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Jericho trekked deeper into the boreal forest. He had no clue how much time had passed and couldn't see more than twenty feet in front of his face, but he couldn't argue with how much more ground he covered. The temperatures were frigid, but moving helped keep him slightly warm. The cold was a good motivator to keep going. As long as he kept moving, he stayed warm.
Part of his mind wanted to shut down and complain about the lack of food, the cold, and the seemingly endless trip. Fortunately, Jericho learned to beat his mind into submission a long time ago. Still, it would have been nice to have some rabbit left over.
BBBBOOOAAAAAWWWW
The foul stench returned, this time with such a powerful, sudden blast Jericho swore he could almost taste it. The pungent aroma punched its way into his nose and shook him. Jericho dropped to his knees and heaved. His stomach spasms did little to eliminate anything, especially since there wasn't much more than water inside. Not even bile.
"Fuck," he said, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.
SNAP
Jericho spun back around to the sound. The fire illuminated the night, but he found nothing but trees and snow.
CRINKLE CRINKLE SNAP
Jericho reached around until he found another down tree branch. This one would have made a good torch if he had any kindling left. No matter, it'd still hurt like hell. He popped up, waiting to engage whatever came to find him. Maybe Shifty, that thieving little wolf returned.
"Makes sense. You eat all my dinner, and now you're back for the main course."
You are mistaken.
Jericho stood straight up. He heard that clearly. A voice, not in his head, but out in the wild with him. A faint sound. A whisper.
The moon illuminated something moving out from the trees. A tall figure with taut flesh and skeletal arms. Its talons wiped moistness from its sharp exposed fangs. It looked emaciated, like it hadn't eaten or drank in weeks. Was this the fate awaiting Jericho if he couldn't find his way out of the frozen tundra?
The creature lunged for him with its razor-edged incisors. Jericho swung the branch, smashing it against the thing's face. When he took a second swing, the lanky creature caught the branch and tore it from Jericho's hands. It tossed the blunt weapon aside and tackled the assassin to the ground.
Jericho reached for its eyes. The creature's skin was stiff and unnatural. Almost like dried wood. He imagined that must be what it felt like to touch a mummy.
The creature dug its claws into Jericho's neck and blood slowly trickled over them. Jericho grabbed the creature's ears, which had the texture of raw potatoes, and pulled them forward, driving the base of his skull into the monster's face. Something cracked, but the creature didn't budge.
Jericho's hands searched the ground until he found a small rock. He drove the stone against the side of its face and then smashed it again. The creature loosened its grip just enough for Jericho to plant his foot in the monster's chest and kick it away. Jericho wanted to take pride in his kick, but it was probably more the rock to the face that stunned it.
The monster let loose a horrendous cry.
RRRRRRRAAAAAAHHHHHH
The same sound that had echoed across the mountains the past few days. This thing had been waiting for him the whole time. Waiting until he was helpless and stranded. Waiting for him to become weak.
It lunged once more, but Jericho dodged the attack and rolled out of the way. He quickly scanned his surroundings for another weapon. In doing so, he took his focus off the monster, and it leapt at Jericho, crashing down on top of the assassin. This time, sinking its claws into his face. The creature pressed down against the ground, trying to pop Jericho's skull, like a crabapple fallen from a tree. He tried to pull away but couldn't. This gaunt, bony creature had far more power than the tired and hungry Jericho. This was not the glorious ending he had hoped for.
CHIK CHIK
BOOOOM