The Hunter's Prey

Prologue

It was more of a shack than anything. As he looked through one heavy-lidded eye he noticed the dim light bulb flickering slowly in the dark room, swinging from side to side from the bitter wind that found its way through cracks and shafts that pierced the walls and ceiling.

The walls were rotting, the ceiling low, and insects were flying and buzzing around, moths making the little light flitter around.

The shadows were large and changed as the light kept changing its course. There was a small window in one wall, high up, opaque from the dirt and grime that had infested upon it. As he scanned the room, his open eye landed on the door, nearly falling away from its rotten hinges. He could see the rain pelting down outside, the tall forest looming not so far away.

There was a brown leather coat strewn on the moth eaten covers of a narrow bed in the far corner, a small lump hunched in a somewhat distorted shape under its covers. As he watched, he saw that its chest was rising and falling. It came back to him, like a slap in the face.

Hunch and Pierce .Dread filled him but he stayed quiet. It would be no use to wake up one of them.

There was a small basin and mirror not too far away from him.

In one corner there was a small, rickety table, only two items on its tabletop. A knife and a…paper. Was this what he was looking for? Hope filled him, something he had not felt since he had come around. But hope was quickly vanquished when he remembered that he was tied to a chair with ropes the size of snakes, two bruised eyes, a limp because of a sprain in his leg and a huge gash in his shoulder? He would never be able to get to it, let alone get out.

Alex told himself not to panic as he tested the strength of the bonds. It was secure. His hands were cold but sweating. He could hear his own somewhat calm breathing as he fought to pull off the ropes. He hoped whoever was in the bed would not wake up any time soon, then he set about releasing himself, knowing that the ropes were the only thing standing between himself and freedom.


A/N: I'm quite happy with that. Short and to the point. Hopefully it'll stand alone. R & R please!