Hunted

The masks looked so real. Wolves. Cats. Bears. Deer. They all looked so intense and I couldn’t wait to pick one for myself.

This was my first primal event. I’d always played one on one with partners but I’d never been invited to join a community of Hunters and prey. They’re so hard to find. I’d only recently learned exactly how protective they are and as a result, highly selective of who they invite into their inner circle. As much as I was looking for them, they’d actually had their eye on me for quite some time. Watching me. Waiting to see if I was truly one of them.

The grounds were massive. I hadn’t even exited the car and the smell of burning wood enveloped me. I’d hoped there would be a bonfire. A place outside where I could shed this human skin and be free under the cold moon, my body warmed by the roaring flames.

I completed my intake and interview just days before so when I entered, all I would need to do was hand over my phone and keys. The attendant took them and locked them away. I loved her fur vest and bone necklace. It was difficult to keep my eyes up and not follow it down into the deep, open cut of the fabric where I noticed she wore nothing else.

She gestured for my hand. I extended my arm to her and she produced an envelope.

“This is a temporary tattoo. It is a glyph unique to you and others like you tonight. It identifies you as prey. It is meant to stay on your skin regardless of sweat, wrestling, scratching, or any other kind of activity that does not break the skin. You were given a legend with these glyphs when you completed the intake, so you can recognize others. Do you have any questions about it?”

I shook my head. I’d studied those glyphs day and night preparing for tonight. I had it committed to memory. Mine meant I wanted to be chased as prey. And if caught, I wouldn’t fight back. I wouldn’t bite, scratch or kick. I might wiggle and run again but if I were pinned, good and truly pinned, then I would surrender. But they had to catch me first. I made it clear on the intake that I don’t slow down. I won’t make it easy. Whoever chases me has to be faster and stronger, or at least smart enough to catch me.

I took a deep breath and looked at the wall behind the attendant. The time had come to pick my true face for the evening.

I smiled and pointed.

The attendant retrieved the mask and handed it to me with her own knowing smile.

“It's funny. Despite us being so in tune with nature, there are a lot of people in this community who think of rabbits as weak and easy pickings. It's true, they don’t have fangs and claws to fight back. No strength that can match a bear or a wolf. But that makes them resourceful. Fast and adaptable. That makes them fun to hunt.”
My smile brightened. She gets me. This really is where I am meant to be.

After giving her a nod, I turned to join the festivities inside.

“Just one heads up? Limber up.”

I paused and looked back at her.

“We have an eagle here tonight.”