by Jake Daniel
I pulled in between a couple of towering pines and unloaded my gear. For as much time as it took me to pack everything up, it only took about half the time to get everything uploaded.
I set my tent up a short distance away from a stream that meandered its way through the area. I tossed my cooler in a small eddy in the stream with one end of it secured to a nearby tree with a nylon rope.
I cracked open a can of Dale’s Pale Ale and took a big swig as I decided how I wanted to set up the rest of my camp. Beer tasted better to me in the forest, always had. I was in my element and happy to see that I hadn’t turned soft after all those years living in Denver.
I found a few scattered rocks and made a small fire ring and then shifted my focus on collecting kindling and firewood for my stay. It was warm now, but the nights over 9,000 feet get cool in a hurry, and I didn’t much feel like freezing my balls off. Fortunately, there was more than enough kindling and tinder.
The sun had dropped in the sky by the time I had enough wood gathered and my tent set up. My fire kicked up, and I was frying up some eggs and bacon within minutes. Breakfast for dinner was always my favorite. Hell, when isn’t it a good time for bacon and eggs.
I pulled over a fallen log and found a nice chunk of wood for a footrest. Within seconds, I’d almost forgotten about my lodge, and money, and remembered why I’d chosen this profession.
I leaned back and stretched my legs. A light breeze swept through the tall pines as I placed my hands behind my head. I took a deep breath and nearly cleared everything from my mind. Except for Kalie’s neon pink bra. You’re here to hunt man, she’ll be waiting when you get back. I mentally chided myself.
I reviewed my map for as long as I could until I was confident that I was sure of my path in the morning. I hated knowing where I needed to go, but not knowing how to get there. That was the same, whether in the forest or in the city.
There is something completely calming about the forest at night. The snapping of branches and strange animal sounds that filled the forest were actually a comfort to me. Tonight was abnormally quiet. Animals had an uncanny ability to predict the weather, I hoped this wasn’t a precursor to what was to come.
I woke early and chewed on a piece of peppered jerky while I gathered my gear and started a pot of coffee over the fire. The official season didn’t start until tomorrow, so that gave me the entire day to ensure I had everything planned out.
Hunters would set up camp throughout the day, fortunately, I was far enough away from civilization that only a local could stumble across my camp. Even if that were to happen, they would know better than to set up anywhere close.
I finished my coffee, doused my fire and organized my camp, ensuring everything was ready for when I returned. I secured my backpack and packed it with a few essentials; a small fishing pole, my knife, a box of ammo, a roll of blaze orange trail marking ribbon, a small tackle box, matches, and a couple beers. I grabbed my 30-30 just to be safe. I hated the thought of leaving it at my camp unattended.
I crossed the stream at a shallow bend and worked my way up to the ridge. At the top, I had an unobstructed view of the peaks in the distance. I really was in the middle of nowhere, with no houses, and no city in sight.
I spent the morning walking along the ridge and following fresh tracks and droppings. Eventually, I came to some tall grass that a few elk had bedded down in over the night. Unfortunately, the sign of elk meant I probably needed to go a bit further since mulies rarely liked to intermingle.
It didn’t take me long before I spotted the herd of mule deer grazing in a valley between two large peaks. I sat on a stump and watched them for a bit. They were so at peace, little did they know that many of them were about to fill freezers across Colorado. A cool breeze swept across the ridge, rustling the leaves of the aspens scattered across the slope. A few of the deer perked up momentarily before returning to grazing. I savored the last of my relaxation for the foreseeable future and closed my eyes.
The unmistakable sound of a gunshot in the distance and chuckled as it pulled me from my thoughts. Little early boys. Couldn’t wait one more day?! Tomorrow it would be normal to hear gunshots echoing through the valleys. It was probably some dumbass trying to sight their gun in before tomorrow. Cock suckers are going to scare all the deer away. Just as I thought it, another shot rang out and the herd below me in the valley scattered, running up into the forest on the opposite ridge. Mother fuckers.
I remained seated for a while, too pissed to leave immediately. The herd had already made it up and over the opposite ridge. I’d worked too hard to scout this section for some asshole to shoot my plan to shit. There was no telling where the herd would end up scattering.
I was about to stand when I heard a branch snap a short distance behind me. Squirrels knocking branches down from tall trees was normal, but this sounded like something much larger than a squirrel. I turned slowly and stared into the overgrown forest. I didn’t immediately see anything and nothing moved, but I could sense something was close.
When I was a teen, I’d had a run-in with a black bear while hunting. Fortunately, the bear had already downed most of the fish I’d caught for the day, so she didn’t seem too interested in me. I had the same 30-30 with me that day as well, although I wasn’t sure I’d be able to take her down with one shot. I was sure as hell not afraid to find out if it came down to it.
I took a slow, deep breath and waited a few more seconds. I held my rifle in front of my chest as I stood and walked toward the sound. After all, if those bastards poached the trophy buck that I’ve been searching for, I’d kick myself if I didn’t at least investigate. I made it several more steps before I heard another gunshot, one that was much closer this time.
I scanned the forest and tried to spot anyone else that may be close. “What the hell?” I mumbled as I moved behind a tree, just in case the idiot fired off another round.
The one thing I’d forgotten to account for was the gaggle of morons who occasionally ruined hunting for everyone else. I tied a strip of the trail marking tape around my arm, just in case. Hopefully, if someone saw me walking through the forest, they’d notice the tape and not shoot my ass.
I walked north, keeping the ridge above my right shoulder as that was where I’d heard the shots come from.
I had arrived at a large rock wall with no discernible way over, so I was going to need to go back the way I had come or find another way around. I headed back to the top of the ridge. It had been at least fifteen minutes since I’d heard a shot.
As I crested the ridge, I heard something running through the forest. It was nearing in a hurry, taking out branches and not taking care to move with stealth. I lifted my rifle and held it at the ready. Another gunshot, this time much too close. It sounded like a thunderclap as it echoed down the canyon. “Hey! Hunter!” I yelled out, hoping that whoever it was would actually have some common sense and stop shooting before one of us ended up dead.
The sounds of branches breaking moved closer, and I positioned myself behind a nearby tree. It wasn’t wide enough to block my body completely, but it gave me more cover than I had a few seconds earlier.
My heart pounded in my chest. Whatever was approaching neared. I craned my head around the tree carefully to glimpse at what it was and immediately regretted it as something smashed into my exposed shoulder and sent both of us crashing down backwards.
I turned to find my gun, which had fallen a short distance from me. I scrambled to pick it up and spun to find out what had crashed into me. What I saw almost made me choke. Panting heavily on the ground, with her hands raised in front of her, was the most stunningly beautiful woman I’d ever laid my eyes on.
She appeared to be in her early twenties. Her smokey silver hair spilled out from a forest green hooded cloak that she had pulled up over her head, framing her feminine face. She had a light band of freckles across her small nose that stressed her large, beautiful pale blue eyes that stared up into mine urgently. I couldn’t st
op my eyes from tracing from hers, down her slender neckline, and settling for a second on her amazing breasts that heaved as she tried to catch her breath.
I paused as I saw a fresh wound in her stomach that stained her otherwise white shirt in blood.
I rushed to her and slung my bag on the ground. “Are you alright?! What happened?!”
The woman stared into my eyes, seemingly almost taken aback as I’d been. “I... I need help. Will you help me?”
I pulled off my outer shirt and held it to her wound. “Yes, of course. Are you here alone? What happened?”
She groaned and shifted slightly. As she did, the cloak fell from her legs, revealing two strong, hair-covered legs that ended in… hooves. I’d only ever seen something like this in games I’ve played when younger or fantasy books I’ve read. I shot back, shocked, and my eyes remained locked on her legs.
She quickly covered her legs again with her cloak and her once hopeful expression fell from her face. “They attacked me. If you don’t want to help me, I’ll understand.” She looked down at her legs with almost a look of embarrassment.
I crouched closer and held my shirt tight against her wound. I could smell her breath in the air. It wafted toward me like a sweet wine; the scent was intoxicating. “Of course I’ll help you.”
I searched for what may have attacked her and spotted a group of several men in the distance. With the increase in hunters at this time of year which pushed animals out of their normal pathways, I was sure they had mistaken her for something that she is obviously not. I contemplated for a second before I raised up to wave them over. If I had any chance to save her, I was going to need some help.
Before I could even get a few inches up from the ground, she grabbed me by the shirt and pulled me close to her face. Her voice came out strained and hushed. “No, they want me dead. Please. Save me. I’ll explain... I promise.”
She was getting weaker by the second. I quickly threw my bag back on and strapped my 30-30 to its side. I scooped her up in my arms and she wrapped her arm weakly across my shoulders. Her face was close to mine and her eyes focused on mine as I lifted her. The color from her already pale skin was fading.
The group of men was only about two hundred yards away, but they had not spotted us yet. As I turned back, the woman’s free hand came up and rested near my ear. She pulled my head down closer to hers. I thought she was about to say something else, but her mouth parted as her mouth met mine and she passionately kissed me for several seconds.
I’m not sure if it was the life or death situation, or simply how amazing the kiss was, but I immediately felt my cock stir. Not now, Logan. Now’s not the time to get a raging boner. I shook my head clear as she released her hold on my cheek, the taste of her intoxicating lips lingered and sent shock-waves throughout my body.
I surveyed my surroundings and realized the only way I could go without being seen was along the rocky cliff face. I reached the wall and nearly dropped her as a bullet smashed into the rock only a few inches above my head. It sent small shards of stone screaming in multiple directions. “Holy shit. What the fuck is wrong with these guys?!”
The mysterious woman looked up at me and pointed weakly toward an area in the distance. “Over there. Behind those bushes.”
I shook my head. “I have to get you out of here. They’ll reach us, and from the looks of it, kill both of us once they do.”
She looked back up at me weakly and captured my full attention. Another round exploded above my head, but I didn’t flinch. I was a prisoner in her eyes. She rubbed a finger down the side of my face. “Trust me.”
I nodded and hurried in the direction where she pointed, bursting through the middle of a leafy bush and jolted to a stop. “What in the hell...”
Chapter Three
I’ve had my share of messed up days, but it was apparent that this day was going to take the cake. I stood in front of what I could only describe as a portal. What should’ve extended into the rock cliff, or hell, even a normal cave, instead was a goddamned portal?
The woman looked up to me, now almost as white as a ghost, as she continued to lose more blood. “Please, hurry! Step through, there’s a place close to here where we’ll be safe.”
I’m not normally one for stepping through strange portals and would’ve preferred to investigate a little further. I’m not usually being shot at either, so I trusted the beautiful, strange-legged woman.
I stole a last glance back and spotted one of the strange men closing in. He wore a suit of leather and looked like he came straight out of Robin Hood. A series of straps crossed the leather armor across his chest and over his thick leather boots. His hair was slicked back, and he had a neatly groomed black mustache with its corners curled up toward the air slightly. What the hell are hipsters from Boulder doing all the way out here? And then I realized it was one of those douchebags from the saloon, although he looked much different from what he had earlier.
Before I took the time to make sense of it all, I stepped inside the portal. It didn’t feel like I expected, actually; it didn’t feel like anything at all as I passed through.
The woman’s warm body felt good against mine, although I was worrying about how much blood she had actually lost before I found her. Her eyes were closed now as she struggled to breathe.
I turned back, half expecting the Hipster of Nottingham to step through behind me, threatening to cut my heart out with a spoon, but he never came.
A dim light rose from the opposite end of the rocky tunnel, guiding my way. I adjusted the woman, and my bag, and continued forward toward the opening.
As I reached the halfway point of the tunnel, the walls rumbled, sending jagged chunks of stone down from above.
“Hold on.” I leaned over the woman to protect her from the falling debris and hurried out through the other side. As we passed into the open, the entire tunnel collapsed and sent a plume of dust out from where we had just exited.
I continued down a path and stopped halfway. Far off on the horizon in one direction was a massive body of water. The only lakes around that I could really think of were Chambers Lake and Comanche, but neither of those were even close to that big. This water stretched far enough to be an ocean. I hurried away from the water and took one last look around to ensure the others had not followed.
The woman let out a soft moan, and I looked for anything that may have been what she was alluding to before I entered the tunnel. I reached the bottom of the hill and spotted a waterfall that deposited its flow into a small lake. “Where the hell am I?” I asked under my breath. I surely would’ve seen this area on my maps. The forest was vast, but I knew it like the back of my hand.
An old wooden house sat a short distance away from the lake. Across from the house was a small pier that stretched out to the shimmering water.
There were no other discernible buildings, so I took a chance that this was the place the woman had mentioned. I looked down into her face once more. She was in major trouble, I just hoped I wasn’t too late.
I rushed to the solid front door of the cottage-style house and knocked loudly several times with my foot. After several seconds passed, I sidestepped over to one of the partially covered windows. Wooden shutters were closed over it, preventing an unobstructed view inside.
I laid the woman down gently and hurried over to the window. I quickly pried open the shutter and peered inside. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness within, I could finally make out a small table with wooden chairs next to the wall on one side, with a couple of armchairs set up on either side of a large darkened fireplace on the other.
There was no discernible sign of anyone inside, though. I knelt next to the woman and leaned in close to her face. The intoxicating smell of her breath danced across my face, letting me know she was still alive.
I called out a few times, and after I didn’t receive a response, I slammed into the door with my shoulder, sending it flying open and revealing the inside of the house.
I quickly picked the woman up and brought her inside. In front of the fireplace was a thick, soft sheepskin rug. I lowered the woman down carefully and sat my gear down on a chair. It was then that I noticed she actually had a small tail that poked out through the back of her pants. It reminded me a little of a mule deer’s tail, but it fit her well. I looked up and saw the letters L, H, and W carved into the side of the mantle.
I wanted to make sure that there wasn’t any threat of the men following us, so I grabbed my rifle and peered out the window. The floor creaked slightly as I cleared out enough space to care for the woman.
I felt comfortable, for now at least, that the men would have to find another way through, which would buy me a little time. I secured the door and realized I would need to fix it if I wanted it to stay closed. For now, it was easier to slide the heavy table up against it to prevent any unwanted visitors.
A soft moan rose from near the fireplace, tearing my attention away from my fortifications. I pulled my water bottle out of my bag and brought it to the woman’s lips. With a little help, she could take a few sips, but she remained motionless on the ground.
I shifted my attention to her wound. Her fitted, white buttoned-up shirt now completely soaked with blood. There wasn’t anything I could use in my vicinity, so I made do with what I had.
I unbuttoned her shirt carefully, and slowly peeled it back to reveal her wounds. Her chest rose and fell slowly as I wiped away the blood. She had deep scratches across her body and appeared to have been struck multiple times, but thankfully, from what I could tell, the bullets had passed through without hitting any major organs. I ran my hand along her side, and about halfway down her ribcage, my hand brushed over an open wound, prompting a small gasp from the woman.
