Prologue: Bigfoot Among the Trees
The greenery—large trees and long grass—was a welcome change from the endless sand dunes. The sun, an endless high-noon punishment when above the dunes, was mostly blocked due to the overlapping branches. Shade was such a relief!
That thought drew out a deep chuckle. How a change in scenery improved a mood. Even if nature and he had longstanding disagreements.
There was soft hissing, like liquid chemicals sizzling in a beaker. That sound worried him not. Almost like a pollutant lullaby, comforting in its constancy.
He realized he had touched a tree. A dark blue sludge spread like a rapacious fungus from underneath his palm. Chemical fumes spiraled from this substance to putrefy the clean air. Birds sung their harmonious melody, ignorant of the nauseous odor that would soon interrupt their woodland chorus. Many a day and night would pass before an encore happened.
Squeaky, chittering sounds caught his attention. Behind him, atop its hind legs and balanced with its bushy tail, stood a squirrel. The little rodent's beady eyes acknowledged him then moved to observe what drew it down to the forest floor—a big, blue footprint.
"Little fella', I wouldn't mess with that," he said.
Despite the warning, the squirrel moved closer to the footstep. Its little nose sniffed the print. The odor caused the rodent to gag. Before falling to unconsciousness, it bolted up the nearest tree.
He chuckled a little. Those animals that don't run from his residue's smell, usually have a nibble and end-up melting into meat-goo!
He moved on. Biohazardous footprints left in his wake.
His journey, unlike his "travels" in the desert, had a destination. Unfortunately, all the details were laid out like a prophecy. Tongue twisters, much less prophetic talk, angered him on a good day.
A familiar scent, brought on the wind, caught his attention. Rotten aroma laced with awful chemicals. Yeah, smoke. Something was burning.
His sniffer went to work. A few minutes walking around in a circle and he smelt out a trail. Direction, any direction was always great.
Above, noticeable in the branches' partings where sunlight had poured down, smoke clouds lulled. Emergency sirens blared softly ahead.
Eventually, he walked out to a cliff that jutted out from the hill. Once at the edge, the forest's size and splendor drew the eye. But not quite as much as the hospital many miles in the distance. Flames raged out from broken windows in a few dozen spots. Whole thing would burn down before firemen, policemen, and other officials showed up. He, on the other hand…
The Man's voice played in his head. A tidbit to a larger puzzle: "From the inferno, you'll find the Third broken and threatened. Save him and he'll lead you to the others. If he perishes, so does both your and your friend's salvation."
Threat, promise? Bluefur cared not. He'd find this "Third", whoever he was, and protect him. Perhaps have some fun along the way, too. A few punches thrown here and there...
Bluefur smiled, fists already balled up, and jumped off the cliff.
A/N: Hope everybody had a good holiday season. Consider this a kind of late/New Year present to my readers old and new. It's a short piece, but prologues usually are. I plan to do this story alongside my other-Hellboy in Dead Space. I'm already writing chapter one to this story, while planning out another chapter or two in Hellboy in Dead Space, before resuming that project. New Year's resolution: release more chapters! But anyway, thanks to everyone that supported me this year: family, friends, and readers alike. Your feedback and interest has encouraged me to continue on writing, working to hone my craft, and for that I'm greatly indebted.
Sappy part done... Please leave a like, favorite, and/or review! To a Happy New Year everyone! No comment on 2020...