**Wit and Kara took the long mountain road from Vancouver to Calgary many times to see his family for the holidays. Kara’s parents used to join them before her mother died. She wished her mother could be there this Christmas more than any other because of their special news. Kara’s father remarried soon after his wife passed, as some men need to, and spent his winters in Hawaii. Wit was one of five boys. His parents made sure their home was always full of cheer during the holidays — and full of people. Kara loved visiting Wit’s big family. She was an only child so it was a joy just feeling like she belonged. This year she and Wit would have even more to celebrate with them. Kara smiled as she looked out the car window onto the snow covered hills. Nothing but trees for miles. Looking past the bare bark of the darkening forest, she imagined their sunny future ahead.**

****

****

**“Daydreaming about Mom’s pumpkin pie?” Wit revealed his own not-so-secret desires.**

****

**Kara giggled, “I bet she made you one just for yourself!” **

****

**They laughed and Kara put her head back, closing her eyes for what seemed like a moment or two. Just long enough to envision something. A face. Of an animal, like a wolf. She winced and awoke to Wit yelling at her to “hold on!”**

****

**Wit slammed on the brakes and jerked the steering wheel, dodging a blur of white that crossed the road in front of them. The car swirved on the icy road, then spun out of control. Kara braced herself as Wit tried to steer them to safety. The car slammed into a guardrail and slid into a ditch. The back end of the car teetered off the ground. They sat dazed, stuck in a snow drift. Wit wiped his forehead of the blood that streamed into his eye. Kara held her stomach.**

****

**“Are you okay?” He asked her.**

****

**She nodded but realized he wasn’t able to see her.**

****

**“Your face!” She took her scarf and pressed it on his wound.**

****

**“I don’t think it’s deep.” He was more concerned about her.**

****

**Kara called 911 but there was no service. “We’re too far out.” **

****

**“Let’s get out and see how bad it is.” He tried opening his door but it was too damaged to budge.**

****

**They crawled out of Kara’s door and saw that the car would have to be towed. They were standed.**

****

**“What did you almost hit?” She bundled herself up, as the night had set in and the temperature was falling steadily.**

****

**“I don’t know. I didn’t see anything until it was already on top of us. Whatever it was, it was big.”**

****

**Those words sent an unwelcome chill down Kara’s spine, as she tended to Wit’s head, wrapping her scarf around it like a bandage.**

****

**“Maybe we can get some service over that hill.” Kara scanned the distance for any sign of civilization, waving her cell phone as high as she could.**

****

**The two abandoned their car and headed up the hill, hoping for a text to go through, or a lonely gas station, or for some Good Samaritan to pass.**

****

**When they reached the top of the hill they still had no cellular service but they could see a distant flicker of light and smoke coming out of a chimney in the valley. **

****

**“Maybe someone there can call the police for us.” Kara was hopeful. Wit was still losing blood, his arms and legs felt weak. Kara was sure he had a concussion. “Come on, honey. This is our shot.”**

****

**Kara steadied Wit by his waist. They hobbled down the hill together, watching ever slippery step. It began to snow.**

****

**When they arrived at the long dirt road that led to the cabin, they saw on top of the hill, both remarked how they had never seen the place before. But it looked like it must’ve been there a long time. As they approached the humble dwelling they found its glow I the darkness comforting. They hoped someone friendly was inside.**

****

**As Kara knocked they could hear a shuffling around inside. Then a pleasant sounding voice replied, “Just a minute.” The couple looked at each other, relieved.**

****

**Then the door burst open, as if its owner was expecting company for Christmas. The two were surprised to see a little, old woman, perhaps eighty years old, in her night gown and robe, no more than five feet tall, with a wide smile and long, white hair.**

****

**“My apologies, children. I wasn’t expecting anyone and had to get changed.” The little, old woman beamed with hospitality. “Please, do come in out of the cold.”**

****

**The woman ushered them in as they greeted her with every gratitude and told her their story.**

****

**“My, my. That is quite an adventure. Thank goodness you’re safe and sound.” The old woman went to pick up the receiver of her old rotary phone, “Let’s get you two some help.”**

****

**The woman listened for a tone and then pressed the reset on the phone rest several times. “It’s dead. Looks like a storm coming. May have already knocked out one of the lines.”**

****

**Wit and Kara took the news in stride. At least they were safe. The old woman, whose name they learned was Beth, tended to Wit’s forehead, fed the couple some stew, and set them by the fire to keep warm. She sat in her old rocking chair facing the fireplace.**

****

**“Beth? How long have you lived here, by yourself?” Kara was curious how someone her age could be so isolated and independent.**

****

**Beth settled into her chair. “Oh dear, let me think. It’s been many years. Yes. A long time indeed. I moved into this place when the former tenants had to up and leave unexpectedly. That’s how things are around these parts. You would think once you settle in a place so far out, you might want to stay a while. But no, lots of transient types around here. Must have something to do with the timber industry or maybe people leave when an old mine goes dry. Anyway, I like it here. Nice and quiet. Plenty of things to eat in the forest. But not much company. I’m sorry you had your accident, but it’s nice having you all here.”**

****

**Kara got a strange feeling in her gut when Beth said, “you all.” She squeezed Wit’s knee. He was still a bit dizzy. She didn’t want him to fall asleep.**

****

**“You’ve been such a gracious hostess. We’re so grateful for your help tonight. But I think we should try to find some kind of doctor for my husband.”**

****

**“There’s no doctors around here. Just me!” Beth looked at Kara with her silvery eyes bulging. “Let’s get you two settled for the night. We can go for help in the morning.”**

****

**“But I don’t think he should sleep yet. He probably has a concussion.”**

****

**“It won’t matter. Trust, we’ll make sure he’s taken care of by then.” Beth was insistent.**

****

**The old woman took a carving knife from her side table and began to whittle on a scrap of firewood. She began to rock in her chair. She glanced occasionally at the couple, allowing the fire to lull them to sleep.**

****

**Kara awoke to a smouldering fire, her hands and feet were chilled. Wit lay next to her, unconscious. She touched his shoulder. He was cold. Her abdomen felt exposed. The old woman, Beth, stood over her, straddling her waist. She poked at Kara’s bellybutton with unusually pointed nails.**

****

**Startled, Kara sat up quickly and scurried back. Beth smiled widely again, but this time, without warmth. Her yellow teeth looked more like fangs. Her long, white hair tufted into pointed ears high on her head. Her hands became claws as her eyes grew dark. She grew much taller and hairier as Kara cowered below her in horror.**

****

**The creature spoke in a deep, otherworldly tone, “How many months?” It pointed at Kara’s belly.**

****

**Kara held her swollen abdomen, terrified of what the beat wanted with her unborn child. She looked at Wit, still motionless on the floor. Was he dead? What had Beth done to him?**

****

**Kara stumbled to her feet and ran for the door. “Please! Don’t hurt us!”**

****

**She flung the door open and ran into the frigid darkness, heading for the road. Her cries of terror echoed in the distance.**

****

**The Wendego stood watching at her cabin door and called out in a howling voice, “be careful out there!”**

****