“So you mean that those two weren’t lying yesterday? There really is a big, tiger-like beast out in the woods?” Clarissa was confused when she heard the news.

“Yes, there is. It even ambushed me today while I was taking a picture.” Debby showed her the photo of the three wolf pups.

“That’s a cute picture, Debby. But it’s not a risk worth taking. We all have to be more careful. If this creature is really out there, we’re not safe anymore as long as we’re outside.”

Tony decided to call the Ranger Station and see what they could do about it. He told his family, “It might take them a while to get here, but they can certainly help us. In the meantime, I’ll be putting out some traps. That means, next time anyone goes out in the woods, you have to keep your eyes open to make sure you don’t get caught.”

Nighttime came, and the family sat down as they did the night before to play board games before bed.

They were startled by a sudden loud crash from outside the cabin. Tony decided to go out and check on it. He grabbed his hunting rifle and a flashlight, and opened the door into the cold night.

He walked carefully to one of the other cabins, where he thought the noise came from. Goosebumps crawled up and down his arms, and Tony could see his breath in front of him. When he came to the other cabin, he quietly looked around the corner to see that the door was gone. The wooden boards and splinters were scattered haphazardly on the ground inside. Something clearly must have broken in.

Tony’s thoughts were halted by another crash from the kitchen, more like the shattering of glass or porcelain. He crept through the doorway and went into the living room, keeping himself hidden in the shadows. He could make out a dark figure over there, standing on all fours, like a bear or… a tiger.

Tony realized he had once again stumbled upon the creature.

The only light in the house was the moonlight streaming in through the windows, and with that little illumination, Tony could see that the beast was scratching at the pantry. That thing is hungry, Tony thought, and it’s too dark to get a good shot. I’d better get out of its way.

But it was too late. The wild beast had spotted him.

It turned towards him and gave another of those low snarls, and Tony knew he had to get out before it got to him. Tony hurdled over the couch and raced for the door, feeling the creature’s hot breath on the back of his neck. He sped up, aiming for the cabin, and managed to get further forward. He could no longer sense it behind him.

Tony burst through the door and slammed it behind him, breathing hard.