The Hunter: Chapter 2

                             Chapter 2 

               

   FRET NOT CHILD! FOR THE MONSTER ISN'T OUT THERE. FEAR THE MONSTER THAT'S WITHIN YOU. CLAWING TO ESCAPE. DO YOU RESPOND?

                                                                                               -Monk Fredrich of St Dumas 

                        Just a few days before the townswoman had a new gossip. "Did you hear that  Tina the gatherer is now married to the fisherman Aldrin!". It was true. Tina and Aldrin met a long time ago in the woods. Tina was the gatherer of the village. She had the role of collecting berries and flowers for winter and for festive occasions as well. All the children loved her and she loved them back. "Tina lets play ball like you told us we would!" said one girl , "Bollocks! Lets play tag" said another. Her life would change when she would meet Aldrin. Aldrin wasn't quite so popular with the kids as Tina was, yet there was something different about him. He was charismatic and the talk of the town. None could match his spirit and optimism even if they tried their level best!

                      After they got married in great pomp and ceremony they spent most of their time near  the river , hand in hand they used to talk about their future child. "I want him to have his father's innate talent and charisma!"

Tina would often say whilst picking  flowers off the river coast. "And I hope he has his mother's beauty and kindness" said Aldrin as he nearly entangled himself in his own net. "I would also like him to be less gullible!" They'd laugh and smile together and sleep in the cool grass covered by the afternoon sunlight and smell the daisies growing around. "Promise me you shall name our son as this river for its the birthplace of our love."

                              

                          Many years passed and soon tragedy struck! The news of Tom's death spread across the village. "I heard the elder found his body floating through the river. 

"His innards were split apart. His eyes looked like they were pecked apart by carrion crows!"

This was heard by the shaman. Her eyes froze. "Tis the mark of a bad omen. Tis the mark of the dřevěný duch-the wood spirit!". The village was shocked! What had they done to unleash the wrath of the spirit upon them. "What have we done to them that they now plague our small village?!"

                           

                    "Oh but yee already know what thay  done!" a voice spoke from the shadows of the shaman's hut. This voice belonged to the beggar. He had no name for such was his plight. He was born with a crippled leg. "And what would a cripple such as yourself know about losing a loved one. You who was born of no mother's love."

The elders gathered round rocks and threw it at the poor beggar who ran away. "We only have two options. We offer a sacrifice of a woman expecting a baby as legends have told, or perish". The village looked towards Aldrin and Tina. "NO..NO..I WONT SACRIFICE MY CHILD!" Tina stepped away from the council. "Aldrin, you know what must be done." said the elder. Aldrin got up, too scared to look at Tina. He reached for his knife.His hands couldn't find the sheath in that moment.His eyes filled with tears and his vision blurred. 

Tina couldn't believe it. Her own husband, the love of her life would now resort to killing a child just as an act of superstition. Tina was quicker and grabbed the torch next to her and threw it at the straw roof. The hut caught fire and she ran away. As fast as her legs could carry her. Her best option would be to run into the woods. The hut behind her burned in embers and she could see the smoke clear through the starry sky. 

             

                     She stepped into the dark woods. She had to run fast even though her stomach was killing her."Mommy's got you my love". She could hear the faint shouting of the elder, the others and her beloved husband "Tina don't be naive you know it must be done!" The thick fog covered the forest and the cheddar trees created a dangerous atmosphere. That was when she heard another sound. A faint whisper in the wind calling out to her. "Come here.......Tina" said the voice and then she felt a cold hand across her shoulder. She turned out yet no one was there. She decided to follow that voice deeper into the woods. She couldn't help but feel a warm and touching embrace within from within. As if she was drawn to that voice."I'm..coming" she said whilst panting. The trees seemed to draw their branches closer and heard an ominous cawing of a murder of carrion crows.