The door opened, letting in a burst of snow and wind. An indistinct grumble came from the inn's patrons, and few people noticed the Mutant Xweetok who slipped into the room. He wasn't dressed warmly enough for the blizzard outside. He was out of breath, but he quickly composed himself and made his way to the innkeeper's counter.
What does a guy have to do to get a hot meal around here? he asked casually, putting on an easy smile.
The innkeeper, a burly Skeith, wasn't impressed. First I see your money.
The Xweetok pulled a few coins out of his pocket. The innkeeper didn't look pleased.
That'll get you a cup of soup, the innkeeper said.
Fine, the Xweetok said. How long?
Ten minutes, the Skeith said, and disappeared back into the kitchen.
The Xweetok found a table. After a few minutes, a trio of rough-looking Techos joined him.
You new around here? the first asked.
The Xweetok eyed them warily. Yes, why?
Haven't seen you around. What's your name?
You can call me Lee. The Xweetok glanced towards the innkeeper's counter, but his meal wasn't ready yet.
So, where are you traveling from? the Techo asked.
Oh, here and there, Lee answered airily. The Techo didn't like Lee's evasive answers, but he left, his friends trailing behind him. Lee's food was ready. He ate quickly and left.
The Techos followed him. Apparently oblivious to his pursuers, Lee headed down the path, muttering something about inhospitality.
When they were out of earshot of the inn, the Techos pounced. The leader shoved Lee to the ground and the other two stepped on his hands to keep him down.
Give us all your money! the lead Techo snarled.
Well, that's original, Lee muttered, and then said, I don't have any. I'm broke. If I wasn't I'd be staying at the inn.
The Techo frowned at the logic of this argument. He barked out an order to his followers: Search him!
They did. Lee's discretionary funds appeared to total fifteen Neopoints.
The lead Techo spat on the ground next to Lee. Beat 'im up and take his hat and jacket.
Oh, come on, Lee groaned. This hat is only a few weeks old!
He didn't point out that without a jacket he would have an even more miserable time trying to cross the frigid pass. The Techo kicked Lee in the ribs. Get him to his feet.
There was no response from the other Techos. They were staring at something behind their leader.
What are you looking at? he snarled.
The braver of his henchmen pointed behind him, and then they both fled.
The Techo turned around. Behind him was a hulking figure, well over seven feet tall and misshapen. And it was giving off a fairly bad smell. It had only the barest traces of a face: a mouth that looked like it had yanked apart the dark morass of its countenance with brute strength, with some strands still clinging to either side, and empty eye sockets.
The Techo who had been so brave in bullying Lee promptly turned white and tried to flee, but the creature grabbed him by the tail and swung him around his head, finally releasing him. The Techo went flying. The creature stood completely still for a moment, then turned to look at Lee.
Or, more correctly, the empty place where Lee had been a moment ago. It took a while for the creature to comprehend Lee's absence, and a while longer for it to realize that it should look around. It did so. No Lee.
My lord? the creature whined piteously. It began to follow the tracks in the snow, single-mindedly pursuing the Mutant Xweetok.
A ways down the path, Lee finally began to slow down. He sighed. That was a close one. In more ways than one.
