The Stunners [1]

I am the vanguard. The keeper of the wilderness. Only knowledge keeps me alive. I try to keep the visitors out. It’s beautiful here, and that’s what draws in the tourists. However, the beauty is directly proportional to the danger. Prevention is the absolute best method of preserving life, meaning that the more people I keep out of the forest, the more people survive. We may believe that we own the land, but we don’t. This land belongs to the stunners. The name I’ve given the intelligent species that occupies this area of the woods. As far as wildlife goes, they resemble mankind more than anything that inhabits the earth. Averaging the height of a young teenager, they are bipedal. The legs are thick and powerful, meant for running quickly and jumping to the higher branches of trees.

On their feet exists four long toes. two in front, and two in the back. And on each toe a slick black talon, meant for gripping tree branches, but I’ve seen their flaying power on human flesh. Felt it before too. Despite their imposing lower half, the stunners do not possess any physical prowess in their upper bodies. Narrow shoulders carrying spindly arms with a small, bat-like head with large ears. They have bodily hair, but only on their legs with a small trail leading up their spine onto their heads. Like I mentioned earlier, they tend to be weaker in their upper bodies. In the hand to hand encounters that I’ve had with the stunners, I have overpowered them. Not easily, but a strong enough human can do so. But that isn’t how they are most dangerous. You see, they’ve earned their name.

Due to their bat-like features, I assume they use echolocation to find their prey. With silent movements, they are able to get relatively close enough in order to deliver a debilitation scream to disorient the prey, then they deliver a swift blow to the lower spine with a talon, effectively stunning the unassuming animal in mere seconds.

Well, enough of my description of the creatures. I have dealt with them alone for long enough. It’s time to share some of my stories, and the stories of a few that I’ve rescued. I have amassed quite a library of first-hand accounts.

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Journal Entry: February 1994

It’s freezing out here. The campground is cold and the fire has burned out. Judging by the scattered ash, I would have to guess that the camp is a few days old. Tank has lost any scent of where the group could have gone. The time is around 2 AM, and I fear that I’ve lost the group. Tank hasn't alerted me of any wildlife nearby, but I am always cautious in these parts. Bears have been known to hibernate in this area, and I would rather not stumble upon a sleeping grizzly.

It’s been a week since the tower received a hit from a passing helicopter overhead. They had spotted some campers in the area who had a built a help sign in a clearing not far from this point. The helicopter, low on fuel, and with a storm incoming was powerless to help them. So they sent in a ground crew, me and Tank. Tank being my trusty companion bloodhound. I think I’m calling the search for the night. I’ll set up camp and set out around 10 AM.

I overslept my time. I woke up to some rustling in the bushes behind me, just a squirrel. Odd to see signs of squirrels this late into winter though. I found a set of four holes in the ground, presumably where it had buried its supply of food. Curiously enough, the holes had been in a symmetrical shape. But I payed no attention to such menial details. I checked my watch, which revealed the time as 2 PM. How had I slept so long. Tank was nowhere in sight, but I quickly wrote that off to him having to go relieve himself. He is a funny dog. He will not go to the bathroom if there are any prying eyes.

The time is now 1 AM. I’ve made camp once again. Tank returned shortly after I had gotten done inspecting the markings made by the squirrel.

Today was more fruitful than the previous few. We turned up a few pieces of torn cloth on some bushes, as well as a broken flashlight. Tank has their scent, so I expect to catch up to the group in a day or so. The last campsite we stumbled upon however was different. I have seen it before, a campsite abandonned in a hurry. Almost never a good sign, but there are many reasons that a campsite could be found in that state.

The fire was still burning coals, and there was bedding left behind. I suspect it had been a pack of wolves, which means that the group should be safe if they stick together, however, I need to reach them soon to avoid any fatalities. Tank has been uneasy today. Always looking over his shoulders. Bloodhounds aren’t known for their eyesight though, so as long as his nose is stuck to the ground, I know we are heading in the right directions. I have plenty of food and water, so that is not a worry of mine. Goodnight forest.

Woke up on time, figured I would start writing earlier today. it’s 7 AM. I see a squirrel nosing around on the ground. I know that I should be in a hurry, but I want to watch it some more. It’s acting very curious, much like Tank was earlier.

The squirrel is gone. Just gone. And holy shit, it’s 9 AM. Where did that time go? I was just watching the squirrel, and then I turned to see what Tank was barking at, then I woke up. I must have fallen back asleep. I need to start looking for that group again. Shit.

Tank found her today. A single woman. No doubt part of the group I had been tracking. She was in shock, curled up in a ball by a squirrel nest. Odd, another two sets of two holes. I sketched the markings on the ground to show my supervisor. These squirrels are curious. The girl isn’t talking, but I got her to eat something and something to drink. The day is done and I’m tired. It’s time to hit the hay. Tank has curled up next to the woman.

I called in a helicopter to come pick up the girl on my location. The storm had passed, so it was safe enough. Once they picked her up and replenished my supplies, I set off to find the remaining members of the group. i wonder what had separated them.

I was contacted on my radio a few minutes ago. It was Dan telling me to continue my search for another day, but be careful, and they were pulling me out tomorrow. I wonder why. I feel as if I’m getting closer to the remaining group. I haven’t found any more campsites, but some scraps of clothing. Oh well. I’m supposed to fire up another flare at 6 PM so that the helicopter could find me easily.

It’s 5:30. Whatever trail I had of the remaining group members is gone. Tank can’t focus on a scent, and I’m starting to see things in the woods. It’s nothing to worry about, probably just exhaustion. It could be faces, or just movement, but I’m not worried by it. It’s never really bothered me to be alone out here. However, I was certain I saw a bat earlier. Not just any bat, but a rather large one, hanging upside down from a branch. It just stared at me, its ears twitching a little. I rubbed my eyes and the bat was gone, so I attribute it to my tired eyes.

6 PM, flare time.

I’m now on the helicopter, but I don’t remember getting here. It may sound ridiculous, but the last thing I remember hearing was a train whistle. Or was it a gunshot. Man my head hurts so I can’t really recall right now. Tank had something in his mouth. A bit of fur from something. Probably a squirrel. Who knows. The pilot said that they found me laying down with Tank on top of me. I guess I had passed out or something.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but now that I’m back in my cabin, I noticed a long cut on my back. Right alongside my spine. I must have fallen on something, but I need the time to recover. They said that the girl is being transported back to her family as soon as she is checked out of the hospital. I want to read her reports of what happened. That is, if she wrote any. I think they said her name is Theresa, but I’m not sure.

Part [2]: https://www.reddit.com/r/nosleep/comments/48sj1t/the_stunners_2/