The Lycan

Chapter 1

Katie closed her book and set it down on the table next to her. She got up from the couch and got a glass, filling it with water from the tap and drinking it swiftly. On the kitchen table, she grabbed her pencil and sketchbook, and opened the door to the outside.

Katie had just recently moved into the rustic, but also modern cabin by the small town of Brookeside. It wasn't a long way from the two locations, so it granted her easy access if she needed groceries, supplies, or other basic necessities. She enjoyed living in such a quiet, friendly area.

Katie shut the door behind her, and ventured into the massive forest by the cabin, following the dirt path. As she walked, the serene sounds of birdsong and streams were gentle and pleasing to the ears, while the golden morning rays leaked through the trees.

Opening up her sketchbook, Katie sat down under a tree in the undergrowth, and began sketching her surroundings. She always enjoyed being out in nature, as she used to camp out in the woods with her family every summer and autumn when she was a little girl. City life in New York had tired her out, and she chose this little town in Maine to escape to a new start. For the first time in years, Katie felt content.

As she glanced between her sketchbook and the bushes and twigs around her, she could make out something dark behind the bush across from her, away from the main path. Upon closer inspection, it seemed to be a hand.

Curious, Katie stood up, leaning her sketchbook against the tree, and stepped away from the path and into the undergrowth. There, she could get a clear look.

It was a man. Or was it a man? It looked human, but very off. Nothing like a human Katie had ever seen. He was laying on his side, unconscious. He seemed to be very well built, tall and muscular. But that's where the human resemblance stopped. The creature's skin was a dark charcoal black. His ears were pointed, and on his fingertips were small black claws. His hair was a dark blusish-black color, which was long and unkempt, leaves and twigs scattered about. His whole body was covered in dirt, scratches and small cuts, as well as a few scars here and there, and he wore nothing but a tattered pair of makeshift shorts.

Katie didn't know what to say. She was surprised to say the least. No, was surprised the right word? Maybe shocked? Astonished? When she thought about it, she guessed there weren't any words at all. But still, her curiosity got the best of her, and gently, she put her hand on the man's shoulder.

"Hey, sir," she whispered. "Uh, are you okay?"

The man-like creature groaned softly, as if he were in pain, and curled up as she nudged him, his eyes shut tight.

Katie pulled her hand back in concern. "Oh god, uh, okay!" She exclaimed quickly. She stood up and grabbed her cellphone out of her pocket. "Aw, no service," she said under her breath as she prepared to walk away to the main path to find a signal.

She stopped dead in her tracks however, and she forgot how to breath.

In front of her loomed a large grizzly bear, staring into her eyes. It sniffed at her and growled lowly. Katie stood completely still, until she slowly took a step back. The bear's lip curled in a snarl, and it roared, startling the woman and causing her to fall back. The grizzly reared up, and raised a massive paw.

Katie screwed her eyes shut, shielding herself with her arms. But the blow never made contact. In fact, it sounded like the claws raked against something else. Katie opened her eyes to the scene before her.

Between her and the bear stood the wild man, who was clutching his right shoulder as blood trickled down his arm, forming a small crimson puddle in the dirt. The human-like creature stood his ground, glaring at the beast. The bear roared again, circling the two. The man lowered himself seemingly on all fours, matching the stance of the grizzly, growling lowly.

Seconds passed, and the two enemies were on each other, in a battle of tooth and claw, wrestling each other to the ground and kicking up dirt. The forest dweller was pinned down, and he raked his claws down the bear's face, causing it to roar in pain. The two continued to savagely fight, until the bear finally fled into the forest in defeat.

Katie stared at the scene before her in silent shock. Now it was just her and the humanoid creature who protected her. He stood up slowly, breathing heavily, clearly exhausted. His bloodied back remained turned to the woman behind him. He began to walk away, but blood loss and exhaustion caused him to fall over against the rocks.

As his ears rang, he could barely make out the muffled voice of the woman, and the world around him faded to black.