Ultimus Chapter 9: The Hunted Part One

Andrew ran through the forest, they had been going down the path for what seemed to be hours. The dark, lush conifer forest was beautiful, but you can get lost easily inside. Which is why he stayed on the path. Whether it was longer to continue on the path, it was the safest route to take. He continued down the path for a little bit longer. His thoughts began to wander though. His stomach growled and his legs began to shake. Andrew forgot to eat anything since he woke up yesterday. But even if he did, he wasn’t sure if anything back in the house was edible, even MREs would be completely inedible at this point. He would have to hunt something down. But he didn’t want to leave the path. Luckily for him, it seemed he wouldn’t have to.

Off the path to Andrew’s left was group of what looked like deer or elk with moose like antlers. They were only about 25 or so feet off the path. The deer’s were looking at him straight on before lowering their heads to graze. Andrew saw them and was in awe. He thought that they must have never seen a human before so they had no son to fear him. They were majestic in the evening sunlight. But beauty had to take a step behind hunger.

Andrew grabbed the sling of his rifle from his right shoulder and put the weapon’s stock to his shoulder. He began trying to aim the weapon at one of the deer with the antlers. He was sure which eye to use so he used the right one. He adjusted his aim for a moment until he felt it was a good place to hit. He aimed for the shoulders of the animal and pulled the trigger slowly. The gun fired and knocked Andrew down to the ground from the surprise of the kick. He looked and saw that on the deer jumped and began running away, soon all the deer ran away with the one he hit. Andrew quickly got up, put the rifle on his shoulder and began to follow them off the path.

Andrew following adventure soon stopped as he watch a creature jump out from one of the trees and tackle the deer he shot. It quickly immobilized it and killed it. Andrew was struck with fear by the animal. It was as large as a bear and looked like a tiger mixed with a bear. It got up and began tearing the deer open and eating it. Andrew took a step back and heard a loud snap. Andrew looked down and saw that he had stepped on large, old branch that cracked under his weight. Andrew looked back and saw the creature lowered and prowling its way towards him. Andrew looked quickly over at Reuben and swung the rifle off his shoulder again.

“Reuben, Go!!!” Andrew commanded, and Reuben quickly ran away behind him somewhere. Andrew put the rifle to his shoulder again, aimed and fired it. It his the creature and it staggered for a moment before charging at him. Andrew aimed again and fired a second and third shot at the creature. But it didn’t stop and continued to charge him at full speed. The beast reach Andrew and swiped him in the chest with its arm and claws. Andrew flew from the force of the hit and slammed into a tree.