Hunter Whiteman - December 13, 2024
2024 Spooktober Contest - 1st Place
Artwork: Elle Doran
THUNK. THUNK. THUNK. The last tree fell to the wayside. I wipe the sweat from my brow with my freehand. Almost done, I thought to myself as I approached the skinny tree. All that was left was to chop the thing into sizable logs, and I was home before sundown. The sky seemed to disagree with my hopes as it quickly faded to a deep orange. The sun crested over the edge of the earth, slowly sinking deeper and deeper out of view. I didn't have as much time as I thought. I took to my logging, hurrying in hopes of avoiding nightfall. THUNK. THUNK. THUNK. the axe keeps its rhythm steady, sweat stains the pits of my work shirt, my knees are growing weak. I wish I hadn't left my overcoat in my truck, the wind is feeling increasingly colder with the sun falling into slumber. THUNK. THUNK. THUNK. My focus returns to the log. I have to get it done. Winter’s just around the corner, and I haven't been too mindful of my firewood. “Please, just break.” I plead in between breathless pants. But, the tree doesn't give in. Wood splints off with each savage strike of my tool, nevertheless, the tree holds strong. My nerves are taking root. I pick up the pace. THUNK. THUNK. THUNK. THUNK. THUNK.
SNAP. A twig broke from behind me. My swing screeched to a halt, frozen mid-air. My skin ran cold, hairs stood on end. Freezing wind pierced my shirt, a pungent odour followed close behind. Slowly, the axe came down from its rage, and I spun around, frantically looking for the source of the noise, but all I saw were leafless trees standing idly in the fading evening light. My unlit lantern sat on a log. SNAP. Another stick sounded off. Still behind me, but closer. Panic overtook me. I wish I hadn't left my shotgun in my truck with my coat. I’d feel a lot safer.
I spun around again and saw nothing. This tree wasn't worth it any longer. Something is here, watching me fruitlessly hack at this enduring long closely. I could feel its intense gaze run down my back like a cold bead of sweat. Slowly, I began to back up away from the tree. My eyes swept the horizon over and over again, hoping, praying to catch whatever stupid creature had carelessly been wandering. SNAP. Another twig from close behind.
I raised my axe, and quickly turned and swung. Striking only air. “Jesus Christ,” I muttered. I mindlessly took a step forward and almost kicked my lantern over. Irritated by my panic, I picked it up and began making my way back to the truck. Even though I wanted that tree, it was almost dark now, and it wasn't worth contending with whatever was skulking around in the underbrush.
The crunch of leaves under my boot was somewhat soothing to my tired mind. As I made my way through the silent woods to my truck. I only hazily remember where I had parked, but I knew it wasn't far, and I knew it wouldn't take me long. I glanced at my watch, it read 8:15. The evening was coming to a close soon, and soon it would be night. It was just bright enough to see without needing my lantern. As I wandered, I caught a slight shimmer on the leaves. Strange, I thought. It had not rained recently, and there was no way it was dew from the morning. I wandered over, and stopped dead. It looked like a struggle between animals, the ground was covered in marks. Dirt was swept and pushed. Blood was splattered on the trees. I picked up a leaf. Tiny beads of red sat on its crisp surface, sparkling under the evening sun.
SNAP.
Had the thing followed me? Had I spooked myself into believing that? I turned around slowly, fear welling in my gut and saw a tiny thing standing a few metres from me. It was a young deer, as I had expected. It stood on long, thin, shaky legs, its light brown fur was ruffled and rife with dirt and stains. Its beady eyes looked right through me, and its ears weren't perked up, as if it wasn't afraid of me, and its antlers were longer than they were supposed to be. It turned its head quizzically, studying me. Slowly, I backed away. Putting my hands up, to show I meant no harm. It just watched me with its unblinking black eyes. I turned, and ran away. That deer was following me, but why? Had it confused me for its parents? No, that's not possible. It's a deer for God's sake, it should be afraid of me. The smell in the air hadn't faded either. It stunk of something rotten that I couldn't quite place my finger on. What's with it? The woods, even at night, never had a smell to them besides that of dew or a mix of animals.
Beep! My watch went off, interrupting my thoughts. I pushed my sleeve back, and read 9:02. The dark had begun to set in, and I was nowhere near my truck. I picked up the pace; I had no more time to play games with this lost little doe.
The dark was almost suffocating. I could only see as far as my lantern would shine: only a few feet in front of me. The grip on my axe tightened as my nerves once again took root in my head. Damn my slow ass, for now I was aimlessly wandering in the dark. The creatures of the night began to chitter under the cover of darkness, whispering secrets to each other, looking for something of a night meal. I hadn't heard anything but the crunch of leaves and the whistle of the wind which had returned to its usual autumn smells. I just couldn't shake the feeling of dread that sat just beyond the reach of my lantern. My heart jumped with each step, the edge of my light slowly revealed more of the unknown ahead me. The trees I once could trust, were now hostile and alien to me. Their peeling bark revealed the white skin underneath, telling me I was too late to gather more wood. This would be my last trip to the woods, and for good reason.
A howl echoed through the blackened woods. It sounded faint. Still, it caused my hairs to stand, and my pace to quicken.
A few moments later, I heard it again. Closer this time. It sounded off: uncanny, even. I tried my best to ignore the ever creeping feeling of fear and focused ahead of me. Finally, a bit of good luck graced me. A carving of an arrow in a tree, meaning I wasn't far from my truck. A wave of relief washed over me and quickly left as the rotten wind met my nostrils. The howl went off again. Even closer this time.
SNAP.
The crunch of leaves under my shoes were copied by the thing pursuing me.
I couldn’t see where it was behind me as it managed to follow just behind the reach of my light. However, I didn't need to see it. I knew what it was. My fear was overwhelming; it blinded me from doing anything else from running, so I didn't see the exposed root. I tripped, and was sent falling hard into the dirt. My lantern clattered to the ground, but didnt break. My axe remained in my hand, clenched tightly to my chest. I didn't take my thought to my pain, as I quickly scrambled to my feet, and swiped my lantern from the dirt, and threw it to the sky as I spun around to face the deer. It stood about five feet from me, its breath bounced softly off my chest. The same rotten smell from the wind emanated from its body, only stronger. I had to cover my mouth to prevent me from vomiting. It walked closer to me, not bound, but like a human on all fours. SNAP. A thin bone in its leg broke. A hole punched through its knee; blood oozed from the wound, but it didn't seem to care. I gripped my axe tightly in both hands and raised it in front of me. “HEY!” I shouted “YOU STAY BACK.” It continued, unfazed.
“HEY! I'M WARNING YOU!” I rotated my axe, ready to swing. The doe did not stop.
I swung my axe hard into its side, and it let out that unnatural howl. It was a hoarse and high pitched screech that tore at my ears. It staggered back, pulling hard against my weight and knocking the axe out of my hand. I stumbled forward and caught myself before I fell. The doe crumbled back on its hind legs. Its blood almost looked black under the hue of the night. I stood over my newfound game, panting and sweating. I waited a moment, before trying to pry my axe out of its side. The body began to contort and convulse.
CRACK. The thing arose with its bones snapping as it lurched itself back on its hind legs, and attempted to stand. I noticed a large slit in its stomach, from which a long white hand shot out and tore away the skin. I stood frozen, horrified; my body screaming at me to run. It let out that inhuman screech again. Bits of skin and flesh were flung about as the creature broke free from its skin suit. The torso of the deer burst open; my axe was flung into the darkness. Its albino skin shimmered along with blood in the night. Its hands were like claws: long, spike-like fingers covered in the blood of its poor victim. Its ribs were pressed against its stomach. It placed its hellish hands into the jaws of the deer and disembowell its host’s head in seconds, revealing its mouth of sharp, needle-like teeth. They were enough for my fear to finally be overtaken by adrenaline. I turned and sprinted into the dark, leaving my lantern and the beast screeching to the moon behind.
I couldn't see anything in the dark, and I constantly found myself tripping over trees and stepping on sticks. But I didn't care; I just had to reach my truck, no matter what. Forget the axe, forget the lantern, forget this. The chant ran in my head over and over again as if I needed to justify what I was doing. I couldn’t hear if the thing was following me over the pounding of my heart. I didn't care if it was; I would be gone before it would reach me. Slowly, my eyes adjusted to the dark, and moonlight slowly began to blanket over the woods. Finally I saw it: my red truck, sitting just outside the reach of the woods, shining under the hue of the moon. A wave of hope washed through me, but I couldn't slow down now. I had to get out of here.
From behind me, I could hear the rapid crunching of leaves, and a familiar noise.
SNAP.
I sprinted to the truck as the thing grew ever closer; I didn't dare glance behind me. Quickly, I fished my keys from my pocket, jammed them in the door, and flung it open. I dove into the back seat, and grasped for my Remington that sat on the floor. It sat just beyond my reach. My eyes caught a glimpse of the rampaging thing. The head of the doe bobbed up and down as it raged to my truck. Its bulbous red eyes filled with bloodlust. My fumbling for the shotgun hastened until I finally found the stock and hoisted it up and into my hands, its barrel pointed to the door. I didn't even have to look down at the sight before the creature lunged at the door. BANG! The gun discharged and kicked into my ribs. SCREEE! The creature recoiled back like a dog, falling on its side. I didn't waste any time popping out from the car and putting more shots into the creature.
BANG, CLACK. BANG, CLACK. It winced and cried with each blow it took. Its pure white flesh flew off in pieces as I continued to loosely hammer in its stomach. A shot when astray and struck its knee. SNAP! A thin bone was protruding from where the buckshot had pierced.
CLICK. After about seven rounds of buckshot, the magazine ran dry. I stood over the creature, panting and sweating. Everything was still for a moment. The corpse smell in the air began to dissipate. I started to make my way back to my truck, with a false sense of hope.
A terrible cry arose from deep within the thing’s throat, and a sickening noise of convulsing flesh started from the corpse. I turned to see it spasming wildly, throwing its lengthy limbs about as it struggled to return to its feet. The scent of sulphur leaked from its mouth so strongly I could have cut right through it. It reached a gnarled hand towards me, swiping at air and snarling while dragging itself with its other arm. This time, however, I wasn't petrified by fear. I clutched my empty shotgun in one hand and hurried to the driver's seat of my car, fumbling about with my keys. Behind me, I could hear the thing stumbling about in the dirt as it tried to stand on its injured leg.
SCREEEE! THUMP!
Suddenly a sharp pain shot up my side, and I winced and tumbled to the ground. The creature had lunged itself on one leg and rammed its head into the side of my car. The doe’s head it wore split open with a sickening squelch; blood and brain and bits of skull cap were splattered on a newly formed dent on the rim of my truck. It whimpered in pain, clutching its head with its claws. I tried to crawl away while it was stunned, but every moment my hips sent waves of agony up my body. I pressed the wound as hard as I could with my free hand, I could feel the blood rush through the gaps in my fingers and spill to the ground. I closed my eyes tightly and let out a grunt.As I shot up on my feet, immense pain exploded in my thigh, but I didn't care. I felt around for the door handle to the back seat, and when I found it, I opened my eyes and threw it open. Just before I could dive inside however, the thing let out another cry, and tackled me to the ground. Its teeth sunk deep into my hip; its hands wrapped around my waist, scratching at my back, leaving ravines of red in their wake.
We hit the ground hard with a THUMP kicking up loose dirt and dust. The creature’s claws pressed deep into my back. My shotgun, still tightly clutched in my right hand, hugged itself tightly to my side. I thrashed wildly in its grasp. It savagely ripped its jaws from my hip and raised its head to the moon; the fetid blood of the doe ran down its pale head; its red eyes locked their gaze
SCREEEE! It let out its howl once more before diving its head swiftly at my neck. Just in the nick of time, my hand managed to free itself from the beast and bashed the stock of my gun into its neck, which broke with a satisfying CRACK. It went limp before me, collapsing plainly with its putrid breath being replaced by the rasp of death. I shoved its lifeless body to the dirt and limped my way to my car, triumphant and spilling with blood. It was only when I reached the door that I realised my keys were missing. Frantically, I dropped to my knees and felt along the ground with my free hand. I was already running out of time. I could hear the sickly noise of the thing jolting back to life. Blindly, I shoved a hand under my truck and jabbed my finger with the ridged side of the keys almost immediately. I grabbed them, jammed them into the door, jumped into the driver's seat, switched on the ignition, and shifted the car to drive. The truck came to life with a dull hum.
SCREEE! I heard the beasts cry, a hand shot up to the sky in the reflection of my rear-view mirror. My hands hesitated, finally broken from the autopilot of adrenaline and fear. I shifted the car to reverse, and I stepped on the gas. The truck roared and screeched with speed. The beast had managed to prop itself up, only for the bed of my truck to crash into its feeble body. CRACK. SNAP. SCREEE!
I shifted the car into drive.
SCREEEEEEEEEE!
I sped off into the plains ahead. A glance of my rear-view displayed a flat mess of white and black tufts of deer fur caught up in the last gust of the wind. I would have smiled, but my head was getting lighter and lighter by the minute.
I nearly passed out on the drive home, yet by some miracle, I had managed to make it to my one-story log cabin miles away from the woods. I hurried from my car, and up the gravel path. My whole body dully ached and wheezed with each step. I could hardly hear the crunch of stone under my feet over the pounding of my head. My heart beat hard in my ears.
SNAP.
I stopped. Despite the pain, despite the pounding, despite the fear, I stopped. Tears began to form in my eyes. My upper lip twitched as incomprehensible sounds escaped from within my throat. My nose quivered in anticipation, letting out a silent prayer to whatever part of my brain was still unfazed that the smell of rotten death didn't follow. Slowly, I turned around.
There was nothing.
I backed up, and felt something roll out from under my foot. Even in the dark hue of the moon, I could make out a thin twig, broken into many different pieces from where I had stepped on it.
A nervous laugh forced its way out. It didn't leave me alone until after I had applied gauze and bandaged my bleeding wounds and tucked myself into bed with a fully loaded shotgun resting within reach. Moonlight and chilly wind leaked through the blinds of a window that sat beside my bed. I couldn't sleep for a long while that night, and I spent most of it staring up at the ceiling, twitching nervously under heavy blankets. My eyes constantly bounced around the tiny bedroom, combating the mirage of sleep that nipped at the edges of my mind. BEEP! My watch sounded, signalling another hour had passed.
BEEP. It went off again, another hour gone.
BEEP. One last time, before sleep finally consumed me.
I awoke swiftly after a moment of rest. My watch had not gone off again, or at least I thought it hadn’t. I sat up straight in bed, dazed and confused. A tiny noise echoed from the path just beyond my home. My gaze shot to the window.
Just beyond the horizon, a pair of tiny, black eyes shimmered in the moonlight.
I fell back into my bed. There was another, faint noise from the woods
Tears softly snaked down my cheek,
Then another, closer.
I clutched the shotgun tightly to my chest.
Then another, even closer.
“Please, oh God, please.”
The stench of sulphur crept through the window.
I placed a hand over my mouth.
Snap.
The head of a doe appeared in the window, the bottom of its jaw just out of view. Its fur was matted; blots of dark dotted themselves about; a large streak of black ran down its snout; its crown, which had been smashed open, housed what was left of its brain that glistened in the moonlight. Its tiny eyes were empty and lifeless, but I could hear quiet rasps of death flow in and out of that which wore its skin.
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