Story Excerpt

The Werebear

Emma sat inside her tent, smoking a joint. She coughed, feeling the high start to set in. As she watched the sun dip below the horizon, Emma watched as the stars began to sparkle to life. With a sad smile, she gazed upon the campfire, curious as to what the strange sounds in the forest actually were. It sounded like there was something rustling the leaves just outside the fire’s light.

“Hello?” Emma questioned, knowing nobody would be out this far into the woods. It was a nature preserve, after all. Emma shivered and dug through her pack, quickly finding the flare gun. Peeking outside the tent, Emma looked upon the brush just past the fire pit. Even though the air was only a bit chilly, the wind brought a certain chill that sent a shiver down Emma’s spine. She gripped the flare gun tightly, her heart pounding in her chest.

As she stepped cautiously towards the source of the rustling, the sounds grew louder and more unsettling. It was as if something large and powerful was lurking just beyond her line of sight. Emma’s mind raced with thoughts of bears, wolves, or even worse, an escaped convict seeking refuge in the dense forest.

Determined to uncover the truth, Emma took a deep breath and stepped into the shadows. The moon cast an eerie glow on the forest floor, illuminating twisted branches and tangled undergrowth. The rustling continued, growing closer with every step she took.

Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the trees, freezing Emma in her tracks. Her heart hammered in her chest as she instinctively raised the flare gun, ready to defend herself against whatever lurked in the darkness.

But as her eyes adjusted to the dim light, Emma saw a pair of glowing eyes peering at her from behind a thick cluster of bushes. Instead of fear, curiosity welled up within her. Carefully lowering the flare gun, she took a hesitant step forward.

“Who’s there?” she called out, her voice wavering slightly.

The creature emerged from its hiding place—a majestic Werebear with a sleek coat that shimmered under the moonlight. Its amber eyes held a mix of caution and intelligence as it regarded Emma.

Emma’s initial fear dissolved into awe as she realized she was witnessing something extraordinary. The Werebear didn’t seem threatening; in fact, there was a certain grace and beauty about it that drew her closer. She remembered hearing on the news about a strange beast roaming the area, but at the time, she thought nothing of it. Now, she wished she had paid more attention. “Please don’t hurt me,” Emma spoke under her breath as she slowly zipped up the tent. Certainly, the creature would leave if she left it alone. Breathing quietly, Emma watched as the monstrous beast stepped forward, closer to the flickering fire.

The Werebear stood tall and imposing, its massive frame towering over Emma. Its fur was a rich, dark brown, interspersed with streaks of silver that shimmered under the moonlight. The contours of its muscles rippled beneath its sleek coat, lending it an aura of strength and power. The creature’s paws were large and well-padded, perfectly suited for traversing the wilderness. Protruding from its broad shoulders were sharp claws, glinting ominously as they caught the glow of the fire. The Werebear’s ears were pointed and alert, swiveling to detect even the faintest sound in the surrounding forest. Its amber eyes held an innate wisdom, reflecting both caution and a flicker of curiosity as they locked onto Emma’s gaze.

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