Tale - Blog Posts

Welp guess who's fan of Bendy and the inkmachine.

At first I went right through the water, but noticed after a few steps that it was quite a lot louder than I imagined because of the shallow water. So instead I went a few steps beside the beck, always having it in sight.

It didn't take long till I was at the pond again. Keeping in mind the unknown dangers of it I trod with caution and tried to re-trace my steps.

Ok think... you found the pond... went up on a tree... lemme see... no... no... no... ah! That one!... from there down... and... … into a bush... into... that bush! After that... … I went to the pond... ...why?...

I pondered over that for a moment, Why did I go to the pond? What was there for me to do there?

Hmm... no matter... IT warned me of the pond... then I went further up the stream again...

As I began walking back up the beck I noticed how the area seemed very familiar so I followed that sense of having been here before, the feeling of having seen this before.

After much looking around and searching I found my old camp and all my stuff too. Looks ransacked... hope it was just some animal who hoped to find anything edible here.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

I was awakened by the bright rising sun, shining right into my face.

Yawn Guess I lost some sleep last night... had I taken this tree earlier I wouldn't have lost as much as I have. No matter, no use regretting.

I got down from the tree again, which was by far easier than getting up. I didn't get down completely unscathed but I didn't get any major injury.

Ok, got back my bow, but I'm still missing stuff... where did I?... right, the other camp... where was that?... think... how did I end up here?... … I was hunting... I needed food... I needed energy! Because I turned back my claw after nearly falling from that tree! Right! There I left my stuff... but where was that... near the beck? … might be... best follow it to the pond and take a look around

Before I actually began searching, I drank some water and ate the last piece of the dried meat. My stomach was grumbling, I had eaten little yesterday and the day before. Better look for some food while following the stream

So I took my bow and an arrow and kept them both ready in case I'd see anything huntable. Then I began following the stream along it's flow.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

By the time I found the bush it was beginning to get dark. I took my bow and arrows, put them on my back too, and looked for a suitable tree at once.

It took me longer than expected, there weren't many good tree's in that area. After a while, and with much lower demands, I found one with a fork quite high above the ground. It didn't look well climbable either, but it was either that or the risk of getting a head shorter.

I managed to get up there in the end, but the sun had been down for some time already. I chewed on another part of the dried meat. I did like the taste of it. A bit salty, bit spicy, then this quite harsh smoky-ness to it. And something more... but I didn't know what. Didn't remind me of anything I've eaten or smelled before.

I thought about it for some time, falling asleep while doing so.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

I took and chewed a bit on a piece of the dried meat

Let's see... the hound noticed me... I waited a bit... ran out the back of the bush... …next thing I know I stumble over the root of a tree... and end up over there... where Lord Half&Half and his companion are lying. Hmmmm... Any more...? … …

Oh right, he swung his sword into the tree... about head height-- gulp... I remembered what could have happened if that tree hadn't been there.

But, what could have happened shouldn't hinder me at following back my steps, so I searched for exactly that one tree... in a forest.

Surprisingly it didn't take as long as expected. I found it after trying a few dozen trees.

Ok, I found the tree... let me think... he stood there... I stood there... came like this... uhuh... uhuh... guess I came from there then.

And I followed the way I thought I came from.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

He's right... it's my fault... I really killed two humans... decapitated one... split the other apart... I guess it's right that I have not much empathy for those two... after all they weren't just any humans. They were two humans trying to kill me.

For a long while after that my mind felt silent and empty. There was still stuff going on but... no 'main' thought.

It was already past midday when I caught myself and my head began working again. I still stood there, with the bow in my hand and the other stuff on the riverside.

I took the quiver on my back and wore the bow also over my chest. The knife I attached to my pants, and somehow managed to do the same with the flint & iron. Whetstone and meat I kept each in a hand.

Ok, got all my stuff. What else was on the plan... cleaning the stuff... some water... and... right, looking for where I left my bow before I had to run from the hound. But... where should I start?

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

I could take care of the blood on the bow later. People might notice it, but I am hunting after all. It's easy enough to just tell them it's the blood of some prey or maybe even my own... That sounds like a good idea, make up some story where I hurt myself because I wasn't careful. Some story where I learned something from it. Yeah I think people won't question that much... but I guess they won't question that it's animal blood either.

As long as I don't tell anyone it's the blood of some, probably noble, hunter whose head I cut off...

Wow... how easily I can let that run through my mind... I cut off someones head. I decapitated a human. And still... the thought... awakens no big response in me...

I mean, Yes, he was helping someone that wanted to kill me. I was only defending myself but... I can't help thinking that running away would've been enough... but then again I didn't really have any control over what happened...

I guess in the end... it's not really my fault... right, it's not me who did it.

Årë yøû rællý sâtissfïéd wìth zåt? Säyîng ít wâssn't yöú? Sâyïng ìt's zë fåült øf sômeöne élsè?

Ye... no... but...

Ït's yøµr fâült wæ gøt ïntô zåt sitûätiøn. I jµst dïd whæt häd tô bë dønê tó gèt üs øût öf ît ågæîn.

…

$sø døn't hïdê bæhînd thåt lïæ, yøû'rë nô kïddô ånýmørë.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Note from the Author

Completely forgot to make an episode for last friday, sorry. I’ll make it up with an extra episode this week ^_^

Thanks for Reading, Thanks for Following, and a nice week to all of you :)

I woke up just after sunrise. Birds were chirping all around, the sun was behind me and I had some breakfast with me. I had left over some smaller pieces of the horse meat from my last meal. And even tho cold, they were still tasty.

Getting down from the tree was, just like getting up, not very difficult. I took a look around, to see if anyone or anything was nearby. Nothing.

“Lets see... plan for today... drench thirst, wash blood of my... the stuff I found... hmm... lets see how long that takes. After that maybe try to find my bow and arrows again. Sun will surely be down by that time.”

So I set out to follow that plan.

Went to the nearby beck and drank some water. As I wanted to begin washing of the blood from the stuff I found, I realized that I had no idea how to go about it. The water was shallow, the current was weak, so I decided to just put everything in the water. Except my pants. Then I ripped a piece of cloth out of my pants and used that for cleaning the stuff.

Getting the blood off the Flint & Iron was easy enough. Cleaning it off the whetstone wasn't difficult either. After that I cleaned the knife and the arrow quiver. Cleaning the bow was more difficult. The crust of dried blood came of easily enough, but below that some blood had drawn into the wood. It seemed like my scrubbing had no effect, no matter how long I tried to.

“Guess I'll have to hide that somehow... maybe with more blood on the bow”

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

I pondered over what he said for quite a while I'd be not the only one that dies... What does he mean with that? Is he saying that he'd die too...? Or someone else? But why would someone else die because of my death? And how would he know that? No... that doesn't make sense, he must be talking about himself. But... why?

Night was falling over the forest. The fire had extinguished some time ago, not leaving a single ember. Which meant two things, I was beginning to get used to the cooler air, and I didn't have to worry any more about extinguishing the fire myself.

I found a suitable branch for sleeping on quickly. I guess my latest experience has loosened my demands to such branches a bit, but it did seem stable and fairly comfortable. And the climb up to it didn't seem like much of a hassle either.

As I had reached my chosen sleeping place I sat there just watching the moon for a while. How it curiously looked as if it had a face and was watching me... or rather all of the forest... or even more.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Whø ëls$ê shøµld håvæ döné ìt?

Errh... I don't know

Æxåctlý

But still, why?

Årë yøû såýìng yôu'd råthër bê dæd nøw? Håd räthêr gôt chøppéd òf yøµr hëâd bý thîs såd ëxcú$sé ôf å swørds$smân?

Nono... Just wonder why you do help me

Ëâsy, yøû'ré nøt thè önlý ønë thât dïê$s

...Wait... what?

Yøû hærd mê, nów léàvê mê bë

No! If I die, you die too? But you're just some... thing, you'd just go back to where you came from.

He didn't answer anymore. What he said really left me wondering. If I'd die, he'd do too. But that shouldn't cause any problems for him. He's just some... I don't know what he is, but I can't imagine dying being of any concern to him and his like.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

I found a flint and iron, neatly bound together with a piece of thin rope, a small whetstone and some dried flesh in the pockets of that guy. His bow looked fine too, and it also was stronger than mine, so I took it. Arrows included naturally. I hadn't looked what Lord half'n'half had with him yet, but that guy definitely seemed to be the better prepared, and probably more skilled, hunter of the two.

Naturally there was blood on all of his stuff. Have to wash that off later, at least as good as possible.

But more importantly... I turned my attention towards the horse again.

I cut out a few chunks of meat and inspected them closely. Doesn't look foul... doesn't smell foul... nothing moving inside... Guess it's all good then

I went a bit away from the site. Altho I was eating chunks from that horse, and I guess it wasn't hard to see that someone had cut chunks out of that horse, I didn't really want to be seen there.

I made a fire and roasted the meat on it.

Ok, lesson learned, no more drowsy excuses for not sleeping up in a tree. That there could have ended seriously badly... or it would have if...

Hey! You awake? Why'd you get me out of that mess?

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

As I looked around I suddenly noticed the severed head from the headless horseman. The more I looked at it, the more it seemed to be watching me.

Creepy... better put it back to it's... owner?

I got up and walked towards it. As I bent down to pick it up, I for the first time noticed that my leg wasn't hurting anymore. I inspected it immediately.

No injury left, only the scars from the hounds teeth that cut into my leg

I dropped the leg of my pants again and picked up the riders head instead. I went to his body and put it roundabout there where it would be lying if it still was attached.

Then I noticed that the man was carrying a knife on his belt.

I shouldn't...

Büt hê's dæd.

But... that's stealing...

rïght nøw nö ôné døès pôss$ë$ss thåt knîfë, yøú'd stëâl thæt ås müch âs yøü'd stêäl thé førès$t æ hår€ whên yøµ ëæt ît

hmm...

cøme øn, tåkë ît, whö's göññæ pµnïsh yøû för ít?

That was about the first time I agreed with IT. I took his knife, and I did search him for other usable stuff.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

It didn't take long till I found the other guy and his horse. I pushed the headless and blood soaked rider out of the saddle and removed the saddle too.

I inspected the wounds on the horse. IT had sliced right through muscles, bones and several organs. And altho it already was beginning to rotten in the stomach area, the meat was still fresh at the chest.

My stomach growled again.

As I reached for my knife I noticed it was missing Must have lost it while being in ITs form... maybe I can find it around

I got up and searched for my knife. Already after a short while I noticed the sword of my attacker, but I wanted to rather find my knife than use his sword. Altho thinking back... it didn't really make much sense. Don't know why I didn't pick up his sword in that moment instead.

I searched for a while. I don't know when I started but by the time I gave up it was getting close to dusk.

I sat down besides the dead horse.

“How am I going to eat you if I can't find my knife to cut you to pieces?”

It didn't answer, I didn't expect an answer either.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

My stomach growled as if it wanted to say “Yes!”

“Well and what would the sir desire to eat? We've got dirt, bark or leaves.”

Nøt s$ôlëlý ha ha haa

Wait... you don't mean I should...

I looked down at the rests of Lord whatever...

...Ï dø ... ëxåctlý thæt

“No. NO!...”

I took a step backwards

“People are not for eating! Even if it's an enemy!”

Whý?

“Because... because...”

Séè, yøü'væ göt nô gòód ræ-

“NO! Simply NO! If you've got nothing else to contribute go fuck off!”

Yøµ évên hævê twø... wôn't gö húñ-

“Right! That other guy, he had a horse. That I could eat”

Whý?

“Leave me be”

... Whý?

“Ah Fuck you, I'll just ignore you for now.”

...hrg hrg hrg … Whý?

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

I followed the trail of blood coming from this half of him. Although the blood had already dried, the scent of it still occupied the air. This heavy, sweet and metallic scent... it made me sick. The still air and the burning sun didn't help it.

As I found his other half I nearly threw up.

It was exactly like one would imagine. He was lying in a dried pool of his own blood, the scent was so thick you could taste it. His entrails were nearly filling up the hole where his other half should be lying.

I've gutted a quite a few animals with Ingrid, but this was nowhere close to it. The blood didn't smell the same. The entrails were nothing like those of an animal. Even the dead stare was horrifyingly different.

I turned around to get a bit away from him, but there was already the next dead guy in my view. That must be the other guy I saw in my memories. He's got a horse... or he had... so it's probably the same guy.

I went closer to inspect him.

Completely contradicting the feeling I had just now, I suddenly got hungry. As if a hole just opened where once my stomach was.

“Seriously? Now!? I'm surrounded by all this death and you think I should eat something now?!?!” Right, I did talk to myself. Loud. Why should I have cared, I was probably the only one around right now.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Wåkëy wækêy lørds$släyérrr

“What?!”

At first I felt panic when I woke up, but I noticed that I was on a branch so I moved slowly. I cautiously looked down.

Not that high, can easily climb down.

Said, done. I was back on ground again, looked around to see if anything was nearby.

What happened? Last thing I remember was... In front of my inner eye I saw Lord stuck-up grinning at me, nearly felt the thud in my back, that I was pushed onto my knees, and saw something blurry protruding from my right flank.

I grasped for it immediately, but there was nothing there anymore.

A bad dream? No... I was... hunting... and became the hunted

While thinking I walked by myself. Suddenly I kicked into something mushy. Instinctively I looked down.

Oh fuck!!

The moment I saw it all that happened flushed into my mind.

I had blacked out as I got that hit in the back, and IT took over. Killing first someone on a horse, sliced open the horse, then decapitated the man. Then pushed his claws into Lord Rage's chest while he was begging for his life and... ripped him apart.

Guess that is part of him then.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Maybe a lil warning for those who... don't like blood, there'll be some of it in this episode :D

To everyone else Enjoy :D

And another. Pox!! Why can't I hit him?! I'm the best swordsman of Father's sons!! I even beat the tutor!!!

I sent another powerful swing in this maggots direction.

How dare he jump out of the way. I AM Bhaltair, son of Eoghan!! NO ONE insults me and gets away with it!!

I noticed Hector running towards him from the side. Jumped at him. And bit him in the Arm!! Getting what you deserve you scum!!

Good boy, defending your Master.

He looked at me, and I looked back, into his eyes. I could see the fear, finally he acknowledged who was standing before him. That I, Bhaltair, am better than him. That I will bring justice upon him!

Suddenly Bryn appeared behind him out of nowhere and bit into his other arm.

Bryn? That means Roderick must be near.

Just as I thought that, I heard a sharp hiss, a 'wet' thud and the felon fell to his knees.

Right! Kneel before me, Bhaltair!!!

As I looked up, behind the outlaw, brother Roderick stood a dozen paces behind him. Sitting on his horse, lowering his bow. He came towards me.

Suddenly the hounds whined, loosened their bite and backed away from the guy.

I inspected him for a moment, something was off. There was blood... no... flesh on the ground right in front of him. I knelt down to inspect it more closely. Took up a bit.

Flesh... but so warm.

I looked up, at my captive. All of sudden he raised is head and screeched at me. His eyes were black as night. His face was like the insides of an animal. His teeth long as daggers.

I fell to my back, crawled away.

W... W... Wha... WHAT!?!

Slowly he stood up, flesh falling from his limbs as he began to move them. Long black claws came out of his hands.

“Hector...? Hector...?! HECTOR!!!”

I didn't see him anywhere near. Damn dog. No loyalty towards his Master!

That thing was just standing there, watching me. Was it waiting for something?

Suddenly Roderick rode by it. With a swift move it sliced into his horse and chopped of one of Roderick's legs. At first it seemed like neither even noticed they had been hurt. Then the horse fell and Roderick began screaming.

Another swift move from the abomination. Moments later Roderick stopped screaming. Then...

Rod... Roder... h... h... h... his... he... head...!!

It just fell off. Blood was coming out of his neck and flowing onto his steed.

I... i... i... is this still this felon?

Suddenly he turned around and towards me. I began crawling backwards again. After a few steps a tree stopped me. It came slowly closer, taking his time.

I closed my eyes...

Oh please lord, do something against this demon, I don't deserve to die.

...as I opened my eyes it stood directly in front of me. On all fours. Eyeing me down with those eternally black eyes. Drooling all over my legs.

“Please... please... spare me. I... I do not deserve to die... I have done nothing wrong. I'm sure you want stuff, don't you? Right! I can give you everything you want. Jewelry, Clothes, Food, Women. Everything! Just please spare me. I didn't want to hurt... y... you? Or Him? I didn't want to hurt this scu... eh... Bjork... no... Bjorn! I didn't want to hurt him. Just please please spare me.”

Somewhere in those sentences I began crying. I didn't want to die. What had I done wrong? Justice was on my side. My will is justice.

It came closer to my face. Hissing fiercely at me. Drooling more and more on me.

“please... please... let me live... you've taken my brother... isn't he enough?”

It changed it's weight on it's hind legs, moved its claws to my chest.

“...please...”

Then I felt this pressure on my chest, and saw his claws disappear within me. Blood soaking my clothes. Then an unbelievable pain began moving through my whole body.

“...p...p...please...”

It pressed to the sides and ripped Bhaltair apart. Blood spurting all over itself and the surrounding. Both his horse and the hounds had run away a long time ago.

It just climbed on top of a tree.

Hid there.

And fell asleep.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Note from the Author

Ok, this one got a lil bit longer than usual but I thought it'd be fun to show you guys some stuff Bjorn doesn't really witness. And I guess if I have any further chances to do this I will, it was defintiely fun to write.

Thanks for Following, Thanks for reading & Thanks for your feedback (altho I'd love to get some more of that)

I just ignored him in that moment, even considering that for a moment could have been a severe risk.

Another high swing from Lord Whatever. I managed to pull myself together and dodge it, even tho I had to use my left leg again.

AAARGHHH!!! without this leg... could beat him... attacks... too open

Another high swing. He seemed to be getting slower, taking longer between each swing. They didn't look as powerful anymore either.

I noticed something moving in the corner of my eye. I risked a short look only to see that his hound was about to jump at me. I held up my arm as defense. He bit right into it.

Lord High-and-mighty grinned at me triumphantly.

Suddenly something gripped and pulled on my other arm too. I took a quick look

Another hound? From where?

A short hissing sound behind me. Then something hit me in the back. It pushed me to my knees.

I looked down at myself, something metal-ish gray and pointy was protruding at the side of my stomach. I couldn't make it out clearly, my sight got blurry all of sudden.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

I checked out my hand, it had healed already since yesterday. Only a small scar was left of the wound. I cautiously got up, stood on one knee and checked the leg the hound bit into. Lord Raspberry-head continued shouting, stomping and wildly waving his hands through the air so he didn't seem to care much about it.

Those are quite deep, and thorn up too... if that damn hound hadn't... fuck! This will take some time, even with ITs help.

All of sudden I heard the unsheathing of a sword through the shouting. I was half-prepared for this so I wanted to jump back, out of his reach. But my left leg didn't like that idea, it stung like hell. Thanks to hands and the other leg I got up and a bit backwards, but from there on it was more stumbling than jumping.

Before I could get out of his reach, I hit the tree whose roots I fell over.

Fuck!... at least it stopped me from falling

He forcefully swung his sword over his head and at me. He was wide open, this man was either no good swordsman, or his rage had consumed him completely. Lucky for me he didn't quite think about the tree and chopped into it before he could hit me.

Before he could swing another time I jumped to the side, trying to put near to all force on my right leg. Both while jumping and while landing again. Jumping kinda worked, it wasn't like I felt nothing, but far less than at my first jump.

Landing didn't work quite as well. I managed to land on my right foot, without the left even touching ground. But I lost my balance and had to cross-step to stop my body, meaning I had to put all my weight on the left leg.

“AHHHHHH!!!!”

It was stinging even more than the first time. I could feel how more blood was running out of the wound instantly.

Cømë ôñ. ¥ øû knôw yöù'vé gøt me, Ï cån hælp yôµ. Jús$st håvæ tø lêävé mè öút he he he

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

He began shouting unintelligible at me. His face turning more and more red with every word he said. After a few sentences his head was red as embers, I was just waiting for his hair to burst up in flames.

The sight was so amusing I couldn't at all focus on what he was saying. I managed to hear out a few words like poaching & hanging. At first those sent a chill down my back, but then I realized something. What can this blown up snob do to get you there? I mean unless I'd feel guilt towards him, and cooperate with him, I wouldn't expect that he was able to capture or bind me somehow.

He did wear a sword, which might help him, but all I had to do was stay out of his reach. Seeing the way he rages at me, he doesn't seem like he'd be a good fighter. Might only use it for giving the final hit to his prey.

And I do faintly remember a few guards, how to react to them. So if I think fast... No, I don't have to underestimate him, I only got a knife, and it's been years since I had anything like training.

But I've got a knife. As long as he hasn't drawn I do have a chance.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

“I... I am Bjorn”

“Bjorn of...?”

“Bjorn of not your business”

His face began turning slightly red, he stopped holding his nose so high and actually looked at me while talking, or rather, shouting. “I said it before peasant, Hold. Your. Tongue! If I want so I can let you hang before this day is over!”

I sighed “Bjorn, son of a mine-worker, from a town, that has been raided and burnt down several years ago. Satisfied oh mighty lord Bhaltair?”

He straightened his jacket and rose his nose to the sky again “Not fully, but it shall be enough. What is your business here in my forest?”

“Just... passing through.”

“Although it sounds unlikely, I shall believe that for now. Why did you run from my hound?”

“Because it growled at me and was about to attack me”

“Any idea why it could be hostile towards you?”

“No. Are we done?”

“Not yet. What were you really doing here? In this forest?”

“Hunting for gods sake. I am a traveler, was out of rations, so I had to get some food somewhere. How am I supposed to know this is the forest of lord stick-up-his-arse?”

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

There was no way for me of coming out of this, so the only thing I really could do was stretch out my arms as good as possible to break my fall with them, instead of doing that with my head.

I fell to the ground, felt several sharp stones pierce my chest and stomach. Although my whole body was in pain I turned on my back a few moments after I had landed.

Almost immediately I felt a pain in my leg, only as my leg began moving on it's own I noticed it was the hound who bit me. I kicked him with my other foot, more out of escape-reflex than actually thinking I had a chance to skill escape.

Before I manage to kick another time the rider was standing besides me, calling back the dog and getting of his horse. He gave the dog a short pat on the head and then focused on me.

“An' you are?” he asked in a quite arrogant tone

“Me? I am myself, and your prey too, I guess” I paused, catching my breath “An' you?” I mockingly imitated his tone

“Hold your tongue, peasant, I am Bhaltair, son of Eoghan, count of these lands, including this forest. I will not ask again, Who are you?” he began sounding a bit aggressive, but still with this noble & arrogant tone

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

I ran and tried thinking of something.

Come on. I need ideas... ideas... IDEAS!!! come on, right now!! what can I do... what can I do... wait... what can I do, that a deer can't... ok, now we're getting somewhere at least... lets see... I can... climb... … … … damn it! There must be something more... if it'd be just the hound it may be worth a try, but with that rider behind me...

Yøû kñöw... yóµ cåñ dø zï$ önê síng zæt nø ônè æls$së cân dö he he he he

What?! NO! That'd be the last option, that I wouldn't do before he had cau-

Suddenly I hit something with my foot, and I wasn't moving only straight forward anymore, I was... moving towards the ground too.

In that blink of an eye lots of things happened.

First I saw the ground in front of my head, less than an arms length away, I was falling.

Then I realized that I must had stumbled over something, as I slowly looked behind I saw what too. A giant root protruding from the ground

I looked a bit further behind me and saw the hound, already preparing to jump over the root, and the rider only a few steps behind the hound.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Note from the Author

Hey Sorry for the 'long' (I know, it was just a week) break from my side, was sick and in no condition to write anything. Anyway, I'm back to 'normal' and there'll be posts. Double as usual... But only for this week :D

Thanks for reading and thanks for the feedback so far ;)

PS: Ok, it was more than a week, just realized it's Wednesday already :D

I waited in the bush

Maybe he didn't notice me but just heard a sound here

He came closer, about a dozen paces in front of me he began growling.

Hê såw yøü hahaha

I know. Shut up. What now? Run or... don't run...? run or not...? run or not...!?

The hound was just a few more steps from me, I had to decide... NOW!

Run!

I swiftly turned around inside that bush and began running as quick as I could

Is it at all worth to try running? Guessing from the guy on the horse this hound is trained for hunting, such a large one probably for deer or stags, I can't outrun him. Gotta outwit the dog somehow.

I ran for my life, not looking back once. I heard the hound still running after me, and I think I heard some hooves a bit further back too. I tried focusing entirely on running, to not stumble over roots or similar, but I felt that I didn't have any chance to outrun him, I really had to outwit him somehow.

Outwit a hound... outwit a hound... come on, I need some good ideas now

I tried looking around while running, but no ideas came up, just trees everywhere, and this quite shallow beck that the hound would just run over like I'd do.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

There was it again, that sound.

What could this be... and why are they so spread?

It was clear that simply couldn't be one singular being making this, not because of the difference in sound and tone, but because of the distance, because of where these sounds came from.

I looked at my arm shortly I'll have to find out later what that was, surely won't fall off for now

...Ss$ûrræ he he hee

He surprised me, and that comment of his shortly filled me with fear What could he have done? How could he have? But I calmed myself nearly immediately again No, he couldn't... just trying to get some revenge... stay calm

So again I focused on the... on whatever was around me.

I was still in the safety of the bush, so I took a moment to listen The water was calm, the wind was calm, the birds were mostly calm too, a few panicky ones from one of the direction I heard that sound from.

Hooves!... deer? No... to heavy... and just one... it's coming closer... barking?... hounds?... why out here?...

It was just about to run by me I opened my eyes and looked into the direction I expected it to run by in a moment.

A horse, with a rider, quite plump man, quite fancy hunting dress too. Right behind him came two big grey hounds.

One of them stopped

and looked right at me

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

It had become dark already but I still hadn't decided what to do... or... I had... in a way. But I didn't want to... tell myself... I guess, so I just stayed there, watching the glowing embers, that the fire left behind.

I had eaten both hares some time ago already, but still I was just lying there, watching the embers and... kinda enjoying the... emptiness in my head.

I was woken by a weird sound in the distance. The first thing I noticed was how numb my left arm was... or at first I was worried if I still had it, but I think that would have been painful instead of numb.

I got up and looked around.

Nothing... lucky I guess

Although my arm was still numb I was back in hunting mode.

There... that sound again... but... it's different... and from another direction... or did I just mishear the first time?

I had never heard that sound before, nothing like it either. It was a long, dull sound.

Another...! over there this time... two short ones this time...?

I wasn't sure what to make of those sounds. What animal could make this sound? My imagination ran wild... maybe something human-like, but bigger, fur all over, with the head like a bull? I wouldn't wanna meet that in person

I got scared by this thought, wanted to climb high into a tree, but my arm was still numb. I found a bush instead, hid inside and inspected my arms.

No scars... just like usual... I tried to move my fingers. Didn't work as good as expected. I helped with my other hand, bending each finger by itself, moving the hand around a bit, bending the elbow, moving the whole arm.

The numbness left my arm again.

Suddenly my arm was filled with another weird feeling... like ants were crawling all over it. Out of panic I frantically shaked my arm, I didn't see any ants but it came out of reflex “Get them away, get them away” I thought, tho there was nothing on my arm.

The feeling vanished, my arm was back to normal

I looked at it in wonder... What was that?

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Birds... frogs... the stream in the distance... the wind in the trees... Damn it!

I opened my eyes and stood up again.

I looked at the sky, it was the first time I had done that all day. The sun is setting... lets see, two hares... had one in the morning, some berries too... guess I don't have much of a choice... either one risk, or the other... but which is the safer bet?

With every step I took I felt my energy being drained. I had to eat something, now. Even if it wasn't enough. I went back to the beck, took with me some branches on the way to make a fire.

I skinned and gutted the hares. Threw the rests into the forest on the other side of the stream. Something would surely come to eat that, but I wouldn't want that over here.

I fastened the hares to each their stick, and set both by the fire. Washed my hands in the water, drank some, and laid down besides the fire.

What should I do? I can either take the risk of hunting at night, or take the risk of sleeping while hungry and drained of strength. After having some food I should be able to get up on a tree, if I find one, but what if he... IT thinks of any shenanigans in the meantime.

Yøû kñöw Ï cån hær yôú?

… Shut up.

Yòú... Yôü... Yøµ...

I-I-I What?

He snarled at me. Didn't hear much more from him after that.

I laid on my side, watching the hares by the fire, the fire itself, how the flames danced their warm, but destructive dance on the wood...

Sleep... or Hunt?

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

I went back to the stream to wash off my blood and see how big the wound really was. It cost some time and energy but I'd rather check on that and maybe fix it somehow than leave a blood trail after me. Who knows what or who might sniff me up thanks to that.

The holes in my hand weren't that big, he did bite me two times so naturally there were four, two on the back of my hand, two inside of it. There wasn't much blood running from them tho, the bleeding had been worst in the beginning.

I tried moving my hand around a bit, into different positions I could think of that I'm using while hunting. But there was nothing that really caused much more bleeding than when I relaxed the hand.

A bit more when drawing my bow but I guess I had just to be a bit more selective with my prey, and more accurate with my shots.

I went on, looking for any kind of tracks of animals, focusing on my senses to hear if there's anything nearby. I found another hare, but this time I managed to sneak up and get it with my bow. Hit right in the head, quite a lucky shot I had there.

Guess that means one more to go, and then I'll eat something. My stomach growled Yeah I know it's time, I know that I'm tearing at my reserves, just gimme a bit more time

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

I gently stroked through its fur “I thank you, Brother. May your spirit pass on, while your body feeds me”

Yøû ssërióùssly köntinûé wïz zât? Cøme oñ, $hê åïnt 'røùnd nømôre. Jüst kîll ít ænd bê dönê wïz ít.

I held the rabbit up at its hind legs, took a club lying nearby, and hit it in the back of the head. I tried poking an eye, to see if its really dead.

It was.

I fastened it to my belt, and continued.

Did you want anything?

Why ærê yøu sstïll dôiñg zåt? Shæ âiñt 'røûnd tö nôtïce íf yøù dön't.

What does it matter if Ingrid is 'round? She introduced me to it, but I don't do it for her. I do it to show some respect to my prey, to thank it for giving me its body, its flesh. But why do I bother to tell you, it's not like you'd listen anyway.

Büt zêræ ï$ nø ssëñssê în døing zåt, ïts nôt åwæ-

How would you know that? Can you tell? If you can, tell me how

Î... Ï... Åh fück yøû hümâñss ånd yøûr ëmótìónàl sstüff! $sînk mørë rrråtiønæl, lësss êmøtiônål. Yöúr kìnd îs zë ønly ånimæl zât døe$s zæt, zê ønly kînd zæt ssínks êmøti-

Again, how do you know? How can you be so sure?

Didn't hear any more from him after that. Did I corner him? Interesting, doesn't happen very often.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

I went on. Waited again after a while.

Frogs... not edib... or are they? Anyway, would take- my head turned in reflex ... in the bushes... irregular... not the wind... no waiting this time.

I went into the direction where the sound came from without hesitating. On hands and feet, was easier to be silent that way.

From here... it must've been round here somewh- suddenly there was no ground beneath where I wanted to place my hand, I fell, hit my face on the ground

Ouch... What's this? A hole... rabbit hole maybe... wanna take the chance...? Yeah, should.

I stuck my hand in the hole, all the way up to my shoulder must be something inside, that rushling could have been from a rabbit, and it could hav-

“AAH!! Fucking Hell!”

I quickly pulled out my hand Great, it bit me... at least I now know that there's something inside

“I'll repay you for this, asshat!!”

I stuck my bleeding hand into the hole again, but only up to my elbow. Ok, touch, only touch... I focused for a moment, luckily didn't get attacked again

Come on! Bite me again! I dare you!

I sat there for a while. Stood still in that position, on my knees, one hand on the ground and the other in a rabbit hole. Could see it in my head.

Away with that, focus!

...for how long have I been waiting for this rabbit now? Fuck I know. Feels like an eternity, could've been only a few mo- ...mrrrm!! gotcha!!

I pulled it out of it's hole “Ha, didn't think I'd snatch ya when you bite me again?”

Ze grræt hûntérr, tålkïn tø ä rræbbît

What is it you want now?!

Øh, nûfín, jùs$t cømmêntïng ón zë h@ppênîng, måybæ dîsstråct yøu å bít ssø tìmé pässêss by, yøû knöw, zê üsµâl

O-no! I won't join in on your games now, go talk to yourself or somethin'

Ha ha ha haa fûnny... fïnê, håvé fûn Mï$stêrr Rræbbît Ss$nætch€rr

I was back with the rabbit in my hand, holding it at eyes height, my blood all over it.

“Sorry I called you asshat, but it was in the heat of the moment, and you bit me”

The rabbit just continued staring at me well what did I expect to happen? It going all like 'yeah totally understand that man, hope I taste good'

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Note from the Author

Kinda sorry for this long episode... or rather for leaving out one on Tuesday. Had no way of getting' to my PC so I couldn't write anything, hope you understand ^_^

Anyway, thanks for following, thanks for reading and a good weekend to all of you. Especially you :D