Chapter 61

The monster literally crushed him, as all its weight suddenly landed atop Jool, the beast no longer trying to eat him alive. Dead apparently, and yet still intent on killing him.

Suffocating under the weight, he suffered the humiliation of knowing he'd not only failed at his goal but would die the most ignoble of deaths.

The body atop him shifted, and Jool gasped for a breath of air.

A male voice drawled, "A little far from home, city slicker."

Scrambling to his feet, Jool perused his rescuer by the faint light of his fire. A man of swarthy complexion, his hair dark, what could be seen of it, tufting from the bandanna he wore around his forehead. His beard thick. Goggles concealed his eyes, just like his clothing covered him neck to toe, the long coat thick and worn, the leather streaked but appearing warm.

"Thank you for saving me," Jool had enough manners to say.