Wendigo

Ripped Deer Ravine

"What do I call you?"

I tapped my chin thoughtfully with the pencil, pondering the unmarked trail. I glanced around, looking for a landmark or signs of animals to name the path for. My eyes rested on a small stream, barely a trickle.

"Hmmmmm........ How about..... Ravine..... Ravine... Ravine Run?"

No, that's stupid. But, lacking any other inspiration, I scribbled the name in my sketchbook above the squiggled line that it marked. With a sigh, I closed the book and made my way back down the trail. The sun was getting low, beginning to sink below the ridge line. I shivered slightly, pulling my jacket's collar up to my chin. I glanced at my watch and was surprised to see that the temperature had dropped about twenty degrees. I mean, after the sun goes down, it's bound to get colder even in the late Spring. After all, I was walking in the shadow of one of the ridges. But the temperature had dropped suddenly and stopped there.

As I made my way through the woods, I noticed movement on the trail ahead. Not like an animal moving across the earthen path, more like shudder or twitch. Because of the low light, I could barely make out the creature. But as my eyes adjusted, I realized it was a deer, collapsed on the ground and breathing in long, rasping breaths. Even though it was some thirty, thirty-five meters away, I could tell it was wounded, wounded badly.

I shivered again. I don't know why, but the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Whatever took down this deer must have been big, maybe a bear. Deciding that there was nothing I could do and that I needed to get home, I continued walking, avoiding the mortally wounded animal. But as I strode away, I picked up my pace. Something tugged at the back of my mind, a sixth sense if you will. I had the eerie feeling of being watched, assessed. Slowly, painstakingly slowly, I turned my head, scanning the surrounding area. Nothing. But I still felt like there was something there...

I didn't know until the following morning, but I was right.