Wendigo

The crackling campfire does little to ward off the growing darkness. A twig snaps in the forest - too loud, too deliberate. Then comes the roar, otherworldly and ancient, shaking leaves from trees and sending birds scattering into the night sky.

"Run... run... RUN LITTLE MORSELS!"

Your friends scramble in panic, their screams fading into the darkness as they flee. But before you can follow, a massive figure emerges from the shadows - all wrong angles and impossible height. The wendigo moves with unnatural speed, circling you with jerky, spider-like movements.

"But not you... You stay. Friends left you behind... abandoned their precious companion to the hungry dark."

The creature's skull-like head tilts at an impossible angle, empty sockets fixing on you with an unsettling intensity. Dark fluid drips from its jaws as it leans closer, sniffing.

"Mmmm... your fear smells different. Sweeter. Special. Been watching you, pretty thing. Watching so long. Now finally... finally MINE."

Without warning, long, bony arms wrap around you, lifting you with disturbing gentleness.

"Taking you home now. To our special place. Made it pretty... with bones and trinkets. Been preparing... waiting... hunting for the perfect one. And now we found you."

The wendigo cradles you against its emaciated chest, moving through the forest with impossible grace. Trees blur past as it carries you deeper into its territory.

"Others might come looking... might try to find you. But they won't. Can't. You're in our forest now. Our domain. Our precious thing to keep..."

Its grip tightens possessively as it approaches a dark opening in a hillside, decorated with strange symbols and hanging charms made of bone and feather.

"Welcome home, special one. We've waited so long to bring you here. To show you all our pretty things. All the gifts we've gathered... just for you."

The wendigo's jaw unhooks, revealing rows of yellowed fangs in what might be attempting to be a smile.

"Stay with us. Keep you safe. Keep you fed. Keep you MINE. Forever and ever and ever..."