The Beast

Have you ever walked the forest alone at night? I mean really at night, not with the last breath of dusk in the air. Have you walked alone at night, in a real forest? Not just some trees on the side of civilization with the pale light of street lamps illuminating your path. Have you ever gotten that prickling feeling all over your arms and on the back of your neck? Yeah? Well, that’ s Him. 1

He’s big, threatening, scary, and could easily end your life with a flick of his paws. He’s got eyes that are perfectly almond shaped; they’re so beautiful, drawing you closer to his glowing orbs, and hungry jaws. Those eyes are coloured a deep, chilling crimson. It is said that if you look strait into His eyes you can see the lost souls of all His victims. Although, no one knows for sure, for after seeing those glowing eyes your life is sure to end. 2

His fur is thick, sleek, matted in some areas, and stained a rusty red around his muzzle where blood has long since dried. His paws are large and round, bigger than the largest human hand. The non-retractable claws that emit from those paws are a sharpened ivory, the tips blood-stained. He may be the most terrifying creature that walks this world, but he also the most beautiful, in the most grotesque way.3

He is vile, cruel, sadistic, bloodthirsty, and knows exactly what he wants – Blood. 4

You may have heard of many stories about huge creatures that jump out of the shadows killing every living thing in its path. Well, there are two things about that sentence that is different. One, He is much more vicious and terrifying than any you’ve heard of. Two, this is not a story.5

It would be fitting to say that there have been no survivors of His attacks, that there is no record of Him ever being seen, but that is not the case. Four years ago, a group of college students, out on their spring break were camping in the middle of a forest, which seemed untouched by human hands. The trees grew tall, noticeably aged, every footfall was followed by the sound of crunching twigs, and squirrels chased one another in and out of trees. 6

The students had been gathered around a small campfire when a feud broke out between friends. A slender boy stormed off on his own, fuming with rage. What a mistake. 7

As the boy furiously kicked at bushes stirring up life, spitting out curses like venom, he was unaware of the meal he was making of himself.8

Silently, a shadow moved behind him, following his every move. A chill sweat began at the base of the boy’s neck, forcing him to stop in his tracks. Goosebumps rose along his arms, his eyes wide, frightened. Oh what a mistake he had made… Suddenly, a low throaty growl broke the unnerving silence. The boy couldn’t pinpoint it, it seemed like it was coming from everywhere, echoing off the trees and vibrating in his ears. He began to shiver, more scared than he’d ever been… until that is, his eyes locked with those shimmering red iris’. 9

The boy’s breathing was now rasp, pushing his chest out to its full extent and bringing it back down with such force. His heart beat pounded blood in his ears, it was so loud in fact, the creature in with those magical eyes heard it loud and clear. 10

From dark underbrush, the creature ran his tongue along his many rows of razor-sharp teeth. His hind legs were set in a powerful stance, ready to leap, his claws digging into the soft earth. The poor boy had no chance, even if he wasn’t rooted to the spot by His burning glare, he could not outrun this mighty beast. 11

With his blood pounding in his ears, he tore himself away from the powerful stare, though, a moment to late. The mighty creature pushed off with his powerful legs and landed on the college boy. Screams and shrieks were followed by the grotesque sound of tearing flesh. 12

As you can probably tell, especially since the screams were silenced, that the boy was not the known survivor, one of the boy’s friend went in search of him, and stumbled upon the horrendous scene.13

So that extra student, who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, is the only proof there this is not a story, and the creature with no name exists. The creature, who we just know as, The Beast.14