Chapter 1

The sky burns a brilliant crimson as the sun flares above the chilling ocean. As the flare begins to dim the sun’s light also darkens like a light bulb ready to blow out. Below the spectacle a man named Nathan stands at the edge of a makeshift dock, looking at his watch as the sun fades. With the day’s fishing catch hanging in a sack over his shoulder Nathan packs up his fishing equipment and prepares to leave. As the hour hand of his old keepsake slowly reaches 1pm he sighs, tired of the shorter days and longer nights. With one last look at the darkening sun Nathan turns to leave the creaking dock and the memory of a bright day behind him. Nathan moves with purpose as he retraces his steps through the old brown forest, both the sun and fishing lake fading behind him like a distant memory. He continues forward until he notices a shadow through the dying trees, forcing him to stop dead in his tracks. Nathan looks around the forest for the source of the shadow but only finds trees, sticks, and dried leaves for his trouble. Just before he can convince himself that the shadow he saw was just a trick of the mind the sound of a snapping twig behind him destroys any hope of that being true. Slowly, Nathan turns around to see a large Gray wolf baring its fangs at him, the sharp instruments stained crimson with the blood of some poor soul. Hoping that the wolf only wants the fish hoisted over his shoulder Nathan slowly places the sack on the ground and begins to back away. The Gray wolf advances forward ignoring the sack of fish completely, its lethal gaze focused only on the man standing in front of it. Realizing this Nathan quickly draws his old combat knife, readying himself for the beast’s attack.

        Time slows to a crawl as the Gray wolf advances on Nathan, its low growl getting louder with every step it takes. Suddenly it leaps forward with its fangs aiming for Nathan’s neck. Making a last second reaction he just manages to dodge the beast, falling to the ground in the process. Almost in a single motion the wolf immediately adjusts its position and jumps on Nathan with the intent to tear his throat out but the beast soon whimpers, falling off him and onto the dried leaves of the forest floor. Nathan sits up and looks at the body of the Gray wolf, his combat knife sticking out of the animal’s chest. Climbing to his feet Nathan pulls the knife out of the beast’s chest, cleaning the blood off with a leaf from the ground. Still holding the weapon tight he looks up into the darkening sky, the already weak light fading fast. It’s only getting worse Nathan thinks to himself before he sheaths the knife. Leaving the wolf where it lies, he picks up his sack full of fish and pushes on through the forest more determined than ever to reach his destination.