User:Nextoy/Short Stories/A Hunter's Lament

“Within shadows lies a whole host of creatures. Some good, some bad. Nobody’s sure where these things come from, only that they are not normal. Or, more precisely, they do not originate from the same world as those of us who are awake during the day. When investigating such things it is important to remember some key features about them.

“Firstly, many of these things are not necessarily hostile. In fact, it can be argued that without them we may live in a much more volatile world. Only they know what causes them to hunt our nocturnal predators. Second, and more important, is the fact that this does not mean they are pacifistic. Like all things, if they detect danger they will not always simply hide. Many creatures in this world, on both sides of this spectrum, know that sometimes all you can do is fight. Fight like your life depends on it.

“Beyond that, it is hard to say for sure what things are going to be truly dangerous. All things are capable of danger, but little are truly intending to be as such. For example, a man with the antlers of a deer may initially invoke the fear of the Wendigo. However, many deities of Life are described that way as well. Such things do not mean to directly harm, even if they can still be dangerous in a different way, such as Pan. Though perhaps it would be easier to become scared of these things if it is in winter, due to the shift Cernunnos takes when becoming a god of death at such time.

“Though it should be noted that there will not always be time to think. At times thinking is not necessary at all. Some people are just able to intuit such things, and other times one is simply given no notice and must make an instinctive judgement call. Though know that your gut can be wrong, that does not mean it should be ignored. Following and ignoring such instincts as a rule is far more dangerous than any single creature hiding in those woods.

“When you do come into a dangerous situation, there are some things to know that may help. Silver and iron can be fatal to some things, but not all. Holy symbols are useless unless blessed or enchanted. Magic can be a friend, but also an enemy. There is no such thing as a cure all or get out of jail free card. Any beliefs you have of such shall be dispelled immediately once something comes in that can ignore your safety blanket.

“Everyone has a plan until they’re punched in the mouth, as the saying goes.

“This means that you should come prepared any time you may have to deal with such things, but not to rely on any one tool or ability to save you. Learn a variety of things. It is better to be familiar with a hundred techniques than a master of just one.

“In the end, however, it is up to you to find out what is useful and when it will no longer work. If you can agree to this, then you’re already better off than most.”

This is what John read as he looked through the faded manual. Such things were quaint to him. A reminder of before, when life was just simply a collection of simple days filled with meaningless drama. Oh how he missed the days of rumors, gossip, politics, and finance. Days of mindlessly reading or watching stories unfold.

But unfortunately that is no longer today. Instead he sits here unable to figure out what is left for him. Though very little has changed as a whole, the world still revolves and society is left unaware of his presence, the truth is that he has changed too much. Knowing can be a curse. Unfortunately, this also means that he is unable to explain himself to others.

What should he do? Hire a therapist? With what money? Would they even believe him, or would it simply be asking to have pills shoved down his gullet while in a padded room?

No, that was too cynical. Even for him. They’d probably not take his word at face value, but he’d be only wasting his money. Certainly not his time. He’d still be going out and hunting whatever monster may get in his way. Such is his life now.

But… is it?

He could just stop. It’s not like in the movies where he’s stuck to this life forever. He hasn’t made so many enemies where he can’t just… run away. But is that truly an option? Just stopping? He worries about the dedication to his work. A dedication to keep the world safe, to shuffle through what is dangerous and what isn’t.

Thinking like that is why he has so few allies as well. Other hunters are different. Shoot, ask questions later. In fact, it makes him worry that the good things might be turning dark. Fear is powerful, as is revenge. Anger. Spite. All things with the same result. Too much can turn a good man evil, and an evil man into a demon. Though not literally.

“The fact that I have to clarify that.” Is the only thing that leave he speaks while thinking about these things. As he stares down at his most recent “What if?” It had the book on it. A book so harmless, almost like it was studying things. Was it to become a better person, or to become a smarter monster? He laments the inability to ask it.

John was attacked. John defended himself. That is what happened when broken down to the pure facts. Oh! How he wishes it couldn’t be simplified so far down. How he wishes that he didn’t feel the need to be purely logical. Emotion is not foreign to him, but being emotional is not in his nature. That has not changed. What could he do? Nothing, perhaps.

Or just keep calm, and carry on. A favorite saying of his. A saying he holds to heart. Thankfully, it is one that is so easy to remember. Though sometimes he questions whether or not he properly understands it. Does it promote apathy? To save your emotions for when one is alone? Or to simply repress and then let go of such things. These questions are what sadden him most. Not the killing or loss of himself, oh no. It’s the philosophy behind it all.