A Hunter's Game

She must have been at least ten years of age when I first saw her. I couldn’t even explain how I felt. People believe it’s wrong for someone like me to have an interest in a girl so young. But that didn’t stop me. Nothing can stop me from getting what I want. She was a beautiful possession.

See, when I first saw her, I was hunting in the woods. The sight of her caught me in a daze. My heart skipped a beat and I began to feel weak. I hadn’t seen someone so innocent and… vulnerable in a long time. I wanted her. Something in me hungered for her. I was at a distance, so she didn’t seem to take note of me, and she looked as though she were lost. I would have taken her right then, but my game ran off and, in a desperate need of food, I had to hunt it down. I decided my next prey would be the child.

By the time I had caught the damn deer, the little girl was gone. I spent the rest of the day looking for her. When the sun had set, I decided to head home. She was long gone by then. I had lost my chance. All I wanted to do was see her… touch her… taste her. I could feel myself start to drool a bit.

The last child I had taken was not quite as stunning as this one. This girl… her brown hair dripped in two loose pigtails… her green eyes shimmered when the sun hit them. Besides, I believed this girl would last longer than the other girl I had taken. The other had only lasted three days under my care. At least I got the most I could out of her.

Two days later, I saw her again. AS soon as I saw her emerald eyes and fair skin, my body shuddered. Even so, that was not the time to take her. I needed to watch her. See how much I could strain her until she breaks. I wanted to make sure I wouldn’t hurt her too badly. I didn’t want my new toy to ruin too quickly. I decided to follow her this time, but at a distance. I wasn’t going to let her get away again. Within ten to fifteen minutes, we came up to a shabby old house on the outskirts of the woods. I wanted to jump out and grab her before she went into the house… out of my sight again! But just before I could, an older woman came out. I dodged into the bushes and watched as she hugged the girl.

Something in my snapped. How come this woman is able to touch my toy, but I can’t even lay a finger on it? Was I being too shy? Is it that I’m scared this girl won’t be as good of a treat as I was hoping? My eyes narrowed as I saw the woman rush the girl into her home. I needed to get rid of that lady, that way, the child would be mine. I needed to get the girl alone. There would be no one for her to run to if she were to ever escape my grasp.  I will be all she will ever have. A tingle ran down my spine to know that I’d have her soon. A small chuckle left my lips. Oh, the fun I’d have with her.

By the time the sky had grown dark, I saw the girl blow out the candle in her window. I waited a few minutes to make sure she was asleep. When I felt as though the time was right, I crawled up into her windowsill and watched her rest. I was perfectly content with my visual of her and the excitement of my fantasies.

After a few days of plotting, I saw her again. But this time, I did something I never thought I’d do. I stepped out of the shrubbery in front of her, a grin plastered on my face. “Hello~!” I swooned, looking her over and taking a small bow. “What is a young girl like you doing in the woods all alone?” I smiled wide, showing her all my teeth.

The girl gasped and slightly backed up. She looked at me with terror-filled eyes. “I-I’m not s-supposed to talk t-to stranger mis-mister…” She stammered, fumbling with her dress. “I have s-someone waiting for m-me. I have to go now.” She looked up at me. “So please let me through.”

My smile slowly turned into a smirk. ‘She’s easy.’ I took a step towards the girl, wanting to badly to pounce on her and grab her! “Why not pick them flowers? Everybody loves flowers.” I suggested, gesturing to a flower patch. I needed to find some way to stall her, and this was the best way I could think of. “Aren’t they beautiful? I’m sure your… person… would appreciate them.” I swooned.

The girl gave me a hesitant look. “I really should be getting…” She seemed to be talking to herself more than me now. She glanced over at the flower patch. “Well, I-I suppose I could…” She let her voice trail off as she walked towards the patch.

I let a silent snicker slip off my tongue and I ran off. It wasn’t hard to find her house. It was obviously the same one as before. I walked up to the door and took in a deep breath. ‘Just one hit oughta put’em out.’ I boldly knocked on the door. Then I quickly heightened my voice, imitating the girl. “I’m here! I’m here! Please let me in!”

That’s when I heard a feeble sound from inside. “Little Red Riding Hood? Is that you?”

My tail began to wag and I could feel my mouth start to drool. “Yes, it is, Grandmother. I brought you some treats. Will you please let me in?”