Shane

Part 1

Shane stepped through the door of the hunting shop and he took off his hat. His horse would have to deal with the snow for the time being.

"Howdy. How can I help you?" Shane looked over to the counter to see a slim man with a long mustache standing behind it.

"I need some traps. For bears."

The man at the counter raised an eyebrow. "Bears, you say? We don't get too many of those around these parts. And they're all hibernating for the next couple months anyway."

"I know."

The man waited for him to continue for a few moments before giving up and speaking again. "Well, okay then. They're over there in the corner, by the pelts."

Shane tipped his hat and stepped through the store. Most of the goods seemed shoddy at best, but they'd have to do given the circumstances. As long as the trap didn't catch him, that would have be good enough. He got to the back corner and saw the large, iron jaws of a few bear traps. A few were a bit rusty, and at least one looked like it wouldn't open. Giving them all a good look, Shane picked up the three that looked the least bad of the bunch and walked back over to the counter.

"That'll be 6 dollars." the man said, apparently having given up on understanding. Grateful for not having to explain it, Shane paid the man and put the traps into the saddlebags on his horse. Once everything was secure, he got into the saddle and began the long ride back to his cabin. The bite of the snow went straight through his jacket. God only knew how cold his horse was, but he didn't have a choice. More than another day or two more and he'd be dead without the traps, he just hoped they were enough.

Part 2

It was about an hour until sunset by the time he arrived back at his cabin. Hurriedly, he put his horse back in the stable and closed the door. There wasn't much time, and he'd need the rest of it to prepare.

Once he'd finished with his horse, he closed and barred the stable door. He took one of the bear traps, opened it, and placed it cautiously in front of it. Moving over towards the cabin, he placed the other two a short distance from the door. There were no windows to secure fortunately, so the traps should keep him safe if it came back again. He carefully stepped around the traps and through his door. Then, he got out his shotgun, loaded it, and sat next to the far wall, facing the door. The gun rested against his shoulder, ready to fire at a moment's notice if needed.

He could see the fading light of the sun from beneath the door, and prepared himself for another night. Most men would have left under the circumstances, and he wouldn't blame anyone who did. But, this was his home. He was getting ready for a second year of planting when the spring came. It may be a hardship he'd have to endure, but for the first time in his life, he was free. Free to make his own way. Free to make his own decisions. And that was worth fighting for.

A few minutes later and the sun had set. He repositioned himself a bit to get more comfortable. Two nights ago and it had come around midnight. Last night was a bit earlier. Each time he'd managed to get a shot off on that thing and scare it off. But, he was worried. Was he injuring it, or just scaring it? He hoped the bear traps would injure it enough to let him kill it with his shotgun, whatever the hell it was. He'd been damn lucky so far, no doubts there. It hadn't gone after his horse for some reason and made a lot of noise before it got to his house. He could only hope it did the same tonight, if it returned at all.

Part 3

He waited. Slowly the night crept on and he listened to the soft breeze that blew outside. It should have been calming, peaceful, but Shane felt none of that. He sat against the wall, shotgun at the ready, and he waited.

Hours passed, it must have been nearing 10pm or so. If the pattern held, the beast should be here soon. But, nothing happened.

Shane felt himself starting to doze a few hours later when he heard the scream, jolting him awake. It ripped through the air and through the walls of his cabin. Outside, he heard his horse whinnying in fright. He brought the gun back to his shoulder again. It shouldn't be long now.

A second scream rent the air. The horrid sound chilled him to the bone even more than the snow that lay outside, and it sounded closer. All he could do was wait. No point running outside, just wait for it to come to him. He gritted his teeth and stared at the door, ready for anything. Suddenly, he heard the clamp of metal jaws outside his door, and a third scream.

Sensing his chance, Shane immediately got up and made for the door. The scream grew louder, and he heard immense pain behind it. The pitch suddenly grew lower and he felt himself grow faint as he stumbled to the door. No, it was now or never. He forced himself back to his feet and threw open the door, shotgun in hand as he looked to the traps.

Inside one was the large creature. Black spines stood high on its back as it tore at the bear trap with its claws. Without a moment's thought more, Shane aimed at the creature and fired.

A new, terrible scream pierced his ears and drove into his skull. He felt as if his brain were vibrating in his head. He tried to point his gun at it for a second shot, but he felt himself fall to the ground as everything went black.