The Most Dangerous Prey

George Ford and his teenage children Charlie and Ashley drove deep into the mountains of Colorado to do some hunting. That's what he told his wife, anyways. The truth of the matter was he intended to kill them.

"When are we going to get there?" 16 year-old Ashley asked impatiently. "We've been driving all day."

"We're almost there." George promised. "Just make sure you to check your gear before we head out—you know we stay until we're done."

"I'm all set." 18 year-old Charlie said as he cocked his rifle. "I don't know what we're hunting but I know I can take it."

"Good, good." George replied with a grin. "This is going to be one hell of a hunt, believe me."

A few minutes later they pulled into a remote area on the hunting range and everyone got out. After securing his things, George locked the car and swallowed the keys while the kids weren't looking. "If they want to get out alive, they'll have to kill me for it." He thought to himself.

"So what are we after?" Charlie asked.

"We're looking for a big animal, real dangerous." George said. "If you don't have your gun ready he'll kill you before you have time to scream. I'd show you a picture but for some reason I left it at home."

"What?" Ashley asked. "How are we supposed to know what we're looking for?"

"Relax; I remember what it looks like." George replied with a grin. "Don't wander too far or we'll get separated!" With that he broke off into a run. Within seconds he was gone from view. Little did Charlie and Ashley know, that could only mean trouble…

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"Where did he go?" Ashley asked as she walked through the forest with Charlie. "And he said we needed to stay together."

"I'm sure he's just testing us." Charlie said as they moved quickly through the woods. "He wants to see if we can keep up."

"Damn, it's so dark here…" Ashley said as she fumbled with her flashlight.

"Put that shit away!" Charlie snapped. "You might attract nearby predators to us! You want to get fucking killed out here because I sure as hell don't."

"Sorry." Ashley replied. "I had no idea you were such a marksman."

"Just shut up and try to keep up." Charlie said as he quickened his pace.

"Wait up!" Ashley whispered and bounded after him. The bullet that knocked her leg out from under her stopped her completely. Charlie looked back in time to see the IR marker used on newer rifles trail the ground and coming straight for him.

"What the, fuck!" He exclaimed before he broke into a run.

"Charlie!" Ashley yelled, but to no avail. After going far enough to stop even the greatest sniper, Charlie stopped to call for help.

"911, state your emergency." said the dispatcher.

"My sister's been shot!" Charlie exclaimed. "We're hunting in the woods and someone shot her!"

"And where are you now?" the dispatcher asked.

"About 3 miles due east of the main highway," Charlie replied. "You'll see a blue minivan. I'm about 2500 feet east of it."

"Police in the area will be dispatched immediately." The dispatcher replied before hanging up.

Right then, Charlie saw the same IR marker aiming for his head. "Shit!" He exclaimed before ducking just in time. After dropping into the high grass he tucked his rifle under his left armpit and followed the IR beam with his rifle to the shooter. Right when he found him the beam disappeared.

"Eat this, you bastard!" Charlie shouted before opening fire. After several shots, the sound of a body hitting the ground told him he'd hit his target. Getting up, he ran back to see who the shooter was. When he saw, his face went white.

"Ashley!" He exclaimed. "Oh, shit! I shot—please don't be dead, Ashley!" He tried to rouse her but to no avail. Her chest had been shot open and half her skull was blown off. She was dead. He looked at his hands, now stained with her blood. He knew then that he had better leave before the cops came. He grabbed some of Ashley's pistol and ran back into the night.

Right when he reached a clearing Charlie found the same IR beam pointing him in the face. "Die!" he shouted as he dove and shot at the gunman. The gunman returned fire but just missed him. Charlie crawled in the high grass in to get a better shot off. When a shot came too close for comfort without the IR marker he realized distance might be better and backed up.

"Come on, show yourself!" Charlie said as he tried to locate the shooter. Right then, the moon came out and he could perfectly see the silhouette of his target. That's what he was to Charlie now. Not a human, but a big target. Taking aim, he shot the man in the chest, downing him instantly.

This time, Charlie approached slowly in case he was still alive. When he came close he saw the man reaching for his gun. He shot his hand clean off. "That was for my sister." He said as he pointed his gun at the man's chest. "And this…is for me."

"Charlie, wait!" a voice said from the forest. Charlie turned and saw his father running up to him. "Goodness, son what the hell happened to Ashley?! I go somewhere to piss and when I get back she's dead what the fuck am I gonna tell your mother?"

"This is the son of a bitch who killed her." Charlie said, returning his attention the downed man. With one shot he finished the man.

"Charlie!" George exclaimed as he kneeled next to the man. "Goodness son, you just killed a park ranger! If the cops find out we're as good as dead!" Charlie looked and saw that he was right. Not good!

"Let's get back to the car." George said as he took the Charlie by the arm. "We gotta get out of here." The two broke into a run and split up in case they were being followed. When Charlie reached the car he found the door locked and his father not there.

"Dad, where are you?" Charlie whispered into the forest. "The doors locked!" When he saw the IR beam, Charlie rose. There was another one! Snipers usually work in pairs, his father once told him.

Quickly, he ran to the other side of the car for cover and peeked to get a fix on where the shooter could be hiding. "I'll get you this time." Charlie said before opening fire. The shot blew off the branch the sniper was perched on, causing him to crash violently to the ground. Seeing the gun moving wildly again he went auto and shot the man dead. He wasn't giving him any chances, no sir.

When he reached the body he was shocked to see his father's vest. "Oh, shit!" He exclaimed. "I killed Ashley and Dad!" At that moment he could hear police sirens. Without thinking he ran off into the woods as far as his legs could carry him.

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When the police found the bodies they ruled it a murder-suicide based on a note found on George's body. Though Charlie was never found or charged some say he walks the Colorado Mountains, taking aim at anyone foolish enough to wander around at night without a gun…

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Dun, Dun, Dun! No, it's not a chainsaw Charlie spoof. A sequel may come depending on reviews but you gotta admit that was kind of twisted…