Page 2 of Beastly Mountain Man

All at once, I remember the conversation I’d overheard at the grocery store while I was grabbing some equipment for this trip. While I was looking at sunscreen, I overheard a couple talking about the mountain. Particularly the beasts on it.

Not just bears and wolves, but some that sound like creatures created for horror stories.

Seven feet tall beasts that could easily eat up a person in one big bite.

I shiver, my steps slowing.

Now is not the time to start thinking about that.

This mountain is too popular for any hikers to go missing. Throw in my current state, I’m the least tasty-looking thing here. No creature wasn’t a snack this salty.

Once I’m blinking sweat from my eyes, I try my phone again.

No signal. The battery is definitely getting drained the longer I keep it on.

Letting out a frustrated growl, I bury my fingers in my hair. Whereiseveryone? Why haven’t I run into any cabins?

Twigs snap beneath my sneakers as my agitation swallows up my desperation.

The resolution to my problem is simple. I could go all the way back down, ask for help from one of the locals, and get to where I need to go. That is,ifTaylor hasn’t already started looking for my replacement since I’m a bit late as it is.

Abitis a stretch. I should’ve been there a couple of hours ago. But hey, what can I do? My luck has never been too good, and by now, I’m at the point where I’m ready to give fate control of the wheel, because I’m unsure what to do with myself.

The sound of a distant crunch pulls me from my thoughts, and I’m yanking my head to the side so fast it makes me dizzy.

Mostly expecting to see an animal at this point, I’m surprised when I see what is a tall figure. Not a beast, but aperson! Has to be. Even if they’re a good three hundred feet away, I’m sure of it.

Relief floods me in a rush, and my foot slides against the grass as I move toward them. “Hey there!”

The figure must not be able to hear me because he keeps moving. Unfortunately, he’s fast.

I won’t lose them. No way.

After hiking as much as I already have, I’m in no shape to jog. That doesn’t stop me from trying. Thanks to adrenaline, I get a push I desperately need.

My pack thumps against my back as I sprint forward. Breathless, I shout again, trying not to sound desperate, but failing. The gap closes.

They finally turn, and for a split second, our eyes lock—just before my foot catches. A grunt, a rush of gravity, and then hard earth as my sneaker glides against the greenery, and I fall face first. The impact knocks the air from my lungs.

But it’s not the fall that rattles me.

It’s the face of the person I hope will be my savior.

Twigs snap, closer now. I raise my head—and freeze.

The man looming over me is all lean muscle and sweat, shirtless and sun-baked. His jeans are ripped at the knees, streaked with dirt, hanging low. My gaze locks onto his chest instead. Sharp hips, carved abs, a trail of dark hair leading down—

All in an instant, my mouth goes dry. My body doesn’t care that I’m sprawled in the dirt, that my muscles are jelly. It only knows heat.

Blocking the sun, his nostrils flare, and his eyes aren’t just dark. They’reblack, pupils swallowing the irises whole. Across his brow, three faded white scars that leave gaps on his brow.

A slow, deliberate exhale. Then his lips peel back.

Teeth.

Not just sharp canines.Fangs.Too long, too pointed for anything human.

Maybe I’m delirious from running out of water a few miles back, who knows? All I can do is wonder if this man is who the locals were talking about. This man is the closest thing to a beast I’ve ever seen.

---