It was mid afternoon when I found myself in my most nightmarish situation, I was out in the open, on my own in an unchecked area, my fears were realised as I looked around. I could feel panic rising, bubbling and churning in the pit of my stomach. Questions in my head sprung into being. Where had everyone gone? Why was I alone? What was I going to do? How was I going to do it? So many questions and not one single answer. Calling out wasn't an option and carrying two way radios was a no, no. any noise would allow them to home in on me and find me. Hunting something that was blind had a better outcome in the daylight but the downside was their excellent hearing to compensate for their blindness.

You see; a little way back myself and my team were on a hunt, for what you ask? Monsters! Small hairy venomous monsters. Our planet had been invaded but aliens, but they only saw humans as a food source and wanted the planet for themselves. The first thing we actually knew about the invasion was when people started disappearing. you see at the beginning they would hide in the woods and forests and only attack humans when they were hungry. When we found out some of the the monsters were captured and scientists did their usual on an unknown, experimented on them. When one of the aliens escaped it then became a man hunt, literally. since then only people with a death wish ventured out without some form of weapon and others like myself would hunt the aliens.

Cautiously, I retreated to find cover, making sure to tread in the same spot as I had done before. Panic continued to rise making my breathing fast and shallow and I frequently tried to hold my breath. The workman's hut I had passed became my ultimate goal, all I could think about was getting inside and making as little noise as possible. Step by step, breath after breath I slowly traced my steps, every second felt like minutes and every minute felt like hours. Finally I saw the hut and hope and excitement warmed within me. 'Crunch!' I stopped and my heart sank. In the distance I heard shuffling. "Shit!" I exclaimed and took to my heals running for the door of the little white hut. Two more meters and I would be safe. Suddenly, in front of me was a two foot hairball. It had three creamy white orbs that should be eyes and a single needle sharp tooth with venom dripping from the tip. I moved slowly with a short sword in my hand. I needed to move quickly before it called for reinforcements, inch by inch i crept closer, one foot, two feet, three feet, it was now in front of me and the putrid smell stung my nostrils. Trying not to gag with the awful stench I swung my sword, a sickening sloppy thud sounded ad the blade met its mark. Silently the monster slid from the blade onto the floor. It had been a long time coming, but now I felt I could truly call myself the slayer of monsters.

Quietly, I sat reading my book, lost in the imagery the words portrayed in my mind. Turning the crisp white page the door flew open startling me. Snapping my head up to see who was disturbing my alone time, stood in the doorframe was Jenny. Her face was a beetroot and her breathing was like a dog panting after chasing a ball. The wild look in her eyes sent shivers down my spine. “Jenny! What on earth is the matter?” I exclaimed “He, he, he….” Stuttering, Jenny tried to tell me. I, I, l saw a g, g, gun!” Her arms were flailing windmill like. “P, p, p, police everywhere!” “Jenny calm down, take a breath and gather your thoughts, then try again.” I calmly said. One deep breath, then another and another. The redness slowly reduced as Jenny gathered herself. I made her take a seat in the brown arm chair I had been sat in and gave her a drink of cold water. A few minutes passed as I stood looking at Jenny waiting for her to settle her excitement. “I went to the shop to get some milk” slowly she recited what she had seen. “A man behind the till had a gun and I saw a person on the floor” she started to become panicked again and was on the verge of hyperventilating. I put my hand up to stop her talking but she continued regardless. “I heard the police sirens outside and ran out.” Violent sobs escaped her as she slowly went into shock and the adrenaline rush subsided. I put my arms around her and let her cry.

Slowly, he waded through drifts of blinding white snow, every step taken was swallowed by the powdery whiteness. He mused to himself: “It probably wasn’t a great idea to go hiking alone on the side of a mountain that seemed to devour everyone and everything that dared to discover it’s secrets”. A golden glow form the distance caught his eye, invited his cold and weary body. Jack made his way towards the light, the idea of being stood in front of a roaring fire with a steaming hot cup of tea, encouraged him to pick up his pace and forget; if only for a short time. Emerging from the trees he stopped, drinking in the sight that was before him, a dark oak cabin smothered in thick layers of snow, wisps of grey-white smoke rising into the frozen sky and a warm orange glow from the many windows met his gaze. Unsure, like a hare seeking fresh grass, he timidly made his way over the snow towards the door. Tap, tap, tap, his fingers softly drummed, he waited. Knock, knock, knock his knuckles rapped on the solid oak door, echoing through the bright night air. He waited again. Seconds walked on and he waited. A minute passed and there was no sound, still he stood, shivering now as the cold drew in around him. With a thick black padded glove Jack tried the handle, pushing down slowly, click, the door opened. “Hello!” “Is anyone home!” Throwing his voice load enough to be heard but not enough to disturb the snow hanging above his head, the silence was deafening. Stepping past the threshold “hello, is anyone here!” A muffled voice sounded from above. “Hi, be with you in a minute”. Jack wasn’t able to determine if it was a man or a woman had responded but the relief of hearing someone’s voice relaxed him and he closed the door, shutting out the winter. The stairs shrieked as a woman in her late 20s descended dressed in a fluffy light blue bathrobe, her jet black hair cascaded over her shoulders framing her facial features. Her smouldering brown eyes gazed at Jack, they seemed to look past all the dark winter clothing and straight to his soul. He shuddered a little feeling uncomfortable under her penetrating gaze. “Sorry, I was getting out of the tub and didn’t hear you knock. Please come in and get warm, I have fresh soup on the stove if you’re hungry”. Her voice had a husky rasp to it, sexy and alluring. Jack met her gaze, shaking with cold and fear, he replied simply; “Thank you”.