Alfred was never prone to self-pity, but he couldn’t help but feel he had the worst luck in the world right now. The one time he gave in to the indulgence of a vacation, albeit a short one, and he is confronted with the unnatural.

So, here he was, bleeding from several gashes inflicted by what could only be described as a nasty ball of malicious furry fury. No, really, it was a ball covered in black fur with two stick-thin arms that ended with sharp claws. It was currently bouncing off of trees with all the energy of a rabbit on crack, eagerly pursuing its helpless victim.

Well, maybe not helpless. There was a reason why Alfred never had much time for getting away from the everyday stress of life, but more on that later.

Right now, the story’s protagonist is stumbling through the forest in a mad scramble to return to his cabin. Fortunately, the logged domicile was within sight and he was able to enter the clearing just as his monstrous assailant closed the gap.

Sensing the impending threat to his wellbeing, Alfred had narrowly avoided decapitation by throwing himself forward. Years of experience allowed him to recover quickly and he pushed himself from the ground before running toward the tool shed. There, he found his saving grace in the form of woodcutting axe still buried in a tree stump where he had left it that morning.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Grabbing the weapon, he swung the bladed implement just in time to catch the fur ball midair. The feeling of the impact hit his arms, warm blood splashed against his chest, and the shrill shriek of the monster’s cry cut through the silent woods.

Breathing heavily, Alfred fell to one knee, leaning on the axe while keeping an eye on his felled opponent, which had been thrown a few feet away. He had no idea what it was or where it came from, but his instincts were screaming at him that the danger has yet to pass.

And they were right.

What should have been a corpse suddenly squirmed with boundless energy before splitting in two. The resulting pair raised themselves off the ground, red eyes slowly trained towards their prey, and needle teeth chomping in anticipation.

Well, it wasn’t like Alfred had not expected this. He had been around death long enough to know when a job required a heavy-handed approach.  

With a resigned sigh, he got to his feet and took a relaxed stance.

Shoulders squared, legs apart, and axe in hand, the lone woodsman prepared himself for a day of what might just be his bloodiest work yet.

As it would turn out, it was just one of many.