Hollow

20 Minute Prompt

    [Twenty-seven people died, that I know of.]

Twenty-seven people died, that I know of. Only five of the bodies were recovered, and they still have yet to put those pieces back together. I pause, kneeling down to inspect the bits of broken vegetation to my right.

The Eradicator.

That’s what they call me. Just not to my face.

I stand up and move forward, adjusting the leather strap that held my crossbow in place. Not long now. The heavy scent of musk hung in the air, the barest undertone of blood and decay lingering underneath. The brush rustled off to my right and I froze, hand on the handle of my weapon, ready to be unloaded into the thicket.

A large mouse scampered from between the lush fronds around me and I pursed my lips, silencing a curse. My boots made no more than a soft squish in the damp earth as I continued on into the shadowy woods, following broken branches, tracks and the lingering scent of death.

Approaching a small outcropping of boulders, the acrid smell of rot hit me full force and I froze, blinking away the blurriness as my eyes watered. One of the shadowy boulders shifted, coming to life before me. I fought for breath against the pungent air, grasping at the crossbow on my back. The smooth handle found its way comfortably into my hand and I slowly moved down into a crouch as the last of the blurriness subsided.

A low rumble signaled the end of my hunt as the hunched form of my prey loomed, hunched over the mutilated and smeared remains of what I would assume was body number six. It hadn’t seen me yet, engrossed as it was in its undertaking. I brought the crossbow up, finding the rotting humanoid form in my sights, its putrid flesh hanging off in tatters around its body. Its lupine face rose, tearing flesh from bone and snapping it down with a gulp.

Something thrashed in the underbrush.

Hollow, sunken eyes turned my way.

I pulled the trigger.