddenly boomed through the air, so powerful that he could feel it reverberate through his bones. It died off just as abruptly as it started and heavy footsteps followed suit, the sound of crunching leaves creeping ever closer to his position. Fear gripped his heart as his hands reached over to an empty holster. He didn’t think to bring any weapons to his excursion, and he knew he lacked the strength to put up much of a fight. A small shape approached him from the darkness, and he steeled his sluggish nerves to face the unknown threat, but those worries dissipated when he saw that distinct wide brimmed hat shine as the stranger passed the narrow beams of light that speckled the area.
The stranger was no stranger at all, for he was that enigmatic old man that tagged along for the hunt when it first started. A tiny and joyful individual with a penchant for exotic headwear that inexplicably appeared one day and whose origins were shrouded in mystery. No one saw him arrive and when hunters asked residents if they knew of him, they only threw mystified expressions their way. Most found his presence to be irritating, his constant blabbering and jokey personality only dampened the mood for all, and hunters actively ignored him whenever they saw him around. Jim treated him differently than the rest. The old man popped in from time to time to make small talk with him as he worked and quickly proved to be a peculiar sort, his bizarre tangents and propensity to laugh randomly disturbing him at first, but he made for good company once he got used to him and his wild mannerisms. Unfortunately, Jim wasn’t really in the mood to deal with his exuberant nature.
“You… look like you could use a few meals!” The large hat cloaked most of his features, but Jim could still picture that crooked grin the old man always sported. Jim coughed a few times before speaking up with a hoarse voice.
“That ain’t nothin’ for you to worry about, I’ll get myself in shape soon enough.” Jim had to push the words out; his dry throat hadn’t seen much use throughout the days, and the cold air around him made it sting even harder. A snicker escaped from the old man.
“You sure about that? I admire the attitude but, uh, I can see you shivering from here… and smell you too!” The old man replied wryly. His humor would have pleased Jim on other occasions, but he was simply too exhausted to take part in his jest. Jim straightened himself as best he could and tended his sore neck as he talked.
“What are you doin’ here anyway?” Jim asked sternly. The old man paid no mind to his abrasive tone and eagerly answered his question.
“Ah! That. So, I was just finishing up the necessary preparations for my greatest trap yet, when suddenly, I heard this horrible noise BOOM throughout the forest!” Although the dim lighting made it hard to see, Jim still saw the old man’s limbs flail about in an attempt to illustrate his tale. Jim’s spirits lifted a bit as the old man passionately pressed onwards with his performance. This was one of the reasons he liked having him around.
“Yes, truly horrible, knocked me straight outta the tree I was working with. Don’t fret, I’m sturdier than I look! Hah! Anyway, once I dusted myself off, I just knew I had to find its source! I forgot to bring my lantern in the excitement, but her rays did a dandy job helping me find the way!” The old man’s arms reached out towards the sky and his tone abruptly turned wistful.
“Ah, what a help she’s been over the years, I’ve been meaning to create a most wonderful gift to thank her for her diligent work. A hat would be most suitable, yes. I could make her a hat, or maybe a coat would be more fitting? I suppose I…” The old man began to murmur to himself, and Jim awkwardly cleared his throat to get him back on track with the conversation.
“Hm? Oh! Do forgive me my boy, I can’t help but get lost every time she crosses my mind. Now, where was I… Oh yes! Coming here wasn’t easy, these legs of mine aren’t what they used to be, and this weather isn’t exactly helping. I’m sure you know all about that though, how are your feet feeling by the way?” Jim glanced down at his ragged boots, the soles having split from the rest of the shoe and allowing icy drafts to blow inside. He chose to ignore that and instead pulled his eyes towards the old man to give him a steely gaze.
“It’s not that bad.” Jim asserted. The old man only shook his head and let out an easy laugh.
“Don’t you think you’re pushing yourself too much? Taking breaks doesn’t hurt and, if anything, it looks like you could seriously use one. A youngster like you shouldn’t be getting any gray hairs after all!” Jim’s brow furrowed at this. He didn’t want to hear this, especially right now.
“I’m doing fine.” Jim stumbled away from the boulder and tried to keep himself steady to prove his point; his legs only wobbled harder the longer he stood but he persevered. The old man released an uneasy sigh as he saw him struggle.
“Well… If you say so, but there’s nothing wrong with getting a little help from time to time.” Before Jim could ask what he meant, the old man lobbed a pair of boots towards him, somehow landing perfectly straight at his feet. He crouched down and tentatively picked them up; there was some heft to them and after running his fingers through its soft dark leather, he deduced they must have been a very pricey pair. Jim couldn’t remember the last time he’d received something like this.
“Old man, you don’t have to-”
“I wasn’t using them much anyway. Besides, you need them a whole lot more than I do with them pinkies sticking out!” He broke out into another laughing fit as he lumbered back into the shadows and out of Jim’s sight. That gleeful sound fading more and more until the howling winds took their rightful place in the forest yet again.
Jim wasn’t sure what to make of this exchange. But he wasn’t one to count blessings and was quick to toss his broken pair aside to try out his new gift.
But just as he eagerly slid a foot inside, he felt something get in the way. He swiftly removed it and shook the boot around with his hand, hearing a soft rattling inside. Turning it over, out fell large lumpy blocks of dull colors into the ground. He checked the other boot and, sure enough, more of them spilled out too. He caught a couple with his other hand as they fell and pulled them closer towards his eyes. Even in the scant lighting, he still made out the pieces of dry meat and fruit that composed these curious objects. Was this meant to be eaten? Accepting food from strangers wasn’t exactly smart, but his grumbling belly begged to differ, and the old man didn’t seem like the type to lace treats for kicks and giggles. He lowered them towards his chapped lips and hesitantly bit off a small chunk from one.
The taste immediately burst in his mouth, a most wonderful combination of sweet and tart that put the stale pieces of hard bread he’d been eating to shame. He let those refreshing flavors stew for a while as he chewed before gulping down the piece. Another bite was necessary.
His instincts kicked in and he wolfed down the cubes on his hand in hopes of indulging in that delightful richness once more. What he ate wasn’t enough to satisfy his appetite and he let his weight carry him to the ground to scavenge what had fallen on the forest floor. With trembling fingers, he rabidly plucked whatever cubes he found and shoved them straight inside his mouth. In his carelessness, bits and pieces of dirt made their way within too but that did little to stop his ravenous frenzy. He felt it gave his meal a nice crunchy texture.
It didn’t take him long to finish, the old man hadn’t packed as much as he hoped, and he let off a sated sigh as his empty stomach filled. The stiffness around his lower body began to lessen as the food settled and he found it surprisingly easy to stand up on his feet again, the surrounding frost seemingly biting less harshly than before. With his renewed strength, he dusted himself off to remove any filth that had stuck to his clothes and stretched as much as possible to warm his limbs, those troublesome aches he was suffering from fading into dull sensations that allowed his mind to turn towards more urgent matters…
Like catching and killing the damnable pest that has made the last few weeks of his life a living hell!
This newfound energy was put into motion as he rapidly paced back and forth, his fervid mind churning with fresh ideas that would bring him closer to his goal, but every plan that he came up with didn’t reach his lofty expectations. The beast was smart, smarter than he had given it credit for and that meant it required thinking outside the usual conventions. As much as he tried to make it work, traps simply don’t cut it here, he has made every imaginable contraption, and they all ended up being failures. So what exactly can he do now?
He thought about it further and came up with a most absurd idea.
Today was Friday and that meant tomorrow it would come out to collect the farm animals, so what if… he just caught the creature on the act and slayed it? He couldn’t recall anyone else doing something like this, and for good reason! No sane person would spend an entire day freezing out in the wilderness just for the slim chance of encountering the beast, the risks were simply not worth it. But it wasn’t like there were any other options left for him, his coffers dried out long ago and there weren’t any places left for him out there. He mulled on it a little harder, the winds blowing harder as if to encourage him to take the more reasonable path, and he came to a final decision.
He was going to fetch all the remaining necessities over in his crumbling tent and rough it out for a while longer. There was no turning back from this; he had everything to gain and nothing else to lose.
-
It was just one snowflake. Jim saw how it gracefully fluttered through the air until it gently perched on the ground near him. Soon afterwards, another crystal fell from the sky, and following that, another one came, and then another, and another, so on and so forth…
It was as if the clouds themselves were being scraped for all their worth, their silver flakes embellishing the air as they dropped down from the sky. A mesmerizing dance of ice and frost that never ceased or waned in its performance as it weaved all around the forest. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen such wonderful sights, and he couldn’t stop himself from admiring the beauty of it all as he worked on his hiding spot throughout the day. But the fun was short-lived as the winds soon picked up speed and he was forced to seek refuge inside his makeshift den when night came around.
What started as a gentle snowfall grew into a vicious blizzard that engulfed the whole forest, everywhere looked as if it was being violently dotted white. The snow itself piled up fast too, thick carpets of white stretched across the land, suffocating any form of greenery. It was hard to believe the desolate landscape that surrounded him was once a luscious and vibrant plantation not too long ago. The little ditch he found himself in barely shielded him from the artic freeze that encroached from above, the bed of leaves he’d tucked himself into providing only the scantest protection against that worsening chill.
It’d been like this for hours now, or so he believed. Time seemed to blur inside this freezing abyss, and he already lost track of it a while back as he toughed out winter’s ever-present embrace. The cold left him a quivering mess, a faint purple tint lined his numb fingers, and it became an active struggle to keep his drooping eyelids open. His spirit, however, couldn’t have burned any brighter. Nothing could snuff out that last bit of hope he vehemently held onto, the beast was going to show itself at any moment after all, he just needed to be more patient and that required him to stay put.
If catching the beast meant he needed to lay low underneath the dirt for a bit longer, so be it. If it entailed enduring another excruciating hour inside this bleak desert, so be it. If that necessitated keeping himself wide awake even as he felt his very essence get sapped by the elements, then so be it!
A warm bed, a nice plate food, and perhaps even an exotic pet or two, awaited him after completing this hunt… The good life was finally about to be his, and all he needed to do was wait…
Wait for it to show up…
Just needed to…
Give it…
More…
Time…
Through blistering winds, the sound of crunching snow was scarcely heard. It seemed to ring from far away, but that was gradually changing as whatever caused it drew ever closer towards him. A light clattering then became audible, and he cautiously peeked out of his hole to survey the area. It was hard to see anything but the whirling snow, but after squinting his eyes hard enough… he saw something. There, somewhere between the trees, a large figure was seen moving about. Details were hard to make out through the scant moonlight, but certain features became clearer as he focused his attention entirely on the entity.
It walked on two feet and took large strides as it drifted, the movements causing a large object it held somewhere on its back to jerk around. Signs like those pointed to the unknown entity before him being a person, but that only made the sight more perplexing as other details clashed with this. Tall triangular shapes tipped what he guessed to be its head and there was a noticeable protrusion jutting out from there too. If he still had the energy, he would have let out a laugh. This was clearly just a hallucination, the cold must have finally gotten to his head.
But the figure passed over some bright beams of moonlight and revealed another of its particularities. A lengthy appendage that sprouted from below, it dragged lazily across the snow and a coat of dark fur covered the whole thing, but at its very tip it bleached to a very bright shade of white. A fluffy tail that was tipped white, he was left completely stunned.
There was no mistaking it now, all his efforts finally bore fruit, and the beast had shown itself. What he was witnessing broke every conception he ever had about the forms life itself could take, the significance this held was unimaginable… and he couldn’t care less. What mattered was the fact it hadn’t taken notice of him, and he needed to make sure it stayed that way for what came next.
Out he crawled from the earth, the winds masking many of the noises he caused as he scuttled through the leaves and snow, and started following close behind once he was able to stand properly. Step by step, he inched closer and closer towards the creature, the linen sack that hung from its furry shoulders now becoming visible to him. Once he felt there was enough distance between them, he reached for his hip and pulled out the polished revolver from its holster.
With shaking hands, he lined his shot right at its head and pulled back the creaky hammer as a finger reflexively placed itself over the trigger. The creature stopped dead in its tracks and snapped its head towards him, exposing two glowing orbs that now stared down at him. The fierce commitment that guided his actions quickly evaporated as he gazed deep into those yellow eyes, his hands instinctively lowering the gun so that he could get a better look at them. They were like those of a wolf, but there was an indescribable humanity to them that… intrigued him. The creature before him took its time to analyze him too, eyes darting to and fro as if they’d never seen someone like him before.
This wordless exchange played out for what felt like an eternity, as if the world around them had faded until the only things that remained were each other. But the creature’s eyes then took notice of the shiny glint in his hand, and he saw its dark pupils shrink into slits. The creature broke eye contact and suddenly sprinted off into the distance before he could move a single muscle. His bleary mind took a bit to catch up, but once it did, he pushed his frigid limbs onwards and began to chase after the creature.
He didn’t understand what exactly happened back there, and he tried not to think about it. He came here to do a job, there wasn’t room for second guessing.
Every fiber in his body burned as he ran through the dense snow, his legs barely keeping pace with the creature’s speed as it blitzed throughout the forest. It leaped boulders and slipped through the tight gaps amidst the trees with ease, the space between them continuously lengthened and that dipped tail soon started to blend into the night. He desperately tried to close the distance but those growing pains only worsened and his footing began to falter; his joints felt like they were about to burst. Through gritted teeth, he forced himself steady and raised his gun, aiming at the creature that was about to flee into the shadows. He fired off into the darkness, the speeding bullet whiffing its far away target and instead blasting off a large branch that sat close to it. That thunderous noise and the flying splinters following it made the creature shriek, and it barreled off towards another direction, allowing him to keep it on his sight and continue hot on the pursuit.
Its cry was eerily akin to that of a woman, and doubts began to rise. He shook his head and quickly banished them into the deepest recesses of his mind before they had the chance to fester. It was just some animal, it couldn’t be anything more than that.
The creature bolted across one of the large clearings that resided inside the forest, where the moon shone brightest. Even in the swirling snow, he was able to make out its distinct form thanks to the light and he brandished his revolver. He aimed his gun more carefully this time, making sure to keep a firm grip as he ran, and pulled back the hammer as he took a deep breath. His shot couldn’t have been more perfect; the creature was about to pass the middle of some twisted trees and straight into his line of fire. Just as he was about to pull the trigger, the creature was suddenly whisked off high into the air with an earsplitting crack, dropping its sack and disappearing out of his sight.
Everything he was striving and toiling for, his only shot at reaching a pleasant life, unceremoniously vanished in the blink of an eye.
To say he was left in a panic would be an understatement, he staggered over to those trees, the ones it was about to cross, and frantically scanned the area for any signs of life. He saw nothing but piles and piles of snow and that curious bag lying on the ground nearby. The grip on his gun tightened and an eye began to twitch, he felt something rise within him… and then he let out a sigh as he slumped against one of the trees.
He wanted to get angry, to scream and kick at this cruel world for snatching away what was rightfully his and bringing nothing but misfortune the moment he decided to make a name for himself, but his body had already been put through the wringer, and he was simply too out of breath to lash out anymore. The only thing he desired was for the winds to carry him somewhere else, to leave this wretched life behind and perhaps escape to a much happier place…
A series of yips and growls sounded off from above before he could wallow further and he craned his head upwards. There, dangling between the trees, the creature found itself stuck high up inside a net. It thrashed around wildly as it tried to break free from its tight confinement, but that was cut short when it took notice of him. The creature turned still under his gaze, like it had accepted its fate now lay at the pull of his trigger. There was nothing stopping him now, just one clean shot from here and he could have everything he ever wanted. But something inside him stirred as he looked at the defenseless state the creature was left in, it began to huddle close to itself and tremble severely. It seemed afraid, and that made him hesitate.
He debated with himself as he watched the creature’s depressing display and, now that he finally had the chance, began to discern many of its features in their entirety.
Its physique closely resembled that of a human but with many different animalistic characteristics mixed in. A thick coat of fur covered every inch of its ample body, particularly around its neck, and they were colored in very dark tones, with the exception of its front as a white streak ran straight across it. Its limbs were an amalgam of human and animal anatomy: legs shaped like those of a common canine and clawed hands with palms covered by rough-looking pads. Its head was exactly like that of a wolf, or maybe a fox would be more fitting? That broad snout and the general shape of its face wasn’t too dissimilar from wolves, but there were certain elements that didn’t match well, those long and pointed ears that bore a striking likeness to foxes being the clearest example of this.
As he observed further, the creature began to rotate in its cage in an attempt to get more comfortable, exposing new angles to him that really enunciated a certain aspect he had somehow glossed over. He thought the fur around its chest was just really poofy, but it was now obvious those were actually a set of modest mounds. Was he seeing this right? He stood on his toes to have a better look at the creature and, sure enough, there was a subtle curviness to its body that denoted a feminine appearance.
Warmth slowly spread through his cheeks, and he swiftly pulled his gaze away from the creature before it could worsen. This was a very surprising discovery to say the least, and he wasn’t sure what to make of it. But before he was given the chance to figure out the implications of this new development, distant laughter pierced through the storm and a familiar voice was scarcely heard yelling out.
“I knew it! I knew this was going to work! The beast’s been caught! Oh, the luxuries I’m going to make out of it! I can’t wait, I just can’t wait!” The creature started to thrash around once more with a lot more vigor, making the net swing all over the place but not accomplishing much else. Its cage never teared, but Jim heard the ropes holding it aloft creak louder than before.
“Coats! Charms! Hats! The people are going to go crazy with my newest wares, but I’ll make sure to only leave you the best, my darling!” That voice was getting closer, and the creature stopped its efforts to do… nothing. He saw those golden pools brim with fresh tears, and the thin lips on its muzzle quiver. The creature… she was utterly terrified, and her reaction provoked flashbacks of a life he swore to leave behind.
The frightened faces of past victims rushed to the forefront of his mind, as if they were specters that had come back to haunt him. Hard as he tried, they couldn’t be dispelled, and they reminded him of the man he used to be, that crook and cheat who took advantage of anyone for his own personal benefit, no matter who they were. Any good deeds he’d done were forgotten as the burden of his crimes weighed down on his heart. He didn’t understand what was happening, he wasn’t doing anything wrong, and then he was hit by a revelation. The creature reminded him of them, of all those he had hurt before.
The words simply erupted out his mouth before he knew what he was doing.
“Don’t get yourself too excited old man! It’s just me!” Jim wasn’t sure what compelled him to yell that, had he just stayed quiet then the old man would arrive here sooner, and they both could help each other finish off the creature. Extra hands always made the work less messy.
But a part of himself found that idea to be absolutely revolting and it was forcing him to act.
“Is- is that you, my boy? What the devil are you doing out here?” The old man’s voice still echoed far, and Jim felt he needed to do anything for it to stay that way. He began to explain himself loud and clear, but his battered lungs struggled to keep up.
“I-I camped out, somewhere nearby. It was quiet, but then I heard something move… I got out to check it out an-and I saw it run away, off in the distance. I didn’t know what it was, but I still chased it, a-and shot at it. It was… tiresome. And th-then I saw it get trapped right when… when I was about to shoot it again.” He hoped the story got across well enough, even with his stuttering, and the old man would soon leave.
The conversation turned quiet for a bit, and Jim was just about to let off a sigh of relief, until he heard him speak again.
“Is that so…” There was a crisp iciness lining his words and Jim felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, and then rapturous laughter filled the air.
“So, what’s in the net?” Whatever ominous undertones Jim sensed from the old man dissolved as he slipped back into the cheery character he knew well. But that question did leave him in quite the predicament, and the words struggled to come out.
“It’s, uh, well-” A low whine sounded off from above before he could gabble further, and he knew then what needed to be said.
“I-it’s just some wolf! It ain’t what we’re looking for!” Jim called out briskly, and he swore he heard a gasp from above.
He couldn’t bring himself to finish her off. This whole hunt just didn’t feel right to him anymore, and he no longer wished to form part of it. He’ll leave this place once he rests up and… figure out what to do from there. Whatever happens to the creature then, whether she survives or not, won’t be his concern anymore. But that still left one more affair to deal with.
Second after second passed, and goosebumps slowly crept over Jim’s skin as the uncomfortable silence persisted… And then, he heard him once more.
“Well, That is a real shame. Do me a favor and… let the animal go. You may do whatever you wish with it. I have no use for it. And please, don’t go out into the storm again. Things are only bound to get worse from here…” His dissatisfaction was evident and that cryptic warning left him startled, and then joyous laughter filled the air once again.
“Take care of yourself now!” With that cheery comment, Jim no longer heard anything back from the old man. Him and the creature were finally left alone.
The creature stared down at him and he stared back in response. She had a wide-eyed look, and her muzzle was slightly agape. He checked around the trees to see if there was a rope or something he could shoot off to release her, but he found nothing of the sort. Strangely, he had an inkling that wasn’t going to be a problem. With that, he began to hobble away from the creature.
But whatever was holding him up abruptly vanished and, like a puppet whose strings have been cut, he soon crumbled into the snow after taking just a few measly steps.
All the strain he had put himself through finally caught up with him, and it felt like a tremendous weight he could never lift. He didn’t bother to struggle, he could use the rest after all. Little by little, his senses began to blur. Limbs turned dull and unresponsive, ears could barely hear the raging storm and sagging eyes lost sight of everything except that big bright spot on the dark sky. It was beautiful.
He then felt something, a vibration of some kind from nearby. He tried to take a glance to see what caused it, but his eyelids finally dropped down and darkness swallowed him whole. This was it, he could already feel himself turn numb and the world go quiet. But just before he fell into the abyss, something grabbed at him. it felt soft and furry, and then…
There was nothing.