The Hunter

Chapter Fifteen

"In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments; there are consequences." - R.G. Ingersoll

Rodney’s POV

The low growl is coming from a few feet in front of me. It’s a werewolf for sure. The cover of bushes and trees keep me hidden, but my scent will give me away in no time. I’m standing frozen in place, if I move he will hear me. I have no where to go.

Uhg, come on! Think! Rodney think! What can I do? Maybe if I injure it, it could give me some time to escape. But then I will make our presence known in town. And I have no way of knowing where the rest of his pack is. What is more important, the cover, or my life? The wolf’s attention is shifted towards me, and the choice is made for me. I pull my rifle out and fire a shot. Then I turn on my heels and run as fast as I can towards the cabin. I don’t look back to see if my shot landed, I don’t have time. I hear a howl and the harmonic responses. They are communicating for sure about me. I push myself to run even faster. I hear them running behind me, but I keep going. The sounds of growls surround me. I’m not going to make it. I look over my shoulder just as a wolf lunges at me. I take a dive and roll. The wolf jumps over me. I hop back up and keep running. If I survive this , I’m definitely going to feel that in the morning. I keep pushing my self to keep going my adrenaline is running high. I can see the cabin in the distance. I check my gun and I have one more round. I take aim at the wolf nearest me and fire off another round. The wolves tuck back. I’m almost there, keep running. I see a wolf next to me and then feel a sharp pain around my ankle.

Cole’s POV

“So married? Divorced? Kids?” He asks as he drinks more. Guess he’s not a wolf.

“No, no, and no.”

“A free agent. I like it.” He pokes his elbow into my side.

“My dad and I have moved around too much for me to settle any real roots.” I tell him.

“I have no idea what that’s like. I’ve lived in this little backwards town my whole life. It’s not bad, just boring and uneventful. And not a pretty girl insight, other than Lexie. But she wouldn’t have a trouble maker like me around. Nope. You’re good looking, why don’t you give it a go?” Is he playing match maker right now?

“No I couldn’t. I just moved here.”

“And yet she’s already trying to get people to know you.”

“She’s just being friendly.” He gives me a look.

“Any siblings?” He asks.

“I have an older brother. He’s better at everything than me. You know the overachiever type.” Manny laughs.

“Don’t I know it. My older brother is the same way.”

“Any other siblings?” I ask.

“I have a sister who is a whole pain in my ass. But she’s getting better the older she gets.” Manny answers.

He and I talk for a bit longer before he gets back to work.

“Cole, this is Don. He’s my chipper and lovable employee.” Manny claps Don on his back hard.

“None of that is true.” Don spits back.

“So you don’t work here?” I ask.

“I’m his cousin and he barely pays me.” He’s definitely not chipper or lovable.

“Don’t be a sour patch kid. He’s new here. Play nice.”

“How did you already get stuck with Manny?”

“Don go bus a table or something.” Manny shoos Don away.

“He’s a good kid. Just a pain in the butt.” A woman walks up to the bar.

“This is Maryann. She’s one of our waitresses here. I have another one around here somewhere.” Manny says scanning the room.

“Tracy ain’t in today.” Maryann replies.

“Of course not. Neither is Judd.” Manny says. They have a lot of people that work here. He introduces me to some regulars. Then Lexie walks into the bar.

“Hey Lexie!” Manny waves her over. Her brown hair is up in a pony tail and she is wearing jeans and a white shirt.

“Hey Manny. Hey Cole.”

“What do I owe the pleasure?” Manny sets a coaster in front of her.

“I remembered you said you invited Cole here. I just wanted to make sure you were keeping him out of trouble.” Manny laughs.

“Of course I am. Who do you think I am. How about a beer?”

“Sure.” Manny walks over to the tap.

“So how’s it going? Manny is a handful.”

“He’s actually been great. Really.” I take a sip of my beer.

“Yeah, he’s a big guy with a big heart.” Manny walks back over.

“So how’s the family?” Manny asks Lexie.

“They’re all good.” Someone at the end of the bar gets Manny’s attention and he walks away.

“So Cole, tell me something about yourself.” She takes a sip of her drink.

“Let’s see. I have an older brother. After my mom passed away, my dad moved us around a lot. And now we’re here trying to make this work.” She laughs at my info dump. I smile.

“I have a younger brother. But we’ve lived here our whole lives.”

“That must be nice. I wouldn’t mind this being more permanent. But that’s up to him.”

“Your father? You’ve never thought of branching out?” She asks.

“When my brother branched out, my dad never said it, but I know it hurt him. I think loosing my mom was harder on him than I really knew. I don’t mind really. I hate to admit it, but he keeps me in line.” She smiles at me.

“Yeah, my moms the same way. My dad died ten years ago in a hunting accident. She clung to us like her life depended on it.”

I don’t really know what to say so I just take another gulp of my beer. Lexie follows suit.

“So what do you do for fun around here?” I ask her at break the awkward silence.

“Fun? Here? Oh I’m sorry we don’t have that in this town.” We laugh. Manny slides down the bar.

“Sooo what are we laughing at?” He teases.

“You! You big gorilla.” Lexie laughs and slaps his arm.

“I was just asking what you all do for fun?”

“We’re mostly outdoorsy around here, which is why your shop will be so popular. Hiking, kayaking, fishing, hunting, camping, that sort of stuff.” Manny says.

“And drinking.” Someone in the bar adds. We all laugh.

After a few hours I excuse myself to head back home. I wonder if the old man found anything on his perimeter check. I drive up to the cabin and see the front door is wide open. Why would the door be left open? I shut the headlights off and cut the engine. I grab a gun from the back seat and make sure it’s loaded. I check the area before getting out of the car. I walk up to the cabin and towards the front door. I see a trail of blood leading inside. I take a deep breath and walk inside. In the middle of the livingroom in my father laying on his stomach on the floor. I check the room quickly before seeing if he’s okay. He’s bleeding from his side and leg.

“Dad? Dad? Wake up.” I check his pulse, it’s weak. I call 911.