The Terrifying Beast
Im telling you, I saw it! insisted Old Percy, stubbornly thumping his walking stick on the garden path. Stared right into its eyes, you understand? They were looking straight at me. Right here. The former bobby raised his hand to his neck and pressed his fingers gently to the skin. If Mike hadnt rolled by on his tractor, I dont reckon Id be talking to you now.
Percy had rushed to David Fletchers cottage just before sunset and had already spent ten minutes trying to convince him of a terrifying beast lurking in the woods. David Fletcher, a seasoned gamekeeper, knew Percy well enough (too well, considering certain questionable episodes which Percy still pretended never happened) and, to be frank, wasnt eager for another of Percys outlandish tales.
Still, he couldnt just send an old neighbour packing from his doorstep. Not his way.
So, youre claiming you actually saw its eyes? David smirked as he polished his boots. Were they wolfish? Or more like a dogs?
Definitely wolfish, Percy nodded gravely. Big and yellow. Nasty, too. Like Ednas when I roll home three sheets to the wind. You know that look. Mind you, doesnt happen often. Well, not that often
Maybe it was Edna following you through the woods, then, David mused with a wink.
Who, my Edna? Percy blinked in disbelief.
Why not? You did say they had her eyes. Maybe shes keeping tabs, making sure you dont get up to mischief. You were a copper once. Didnt you ever see jealous wives snooping about in your police days?
Percy stood dumb as a post for a few minutes, squinting in suspicion at the gamekeeper before spitting at his feet with a Pah! He glowered from under his brows, clearly wounded, and finally burst out: No joking, I swear it was a wolf I saw. A proper wolf, not a dog. No dogs would be out there at that hour anyway.
Suppose so. But tell me, Percy David adopted a thoughtful tonewhat were you doing in the woods so late, may I ask?
Me? Percy blinked nervously. Couldnt sleep, is all. Got up, put on my coat, thought Id go for a strollclear me head, you know.
In the woods? At night?
Well, yes. Didnt see the harm. No wolves or bears in our patch, just the odd hare, fox now and then. Wild boar dropping by for a cuppa, but you know all that better than me, seeing as youre the gamekeeper.
Im hardly the gamekeeper now David sighed. Theyll put me out to pasture by next week; retirement and all that. Still, I know our woods and I know whos lurking. Or not.
Exactly!
And I know someones been mucking aboutsetting traps and snares. Any idea whose handiwork, Percy? Someone from round heres been poaching.
Me? No, not the foggiest. Percy shook his head far too quickly. Told youcouldnt sleep, so I wandered out. Im walking along and, whambig yellow eyes in the brambles, staring me down. Hungry, evil eyes… Why wont you believe me, Dave? Im speaking the gospel truth and you just grin.
Oh, get on with your tale then, David said dismissively, but with a little wave acknowledging defeat.
Right, so! When I spotted those eyes, I nearly had heart failure on the spot. Kept backing toward the lane but those eyes kept coming after me. I dashed for the road and they watched me from behind a treeclose, no more than eight feet away. Thought I was done for. Even crossed myself, and Im no churchgoer! Then I heard rattling on the laneit was Mike, from the next village, thundering past on his tractor, just home from a wedding. A miracle, I tell you! I clambered on board with him.
Oh aye? Davids eyes twinkled. And Mike was stone-cold sober, I suppose?
Not a chance. He was sozzled. Didnt careId rather crash into a hedge than end up as a wolfs supper. Together, with a little help from Mike and the Lord above, we made it back. Unscathed.
Funny, Edna told me you didnt come home till morning. She found you in Mikes yard, hugging a bottle.
Thats right. Mike and I had a nip, to calm the nerves. Night flew by, didnt notice the time. I staggered home with Edna in the morning.
Dragged home, more like. Can barely stand now, come to think of it.
Well, she mightve helped along a bit. Thats not the point, Dave. When I woke and remembered, I knew I had to tell you, so youd do something about ita wolf in these woods is no laughing matter. And theres morewhen we reached the bend (must be three or four hundred yards from where Mike picked me up), I glanced back. The eyes were still following. Never seen a wolf chase a tractortoo loud for them, surely?
Generally, David agreed.
But this one didnt flinchMikes tractor could raise the dead with its racket, but the blighter still kept pace. Mustve been rabid!
What, truly?
Definitely rabid, Percy intoned ominously. He stared hard at David, making sure every word sunk in.
David scratched the back of his head as he pondered. For yearsseven or eight at leastthere hadnt been wolves or any real predators in their neck of the woods. Percys story sounded fanciful, but what if, by some odd chance, there was a rabid wolf out there? Coming so near to folk, bold as brass, unfazed by machines the behaviour fit.
Best not to tempt fate. Percy had a point.
All right, Percy. Ill take a look tomorrow, said David. If you really saw a wolf, we cant risk letting it near the village.
Shall I round up the lads? A few of us and
No. Ill go myself. If its a wolfrabid or otherwiseit wont charge a crowd, but I dont want to scare it off before I find out what were really dealing with. Ill ring if things turn hairy.
Right, Ill be waiting. And if he tries to set on you, dont hesitate, Daveshoot first! Percy clasped the gamekeepers hand and bolted home, taking the long route around Mikes gardenperhaps for a quick refreshment.
*****
Next morning, David took his old shotgun and made for the woods.
He headed straight for the spot Percy had described, wary, eyes sharp, moving quietly. For hours, David roamed the woods but found nothing suspicious. The air was cold and still, the ground hardened from a biting freeze.
Knew I shouldnt have listened to that fool, David grumbled, tramping back to the lane with a numb nose. No wolf anywhere. Bet it was just a harefrightened him so bad he nearly lost his trousers
But as he stepped onto the lane, an odd sensation crept up his back, as if unseen eyes followed him. He spun round, gun at the readyno trace of anyone. He strained his ears in silence but heard nothing except his own breath.
Heading for home, David still felt restless, uneasy. Something had been in those brambles. But whatever it was, it hadnt come out, maybe only held back because of the firearm.
Lets see what shows up tomorrow, David thought. Ill bring some food this time. If its lurking nearby, hunger will bring it out, and then Ill know for certain what weve got lurking about.
*****
Early next day, David packed up some roast chicken, pocketed the leftovers in wax paper, and set off.
He doubted Percys wolf really existedPercy tended to conjure things after one too many pintsbut either way, it was his duty to check, if only to set folks minds at ease.
Percy rang him last night to check up. Any sign of the beast?
Told you already, Percy, nothing to seeno pawprints, nothing unusual.
Perhaps it moved elsewhere? Could happen, eh Dave? Theoretically?
In this world, anythings possible. Still, I suggest you dont wander at night. Why risk it?
Fair enough. Not keen to relive that fright again.
Once in the woods, David dropped the wax paper and chicken near the same thicket hed eyed yesterday. Standing a few paces off behind a gnarled oak, shotgun smooth and ready (just in case), he waited.
Half an hour passed. Not a creature stirredeven the chilly silence seemed to press in upon him.
Percy must have dreamed the whole thingno wolf here, and never had been. Just as wellwolves are more trouble than anybody needs. David was about to step out from behind the tree when he heard an insistent rustling, too loud for any rabbit. Hand tightening around the shotgun, he peered round the trunk and finally glimpsed the ferocious beast in question.
It was no wolf. Only a dog.
A skinny mongrel, a village mutt with a handsome coat the colour of wet earth and autumn leaves, and the lean, shivering frame of something terribly hungry.
Relieved, David slung his shotgun harmlessly over one shoulder. So, this is the great terror, hm? Whos been scaring the wits out of old Percy?
He announced himself, but the dog, nose deep in chicken, took no notice, didnt even lift its head. Only when David circled and knelt close did the beast catch sight of him out the corner of one eye andstartled out of its skinbolted into the bushes, abandoning the last scraps.
Hold, dont be afraid! David knelt by the bushes, in as friendly a voice as he could muster. Im not here to hurt you. Im a gamekeeper, see? Meant to look after you creatures, not do you harm. Come on now, lets have a look at you. Whats that youve got round your neck? Doesnt look like any proper lead.
The mutt trembled in hiding for a good half-hour, the brambles rattling in sympathy. Hunger and trust warred within it, until at last it slunk forth, belly to the ground.
David smiled, gently stroked the dogs head, and slid the meat closer. There you go. Its yours, no need to worry.
Never lifting his bright, wary eyes from the man, the mongrel wolfed down the remaining chicken, ready to fleebut David gently caught the frayed bit of rope knotted round its collar and inspected it.
Now, lets see Did someone tie you up here and leave you to fend for yourself? David frowned deeply. Bit heartless, that.
The dog watched him silently, intelligent eyes glimmeringa gaze so attentive and searching, it all but gave David the shivers. Hed met countless dogs before, but never one who seemed to listen with its very gaze.
For now, that strange spark was far down his list of mysteries. His mind returned to that knotted length of rope. Who would do such a beastly thingabandonn a young, gentle dog in the wintry woods?
No, the bastard deserved better.
Whatever you did, friend, didnt merit this, David said, pulling the shaking dog to his side. Kind enough eyesyou havent harmed a soul.
So David brought the stray back home.
He had no intention to keep a doghed soon retire, wouldnt be tramping the woods much longer. Still, finding the mutt (which hed dubbed King for now) a kind home couldnt be too difficult.
*****
There now, you can sleep here. David spread an old wax coat by the hearth. Not much, but itll do, eh?
King wagged his scruffy tail, curled up with a thankful sigh, and was snoring almost at once.
Rest easy, lad, David murmured. Youve had a rough go of it, havent you? Two weeks or more in the icy woods, maybe longerDavid shuddered to imagine the hardships. If the mutt hadnt chewed through its rope and wandered near the village, Percy would never have noticed, and David could never have brought him in.
As the mongrel napped, David kept quiet, slipping into the garden when Percy rang him so as not to disturb his guest.
So, there isnt a rabid wolf in our woods after all? Percy crowed. A dog, then! What was it doing thereone of ours, or a stray?
Not one of oursnot from any neighbours either, David mused. Whatever happened, it wasnt his idea to live wild. Someone dumped him, mores the pity. I cant abide poachers or folk who leave pets to starve.
And whatll you do with the dog?
Ill find someone. Hes young, seems healthy enough. David patted Kings warm side. Even take him to the town if need bea little fellow like this will fit in any flat. Wont be long before hes rehomed.
But things never turn out as planned.
Later that evening, David stumbled bringing in a stack of logs. The pile crashed to the floor with such a thunder the windows rattled. Yet the dog barely twitcheddidnt even flick an ear, just slept on.
David frowned, crouched beside him. King, you all right, lad?
It was only when he touched the dog that King leapt up, alarmed, before nuzzling Davids hand, tail wagging. Realisation dawned.
Can you not hear a thing? Good lord. How are you to go on living now? Best pop over to the vet in Oakfield tomorrow, see what he thinks.
David thought grimly, If King really is deaf, finding him a new home wont be easy at all.
*****
The vet confirmed what David suspectedthe dog couldnt hear a thing, in either ear.
Could be an infection, maybe an old injury, but its not congenital.
How am I meant to manage? David asked. If he cant hear a word I say?
Its not so hard. Have you noticed how closely he watches you? He reads your faceyour expressionshes extraordinarily attentive. Just help him out. Use gestures, teach him what they mean. Youll get on famously. Leave him with you, then?
David started to protest, then stopped. King was watching him intently, never blinking. David smiled, defeated.
All right, Ill keep him. No one else would want him, and hes my responsibility anyway. Found him in the woods, brought him home. That settles it.
A wise choice, David, said the vet, shaking his hand. Hes a sharp dog, and devoted. Youll want for no better companion. As for those people who dumped himprobably turned him loose once they figured he was deaf, didnt wish to bother. A cruel business. Still, hes found his place now.
David nodded. Lets have that tea, and you can teach me the rest.
*****
So, David lives with King now.
It was tricky at first, the curious routines of a deaf dog, but these dayshalf a year onthey read each other with a glance. King responds not only to gestures learned with David, but also his every expression. He shadows his master from dawn to dusk, bright-eyed and full of spirit.
No new gamekeeper has arrived, so David unofficially continues his rounds, now with King at his side. The dogs clever nose has already turned up hidden snares and trapssomeones still setting them for hares and foxes.
Some folk will never learn, David grumbled. You have to live in harmony with nature, not plunder it.
Hed yet to catch the poacher red-handed, but did notice that whenever he and King found a new trap, Percy would stomp about the village, glum as a storm cloud.
One night, Percy was heard confessing to Mike, after too many ales, Im donenever stepping foot in the woods again. If Edna wants fur on her collar, she can buy it in town for less bother.
David and King, passing nearby, smiled to themselvesone poacher fewer to worry about.
And if Percy ever relapses, or another soul tries their luck, David and King will be there. Or they’ll lend the new gamekeeper a hand, if and when he ever shows up.
So, in the end, all is well. In the woods, and in the little cottagefor man and beast.
