Have Mercy

The glow of the full moon through the blotchy clouds cast a mesmerizing reflection on the still water of the lake. Moisture on bare feet from the damp grass glistened under the dense light through the trees. A hair-raising howl in the distance broke the seductive song of crickets and tree frogs. The air in her lungs froze. She crouched down even further into the bush. White knuckles gripped her bow. An echo of the same horrid wail rattled her bones as she darted her eyes in the precise direction.
Mercy Fleming gently rose from the thicket and stepped into the moonlight. Reaching up and back to draw an arrow from the quiver -- her hand shook slightly. The sound of crunching leaves confirmed her suspicions. The beast waits. The trampling noise moves closer and she stealthily ducks behind a wide tree. Turning her back to the bark, she silences her breathing. Goose bumps form on her body as the baritone grunts and growls draw near.
The elusive creature constantly escapes the curiosity and research of enthusiasts and scientists alike. Sasquatch and Bigfoot among other names circulate around the country in reference to its existence. Mercy pledged her allegiance to finding the truth long ago as a girl when her wilderness explorations put her in a terrifying situation. She would not forget and she would not forgive. That day would be the last she would ever see her friend Brody.
Her entire arm trembled from holding the bow so tightly. She listened, cutting her eyes sharply to the left.  Patiently, she watched the shadows on the ground. Mercy took a silent deep breath and quietly pulled her arrow back. The silhouette and the dim night stopped. The retching smell overwhelmed her nostrils. She held her breath to keep from gagging. A terrifying realization washed over her. It was there, beside her. In horror, Mercy turned her head in jagged motions.
The darkness did nothing to hide the brilliant emerald eyes glaring back at her. Mercy gasped aloud and struggled with her racing mind to move her rigid body away from the tree. The massive hairy humanoid merely stood there taunting her. Her brain kicked in and forced the air from her overwhelmed lungs. She stumbled forward and pulled up her bow pointing the arrow directly at one of its eyes. Neither of them moved for several staggering moments.
Mercy’s concentration trailed to the sound of leaves rustling nearby. The great body in front of her cut its eyes and a different direction. In one swift motion it propelled itself toward the bushes where she had previously hidden. Taken unaware, she watched in disgust as the creature launched onto a frightened the deer and twisted its neck. She shivered as the bones crunched. The large monster lifted the limp animal over a shoulder and turned its attention back to her. With her body shaking violently, she discovered she had dropped her arrow.
It may have been her imagination, but she could swear it smiled at her. It turned and stomped past her as if she didn’t exist. Mercy’s mind refused to believe what she just saw. She swiftly turned and watched its massive back disappear into the trees. Dropping to her knees, she sobbed loudly.