#NoNovelNovember Day 26 - "Native"
He found her in the forest, collapsed at the end of a long trail of steaming crimson snow. A wolf attack, she told him, huddled later by his fire.
It earned her a sympathetic nod. Predators grew dangerous when prey grew scarce.
1/6
He found her in the forest, collapsed at the end of a long trail of steaming crimson snow. A wolf attack, she told him, huddled later by his fire.
It earned her a sympathetic nod. Predators grew dangerous when prey grew scarce.
1/6
His food was ash in her mouth. Thin soup only left her hungrier. But she didn't complain.
He sat beside her while they ate.
"You're lucky I found you," he said. "You know the wendigo stalks these trees, always looking for its next meal."
2/6
He sat beside her while they ate.
"You're lucky I found you," he said. "You know the wendigo stalks these trees, always looking for its next meal."
2/6
"The wendigo?" she asked.
He smiled and nodded. "An old tale my village used to scare us with as kids."
He told her a story of two brothers, lost and starved in the snow. How desperation drove one to kill the other and eat him, and in doing so invoked the spirit of greed.
3/6
He smiled and nodded. "An old tale my village used to scare us with as kids."
He told her a story of two brothers, lost and starved in the snow. How desperation drove one to kill the other and eat him, and in doing so invoked the spirit of greed.
3/6
She stared at the tent canvas above her that night, restless and still hungry. He promised to take her to safety in the morning.
Fitful dreams brought to life the wendigo's tale. A ghoulish monster, devouring all that moved, slave to unending starvation.
4/6
Fitful dreams brought to life the wendigo's tale. A ghoulish monster, devouring all that moved, slave to unending starvation.
4/6
Breakfast left her emptier than ever, but she thanked him for the meal. They set off together, backtracking through the forest.
When they found the frozen body, he stopped and lowered his hat in respect. No wonder she'd gotten away.
5/6
When they found the frozen body, he stopped and lowered his hat in respect. No wonder she'd gotten away.
5/6
Something looked odd about the remains. He knelt down for a closer look. The hunter knew what a wolf attack did to a carcass. But these teeth marks weren't the right shape.
Behind him, with wet eyes and watering mouth, she raised a knife in her shaking hand.
6/6
Behind him, with wet eyes and watering mouth, she raised a knife in her shaking hand.
6/6
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