Chapter One
3rd Person
The frightened group of teenagers sat together as they listened to the Stranger finish his bizarre story about Wendigos and such.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Emily exasperated, "Man-eating monsters that were once people who turned to cannibals are on this mountain and are trying to kill us?!"
The man nodded once before continuing, "I hunt these creatures. Trying to protect those who come here. I tried to warn the Washington's against comin' up here, but they took my word with a grain of salt."
Sam's head snapped away from Emily and to the Stranger.
"You were the one who threatened the family." She pointed her finger accusingly.
He nodded again.
The group looked at each other, not speaking.
The tense silence was broken by frantic knocking.
Chris jumped from the couch and ran to the door.
As he got closer, he could hear the shouts of a girl.
"Someone please let me in! Please, help! It's right behind me!"
Chris threw open the door and the girl tumbled into him.
"Thank you, thank you so much!"
She began to hyperventilate.
"Whoa, whoa." Chris wrapped an arm around the girl's shoulders and led her over to the couch, "Calm down. It's alright. That thing can't get you in here."
The minute the pair stepped into the living room, the Stranger pounced on him.
"My God, Artie!" He yanked the girl away from Chris and sat them down on the floor, "Come on, girl. Stay with me. Deep breaths, come on."
After a few minutes, Artie listened to the older man and slowed down her breathing.
"That a girl."
The girl looked up to the man with her big blue eyes before hugging him close.
"I thought I was going to die, that it was going to get me."
"Calm down, baby girl, it's alright. I got you. You're safe, now."
He stood up, taking Artie with him and sat her down on the foot rest in front of the couch. He addressed the teenagers who now looked at Artie with curiosity.
"Kids, this is Artchella, more commonly known as Artie. My daughter."
Artie shook her dyed purple bangs out of her face before smiling at them.
It faded just as quickly as it appeared when she locked on every one of their faces.