This is my first completed story, so I hope you find something interesting


The bell sounded effectively ending Cory sleep. Yawning while sitting up in his desk, Cory listened to his teacher. He was drowning on an on about some assignment. Not that it mattered, really no one would do there's over winter break.

"Would every one please listen. Yes I know all of you are excited for your break but still. Over these next three weeks I would like all of you to do something that involves your families. I would like for each person to research there family tree." Some groaned about the one subject that actually involved talking to there family members. "Research as far back as you can go. Talk to your grand parents, your uncles, even your parents. See were you all came from. How you came to be. It will be due the last day of school." Now that was different. Normally the old english teacher Mr. Rate. Yes I said Rate, no Cory not going to comment about it. He just did get off detention for just that. "I hope all of you find something interesting out that excites you."

This had been their final class before leaving. Cory gathered his things. Consisting of one binder, a jacket he never used, and a tattered back pack. Students were saying goodbyes to Mr. Rate then running in to the halls. Almost to freedom Cory was stopped.

"Cory could we talk for a moment." So close Cory thought as he stopped at the desk. "I know you of all people will have a little difficultly with this assignment." Gritting his teeth and biting his tongue, Cory waited. "What I want to say is. Every one is expected to at the very least try. Perhaps talk about what characteristics you might share with them." Shaking his head at the clueless teacher. Cory just continued to wait it out. "I hope I did not offend you. Many people have been leaft-,"

Cory marched out the door just then. Anger was playing in the back of his eyes. Ideas, bad ideas of what to do with those teachers opinions.

"Hay watch were your going," some girl cory bumped into growled. She had punk black hair, a leather jacket, and a determined look in her eyes. The stranger thing was her eyes. So blue you would call it electric if you saw them for yourself.

"Sorry," Cory mumbled. Continuing on with his march out the door after side stepping an angry glare. "What are peoples problems," Cory thought. Not that Cory had much room to talk really. This was to be his sixth school in about six years. Every year a new problem lead toward a new school.

Opening up the front door, Cory was met with an ice cold blast of air. Winter had decided to take a tremendous dump this year. Dropping off nearly a foot of snow with below twenty degree weather. Kids were coming up past to run for the warmth of vehicles. "How on earth am I supposed to make friends with those," Cory said. Talking aloud to himself yet again. All the kids in the small town of Bozeman, had grown up together since they had been little. No one could hope to even break through that kind of barrier in High School. "Ow well," Cory thought again. "Isolation is better than this," Cory said walking down the side walk in discuss. Watching as students screamed about how cold they were. Throwing snow balls at one another till finally.

"What the hell," Cory yelled. A stray had managed to beam the back of his head with surprising force. No one took blame for the stray only stopping to point and laugh. Scooping his hand under the snow for small amount of wet slush. Cory padded the snow down whilst choosing a target. Deciding on the much larger jock who had taken a liking to picking fights. Cory released the ball with such accuracy it caused stairs. Not because of a little good aiming. But because the over sized gorilla had been standing half a foot ball field away when he landed on his back. Pointing toward his victim to laugh as the comments started in.

"Did you see that?"

"Yeah what a freak, who is he?"

"Some kid social dropped on the schools door step."

"Great just what we need a freak." The comments flowed never ending. It felt like taking artillery fire. Heat flooded Cory cheeks to emphasize his pointed hatred. People were really not his favorite species.

"Aww look at that, he's upset." A random cheerleader said making a scene of a baby wiping away its tears. Snow smacked in to the girls face so hard she flew back on to her back.

"Ahahah," Cory could not help but laugh at the fortune. Whoever had done that had to be a friend of his.

"Laugh it up punk," the now angry jock shouted. Storming through snow to reach Cory before he could run. Another well placed snow or possible ice ball smacked the would be assailant head on. Giving Cory enough time to turn for an over due exit.

Bounding down streets at a pace of an Olympic track star. Second nature kicked in, survival. No High School nor College star alive could catch him when ran like this. Closing his eyes and imagining the run. Cory could almost see himself as a cheetah. Wild, fast, uncatchable.

Reaching his humble abode in a matter of a half hour. "Home sweet cockroach." Shingles peeled at the center leaving a vacant look. Inside it looked a little better. Twin bed held up by pallets against one wall, a dresser for his clothes beside it. Then a small table and chair across from the bed. Of course he had your average kitchen set up a few feet back further. A mini fridge.

A closet held what Cory needed. Uncovered with an all oak finish sat his bow. Pulling it out to check on his table one last time before he left. Three week long vacation meant one thing for him. Extended Hunting trip and this one promised to be good. All new terrain than what he had been previously accustomed to. Tomorrow would be the day too. A bus ride up East Glacier Park Village, then a hike toward Sheep Mountain. His camouflage had been worn from previous use and he had no real jacket but it was all he could think about.

"Well I guess I should do it now ha tiger." Tiger a stray cat that wondered around from time to time. He had all but adopted Cory as his friend. Taking out a foldable steel chair for comfort. "This should be fun. I mean really what could anybody write about what they had in common with two absolute strangers." What Mr. Rate said had been true toward the end. Both parents had left him at birth to fend for himself. Not exactly one of those, "I forgive you," sort of things. He really had no desire to go comparing himself to them. "Not like I can anyway. Sure my eyes are funny." Instead of your average three eye colors his had to be different like so many other things. "How else do you explain gray eyes," Cory asked an unamused tiger. "Just keep licking your self then, I got this. OK eyes from my dad then. My mom." This really had been hard part for him. Of course he had thought about these things in the past. While stairing up at peeling ceiling of another foster home.

"How about this, my ADHD I took from her." Tiger looked at him for a split second. Then jumped from table to bed in one bound. Tucking himself in for a cat nap. "Lazy, how am I going to complete this without constructive criticism? Yeah I'm losing it aren't I?" To that the cat purred as it rolled over. Sunlight had started to slowly fade away from the horizon. The only light in the cramped room was a dusty lamp. That had worked till Tiger knocked it over in a suspicious manner. So now they both lay in darkness. Cory eyes had learned after the first night how to adjust. Almost to the point of night vision or cat vision. What ever the case they both slowly slipped off in to unconsciousness.

Sleeping had become very hard on Cory since about the age of six. Nightmares came an went with no common since. Tonight would be no different.

In it a woman sat watching the sky the land scene unfamiliar. She sat alone murmuring a song. It felt so "warm" some how, that Cory had to get closer to hear her words.

"Huh," Cory thought. The words came out in a different language than english. Weirder was that he could understand every word perfectly.

"E`rthei empro`s to fos foteino`tita to vr`ady. La`mpoun k`ato apo` e`na monopa`ti pou tha me kathodigisei pros ta dexia`. Deixe mou to dro`o dia a`lli mia fora` gi `afto` borei na odigisei sti niki se afto` to telko` ago`na mou."

Come forth the light brightness in the night. Shine down a path that will guide me to the right. Show me the way once more so I may lead to victory in this my final fight.

Cory became entranced by her voice and her words. Walking dangerously close to hear more. It had stopped however. Now the girl sat quietly once more looking up at the stars. Here interest in them could match Cory. His fascination going back as to the day he was born. Her beauty was unmatched by any girl or even woman he had ever seen.

"Who," he started to ask. Then she turned away ignoring him. Fading out till she was moonlight herself. "Wait," Cory shouted reaching out. "OW," he exclaimed. As the searing pain of a cut went through his hand. More light shown down till the woman was finally engulfed and blinding Cory.

"That was the weirdest dream I have ever had in my life." Cory talked to a leaving tiger. The cat had decided enough was enough for the night. Lunging through a broken piece of board to escape. "Great now even cats don't want to be with me." Standing to stretch, Cory found a new injury. "That stupid cat cut me. I hope I won't get parvo I'll never get a girl then." Not bothering to remember Parvo was for dogs and dogs only. Sunlight had barely just started peaking across the small town. "Vacation time." Cory set out away to pack his supplies and grab his homework. A bus ride at this hour would lead up till almost sun down when he arrived. Giving just enough time to set up an outer camp site before the hike up toward the true goal.

The bus stop seemingly had no hostile faces. There were strangely a group of girls that stayed to themselves. Cory didn't recognize any of the three. A bus showed up within twenty minutes of waiting. Boarding the bus Cory groaned. This bus had stopped before they had arrived here. Leaving only one seat open beside the group of girls. Moving hastily to avoid eye contact, Cory sat down beside the window. The bus had two rows of seats each going back to a large bench in the back with five in the back. All four of the girls looked equally upset about the seating.

No further choice when the bus started for the highway. A Average bow bag covered Cory weapon for hunting. Some how managing to hold up to twenty arrows and his quiver. It was blatantly obvious what he had between his legs on the ground. One of the girls commented to her friend by the window who looked over.

"I bet he can't hit the broad side of a barn." Window girl laughed at middle seat joke. Hopefully that would be there only remark. If not this would be a ride to underworld before it's all said and done.

"Well I mean what could you expect? He is just a boy however." This time the girl beside him spoke. Finally looking over at the four and noticing. Each one had on grey camouflage with hunting style jackets. knives were placed at each hip on each girl. Effectively giving off that look of, "I will cut you if you look at me wrong."

"Come now no comment a boy." One asked in a very strangely old accent. Mountain sides passed by the bus as it continued down the highway. Small towns becoming scenery.

"What the," Cory mumbled to his suddenly pelted head. An acorn landed on his lap. "How in the," all four girls snickered before he could ask. Cory peered over at the four now ignoring him. Coughing to choke back his surprise. "Time to just look out the window," he thought. Because if he were right, the girl second to the window had pointed ears. "That can't be right." Attempting to be as covert as possible. "They are," he accidently said aloud. Four heads simultaneously turned to look at him.

Pointed ears glared at him, her eyes were different also. "Ow what would that be boy?" Stuttering out something about weather, Cory turned his body toward the window. Pulling out Mr. Rate paper in hopes of a distraction.

Still he had not filled in a single word. What really could he do beside guess. Nobody in social services had ever admitted to knowing Cory parents. Heck he did not even have a legal last name. Nobody knew what to say so he had become just, Cory. No last name, no parents, no nothing. "Screw It," Cory thought hastily writing.

"My name is Cory. I got my eyes from my father, my dyslexia from my mother. I have no idea were there lineage goes too." Short sweet and to the point. Mr. Rate only asked for effort anyway.

Passengers disembarked one by one from the bus. Until slowly it had become six people at the front, Cory, and the four girls in camouflage. Angry as the girls might have been at his sitting there, they made no movement to leave. Only now pointed ears would glare over from time to time.

"Have you ever heard the story of the mountain in these parts?" Window girl asked middle seat.

"No why?"

"Well it is said these mountains obtained there names long, long ago." She had paused for some type of dramatic affect. "When man used to only be few in these parts. Sheep herders would take a flock once a month to the top of the valley. Once on arrival, each sheep would drink from a rain built pond. Fuller fur, riper meat, and healthy flock would soon form. That is," she paused before letting pointed ears take over.

"If it were possible to reach bottom of course." Some how Cory had been pulled into this story. Raptured at its folk tale. "Nobody knew why. But would seem after they brought there first flock, nobody returned a second. You see when the farmers had realized its affects the first time. They would return with a second, much larger group of sheep or ram. All in hopes of having the juiciest meat around." Pointed ears now locked eyes with Cory, immoveable under her stair. All Cory felt he could do was listen.

"When slowly one by one the village grew smaller. A town meeting had voted to send a hunter to the forest. Only one stood willing to leave. His story legendary among other villages. Not a soul had bested the man in his conquest of the forest."

"However this beast would not be like his others." They had switched again. Window girl had taken back her story, determined to keep it going. Middle seat listened on intently not bothering to glare over at Cory again. Only one sat beside her, hood over her head this entire time. Something was off though when window girl and middle switched off. It were as if they spoke of this story "different".

"Bravely he marched up toward the mountain only to find it empty. Not a soul in site, not even a tiny field mouse. As he searched for this beast he had no idea." Cory leaned in slightly more unknowingly. "He were being tracked himself by this beast. Lead to believe he freighted away with warning the man would come.

In his haste he had not watched the weather. A great storm were to blow in this night. Leaving the great hunter trapped on the mountain top with no cover. Until that is, he found a cave. Taking refuge just when the storm caught up to him. Terrible winds and rain hard enough you would not see boulder fly toward you until you were beneath. Story said the man found refuge with in its depths. Wood and sheep fur stacked neatly beside its walls. He did not question it, merely assuming to be left overs from his freighted hunt.

Lighting a fire for warmth. The man went about sleeping uncaring to set a trap." Window girl paused for a breath. Locking eyes with Cory just as pointed ears released him from hers. "As the man slept calmly into the storm. His hunt crept slowly up from the woods climbing his mountain quietly. Reaching the man within moments. Snoring in his sleep to signal his long slumber. It worked to lead the monster directly to him. As the monster crept up to him the man woke.

Looking up at the most horrifying thing he had ever seen. Lightning struck out illuminating the forgotten fire light. In its glow he saw what stocked him to this cave and it terrified him. So much so that forgetting his weapons instead to throw hot ambers at the monsters face. Scaring the beast who roared out in rage. Rock fell crumbling at his feet. The brave hunter no longer so brave in his callus ran from his cover.

Rain pelted his face winds nearly toppled him but still he ran. Hoping to out run his hunter. Towards the edge of the mountain ground began to slide taking that mans feet with him. Dragging him beside a tree, affectively trapping him. When he dug himself from the depths of the mudd he paled. In front of him was the burned face of his hunt, now his hunter. Attempting to go for his weapon and coming up empty. The monster looked into his eyes with grin on his face and spoke to the man in disbelief."

"How simple it is for the hunter to become the hunted."

"The monster reached out brining forth his weapon." Three out of the four girls now held his gaze. "As the man watched his life flashed before his eyes. Thinking back to the one thing all hunters of the wild are taught." Cory head felt dizzy while he listened in a trance. "The food chain is circle. No one is on top forever and if you think are, well. You just might be on someone elses dinner. With that the monster bellowed out in his attack."

'LAST STOP," the bus driver bellowed out cutting off window girl. All three girls stood just then to walk up the idle. Leaving behind there friend in the hood. Cory had to shake himself from the daze in was in to stand. Camouflage girl had not moved at all yet and would soon be left behind by her friends.

"Hay girl, hay wake up they stopped." The girl had long brown hair poking out of her jacket. "Girl you are going to be left behind by your friends if you do not get up." A pale hand shot up to grab Cory wrist that had been shaking her shoulder. "Ow," Cory winced. The girl had surprising strength for someone so young. Her face was still concealed but she spoke in a very light tone.

"I will find them, thank you boy." Stepping back to give her room. Cory watched as the little girl left the bus slowly. She stopped by the door for a moment. Cory looked back to see she had stopped for something she had left in her seat. Picking it up and looking. It was a silver arrow head with some kind of symbol.

"Umm, here you forgot this," Cory said turning to deliver. "What the, were did she go?" A pudge bus driver looked up from his clip board.

"What are talking about, your the only one still here."

"The four girls, the one that was just by the door a minute ago." Cory felt an all to familiar situation coming about.

"There were no girls here kid, unless of course you count the old broad I dropped off in Browning." Running from his seat with his bag in hand out the door. Cory searched for anyone wearing gray camo. Not a soul in sight had any though. In fact Cory would be the only one here with any type of camo. "See kid nobody." The bus driver said poking his head out the door. "Now go enjoy yourself kid." The bus driver went back to checking off his clip board.

"How can someone disappear like that?" It wasn't surprising though. In the past people would show up then vanish in to thin air. Some would stalk Cory like an predator, the animal type not the creepy uncle in a van. Others Cory would have sworn had shaggy legs and horns under there clothes. This would just be another in his hallucination bank. Window girl had to be real. That was one story Cory could not have dreamt of if he tried and the way she talked. It was so different from her friends, how though?

Cory continued down a walk path towgyard the park ranger building. Everyone had been told to register before entering the woods. Strange things were going on with the animals this year. They had explained some were getting bolder now. Attacking hunters when they least were ready. Catching a few in there sleep, "As he stalked up the mountain." Cory turned a one-eighty to find her.

"Great now I'm losing my mind." Window girl was not there, yet he still felt as if he were being watched again. "That story really was good," Cory thought.

"What story?" Cory turned back around to find a park ranger standing in front of him. All green everything up to his hat and even his slit eyes. Wait no that wasn't right. Cory looked again at the mans eyes. They were normal.

Yeah I'm losing it, Cory thought. "Ow just an old story I heard of the mountain here." He said nodding off in the direction of the woods. The older man smiled.

"Yes, yes. We do have plenty of those around here. Tell me lad are you not from here?" It was innocent question but something was desperately tugging the alarm in Cory mind. Something just did not feel right about this guy. It could have been that all to good meaning smile, the fact that an adult was not treating him like a criminal. Or when he laughed his mouth stayed closed. Preventing anyone from seeing his teeth. "Well boy o?" The man waited for his response.

"I just had not heard that story before that is all." Attempting to end the conversation quickly. The ranger was having no part in it.

"Ok so which one?"

"The hunter," Cory replied again attempting to leave. With each step the ranger moved with him. Effectively cutting him off.

"That old news." That cut Cory short. He looked up at the man sure he had herd him wrong. Had he said news.

"It's an old story?"

"Actually that story was like twenty maybe a few years older long ago. Give or take of course." Cory just shook his head, now that feeling had body checked his brain. All he could do was focus on the details of the man. Analyzing his eyes, his movements, and even his size. It took some time but he finally got away when he said his dad was waiting.

"Why do I get all the freaks," Cory thought walking up to the ranger building once more. Ready to start this trip.