The Hunt

Sniff the air….she picks the scent. Moose. Would be a nice dinner. Run through the woods.…fresh snow under her paws. Stop at the meadow….the moon is full, the stars are shining brightly. She howls. The feeling of immense pride….and power. Overwhelming strength.…anticipation of raw flesh on her canines. The hunt will be great tonight.

Wait….new scent.…small figure. Human. Little human. Red hood.…holding a basket. No danger….a prelude to the hunt. Slowly approach.…the human does not move. Strange feeling….something is changing inside of her. The human raises its hand….small object. Food. Approach and lick. The human makes a gesture. Another strange feeling.…new experience.…unfamiliar. Lie down, start to crawl….no energy, no will.…powerless, all of a sudden. Panic attack! Turn around and run away….try harder….despair and terror. At the feet of the tiny human – defeated and broken.

The human starts walking….the path leads to the village. No choice but to follow. Stroll through the forest.…the buildings are visible now. Edge of the thickets….stop at the house. Enter inside. The little human says:

“Finally, we could be together. The spell worked. Now only the last step remains.”

Look at the human….get closer….open the maw. Little hand in between her jaws.

“Bite me now. My blood is your blood.…I need you to start the mutation in me.”

No will to resist…no strength to rip the hand off….bite gently.

“I want to be with you forever. The miracle is happening! I am changing. We will hunt together tonight, you and I. I love you, grandmother.”

Lo! Sniff a new scent.…sounds outside of the house. The tiny human disappears.

“The werewolf is inside! Great hunt, men! Be careful!”

The door is slammed open. Jump forward.…bare the teeth, growl, ready to attack. Four men at the doorsteps….guns point at her. Measure, focus, strike! A shadow of another she-wolf behind their backs….red scarf around her neck. Huntsmen turn and scream in panic….no escape….it’s a slaughter. The men are hacked to pieces by two werewolves.

The moon is full. The stars are shining brightly. Soul-chilling howls….wake the villagers up, trembling with fright.…Sniff the air, pick up the smell. Moose. Look at her kin.…her granddaughter. The feeling of immense pride….and love. They will hunt together tonight. They are the family.