Fatherhood

It was a normal summer day, but today was a Saturday and that meant a hike with the baby. It started like any other: boots, hat, and Finn in the hiking backpack. The sun was out and the air was fresh, and Finn smiled and cooed as he bounced along. But perhaps it was destiny that today everything would change.

After an hour or so of continual walking I decided it was time for a break. We approached a meadow with an open field of soft grass that looked perfect for a rest. I walked to the middle of the clearing and unloaded the pack and baby. I sat him up, carefully moving him away from a mushroom, and prepared a bottle. He was ravenous. As I held him in my lap I wistfully daydreamed on an earlier conversation. Absent mindedly I said to my baby, “I wish I could do better for you little guy. I hope we can find a big family for you someday.” The wind rustled his auburn hair. Finn was unperturbed, he smacked his lips and let out a satisfied burp. “Wow, thank you.” I replied.

The wind was blowing stronger and I was growing concerned. Strange, there wasn’t any bad weather in the forecast. “Come on” Finn I said as I packed up him and his things into the backpack. “Well it’s about time to go.” I said out loud, only to hear back a terse whisper. “Why?”

I turned around, nothing. “Who said that?!” I snapped back. “Why, WHY”, the voice hissed, as if from the wind itself. “You promisssed.” “I didn’t promise anything. Not to you. Who are you?” The wind began to howl, yet cutting through I heard, “Come to usss.” “NO!” I said. “No take backssss” It hissed. The sky grew dark and the wind turned into a maelstrom with us at the center. Through the dark the mushrooms I barely noticed before began to glow a pale blue, one by one encircling us. The tornado scrapped dust across my face like sandpaper as I put my arms around Finn, still in his pack.

Just as soon as it started, it was over. But there was no time to rest. My skin, already chaffed, seared from a slicing pain. Again and again, my flesh burned as if I was being cut with razor blades. I hear laughter, mocking me. Flailing around with one arm I saw them. First one might think they were beautiful. They were small creatures, maybe a few inches tall, with slight but feminine figures, but there their humanity ended. They had four fluorescent, beetle-like wings and bulging green compound eyes. Their tiny mouths were full of needle-like teeth. One of their hands had three small fingers, and the other a long thin claw perfect for slashing, like some kind of demented crab.

I swatted them away but this only seemed to excite them as they giggled with sadistic glee. That earned me two more slashes from the swarm. Not quite knowing what to do, I swung again at one of the creatures that lazily hovered a bit too close. Surprising both of us I grabbed it. The creature fully opened its eyes and mouth with terror, matching my own expression. Somehow opening its mouth even wider, it drove those dagger-like teeth into my flesh. Almost reflexively, I scream and squeezed: HARD. The creature’s grotesque body immediately stood up straight, and more disgustingly swelled, then *Pop*. Thankfully no one (well human) was around to see my face, with my horrid expression now covered in the creature’s slimy guts.

I had no time to process my disgust as the rest of the creatures who were before toying with me, were now enraged. Their attacks became crueler and more painful, now attempting to slash my eyes and face. Worse Finn let out a scream. Two of the creatures now had him by the hair and were trying to pull him out of my arm. I swung with my free hand but that only delayed them for a second as I was awarded with a few free cuts. Unable to protect myself and Finn I felt true despair for the first time. A group had now wrestled with my free arm and pinned it back. Finn was wailing. I feared the inevitable.

Then, I was face-to-face with a tiger.