Five...

A small blue jay lands on a branch near me, foraging whatever insects might still be living in the rotten wood.

Four...

I can feel my arms beginning to strain. My muscles are screaming at me to give in, telling me that I'm not as strong as I once was. Failure is not acceptable. I'm not the only one who needs to eat tonight.

Three...

The steam of my breath slowly danced around my arrow's shaft - looking like elegant apparitions in the early morning light.

Two...

A doe stepped out into the clearing, searching for any possible food that could have survived yesterday's snowfall. Finally.

One...

The panicked fluttering of wings echoed throughout the dead forest, along with the shrills of a fallen deer. I climb down from my hiding spot and head over to her. I cursed under my breath when my eyes gazed upon her bloody body. I did my best to aim for her heart. Just wasn't good enough.

I knelt next to her, my pants soaking up the crimson snow. I drew my hunting knife and immediately plunged it deep into her chest. She tried to struggle beneath me but was too weak to flee. The more she moved, the deeper my blade went. Eventually, everything went still. Her screaming stopped. I sighed and heaved the bloody corpse onto my tired shoulders, leaving for my cabin.

With every step I took, my shoulders grew heavier, not from the deer but guilt. I had missed my target, and she paid the price during her last moments. My grandfather's voice rings in my ears, assuring me that life without sufferings is not life. I'm not too fond of that. This doe did not deserve to suffer like that. No one does.

I shook my head free of these thoughts as I finally entered my little cabin. I pass through the living area, careful to avoid hitting any of my guests with the doe as I made my way to the kitchen. My bow and quiver were hung above the barely lit fireplace - surrounded by various pieces of torn clothing. I hoisted the doe onto the skinning rack, which I kept in a small sectioned-off portion of the room. The makeshift tin walls did their best to prevent any blood and guts from spilling out into the rest of the kitchen. I had made quick work of my kill - storing away any unused parts for later. Maybe I'll use the pelt to make some fur boots? Or some jewelry for my younger sister. Her birthday should be coming up soon.

I turned the stove on and tossed the clean meat into the largest pot I had. I wasn't planning on feeding so many people while out here, so all I can manage is boiled meat and potatoes. Hopefully, they aren't picky eaters. I filled another bowl with warm water, grabbing a cloth to go with it. The sink cabinet squeaked loudly when it opened, reluctantly letting me obtain the safety kit that was inside. I headed back out to the living area, tiptoeing around the unconscious guests who were lying on the floor. Too bad I only had two cots and the couch. At least my grandmother always sent me with more than enough blankets to survive out here.

One of the smaller teens twitched in her sleep, groaning a bit. Pain? Nightmare? I can't be sure. Slowly, I crouched down next to her, setting the kit and the bowl on the floor.

'Seven...' I thought to myself, 'Lucky number seven. But, you lot don't seem so lucky to me.'

I wrung out the washcloth and began to reclean some of her wounds. The poor thing's excessive freckles made it somewhat hard to discern what was dirt and what wasn't - especially with this dim lighting. Thank goodness her wounds aren't as bad as some of the others. I'm worried the one on the couch might not even pull through. Her breathing is awfully shallow. I set the cloth to the side and pulled out a fresh set of bandages. Just before I was able to wrap the first bandage, a low growl echoed from behind me - shaking my bones.

'A wolf? No... that's impossible. Wolves don't come down to this side of the mountain. Humans chased them out of here years ago.'

I gulped and slowly turned my head, ready to face my demise. Only to be met with... a young lady? She was mere inches away from me - close enough for me to see the birthmark on her left cheek.

"Y... you're awake..." I attempted to try to keep what little composure I had. My eyes fell upon her teeth. They were sharp. Sharper than any human's. It doesn't take good lighting and an expert prosthodontist to see that.

She bared her fangs a bit more, gripping me by the collar of my bloody shirt. Her voice was soft and quiet, but each word held enough venom to drive a man to madness. "Don't. Touch. Them." 

A/N Hey guys I hope you like this new story this is what started my love for writing. I started this book with my best friend and sister Aeluin Nerium in our freshmen year of high school. Now we have rebooted it and wanting to share it with you all. We hope you enjoy. Please leave a comment and tell us what you think.