The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

Beware the Weregon
by Stacey Turner

Mac scanned the horizon from his vantage point high atop the cliff. Before him stretched the endless expanse of ocean, tide high, lit by the full moon. The Blue Moon, second full moon of the month, was incredibly bright, illuminating what remained of the rocky beach below. Behind him, Samuel stumbled from the forest, trudging towards him across the clearing. He was breathing heavily; he had about seventy five pounds on Mack though two inches shorter.

“You going to make it, bud?” Mac clapped him on the shoulder.

“Yeah,” Sam wheezed, bending forward, placing his hands on his thighs and panting audibly. After a few minutes, he straightened. “I think I heard something in the woods.”

Mac chuckled. His younger brother was not a fan of either nature or physical activity; he was still amazed he’d gotten him to come camping. But after their father’s passing, Mac was determined they spend more time together, even if he had to force Sam to for his own good. The kid needed to get out of the house more, do something with his life besides play video games and watch horror movies while eating pizza.

“It’s probably a deer, moose, or any other number of forest creatures.”

“Um, no. This sounded big.” Sam’s voice was tinged with fear.

“A bear is rather unlikely. Whatever it is, no doubt it’s just as scared of you. We can head back to the campsite as soon as you fully enjoy this view.”

Sam rolled his eyes, turning to face the ocean. He appeared impressed, even though he continued to throw fearful glances over his shoulder. “It really is beautiful, man. Thanks for bringing me.”

Mac smiled. “You’re welcome. I knew you’d love it.”

“Yeah, now just get me out of here before something eats me.”

Mac shook his head, and they started back the way they’d come. Ten minutes in, Mac stopped. Sam ran into the back of him.

“Shh!” Mac warned with a finger to his lips. He held very still, turning his head from side to side. A loud crash sounded behind them, and thudding footsteps pounded the path, headed in their direction.

Sam took off, moving faster than Mac had ever seen him move, towards the campsite. Mac whirled around and crouched, shotgun at the ready, nerves steady. He took aim in the direction of the sounds, and waited for a visual. The blood froze in his veins. He managed to get off a shot, pumped fast, and fired again. The large blue monster jumped, rolled, and was on top of him before he could do more. The thing stunk of blood, sweat, and an odd rotten smell Mac couldn’t identify.

He grappled with the creature trying like hell to sink teeth into his throat. It was strong; stronger than he, and bigger too, impossible as that seemed. Mac was six foot three of pure muscle, but he was losing this battle. Three tours in the sandbox and I’m going to die at the hands of Cookie Monster’s evil twin, he thought morosely.

Suddenly, light blazed and the thing sprung off him, howling in pain. It hunched a few yards ahead, and Mac took advantage of his unexpected freedom to spring up and grab his gun. The thing growled, but came no closer, furiously patting at a smoking spot on its arm. He risked a glance behind him. Sam stood a few yards away, holding the flare gun in his hands. The expression on his face spoke volumes about his level of terror, but his hand held steady.

“Back up, Mac. Slowly.”

Mac did as told and stopped beside Sam. “What’s going on here?”

“It’s a Weregon. They only come out at the Blue Moon. Most aren’t vicious, but occasionally you get a rogue. Battled them in Merlin’s Saga II on PlayStation 4. We don’t have the resources to kill it, but I’ll report to the guild.”

“First, who are you, and what have you done with my brother? Second, a where a what? Third, what guild?” Mac kept a wary eye on the monster.

“A Where-a-gon, half blue fairy, half werewolf. Very rare. I’m still Sam, and I’m scared shitless, but I guess playing first person video games isn’t all useless. The fantasy gamer’s guild. They keep track of strange things people actually see in the real world. Get ready to run.”

Sam fired two more flares at the monster, shouted, “Run,” and they both hauled ass. They blew past the campsite, straight to Mac’s jeep without stopping. As they sped away, down the mountain, Mac peeked at Sam. His brother was white faced, wide eyed, and clutching his chest.

Mac patted him on the back. “You did good, bro. Saved my life. I’ll never knock your gaming again.”

Sam let out a shaky breath and tried to smile. “Thanks, Mac. No more camping, like ever.”

Fiction © Copyright Stacey Turner
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

More from author Stacey Turner:

Morbid Metamorphosis: Terrifying Tales of Transformation

Metamorphosis occurs every day as caterpillars become sweet fluttering butterflies, tadpoles become gorgeous frog princes and chameleons become one with the beauty of nature – but you won’t find any of that here.

The transformations you’re about to witness are unnatural, sometimes gruesome and deeply psychological. They will make you question reality and take your mind places it was never meant to go.

Terrifying Tales of Transformation from Greg Chapman * Roy C. Booth & R. Thomas Riley * Terri DelCampo * Dave Gammon * Nancy Kilpatrick * Rod Marsden * Jo-Anne Russell * M.J. Preston * Stacey Turner * Tina Piney * Suzanne Robb * Franklin E. Wales * Donna Marie West * Suzie Lockhart * Cameron Trost * Daniel I. Russell * Simon Dewar * Amanda J. Spedding * Ken MacGregor * Erin Shaw * Gregory L. Norris * Nickolas Furr

Available on Amazon!