21 January 2013
Unaware of what lurked in the darkness Avery set out with her husband's shotgun. She had never been on a hunt before, it was strictly forbidden. With her husband gone and the kids screaming for food Avery has no choice but to break that law. It was unwise for her to venture out at night. People have always been afraid of the vampires that breed in this land. They were a civilized clan that multiplied by breeding with humans. Unfortunately they still relied on human blood for food. They could be trusted not to massacre the whole town, but the fear was still in the people. Avery had also heard tales of werewolves lurking in the forest. It is said they look like humans until the full moon shines and then they turn into bloodthirsty hounds. They say if one bites you it will change you into a werewolf too. But Avery had to take her chances this night.
Avery stuck to the shadows as she made her way down the path. If any of the townspeople saw her hunting they would stone her for sure. She really wasn't sure how this was supposed to go. Her husband had preferred to leave out the gory details when he spoke of his hunts.
Avery ducked into the forest as a carriage past her by. She would have to travel amongst the trees if she was to stay out of sight. There was a rustling a few feet into the wood. Avery's heart jumped into her throat. She feared the noise came from a creature hungry for her blood. Hiding behind a tree she stood, listening for more sounds. She could hear footprints coming closer to her. Avery held her finger on the shotgun's trigger and stepped out from behind the tree.
"Don't shoot!" a frightened girl held up her hands. Her red hair was matted and her clothes were torn and dirty. She appeared to be running from something.
"It's okay, it's okay. " Avery assured the girl as she lowered her gun. "Why are you out here alone?"
The girl just starred at the ground She looked to be about 16 or 17. Girls were rarely seen without chaperones until they turned 25. The consequences could be fatal to their reputation.
"Is everything all right?" Avery questioned the girl.
"They....they killed them. All of them" the girl cried.
"Who? Who was killed?"
"My family. All of them. My mama, daddy, and my baby brother. He was only 3 and they killed him!"
"Who? Who killed them?"
"Wolves. But they were not like most wolves. These were bigger and scarier. They devoured my parents within a matter of minutes. I barely got away."
This sounded like the werewolves Avery had been hearing about. "Do you have any relatives in town?"
"No. It's just been me and my folks since Memaw and Papaw dies last year"
"Come to my house then. It's just down the path. Wolves won't eat you there." Avery insisted.
"Okay, um" the girl hesitated, looking at the shotgun that now hung from Avery's shoulder.
Avery anticipated the question to follow "My husband was murdered last week and my children are hungry so I had to come out here to hunt for their dinner."
"But isn't that illegal?"
"Look you are free to tattle on me to the authorities. It's about 12 miles down the path or 6 if you cut through the woods. That is if your werewolves don't find you first. "
"No, no. I don't want to tell on you. No. I am much too thankful for your help. "
Avery shrugged. "Let's get moving then."
They traveled back through the woods the way Avery had come. Just before they reached the path the girl shrieked in fear and dove to get behind Avery.
Avery had heard the noise too and aimed the gun toward the bushes on her left. She could see the leaves moving gently. It could be anything behind that bush and Avery was prepared to shoot it.
The girl screeched as the night terror hopped out from behind the bushes. The next sound was the boom from Avery's shotgun. The girl sat, curled up, sobbing from terror.
Avery looked at the girl and shook her head. She walked to the bushes, picked up her kill, and brought it to the girl. "Look here. Stop crying and look at me."
The girl looked up. Avery stood above her holding a white rabbit. The girl stood and brushed herself off. "I'm sorry, I acted a fool."
"It's understandable after what you've been through." Avery turned and headed onto the path to her house.
"Wasn't that lucky? Dinner just ran right up to you." the girl laughed nervously as she followed behind.
Avery just chuckled. The two traveled in silence the rest of the way to Avery's cabin.
Upon arriving, Avery ushered the girl into the house. "The children will be coming in soon and they will hungry. You just sit there." she pointed to the chair at the table. Avery then began to prepare the rabbit.
She skinned it and boiled the meat, listening to the idle talk that poured out of the girl's mouth. Avery added some vegetables she grew in her garden. They aroma was intoxicating. It had been months since Avery had rabbit stew.
Just about the time the stew was done cooking Avery's children walked in.
"Hiya Mommy!" her seven year old son hugged her.
"How did it go?" Avery's thirteen year old daughter questioned her.
"I brought dinner!" Avery smiled, carrying the rabbit stew to the table where the girl sat.
"Mommy I'm hungry. Can we eat now?" her son looked at her with big eyes. He looked so much like his father.
"Go ahead you two. Fill up." Avery smiled and sat at the table in front of the stew.
The girl sat and waited politely for her share. The two children came up to either side if her. She looked at each of them and then at Avery. She looked back at the children beside her. Their mouths were open, exposing large fangs. The girl opened her mouth to scream but it was too late. Their teeth were deep in her flesh, her blood flowing into their mouths.
Avery sat at the table, eating her rabbit stew as her children devoured the girl. This was the part of their life her husband took care of. Avery knew this was now a part of her life. Though she figured she had no right to complain After all she was the one who fell in love with a vampire.
Late Night Hunt • Opuss № I