John loved the wilderness and the reserved, comfortable life it allowed him. For a few years now he'd been living out in the mountains full time and when he wasn't at the military base, he was back home hunting through the woods thoroughly enjoying his hobby.

But something had been changing in the woods around his cabin. Animals had been being killed similarly to a wolf but different. Wounds too large, and two paw tracks, not the typical four when he'd attempted to track whatever it was.

A wolf wouldn't do this much damage or show the intelligence whatever this was, and John's suspicions were confirmed one morning, coming through the thicket to check on one of his bear traps.

Gnawing at the trap with a sharp mouth of canines and bristled angry fur, a large, wolf-like creature tries to free itself. John's hand reaches for the rifle strewn over his shoulder, feeling a dread unlike any he's ever felt in all his years of service rising in him, only stopping when it raises its head and stares right at him.