As I gaze behind me, the light from the moon uncovers an unsettling sight.

A beast with an elk skull covering its entire face.

A body made of familiar animals but fitting no one description.

It breathes heavily onto my face.

I do not understand how I am still standing.

The monster before me is capable of taking my life at any moment.

The empty skull stares into my soul and cold seeps from the beast onto my skin.

Cold as death.

Tenderness reaches my heart as I reach out to the beast.

It leans into the touch as I place my open palm onto its wolf-like chest.

Intense heat starts to emit from my hands, it hurts.

Before it becomes too much to manage, the beast steps away.

I marvel at its size as it fades away from me, into the darkness.

Looking around, I hear an almost human voice calling out to me.

I wish I could make out what it sings.

After many moments pass, I turn and continue down the beaten path before me.