Page 4 of Finding His Fox

In this fantasy, I had found some fancy office job and no longer needed to sew. I could simply hire someone to create adorable outfits for my cat.

Suddenly, a horrifying wail shattered my reverie, followed by a guttural and savage scream that echoed through the woods.

My heart raced as I froze in place. Was I imagining those sounds? But the dreadful noises persisted, growing in intensity and frequency.

Instinct urged me to retrace my steps, find Rory, and return to the campsite where my dad and uncle awaited our return.

I convinced myself that we would be safe there, although deep down, I knew it was a naive thought.

Whatever lurked out there would eventually find its way to us, turning us into prey.

A loud roar pierced the air and I broke into a sprint. Instead of heading toward my family, I found myself drawn to the origin of the agonizing screams.

I dashed past unfamiliar landmarks, the ancient oaks and ash trees surrounding me growing denser with every step.

The scent of damp wood filled my nostrils, a reminder that I shouldn't be venturing into this unexplored part of the Fox Haven woods.

Entering a clearing, I was startled by the sight of a grotesquely decaying tree. My gaze shifted to what hung from its branches.

At first, my mind refused to comprehend the sight before me. A body?

Could this be some twisted prank? This couldn’t be real. I probably stumbled into the set of a horror movie.

At least that was what I kept telling myself.

"Get away from Shawn!" a voice growled out, snapping me back to reality.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I foolishly followed the voice, my trembling fingers clutching the gun's trigger.

The sound of rushing water grew louder as I approached the riverbank. The scene etched itself forever in my memory.

Another lifeless body lay on the ground, barely recognizable beneath the pool of blood. Fear coursed through me.

It was just a boy. About my age, I guessed.

Standing over the lifeless form was another teenager.

He was battered and bruised, with handsome features that would stand out in any crowd—white-gold hair and narrow slitted blue eyes, perhaps flecked with amber.

Something snarled, and I realized the menacing sound didn't originate from the other boy.

A few meters away, an enormous creature loomed, covered in fur, sinewy muscles, six-inch claws, and menacing fangs.

The creature's proportions seemed grotesquely distorted, its limbs nearly dragging on the ground like those of an ape.

When it threw its head back, a gaping maw with two rows of razor-sharp fangs was revealed.

In terror, I screamed, capturing the attention of both the creature and the boy. The boy's eyes widened in alarm.

"Get away from here!" he screamed.

His warning came too late. The monster swiftly changed course, targeting me with a loping run. Trembling, I raised my gun and fired.

The bullet struck true, lodging itself in the creature's shoulder, but it pressed forward undeterred.

To my astonishment, the teenager lunged at the monster, launching himself into a desperate tackle.

I knew he couldn't hold the creature for long. In a terrifying display of power, the beast sent the boy flying through the air.