Victim

The Chase

As a wolf, he howls on one side of the girl, then the other.

She runs. Of course she runs.

This is usually his favorite part, the wild and terrifying chase. But the girl is so much slower than his recent victims. More than once, she stops–actually stops in the middle of the chase–to catch her breath. As the night slips away, the monster worries she might be losing her fear of wolves.

Luckily, he has other tricks, other ways to keep her moving. He has to keep her moving.

Branches break. Feet scuffle in the underbrush. Children's voices cry out. Little by little, the monster herds the girl toward the cottage.

The cottage. It always ends there. If he could, the monster might choose another way. But the cottage is the center of the forest, and the forest is the center of the monster, and the girl's death will be meaningless if it doesn't happen here.

He feels a twinge of annoyance. The night is nearly spent. The possibilities narrowing to only one. The fun is almost over. The forest won't wait much longer.