The white backdrop should be so serene and perfect deep in the woods yet the only thing I could think about was the insatiable growling of my stomach and the pain accompanying it.
Crunch.
I don't remember how long I've been out here.
I do know that it's been much too long as the cold doesn't bother me anymore.
Everything is a blur.
Crunch.
I looked down at my red nails.
I don't recall painting them this color, but it stands out against the pale skin.
Crunch.
That crisp sound sounds like footsteps in the fresh powder but there is only red slush around me.
Crunch.
No matter what I tried, nothing was working.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYt4vvpSUf
I was hungry again.
I started moving once I noticed the shadows just beyond the treeline. The wolves here never strayed too close.
They'd leave me be if I did the same; however, them slinking off into the shadows told me what I already knew.
Something else was out here.
Crunch.
The crunching of snow in the distance had me tensing.
I looked behind me to see a single set of footsteps.
I had not seen another set of footsteps next to mine in a long time.
Crunch. Crunch.
Those footsteps were not mine.
Crunch.
A sense of giddiness filled my body as I quietly made my way towards the source. I soon saw the halo of a light moving amongst the trees. There were at least five, two less than the last time. There was the accompanying sound of sniffing and the smell of damp fur.
'Oh, they brought dogs.' I glanced at my red nails. 'I don't really like dogs...'
Whimpering had me peering from the shadows to see one of the hounds pawing at the remnants of tattered clothing. One of the party members stooped to retrieve it before holding up the reddened cloth to the others.
"We're on the right path," the first stated as he swept his light across the treeline, "if the tattered clothing and bloody mess back there's anything to go by."
"Maybe we should come back in the morning," another suggested as he wrangled in one of the dogs.
"It would be gone by then," the first countered, "or worse."
"What's worse than not dealing with that thing?" a third man asked as he lit his cigarette.
"That thing finding its way to the town," the fourth griped.
"If that thing hasn't already found its way there," the last man said in a gruff voice. He brandished a shot gun in the low light of the moon. "Be surprised if the damn thing didn't know the way already."
I tilted my head as I watched the group before noticing one of the dogs sniffing in my direction. I stepped back as it growled.
"What is it, girl?" the second man questioned as it continued.
"Probably just a damn deer," the fourth muttered as the dog eased forward.
"She's never acted like before for a damn deer," he countered.
"Just shoot it then," the smoker chided as he aimed. "If it is a damn deer then we can just use it as bait," he added prior to firing.
"Don't go wastin' ammo, dumba-!"
A blood-curdling yowl pierced the air and effectively silenced the growling. It was then replaced by whimpering as the dogs pulled back on their leads. Trees shifted and branches snapped as I surged forward, grasping at my side.
My nails bit into my skin as I staggered forward before straightening to stare at the party in front of me.
Their dogs were frenzied before one gained enough courage to lunge. A simple swipe sent it barreling into a tree.
Crunch.
That sound sounded different from the sound of footsteps in the snow.
I found myself enjoying this one much more.
Whimpering from the other dogs ensued before another shot rang. Another pain in my stomach followed soon after before another yowl was released.
"What are you waiting for?! Shoot that monster!"
I jumped back into the treeline as they fired.
The first one had plunged off the mountainside. The light he had carried wasn't of much help, but it was interesting to see the small halo fade into the darkness.
The next two party members met their ends from firing recklessly into the dark. One had shot their partner in the back, painting the snow red. I listened to the man swear and curse me before firing again.
If he was more observant, he might have known I was behind him.
Crunch.
I watched his body curl around the tree before sliding to the ground. I hunched in front of them to see the bit of blood pooling at the corner of their mouth before touching the puddle.
It was so warm compared to the snow as I brought it to my mouth.
Crunch.
That transpired nearly three hours ago.
"Damn, beast!" I watched the older man fired wildly into the trees. "Get out here and finish what you started!"
Crunch. Crunch.
Hurried, uneven footsteps.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9MjMGO0qW
Crunch.
He froze as something fell from the tree.
Buckshot filled the half-eaten leg before the gun turned up towards the tree.
Click. Click.
Fear filled his expression as I dropped down, scrubbing my arm across my mouth.
He looked so small now that I'm standing in front of him.
Click. 237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSb2CKC35GQ
He tried the trigger before I swatted the firearm away.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv6dGuEHHP
Crunch.. Crunch.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXoy5Tcx8H
He bolted as fast as he could while I followed leisurely, observing the reddened snow.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQf3CHrGGo
My stomach growled as I glanced at the fourth body up in the tree before focusing on the set of footsteps ahead of me.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJYC7kRJyX
I stopped once I got to the ridge before observing the red on my nails. 237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6SZqHdyTM
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1x9EhwKSN3
My attention then went to the man that was running before chasing him down.
He wasn't making it off this mountain.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWv6hQXqLa
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj2DzTggup
