The Hunt


~3~

The sun once again seeped through the cracks of the window panes. Alo slowly opened his eyes and looked around. He could hear footsteps and could smell an unfamiliar scent. He tried to stand, but he was groggy from the wine he drank the night prior. He clumsily staggered over to the kitchen where the noise was emanating and saw a Black Ursine. He was slightly bigger than Alo and a bit heavier as well. He wore pants woven from fine cotton and a wool vest possessing intricate designs. The stranger didn’t redirect his attention to Alo and continued to clean the jar once filled with wild berries.

“Good morning.” He said as he set the jar down. “Or rather, afternoon.”

Alo let out a groan as he clutched his aching head; he put his other paw on the counter for support.

“Sorry for the noise, I just noticed the lodge was a bit of a mess. So I decided to clean it up a bit.”

The stranger turned around and took no alarm to Alo’s lack of clothing; only revealing a heart warming smile while pushing a small porcelain cup to him. The steam had a pleasing aroma and the tea’s color was a deep orange. Alo wanted to take a sip more than anything, but he knew he needed to confront the intruder.

“Who are you?” he said in the most intimidating voice he could muster.

“My name is Hinto. I am a hunter from the eastern parts of the world. I just arrived earlier this morning. You must be Alo, I have heard a lot about you.”

Alo reached down for the tea and drank it down at once. It was warm and full of flavor, but he couldn’t show his emotion in front of a stranger; he would not give the impression of weakness. Alo stood quietly watching Hinto continue to clean up his mess and tried to focus on keeping his balance as he set the cup back down. Hinto looked back at him and gave another smile.

“I don’t think that liquor is out of your system yet, why don’t you lay down for a bit?”

“How dare he patronize me?!” Alo thought. “He must be trying to lower my guard so he can take my job with ease.”

Hinto could see a bit of irritation on Alo’s face and looked him in the eyes while wiping off his damp paws on a rag.

“You know, I’ve learned you can tell a lot about someone based on how they live.” Hinto said as he admired his work.

Alo’s lip began to quiver. “What are you trying to say? Don’t like the way I live? Then why don’t you live someplace else? Maybe somewhere out of town.”

Hinto laughed and walked past Alo.

“They were right about you; you do have a temper don’t you? It’s alright, you don’t need to feel threatened; we are a team now.”

“Well I don’t need a team. I’m better off alone”

“Your performance begs to differ, Alo. Seems like you’ve been out on longer hunts, yet are bringing in less kills.”

“That’s because the animals are disappearing. Bringing in another hunter won’t make them return.”

“That may be true, but having me around won’t cause more to leave.”

Alo was silenced by his remark and he watched as Hinto picked up the trail of clothes he had left the night prior.

“You don’t have to clean up everything you know.”

Hinto laughed.

“I am new to this area, but from where I’m from, our kind make sure our homes are clean.”

“Our kind? I was born in the west; we aren’t the same”

“Alo, all Ursine come from the same place.”

“I don’t like him. He’s far too nice and considerate. He must be planning something against me. And his idea about us being from the same place, that couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve lived in the Northwest for my entire life.” Alo thought to himself, feeling unsettled by the idea of sharing heritage with his rival.

Hinto threw Alo’s clothes over his shoulder and proceeded to his mound of blankets in front of the fireplace.

“Alo, why do you sleep here on the floor when you have plenty of space upstairs in the bedrooms?”

“That’s is none of your business! Put my clothes back where you found them and stay away from my stuff you eastern trash!”

Hinto turned his head slowly; his appearance quickly altered to an angered expression. He began to stomp toward Alo. Alo stood as tall as he could, but his drunken haze made his stance look awkward and obviously forced. Hinto reached Alo and pushed him into a counter. Alo was forced to falter, putting his paws on the edge of the counter top for support; Hinto now towered above him.

“I don’t understand why you feel the need to offend me, Alo, but I will not be disrespected by a drunk cub that can’t even take care of himself. I cleaned this place to make you feel more comfortable and show you I wasn’t here to hunt for my ego. I wanted to show you that we can feed this village as a team; as all hunters should.”

Alo let out a belch and blew the tea and liquor scented air into Hinto’s face. Followed by a smug laugh.

“I’ve been providing for this town for years. I’ve carried us through bad winters before and I’ll do it again; without you.”

Hinto shoved Alo’s clothes into his chest.

“I’m going out, Alo. Try and calm down a bit while I’m gone.”

Hinto slid on his leather boots then opened the door and quickly closed it behind him. Alo watched as the stray snowflakes slipped inside, melting on the floor.

“Alo, why must you always act so mean to everyone?” he asked himself.

Alo clumsily walked back over to his mound of covers, dropping his clothes, and grabbing his wine bottle.

“I don’t like people who are so happy. Nothing in this world could make anyone so joyful.”

“How do you know?”

“It’s a lesson I learned a long time ago. A lesson I’m reminded of in my dreams. Pain is what makes you feel alive, not happiness.”

Alo began to chug the last of the fermented wine before setting it back down.

“If that is the case, then why do you drown out the pain with alcohol?”

“Simple. I don’t want to feel alive anymore.”

Alo fell onto his side, partially covered in his blankets. He could see the sunshine being blocked by the dark clouds rolling in. The room began to feel cool and a stingingly cold breeze flowed through the lodge.

“Why not just stop living altogether? I have no reason to go on. No money, no liquor, no family, no friends, and soon, no job. Hinto could take care of the village; he seems capable enough…maybe more than capable.”

Alo let out a sigh of relief and closed his eyes; the bite of the winter’s wind gently lulled him to sleep.

----

Support The Hunt and other projects on Patreon.

@grizzystudios

----