Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Bunch of cowards! Idiots! Who do they think they are? Parading around the empty camp, the large man kicked empty cans that lay helplessly about. The sun was greyish blue, setting down the horizon and casting a wild glow on the camp. The whole camp had gone with their guides into the woods, leaving it empty. As he looked around the camp, a feeling of nostalgia crept through him. For a minute, he softened, lowering his eyes to the ground. He had grown up here. This was his world. He knew these terrains, every slope up the mountains, the zigzag road in the deep forest that led to the other part of the land, every trap that had been set for the animals by the former inhabitants. He could walk around with eyes closed. Nobody knew this area as well as he did. Whoever stepped foot here dug their own grave.

He stood in the middle of the disarray that they left behind. They had turned his lovely land into some sort of a circus. They must pay. His voice was loud, a boom in the quiet environment which sent birds flying away in a frenzied rush. He fumed.

This was unacceptable. His eyes scoured around the empty place, secretly hoping he would find one of them. A lone one left behind. He imagined basking the boy against one of the trees. Or girl? No, he would keep the girl for later… A boy would better serve this purpose. Tying him face down, underneath a hot blazing campfire in the farthest part of the woods would be tremendous. Ha! He would tear that camper to pieces, burning him in his campfire in the darkest part of the night. He would watch as his skin slowly melted into the fire, the sick smell of flesh burning filling the air, and his screams piercing through the night like a haggard cat. Oh how he would enjoy the moment. He snarled for a moment, before waking up from his little imagination only to see the scene empty. He felt a bit disappointed. He had to wait for the right time.

He walked further away from the swings, into the tents area. Halting to a pause, he looked at the tents in front of him with scrutiny. So this was where these bastards slept. Slept peacefully while they desecrated his land. He stepped into the area, and loomed over the tents. From what he could see, some had locked their tents with tiny padlocks attached to the zips. Some were unzipped though. Ha! What could he expect from these shenanigans? Of course they would leave their things open. Peeping into one of the unzipped ones, his eyes bulged out. It was unkempt, bunch of clothing lay on the mattress inside. He drew out a black lacy bra and pinkish bum short. Something in him lit up. Pulling the skimpy cloths closer to his face, he inhaled the smoky strawberry scent. Ahh. That felt good. Could this be that girl’s tent? The image of one of the campers he had seen on their second day here, a girl wearing a bum short and a tight little t-shirt flashed before his eyes. He had to get that girl no matter what. She was his. Snarling, he shoved back the cloths and took a piece of KitKat from the spring mattress. In one go, he shoved it in the mouth and munched. Next stop was the house. He had to see where these bastards lived. He strode towards the huge building. The windows were shut and as he peered through, only his reflection came back.

When the builders came few months ago, he was enraged. He wondered what they were building. For a moment he thought it was a new family arriving and had been thrilled at the thought. But after a few weeks, he saw the sign. And that was when he knew. It was some campers. That would do too. Even though it would have been easier for him if it were fewer people on his land. That way, he could set traps for them, and capture them one by one like the little rats they were. But these students were a bit too much. He smiled to himself. Yes, they might be too much but there was nothing big ol’ Don couldn’t solve. He walked around the front and something caught his attention. The door was swinging a bit, apparently unlocked. Damn campers. He felt a thrill go through him instantly. Without a second thought and a swift glance behind him, he pushed it open.

He wasn’t sure what he wanted to take, but perhaps a souvenir from each of the room would work. Upstairs, he banged open the doors, eying the carelessly kept items. Most were open bags of clothing. His large palms itched by the second, urging him to take something. But he couldn’t. He had to restrain himself. They might realize something was missing and that could foil his carefully laid out plans. Be patient, he urged himself. In the kitchen, he felt a pang seeing all the lustrous foodstuff on the counter, fridge and cupboards. Those bastards. They had the nerve to eat good while big ol’ Don was practically starving away in the woods. He heaved loudly, a string of emotions coursing through his big body. Unable to stop himself, he took a packet of gums, two packs of Doritos and a can of an orange juice, just as a loud laugh streamed in from the large kitchen window. He froze, before he caught himself. He knew his way around. There was no way he would get caught. This was his turf. Sneakily, he peeped through the window. There was no one but someone’s laugh was streaming in from around the curb and getting nearer. The campers were back.

“Get comfy and laugh real hard before I get you ol’ an jut your tiny little guts out. The end of you ol’ is damn near,” he whispered, eyes blazing in the glowing sunlight. Shoving the goodies he took into his baggy trouser pockets, the man clicked open the kitchen door and walked out into the forest. From here, he would follow the stream path that led directly into the mountains and then make a full turn around the mountains and into the deep forest.

He looked up and saw tiny shards of clouds. It would be chilly tonight. He must make it to his cabin before it was late. His dinner must be warm by now. When he sliced for the meat off his prey two nights ago, it looked like the meat would be tasty. His mouth watered. He would make do with it for now. There was no need to hurry. Just like the others at the camp, she was happy just a week ago. Now, she lay in the dungeon next to the cabin, eyes open wide, lips slightly parted, and skin painfully white. A portion of her succulent thigh few steps beside her in the local oven as it roasted bit by bit.