Page 2 of Primal Hunger

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Tyler asks as I scope out an ideal location for the other camera.

“I’m positive.”

In fact, I’ve never been so sure of anything in my entire life. If I’m able to capture this thing on film, to expose it for the world to see, mine will be a household name in the world of cryptid hunting. You won’t be able to look up paranormal things without seeing Erin Roberts plastered everywhere.

The thought makes my heart flutter and my fingertips tingle with excitement.Yes. I can nearly taste the fame, and we only have one more day until the solstice when it all comes true.

I’m one of the lucky ones, with the financial stability to follow my dreams.

Most people aren’t so lucky.

Sadly, it was a trade-off. I got the money when my father died and left me a hefty inheritance, but I lost the one person I loved more than anything else in the world.

Sorry, Pop. Running my own business was better than college.

A lot of people don’t get the opportunities I do. Which is why I have to make this count.

The money won’t last forever.

I clear my throat, guilt sinking in my stomach, and flash a look at Tyler.

“I missed the last solstice because I was in bed dying with the flu,” I recall out loud, still pissed that I was forced to skip my first chance to find this thing. “I can’t wait another six months for my next shot at capturing photographic proof. I have to make a move, and it has to be tomorrow.”

I set my jaw and wait for him to argue with me.

This story needs to go right, and take off. If Tyler isn’t willing to do what I need him to do…then he needs to at least stop arguing. Or leave.

“Okay, okay,” he says, throwing up his hands. He rolls exasperated eyes at me. “I was just asking. Talking about it andactually trying to find it are very different. This is going to be really dangerous, especially if you’re outside to scope it out—”

“If you don’t want to come, it’s fine,” I snap, cutting him off. I blow a few silver strands of hair out of my face that have fallen free from my ponytail and wipe the back of my hand across my sweaty forehead.

I’d prefer if he took off.

I should have come out here earlier to avoid the harsh heatwave of midday, but Tyler had classes until lunchtime and he wanted to tag along.

“You’ve been more than enough help. I can handle tomorrow night alone,” I add.

He chuckles once and shakes his head in my direction. “Nice try, but I’m coming. You’ll stand a better chance if there’s someone with you.”

“A better chance of what?” We stop by another tree several yards from the first, and I unpack the second camera. I hand him the strap like before, and we secure it in place.

“Of not getting taken.”

There it is. Therealreason everyone in town is terrified of the Grim.

If it were merely rumored sightings or eerie sounds coming from the trees in this part of the deep woods, people might not be so afraid. They might not bar their doors and windows at night this time of year or avoid being out when sunlight isn’t bathing the area. They might say the name of the monster out loud, instead of whispering in hushed tones about anything regarding the solstice.

But there have been more than just sounds and rumors of glowing red eyes in the darkness.

Every solstice when the Grim shows up, someone disappears without a trace. No blood, no evidence of a struggle, and noproof that it was the Grim that took them. Only second-hand tales of terror from people whomighthave seen something.

It makes the whole thing more bone-chilling to know that disappearances correlate to the night when this thing supposedly makes its appearance, and it ups the ante for me.

So much hinges on tomorrow night, and the possibilities make my heart thrum faster.

Become a well-renowned paranormal investigator, solve a mystery plaguing the nearby town, and find out what happened to all the people who disappeared.Pay off bills and make a name for myself so I never have to worry about the business going under again…

It’s all around a win for me.

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