Hello Stranger

"The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window." Nova heard a tiny squeaky voice read aloud.

"Hey, give me that!" Nova exclaims as she laughingly reaches over to pry her notebook from the surprisingly strong small hands to her left. "Excuse me, ma'am, but these are my private writings," Nova says with a wink as she grips her book to her chest.

"Ok, has everyone had enough?" Nova asks, looking around at the group of ten nine-year-old campers who were in her charge for the next 2 months.

"Yes, Ms. Nova," She hears them respond in chorus.

"Good," Nova says before packing up what remained of their traditional campfire meal of hotdogs on a stick, beans, and s'mores. "Now, who's ready for a campfire story?" she asks as she places the large cooler she commandeered from the kitchen on their group trolley. Turning around, she sees 20 arms high up in the air and 20 pairs of eyes raptly intent on hearing a scary story. In her 10 years as a camp counselor, Nova has never seen a more blood-thirsty gore-loving group of pre-adolescent girls so much like herself. She absolutely loved them.

"And little miss, if you're going to be nosey and start reading. Make sure you start with the preface," Nova playfully chides the little thief as she slowly sits down in her Adirondack chair. Wrapping her shawl tightly around her mahogany shoulders to protect herself from the chilly New England evening. Opening her notebook, she began reading her newly written story, "Hello Stranger," with the exuberance of a Shakespearean actor.

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Preface

Struggling to breathe, the young man continued running as fast as he could, deftly leaping over the fallen log, narrowly missing a low-hanging branch. Feeling the heat from the beast's breath, he quickly banked left, hoping to throw the giant beast off his track. It didn't work. The beast followed closely behind, viciously roaring, with the young man's blood dripping from his claws.

Feeling his life's blood draining from his body, the young man willed himself to keep up his momentum. Holding the large gash on his side, he struggled to focus his hearing, blocking out the sound of the beast barrelling through the forest after him. The young man was able to hear the faint sounds of running water. Changing course, he soon comes to a fast-flowing river. Praying his idea would work, the young man jumped into the fridge water, letting the surge take him away.

Waking on a rocky outcrop, the young man thanked the gods he was still alive before opening his eyes to the flashing red eyes staring at him from above. The last thing the young man remembers of his life is hearing a bone-chilling scream mingled with a beastly howl before his world went dark.

Part 1

Male

In The Cabin

"The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window." To the snow-covered, ski-masked, weary, disheveled travelers, the sight of it was like a pot of gold at the end of their bankrupt rainbow. Before climbing the steps, the male traveler adjusted the pack strapped to his back and clutched his overstuffed duffle tightly to his chest, weary of the contents escaping. Pausing at the bottom step, the male traveler took a moment to survey their surroundings, ensuring that no one was or had been about. Seeing only their tracks in the deep snow. The travelers gingerly crept up the stairs, still wary of any potential inhabitants. The fewer people who saw them, the better. For all. The male traveler reached the front entry and noticed a note taped to the door. It read.

"Hello, stranger,

Since you're this deep in the woods, I take it you're either lost or running away from something? Well lucky for you, I built this cabin as a refuge for those who suddenly needed shelter in our ever-devaluing society. Inside you will find everything you'll need for a comfortable stay, including food and drink. I just ask that you respect this home and the hard work it takes to maintain it. So please, no visitors, and I ask that you keep things tidy as you make yourself comfortable.

Be warned that at this time of the year, we often have days of blizzard-like conditions in the area. Unfortunately, there is no phone service in these woods, so you won't be able to call anyone in case of an emergency. If you need help. A CB radio on the bookshelf will connect you to the county's sheriff's office 30 miles away. They will be more than happy to assist you. Now make yourself comfortable. You may be here for a while.

Sincerely yours,

Sam"

Scoffing at the note, our male traveler crumpled up the weather-beaten paper, throwing it aside. He knew this cabin well. It was his father's, and he knew, from experience, that his father wasn't as hospitable as he'd like to appear in that note. If only the "strangers" of the past knew what his father truly intended, they would have turned and ran for their lives. Too bad time machines can only be found in Sci-fi books.

Male inhaled deeply and was transformed to a time he would like to forget when he opened the door and, out of habit, flipped the auto-latch his father used to lock his visitors inside the cabin. The scent of burnt wood quickly brought back the horrific memories of his first visit to this place.

Since the year our young Male's mother died, his father would spend the first 2 weeks of every new moon away from home. Where? Our young Male never knew, but these were trips his father always looked forward to taking. Alone.

Male's foray into what his father called his "ceremonies" began just after his 13th birthday. That was the year his father told him the truth about his origins and that these "ceremonies" were necessary for his survival.

***

"Male, would you like to accompany me on my trip this month?" His father asked, appearing out of thin air from behind young Male as he knelt in the driveway, fixing the chain on his bike.

Used to his father's sudden appearances, Male put down his wrench and rubbed his chin as if in deep contemplation. In truth, he didn't care where he spent his time. Here or there. It didn't matter. He spent every day alone, as it were, and he'd be the one cleaning the fish anyway. Might as well do it at the source, he thought.

Honestly, since the night his mother died, Male never again felt the need to be around another person, including his father. He'll never forget that night when his energy changed forever. What a horrible night that was. He was a few weeks shy of 4 years old when his father violently awakened him. Bloody and covered in mud, the man nervously told the young Male that his mother had been in a terrible accident and was now dead. Male still remembers his profound sadness at losing his mother and everything he knew. Because less than a week after his mother's death, Male and his father moved to another town.

Soon after, his father secured a new job as a door-to-door salesman. Leaving a very young Male to spend his childhood learning to care for himself. Yes, he had the occasional babysitter for when his father went on long trips, but once Male turned 9. His father felt he was self-sufficient enough to care for himself and their home, leaving him with little money and his own devices. So, at 13, Male, in all sense of the word, was an old man. Every morning he woke at 4:30, riding his bike the 10 miles into town to deliver the morning paper to the local business. The rest of his time was spent homeschooling himself, cooking, and cleaning his father's 3 bedroom farmhouse. He allowed himself some free time, of course. He loved watching TV shows from the 60s and 70s, especially late at night when he couldn't sleep, and he loved being outside. Feeling most free when he was in the woods, exploring.

"Ok." the melancholic young man simply said. Turning his attention back to his bike. Hoping he'll have a chance to collect some new specimens for his botany collection.

***

Walking around the cabin, a now-grown Male was surprisingly shocked to see how everything in this cabin was the same as when he was a boy. His father would always talk about redoing the place, but the same large fireplace was flanked by 2 bookshelves to the right of the door. Next to that was a rounded doorframe that led to a sleeping nook, with a large king-sized bed topped with fluffy pillows and blankets. Seeing the large comfy bed, Male found himself excited for bedtime. He never got to sleep in the bed when he came with his father. Along the curved wall was the bathroom, another book self, and the kitchenette framed by a large picture window. In the center of the large room sat an oversized brown leather couch, bear skin rug, a coffee table, and a dry bar decorated with a fully stocked liquor tray. That was the extent of the furniture. His father never changed a thing.

A few steps behind walked in his female companion. Moving the mass of hair from her face. She admiringly looked about the ample-sized cabin. It was larger than where she had previously resided. Until that day, she'd spent most of her days in an underground cell. Her "father" said it was for her protection, but recently, even she, with her limited knowledge, has come to understand that he's been lying.

"Would you like to wash?" Male asked his female companion. When he received no answer, he walked into the bathroom. Washed his ashen hands and face of caked-on blood and dirt before walking toward the fireplace to build a roaring fire.

"It's nice and warm over here if you'd like to sit." Male beckons his companion as he rubs his hands together, again no answer. Figuring it was better to give her time, he turned his attention to the bookshelves. Noticing the beautifully carved shelves were full of writings by some of his favorite authors. Male chose a title, poured himself a glass of whiskey, and settled himself cozily into the oversized couch to read. He soon felt the combined warmth of the blazing fire and sweet whiskey lulling him into a peaceful sleep as his female companion silently stood, like a sentry on the ramparts, unsure of what to do.

***

"Sweety." a warm, soft feminine voice whispered into Male's ear as she caressed his sweaty brow.

"Mother?" he whispers, dreamingly reaching for his mother.

"Rise and shine. It's time to get up, it's time to get up, it's time to get up." His mother playfully sang. Opening his eyes, Male screamed in horror at the sight of his mother's decapitated head dripping blood as it hung from the mouth of a thousand-toothed furry beast. Dropping her head, the beast lunged toward him.

***

Jolting up from the couch, Male nervously searched the small space for his mother, but as expected, he only saw his mute female companion standing by the door. Shaking off his melancholy, he cheerfully turned towards her.

"Come sit and rest," Male suggested, beckoning her towards the couch. When she again fails to answer or move. Male shrugged his shoulder and threw a log on the fire before escaping to the fluffy bed's warmth. He'd lost his watch during their frenetic journey, so he didn't know the exact time but looking out the window, he could see the moon was mid-sky, which meant it was around 3am. Yawning, he settles into the covers a little bit more, relishing the warmth and comfort that he was once forbidden to enjoy.

"Please try to rest." He encourages his companion before closing his eyes, again quickly falling asleep.

"Please let me go. Please," the squeaky little voice shakingly repeated. "Please, sir, I know my family will be looking for me soon."

Within the deepest recesses of Male's mind, he truly felt bad for his companion and truly wanted to let them go, but thanks to the intense torturous training he received from his father. He knew that the rules of ceremony forbade him from doing so.

"I'm hungry. Do you think he'll let me eat?" The tiny voice sheepishly inquires. "It's been 2 days since I had that toast, and I haven't seen you eat since then either. Aren't you hungry?" His companion asks. Showing a mighty amount of compassion for someone being held against their will.

"No!" Male dryly answered, but his answer was only valid for one of the questions. After a year of training, he knew his father wouldn't feed them, but he was pretty hungry. Starving or not, he knew better than to ask his father for something not freely given. It never ended well for him. Luckily his father allowed him to leave the makeshift holding cell to care for his bodily needs. So a resourceful Male was able to forage for mushrooms, wild onions, and berries. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep him alive.

"I'll be back." He says, throwing his botany book on the bed next to his tiny voiced inquisitor. "Don't make a sound while I'm gone." He warns. "We still have 3 days until the ceremony. I don't want him doing anything to you. Do not test his ire." a young Male forwarns his companion before climbing the ladder out of the cellar. Opening the hatch, he could see that the cabin was indeed empty. Climbing out, he locked the latch taking the key with him. After quickly using the bathroom, he grabbed his hidden water skin and burlap bag before running out into the predawn morning. Stopping a brief moment at the foot of the steps to relish the feeling of clean air on his waned skin. Taking a deep breath, he quickly went through the grounds foraging, finding enough to feed them both for days.

"MALE!" Male heard his father's angry voice bellow behind him. Turning, confused from the sight of a shotgun muzzle aimed at his face, he again turned and ran only milliseconds before hearing an ear-deafening BANG!

Bang! Came a second blast from behind Male's head. Bang! Came the third blast just as he skirted around a crop of evergreen trees. Running for the dense protection of the forest, Male felt the sting of a passing bullet biting his upper arm's flesh just as he reached the forest's edge. Running faster than he's ever run in his life, Male didn't stop until he reached the ridgeline. Looking back, he could see his father was no longer in pursuit. Slumping to the ground, Male let himself fall into oblivion.

Waking up some hours later to the soothing feeling of rain washing over his body, Male rose with vigor before unknown to him. Despite the pain in his arm and the memories in his mind. Male vowed to repay his father one day for all he had done but first. Strength. He needed to build his strength. Running towards the path the local trappers used, he felt a sense of freedom like he had never felt before. Lifting his hands in the air, his exuberant yell was muffled by the sound of a roaring beast.

***

Male awoke in fright. He looked around for the source of the noise. Again. Nothing. Only the soft snores of his female companion, who finally decided to lay down in front of the door or simply passed out. Either way, he was glad she was finally resting. Thinking it was best to leave her to her rest, Male decided to spend some time preparing for their potentially long stay. Male understood the challenges before them. Neither had any ID, and neither had any knowledge of the outside world. Staying was their best bet.

Leaving the warmth of the large bed, Male spent the next few minutes stretching in the sunlight streaming through the window. Now hungry, Male went to the cabinets that were once off-limits to him as a child, only to find them empty. Not shocked, Male pulled out the box of MREs he'd packed during his hasty departure from his home. Taking the cast-iron kettle that hung on a hook over the fire, he filled it with water from the sink and sat it back over the fire to boil. With that task completed, he moved to wake his companion.

"Hey, are you hungry?" He asks, shaking her shoulders. A simple nod was the only response he got. That was enough for him.

"Good." He says before pulling another meal from his pack.

10 minutes later, they were both sitting on the couch enjoying a meal of dehydrated chicken, mashed potatoes, and hot black tea.

"What are you going to do with the bag?" The shy young woman quietly asks as she picks at her food, startling a drinking Male who was under the impression she couldn't speak.

"Burn it." Male cooly responded as he cleaned himself of hot sweet tea.

Part 2

Male

In the woods

2 weeks earlier

Scaling down the large Oak tree. Male watched as the sleek Towncar made its way down the dirt road towards one of his father's 3 cabins.

It had been 7 years since Male had last interacted with his father. Not that he hasn't been keeping track of his father's comings and goings, he has. In fact, his father's actions have been on his radar for many years. At 13, Male learned the valid reason for his father's frequent trips, and the only word he knew how to describe it was. BloodThirst.

To his father's bewilderment, he's also been keeping the infrequent unsuspecting explorer away from this cabin. For centuries, locals have believed that this forest was haunted. His father always exploited that belief trapping those adventurous enough to wander this far within his inviting cabin. Male used that belief to keep them away. Setting traps in the woods around the place. Male managed to foil his father's plans these last 7 years.

Staying close to the shadows of the trees, Male watched as his father directed his companion on how to unpack the car.

"Aren't you happy we performed the ceremony at home instead of here" The old man cheerfully asked his grubby, shabby, slumped companion, patting him jovially on the back? "Now we can relax." Male heard his father say as they both watched the unfortunate companion struggle as he lugged a large, heavy suitcase up the steep stairs.

"Yes, sir." He heard the figure answer in a male voice as his father finally grabbed the other end of the suitcase, helping the man carry it into the house.

It would seem his father has recruited a new companion. Interesting. Male thought as he wondered what was in the suitcase that made it so heavy. Keeping to the fringes of the forest, Male spent the rest of the day surveying the two men as the companion finished unpacking the car, fished, chopped wood, built a fire, and cooked the fish. On the other hand, his father spent a pleasant time witling a piece of wood into a wolf. It all seemed very idyllic until it wasn't. Seeing the whites of his father's eyes quickly turn red, Male knew from experience what that meant and backed away from his hiding place to find the comfort of his own shelter. Ignoring the horrific screams filling the cold night air.

The next day Male no longer saw any trace of his father's helper. He was not surprised. He also held no remorse for the man. The man was obviously a participant in his father's ceremonies, which made him disposable in Male's eyes. Suddenly happy his father tried to kill him before he had a chance to, Male gave thanks for his soul. He could never imagine becoming the monster his father was.

Male spent the rest of the day watching as his father performed the same tasks he ordered his companion to do the previous day.

Male and his father spent the next few days enacting the same play. For days Male watched as his father fished, chopped, cooked, and slept outdoors. Getting little sleep himself. The whole time keeping his father unaware of his presence.

Never once did his father enter the cabin until two weeks later. One snowy day when he went in only to spend mere minutes inside. Male watched as his father, with little effort, brought out the same suitcase he helped take into the house that first day. Male quietly followed his father as he made his way through the thick forest, following a path that led to the edge of a large lake. Laying the suitcase flat on the rocks. To Male's horror, his father unzipped the bag to reveal a folded-up young woman.

Old Male

"Female, you may get out and spend a few hours in the sun." Old Male says to the young female as she gracefully unfolds her body, revealing her thin frame and disheveled appearance. "You know the rules. Do not leave this area, or I will find you." Old Male coldly smiles, showing his gleaming teeth as he picks up the suitcase and turns back toward the path, leaving the young female alone.

Walking with more confidence in his steps than he felt, Old Male tried to ignore the sense of foreboding he'd been carrying around with him for days now. Willing himself to bury the feeling deep inside. He took a fortifying breath and marched on.

Maybe he shouldn't have consumed his last companion so quickly. He may have forgotten the need for an extra pair of eyes in his haste to quench his bloodthirst. He involuntarily shuddered with dread as he thought of that horrible night 7 years ago when he almost killed his son during a bloodthirst. He knew that at least one bullet had hit his son, but he had hope as he searched the surrounding woods for either his son's body or his son's hiding place. After a week, he found no trace of him. He knew that his son was a resourceful young male, and thanks to years of neglect Old Male knew his son had the skills to survive on his own. Old Male figured he was still alive. Somewhere. The unknown kept Old Male returning to this spot moon cycle after moon cycle.

Taking another fortifying breath, Old Male reaffirmed his decision to follow his natural instincts. His BloodThirst would never allow him to let a hunt go unfinished.

***

Nova

She had a name. It wasn't "Female." It was Nova. Nova thought as she wrapped her oversized sweater tightly around her body. Never once did he ask her what it was. Never once did he ask her about herself. He didn't care.

Unfortunately for Nova, she still remembered parts of her life before she was chosen by him to be his "daughter." She could clearly remember her mother's face, and all she had to do to see her mother was stare into the lake's reflection. Picking up a rock, she skipped it across the lake just like her father told her. His face was a little harder to remember, but she saw him often in her dreams.

Walking the perimeter of the lake, Nova thought of ways she could escape, but with him always watching Nova, she didn't know how she would accomplish that. She didn't know how to drive. She didn't even know where they were.

Anytime they went anywhere, he'd have her get inside that old smelly, moldy suitcase and transport her just like a piece of luggage. At first, she would kick and scream anytime he brought out that suitcase, but he quickly cured her of that habit. After spending what felt like months healing from the hundreds of tiny cuts he'd inflicted on her, she didn't utter a sound the next time he brought the bag to her cellar.

Feeling dejected, Nova sat down on the rocks of the shore, laid her head on her knees, and cried.

Male

In the Cabin

"Do you want to talk about it?" Male asks his female companion as he prepares himself another MRE. He'd just come back inside after spending hours out in the woodshed building a floating pyre and chopping some firewood.

"No." She answers as she continues to stare into the fire, absently stirring her long cold tea.

"I brought some more things for you while I was in town earlier. Would you like to take a shower? " Male cautiously asks. Still sensitive to her visible freight of him. He understood her reluctance to trust him. He was his father's son, after all, but he was nothing like his father, and he vowed to prove that to her.

At the simple nod of her head, Male walked over to the couch, pulling a large bag from the backpack he left sitting on the kitchen counter. "Here," He says, touching the back of her shoulder with the bag.

"Thank you." She says, turning to meekly take the bag from his hands. Opening the bag, she started pulling out the items, shocked to see how much thought he put into acquiring the things she would need. Along with clothes, the bag contained a bar of soap, a bottle of cocoa butter, shampoo, conditioner, hair oil, a toothbrush, shaving cream, razors, toothpaste, a detangling brush, and a comb. "Thank you." She shyly repeats as she slowly walks into the bathroom, clutching the bag to her chest.

Swallowing the large lump forming in his throat at the thought of what she may have gone through during that ceremony. Male stoically sat on the edge of the couch and lost himself in the flames of the blazing fire.

***

"Somebody help me! Please!" a young Male hears a woman scream, but he's too scared to leave the safety of his favorite blankie to find out who it is. "It's ok. Mommy will come." He thought as he heard another blood-curdling scream, followed by a deafening roar that sounded like the lions he and his parents saw at the zoo last week. Another bone-chilling scream rent the air before everything, including the crickets, went silent. Scared beyond belief, a young Male shakingly buried himself deeper into his covers and waited for his mother to come.

It felt like hours before he heard any noise, and when he did, he pretended to be asleep. Feeling someone shake him, he thrust the covers back, exclaiming "Mommy" because that's who he thought it was, but when Male opened his eyes, the person he saw sitting on his bed was his daddy, covered in blood with a crazy look to his eyes.

"Daddy?" Male squeaks out, staring at the being on his bed, not recognizing the man as his daddy. His daddy had smooth brown skin on his face, not grey skin with whiskers, and his eyes were brown, not red.

"Your mother had a terrible accident and is dead." That was all the person said before walking out of the room and slamming the door in the shocked tear-stained cherubic face of a very young Male who had followed close behind.

***

Waking up with unshed tears in his eyes. Male noticed his female companion was still in the shower. Standing up from his uncomfortable position on the couch, he stretched before checking on his companion.

"Hey, are you ok in there?" He asks as he softly knocks on the door. Noticing how quiet the room was, he banged hard this time. "Hey, are you ok?" Again, Male waited a few moments, silence. He then tried the doorknob, but it was locked. "Please open the door!" He pleads. "PLEASE!" He screamed.

Using all the strength he could muster, Male, rammed his body into the solid wood door, splitting the wood in two. Shoving the pieces to the side, he saw the young woman unconscious on the floor, with her robe-clad arms and torso covered in blood. Panicking, he felt for a pulse. It was faint, but she was alive.

He quickly picked her up and ran into the living room, gently laying her on the couch. Running back into the bathroom, he grabbed the first aid kit his father kept under the sink. His father didn't keep it out of concern for others. His father kept it in case he was injured. So it was stocked with everything you would need in case a body was mulled by a beast. Running back into the living room, he opened the bag, then searched her body for injuries. They weren't hard to find. Two slit wrists. He went to work. In this instance, his father's training came in handy. As if on autopilot, he quickly administered a hypodermic antibiotic and pain killer, cleaned, sewed, and bandaged up her wound. Once done, he filled a basin with peppermint soap and hot water and, as gentle as possible, washed her exposed skin and hair of blood before changing her robe, keeping in mind her privacy. After he was satisfied that she was clean and comfortable, he went to the task of cleaning the bathroom.

Once his chore was done, Male tugged the fluffy blanket off of the bed and used it to make a sleeping pallet in front of the couch. Telling himself, he shouldn't be too far away from his patient. When in reality, he didn't want to be alone.

It was a long night for him and his companion, without any medical services nearby. He had no idea if his efforts made a difference but as long as she was breathing, he felt sure she'd be ok.

Male

In the woods

The previous day.

Watching the young woman roam around the lake area for a few moments, Male started formulating a plan. His efforts may have failed once, but he was determined not to fail again.

Silently walking the perimeter of the late, Male never let his attention waver from the hunting blind. Stalking his father as if he were the prey. After years of surveying, he knew his father would often spend hours in that hide, but today is different. He brought the female out with him. Something he's never done before. Feeling this may be a serendipitous moment, Male quickly sets his traps around the lake's perimeter before running towards his home.

Moving quickly about his home. Male absently mindedly started packing his large backpack full of money, food, and supplies. Male tried to go back once to rescue his young companion. Hoping to use the keys he had stolen that faithful day to obtain entry. Unfortunately, his father was a clever man. Not only did his father change the locks after he attempted to murder Male. He also filled the cell in which he and his companion were kept with rocks and gravel. Covering up any evidence of it ever being there. For years our young man had no knowledge of what may have happened to his companion until one day the previous week when his father came back a week ahead of the full moon. Now he knew. Packed, strapped, and wearing his tactical gear, Male left his home prepared to never see it again.

Old Man

BANG! Waking with his hand to his heart, Old Male jumped up from his prone position in his hide, fearful that the dreadful beast had found him. BANG! Came a second blast. BANG! BANG! BANG! Closely came the third, fourth and fifth.

Reaching for his shotgun, the Old Male remembered he'd left it back at the cabin. BANG! Came the sixth blast. Throwing open the door, the Old Male ran toward the lake and his precious female. BANG! A seventh blast went off in his face, blinding him from what was to come.

Male

"OLD MALE!" Male bellowed as he set off an 8th blast bag. BANG! IT loudly echos through the woods. Smirking as he watched the old beast run around in confusion, he set off another. BANG! The 9th blast ruptured the old male's right ear. BANG! The 10th blast ruptured the old male's left ear. BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! The old Male is surrounded by blasts and smoke, with no hope of escape. By the 16th blast, the old male was in full bloodthirst, which is exactly how Male wanted him.

Roaring loudly the old male blindly lunges for his attacker, but his claws only meet with wood.

SLASH! Male's claws slice into the old man's back. Roaring in pain, the Old Male wildly attacked the air around him as Male ducked and parried his every move.

"MALE!" Old Male bellowed into the frozen night air, but Male never once answered him. He just continued to SLASH and BANG until Old Male was so full of bloodthirst that he started consuming anything he could get his hands on, and that included himself. Watching as his father literally ate himself to death, Male felt no remorse. It was a gory mess. After a few minutes, the once pristine snow was now covered in a mangled mass of half-eaten bones and bloody flesh attached to a disemboweled torso. Unfortunately, his father was quite as dead as he would like, but that gave him an idea.

Nova

"Nova?" She heard a young man's voice call from behind her. Lifting her head, Nova wiped her tears. Standing, she turned toward the sound of the voice to see a young man walking towards her.

"Nova?" He asks again once he's closer to her. Up close, he looked familiar, but she couldn't think of why, so she just nodded her head in response. "Good, I was afraid I wouldn't remember." He says to her with a smile. "I'm Male." He says, holding out his hand to shake.

Looking at him in confusion, Nova again meekly nods her head in response.

"Ok." Male says, clearing his throat. "I just want you to know I'm not here to hurt you." Another nod. "Good, I'm glad you understand. Would you like to leave this place?" He asks. Nova again responds with another nod. "Great. Last question. Would you like to punish Old Male the same way he punished you?" Unlike her others, this last nod was very forceful. "Excellent," Male exclaims. "Follow me," He says as he leads her back up the path towards her revenge.

THE END

For Now.

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"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Exclaimed 10 little girls intent on hearing the rest of the story. "I want to hear the rest... Yeah!... What happened to Nova?... What happened to Male?... What was in the duffle bag?... Did they set it on fire?... How much blood was in the snow?... How much wood did they use?... Did the companion taste good?... Can I have another s'more?" They all exclaimed at once.

Laughing, Nova put up her hands to silence them. "Come now, girls, you know the rules only 2 parts a night. Now it's time for bed." She said, clapping her hands as she stood, setting them all to work like little ducklings, folding blankets and throwing their garbage away. 20 minutes later, all the girls were squeaky clean and safely tucked into bed.

Grabbing her favorite shawl, Nova went out onto the back porch to settle into her favorite hammock, closing her eyes as she felt the cool gentle breeze flow over her skin, and just as she was falling asleep, she heard the whispered call of "Nova."

"Male," she whispered as she closed her eyes in contentment with the knowledge that she was safe.