Peace.
Silence.
Nothing but the wind and snow.
Tranquility.
No evil of man, nor towering monstrosities of stone and wood. Finally, here alone in the north, I can live
without fear, without anger. Or so I thought; until they came. Men on wooden ships wielding knives and
guns. They did not hesitate, dogs lept from the ship and boards dropped from the ship's side. Men spewed
from the boat and began to chase me. So I did all that I could and ran.
As I ran through across the tundra I suddenly felt sharp impacts across my back. Those chasing me had
begun to fire their guns at me as i fled. Without hesitation, I lowered my head and continued to run. As
I continued to flee through the mists I could hear the sound of the dogs on my tail.
Why had they come? I had remained in the north, alone, a disturbance to no one. I had upheld my end of
the deal.
As I fled, across the tundra I could see a cave entrance ahead of me. Perhaps I could hide from the men
and dogs in there, I thought, and quickly made my way inside. I was wrong.
As the men reached the cave, I prepared myself for their advance, however it never came. I listened and
waited, but still nothing. Seconds turned into minutes, which felt like hours at a time. Suddenly, a
lantern flew past my head and struck the wall of the cave behind me.
"We'll burn him out," yelled the men outside the cave, as they threw in their lanterns. As the lanterns
shattered as they hit the walls and ground of the cave, they sprayed the oil contained within coating the
walls and allowing the fire to spread quickly.
As the smoke began to fill the cave, a level of dread began to rise within me. The smoke and fire began to
burn and choke me. Thoughts that had not entered my head in some time begun to return.
Fear.
Why could they not leave me alone, why must I be hunted like an animal. As the fire continued to spread,
more of these thoughts continued to return.
Pain.
Agony.
For months I was able to be free from pain, free from fear. I was able to enjoy the silence and
tranquility, and find a place of peace. Peace, which was now being taken from me. Once again, man would
take from me.
Anger.
Hatred.
Rage.
As my vision blurred and my skin burned, I lost myself to my rage. I do not recall what happened to the
men or dogs outside the cave. I do not know how I managed to escape the cave.
All I do know is that none of those who pursued me are among the living anymore. I know that men will
continue to pursue me across the world no matter what. I know that I will be hunted like an animal until I
am a trophy for someone's wall. So I will fight, with my rage and pain as my guide.