The beast returns

It had been a long hibernation for the beast, its roar echoed across the woods as it stretched its arms and yawned. The creature had bushy red fur, pointed ears, ice blue eyes and wolf like snout. It stood on two legs , and had sharp claws, it snarled showing its sharp teeth. It had a bushy tail and muscular arms and legs.

It had been a long winter, and its stomach growled, as it felt hunger pangs in its stomach. Its mouth began to water it had been months sinse its last meal. The thought of sinking its teeth into human flesh excited it. The beast then shook its head it was not going to eat standing there, it was time to hunt.

It was starting to get dark as Jacob caught another fish, he was excited as he landed the fish. He then strung the fish with the others, he counted ten fish, enough to feed the family, they were going to feast tonight. He could not wait to show his wife Marla, she would be pleased. He then swung the fish and his snare net on his shoulders. Sweat beaded on his forehead it was a hot and sticky night.

It was a long walk back to the village, and he wanted to get back before it got to dark. His stomach began to rumble, it had been awhile since he caught such a feast of fish. He imagined what the smell of the cooked fished would be like, and the smiles on everyones faces. He quickened his pace for he was famished, then a loud roar echoed across the forest. He stopped, he was startled, "what was that?"

He looked around to see where that noise came from, fear seized him for a moment, that sound was familiar. It had been a few years since he heard that horrible sound, it had to be his imagination. Against his better judgement he decided to investigate the source of the sound. He carefully walked towards where he thought the sound originated from. He walked to a clearing and stopped in his tracks. Despite the oppressive heat Jacob felt a chill go down his spine, he could not believe his eyes.

The beast had returned, Jacob shivered at the sight of the beast. He needed to warn his family, he needed to warn the village. The beast was at least a half a click away, all he needed to do was to go back behind the trees. He then could quickly, and carefully walk back to the village, he turned to go and stepped on a twig, and it snapped. He looked at the beast, and their eyes met, the beast looked at him quizzically.

Then it snarled, and let out a roar, Jacob jumped then dropped the fish to the ground. He then ran, hoping the fish would satisfy the beast's hunger. Jacob cursed at himself for being so carless, as he ran through the forest. He ran as fast as his feet could carry him, he prayed the beast would not pursue him.

The beast looked in disbelief, it was about to hunt, and a human appeared in front of him, then it ran. The beast was happy, the hunt was on, but first it needed to see what the human left behind. It sniffed the fish, and gagged, swimming creatures, disgusting, it picked up the fish and tossed them. It roared in anger, the human was getting away. It sniffed the air and was happy to pick up the human's scent.

Jacob's heart was beating out of his chest, it pounded like a drum, as he heard the beast roar again. Fear gripped him like a vice, he could hear the beast getting closer, he cursed the fish did satisfy the beast. Fatigue was already setting in, hopelessness and despair started to take hold. Then it dawned on him, if he went to the village, the beast would be right behind him. He then changed direction, away from the village, he knew he could not save himself, but the village would be safe for the present. He prayed that somehow the village would find out and kill the beast.

The beast could sense that unmistakable emotion that fills human's hearts, fear, the beast was close to its prey. The fear was calling the beast, it embraced fear like a torrid lover wanting to mate. The human came into view it could hear the human's heart beat, faster and faster. The beast felt happy, it could almost dance to the beat, as it gleefully picked up its pace. It now was upon the human, it could kill the human now, but this was too much fun.

Tears ran down Jacob's face, he was never going to see his wife, and children again, he had so much more to say to them. A last I love you, a hug, a kiss, one more laugh, one more cry, he was overwhelmed. He gasped as the beast was upon him, he could feel the beast's putrid breath breathing down his neck. He then tumbled to the ground, as the beast let out another bloodthirsty roar. He tried to get back up, then he screamed in agony, as the beast slashed his back with its claws.

The beast's mouth began to water, as the smell of human blood permeated the air. Again the beast slashed its claws across the human's back, the human screamed again. The human rolled on his back, the look of horror on the human's face made the beast mouth water more. This was going to be fun, the beast loved playing with its food. The human screamed again, as the beast picked it up by the shoulders.

Jacob looked into the eyes of the beast, he could almost make out his reflection in the beast's eyes. He could almost see his look of fear in that reflection. Then he was no longer afraid, he started to shake, not in fear, but in anger. "Come on get it over with, you savage beast" he shouted, then he spit in the beast's face, The beast back peddled in surprise, it then growled and showed it's teeth. Jacob braced himself for the killing blow, as the beast opened its mouth wide, and reared its head.

Jacob closed his eyes, preparing himself for the agony of the beast teeth sinking into his neck. The beast roared again, wait a minute that was not a roar, but a howl. Before Jacob could open his eyes, he felt himself falling, and then he hit the ground. He then looked at the beast, as it tried in vain to pull an arrow out of its back.

Again it howled in pain again, as another arrow struck it in the shoulder, and another in its side. Then a multitude of villagers ran out from behind the trees, they shouted as they charged the beast. The beast tried to escape, as it hobbled, but it was too late for the beast. Another arrow struck the beast in the neck, the creature reached its throat with its claws. It spat up blood. and fell to the ground. A young boy with a sword ran to the beast, and cut its head off.

"Timothy" Jacob exclaimed as he ran to his son, and gave him a hug. he cried. He then looked at his family, friends, and villagers, they all jumped for joy, and celebrated the death of the beast. Jacob smiled as his wife Marla walked out of the crowd. She kissed him, then he frowned "I am sorry my love."

Marla looked at him confused, "what are you sorry about my love?" she asked. "I had a feast of fish, enough for all of us, now it is gone, and I have nothing for dinner." Marla laughed "you run for your life, and you are worried about dinner?" She then pointed at the beast, as they watched the villagers stringing up the beast. "You may not have brought us a feast of fish, however you brought a feast for the whole village." Jacob smiled and put his arm around Marla, "a feast for all" he said as they walked home.

THE END