The night was dark, with a sliver of moonlight illuminating the dense canopy above. Wesley and his son, Dean, had grown fond of camping, seeking solace in the wild. On this trip, they had ventured deep into the Forgotten Pines, a place infamous among locals for its eerie noises and ominous tales. Yet, neither father nor son had anticipated the true horror that awaited them.
As they set up their tent and built a small campfire, the chirping of crickets serenaded the night. Wesley pulled out a few marshmallows, and they roasted them over the flickering flames, laughing and reminiscing about past trips. The bond between them was palpable, forged in moments like these.
But as the fire crackled, the wind shifted, carrying with it an unsettling chill. Shadows shifted among the trees. Wesley felt a prickling sensation at the back of his neck, as though unseen eyes watched them. "It’s just the woods," he reassured Dean. "Let’s make the most of our time here."
As night fell, the atmosphere grew denser. The usual sounds of the forest faded into an eerie silence. Suddenly, a distant howl echoed through the trees, chilling them both to the bone. King of the wilderness, that howl belonged to none other than the fabled Wendigo—a creature of legend, said to have once been human, cursed to roam the forests forever in search of its next meal.
Dean’s eyes widened with fear as Wesley tried to hide his concern. "Let’s turn in for the night," he suggested, though he knew the creature was lingering nearby, attracted by their fire. They crawled into the tent, trying to dismiss their anxious thoughts, but sleep eluded them.
In the dead of night, the silence shattered. A loud rustling outside the tent jolted them awake. Wesley swung open the door, and their eyes met a ghostly figure—a tall, gaunt creature covered in matted fur, its eyes glowing like embers. The Wendigo had found them.
"Panic, Dean. We need to leave!" Wesley shouted, but it was too late. The Wendigo lunged, swiping its clawed hand towards them. Wesley pushed Dean to the side, feeling the rush of wind as the beast barely missed him. "Run!" he yelled as he picked up a fallen branch, brandishing it as a weapon.
Dean’s heart raced as he stumbled back, watching his father stand against the creature. "Dad, no!" he cried. But Wesley stood defiant, a fierce determination flashing in his eyes. He had faced many fears, but none were as malignant as the being before him.
The Wendigo lunged again, and Wesley realized he had to distract it long enough for Dean to escape. “I love you, Dean! Get to the truck! Now!” Wesley yelled, throwing the makeshift weapon at the beast, striking it just enough to draw its attention.
Dean hesitated, fear rooting him in place. "No, Dad! We can fight it together!"
Wesley shook his head fiercely. "You are my everything. Go!" With a desperate sprint, Wesley charged at the Wendigo, taunting it, as he hurled insults, trying to pull its attention away from Dean. The creature, drawn by his defiance, let out a blood-curdling howl and lunged at him with an insatiable hunger.
In that chilling moment, heart pounding in his chest, Wesley made a choice. He knew he might not return, but as long as Dean was free, he would accept that fate. They locked eyes for what felt like an eternity. “Live, Dean! Live for me!” he screamed.
With that, he flung himself toward the creature, using every ounce of strength he had left. The Wendigo snarled, its massive jaws opening wide, ready to consume him. But Wesley took advantage of its hunger, leading it further from the truck. In a final, desperate gambit, he grabbed a sharp rock from the ground and plunged it deep into Wendigo's chest. The creature roared, its body convulsing as it fell, howling in fury before its form dissipated into the shadows of the forest.
Dean watched in horror from a distance, tears streaming down his cheeks, as the creature collapsed. He wanted to run back to his father, but the knowledge of confusion and danger urged him to stay hidden. As silence reclaimed the forest, he knew that Wesley's sacrifice had not been in vain.
The sun rose, casting a golden hue on the campsite. Dean emerged from his hiding place, heart heavy and full of loss, but he was alive. The tent stood silent, the memory of his father engraved forever in his heart. He knelt where Wesley had faced the beast, where love had triumphed over darkness.
Though Wesley was gone, Dean vowed that he would carry his father’s spirit with him always. In every breath, every laugh, he would remember the man who loved him beyond measure, and who had faced monsters not just in the wilderness, but always in the pursuit of keeping him safe.
Every camping trip from then on would be dedicated to the man who had sacrificed everything for love, the father who would forever be a part of his journey. With tears in his eyes but strength in his heart, Dean whispered, “I love you, Dad.” And in that moment, he knew his father was with him, always.
