Thanksgiving With The Wendigo's

 

A.I. Generated

I was hiking one holiday weekend in the northern Michigan Porcupine Mountains (aka Porkies), when a gray fog came rolling in. I was several miles from my camp, following a narrow trail through sweet scented jack pines. The cool mist was coming from behind me but I knew if I stayed calm everything would be fine.

Suddenly, a haunting screech came from the mist. An owl possibly? I quickened my pace and told myself not to panic. I was a veteran of these woods and I knew most animals left you alone, unless they were very hungry.  I heard it again. Something was in pain, caught in a trap maybe, but in extreme pain. Normally I would try to help but something told me to keep moving. 

I glanced back and saw…headlights? An all terrain vehicle maybe? I didn’t hear the engine rumble. An electric ATV? They were relatively quiet. No. Something was stalking me. I walked faster. My hiking poles weren’t heavy, just aluminum but they did have a nasty point on the end. Fight or flight? I would definitely fight if it came to that but my first choice was flight.

I walked faster, almost jogging. The fog was on me. I could feel hot breath as a voice whispered in my ear.

“There you are. We have been waiting for you.” I ran. Straight into a tree.

When I woke I was surrounded by the most loathsome creatures with gray skin. Skinny arms and hands with long fingers. Branches grew out of their narrow heads with large watery eyes and long sharp teeth.

I choked back a scream. “What do you want?” I squealed.

“We just wanted to invite you to Thanksgiving dinner,” said the tallest one. The shortest nodded in agreement. “We’re the Wendigo’s.”

“Your cannibals!” 

“Well, my wealthy boss fired me and without food assistance…”

“We were starving. So we ate his old boss. Found we had a liking for it, and well, here we are. But don’t worry. We only eat the fat and affluent. They make such a rich gravy.”