Why is this vicious predator terrorizing the village? Who is Therry, and why does he live deep inside the forest, away from mankind? But mostly, why can’t Kendryck get him out of his mind? As the hunt progresses, so does his fascination with the most intriguing young man the hunter has ever met, until things don’t add up, and Therry’s dark secrets will have to be revealed…eventually.
Synopsis
Kendryck's hunt of the vicious predator that is terrorizing the village brings him deep inside the forest where he meets Therry, an odd man who has chosen to live away from humans. As the hunt progresses, their friendship grows, soon turning into something more. But there are truths that Therry can reveal about Kendryck himself, which the hunter is not prepared to accept. But time is running out, so Kendryck will have to find the courage to face his deepest fears and confront the true beast.
Excerpt
“Are you sure they were chewed?” Kendryck’s forehead creased. The images from his dream crashed on him. Knife—yes, there was a lot of that flashing last night. Blood—yep, sure thing, there was a lot of that, too, seeping and spurting all over the place. Therry—unfortunately so there, the hunter hadn’t been able to get him out of his mind since. But teeth? He couldn’t remember a single tooth working its way on the woman’s battered flesh. “I mean…” He cleared his throat before continuing. “Are we sure it wasn’t man’s work instead of an animal’s?”
“Kendryck, however inexperienced, we know the difference between a man’s and an animal killing.” Clearly, the Chief was losing his patience. “The panther assaulted her. There’s no doubt. Now get out there and find this beast. I can’t take this pressure anymore.”
“Damn!” Skivet hit the trunk of a tree as he headed toward the forest with the rest of the team. “I really thought the fucker had finally left us in peace.”
“Fat chance.” Gary growled. “But we gotta catch it this time before it takes us all down one by one, like Kendryck said.” He sent a glance full of admiration to him, the only hunter of the group, the only killer of the group, too.
“I doubt any of us are going to rest until we have.” The oldest man on the team gritted his teeth. “I know I won’t.”
“And neither will I,” Skivet joined him. “This damn panther has done enough damage as it is.”
What if it isn’t an animal at all? What if mine wasn’t a dream at all? Whatever the case, Kendryck couldn’t honestly blame the predator for the latest bloody death. And why the fuck had Therry been there?
“I hope our efforts are going to pay off.” From Bryce’s disillusioned tone, it was obvious he felt anything except optimistic.
“They will if we do things right.” Kendryck hurried his pace. “If you say so.” Bryce accelerated to keep up. “From what the Chief said, she should be just up ahead.”
The rest of the distance was breached in silence until they came upon a secluded clearing and the ripped flesh in the middle of it. And the curses muttered under everyone’s breaths made a chorus impossible to ignore.
“Well, to answer your previous question, Kendryck, at least we know for sure it’s our predator.” Skivet’s lips curved in a downward angle. “No man could’ve done…this to her.”
“And it’s also the same woman you were staring at in the street,” Bryce confirmed.
Not that the hunter needed it. He had recognized her straight up, in spite the mess and blood marring her features. Down on his heels, he examined what was left. Like Derrynt, pieces of Lonette’s flesh had been torn, chewed and the remains scattered around. Like Derrynt, the pool of blood under the body was impressive for the sheer amount of liquid. Like Derrynt, Lonette had bled out before being eaten. Which left him off the hook, ‘cause for sure he had nothing to do with Derrynt’s death. Or did he? “We better split up and see if we find any tracks, any traces of this son of a bitch.” Straightening, he gestured for them to leave. He couldn’t wait to be alone. And once he was, he sprung off in a northerly direction, almost running in his haste to get to the only place where he might find some answers.
With a thumping in his heart and a roar in his ears, he sped blindly, his feet evidently knowing where they were going on their own. Like a madman, he flew around trees, jumped over branches and wrestled bushes. His lungs burst from lack of air. His muscles burned from the effort. He almost couldn’t take it one step further until—at last—he arrived at his destination.
The hut seemingly abandoned didn’t fool Kendryck for a moment. Shoving his way through the front door, he broke inside where Therry sat on the leather skins, as though waiting for him.
“What have you done to me?” Kendryck shouted, advancing toward him.
Happy Halloween. A volume of Horrible Haunts & Twisted Tales taken from the horror books La Belle Rouge has written every October for a decade and a half. If you have read her works in the horror genre, you know the invitation is for you to enjoy thr
Happy Halloween. A volume of Horrible Haunts & Twisted Tales taken from the horror books La Belle Rouge has written every October for a decade and a half. If you have read her works in the horror genre, you know the invitation is for you to enjoy thr
