Chapter 1: The Hunter

***Julian

My eyes blinked back blinding white – pitch white grounds, grayish-white skies, frigid white mountain peaks. Only thin slivers of green hue slid through the fractured snow swept evergreens.

Fresh powder wadded just above my knees as I moved in slow strides, bracing myself against the broken bough. From this distance, I could stalk for hours and wait out the wildlife. Wait on my next kill.

Four daggers strapped to my sides, two on each hip for easy access… any close encounters. But my preference was the bow. Quick. Quiet. Allowing me the distance I needed. And I always took the kill shot. Less suffering. I only killed what I needed to survive. To get me through the harsh winter, dragging anywhere from six to eight months in these mountains. This was no sporting feet.

I had some dried deer meat back at the cabin. But it would only last through the end of the week. What I needed was a healthy buck. I could cook some of the meat now, store half in the freezer, and dry the rest. The hide would work well to add another layer.

Years ago, I learned my lesson. I left a carcass hanging in the shed overnight. By morning, predators had torn the place to shreds. Only scraps and sinew remained.

I leaned against the massive log, one thin gloved hand grazing against the riser. The air was thinner up here with the mountain’s high altitude. I swallowed down the bitter, icy chill. Hat, hood, and goggles covered my head but still the December wind cut close onto my face. The chill tore like miniature talons, raking across my freezing skin. My fingers and limbs felt stiff from sitting, hiding for what felt like forever.

So far, no big game. A bright red cardinal tipped its head curiously on a delicate branch. It motioned and darted, taking in its surroundings, unfazed at my existence in its backyard. It looked like a painting, set amongst a whitewashed backsplash, as it flared its ruby mane and darkened face. The bird flitted away, elegantly across the fading sun.

An hour later, a rabbit dared to peer its head from a trough, camouflaged well within the landscape. I gripped my bow, stealthily drawing back my arrow in careful motions. My mind was at odds with my body. I had him in my sight and could easily take this meager meal and at least come home with something or I could wait out a larger prize.

I loosened my grip, deciding on the latter.

I watched as the oblivious creature looked to its left then its right. With a burst of speed, it hopped to the other side of the forest.

There will be others, I told myself. And a sigh fell deep in my chest. I only had another hour or two of sunlight, as its rays fell lower onto the snow ravaged opening. If I didn’t find something soon, the next rabbit may not make it across the clearing. Worst case, I could set some traps in the morning. Now the thoughts of a warm rabbit stew sent rumbling down into my stomach.

Then through the distance, sounds of trampled ground reached me. Crushed snow rang across the clearing. Branches rustled from afar. I grabbed the bow, nocking my arrow in place. I closed my left eye and leveled the right into position. My hands swung the bow towards the movement, but I still hadn’t seen what caused the so-called motion.

I scanned the area; the earth stilled. Whatever was out there must have sensed me. I hadn’t realized I wasn’t breathing. My chest beat erratically but the air only hung above me, untouched.

Suddenly, two large predatorial eyes jumped through the snow towards me. Mane was sleek silver, snow dusting its shimmering tendrils. My arrow angled towards the mongrel. Burning eyes glowed, staring back at me with a sneer. My hands trembled. Sweat broke on my forehead. I had heard of these special wolves. Bigger, faster, more ferocious than the average beast. Never had I come in direct contact, but I knew… it was more than I had bargained. Out here… alone.

Now or never. I couldn’t hesitate or I would be its next meal.

My elbow extended but just as I released, the wolf’s glowing rims dimmed to a soft pastel. My head tilted, confused. I reacted badly and instead of the kill shot I had intended, the arrow veered to the right. A yelp shot into the sky, as the strange beast dropped to the ground. I hit it but knew it wasn’t dead, which meant it could still be dangerous.

Cautiously, I moved towards the area where it landed, legs trudging through the snowy bank.

No wolf. My hands flew through the snow, but I felt no mane, no body or torso stalking low in wait. Had it run off? Found cover?

Blood.

I followed the spotted trail, siding near the edge of the forest opening. Under a canopy of trees, the reddish-brown spots curved, falling behind snow-laden shrubs and fragments of broken branches that trailed over the frozen ground.

There lay a naked body. Not a wolf, but a woman, lying on her side. My eyes bulged. Her thin body appeared frail, malnourished. I could count each nob of her spine, spiking through the skin... pale skin except for a littering of blacks and blues. Bruises, some fresh and some fading, covered the area around her ribs and back. Scars lashed along her arms and legs. Wide reddened markings wrapped ringlets around her slender wrists, her feeble ankles.

But the arrow… my arrow went all the way through, entering from her left shoulder and out the back.

“What that…” My voice shuddered.

Guilt spread over my face. I pulled off my jacket and wrapped it around her slim frame. She no longer seemed conscious as I took her into my arms and tried to tuck her knees closely into my chest, bracing her from the bitter cold that sat like a dense fog around us.

As as quickly as my legs would allow, I plowed through the snow, her tiny frame pressed tight against me.