Pinecone

Who's there?

There is something there. A beast!

You stay away! Get away from here!

Ah!

Ah!

Help! Help!

- Are you okay? - Ah!

Ah! - Get back inside.

You need more men.

Don't worry. I will get the men here quickly.

Leave me alone!

Run, run! What are you waiting for?

Get out! Run, run for your lives!

Which is it, you mad creature? Run or fight?

We have to hurry. Where are they?

We can't let it get far.

We came as fast as we could.

Would you have let an old woman perish so?

And you standing but a mile away?

Do you have us run barefoot in half-clothes?

What manner of beast was it?

What is it we're hunting in these hills?

It was as tall as a tree, as wide as two bears.

A brutal beast with fangs as long as your fingers.

A beast that large?

Our fate is in your hands.

You must go and capture this beast or destroy it.

If you cannot, we will all perish.

I will not let a black cloud hover over this land.

We'll cage the creature if we can.

If not, we'll end its roaming.

Stop your prattling and move yourselves.

On with us. The beast won't roam far from its den.

And if it comes back here, I will crush it.

There's Papa. I want him to take me to the river today,

and I wanna play in the water.

I am sure he's out getting us a delicious meal to eat.

The river does sound like a fun adventure.

I wanna be brave like him.

I wanna help get food for us.

Your father walks far and he walks careful.

How is he not afraid out there in the forest all alone?

He is afraid at times.

Being brave does not mean having no fear.

How did he get scared? He is so big and tough.

Brave is feeling it and walking anyway.

Brave means your heart is strong.

Strong like with big arms?

Strong enough to stand tall.

Strong enough to stay kind.

Strong enough to help when someone is smaller.

So being kind and caring is brave?

The bravest hearts are the gentlest ones.

You stay here until I get back.

I'm going to check on your father.

He won't escape us this time. Just a little farther.

There's been gunfire. Not half an hour past.

Came from the east of the settlement

We'll not have disorder in this parish.

The shots carried clear across the parish.

Where precisely was this firing heard?

Beyond the lower cottages,

near the timberline past O'Malley's field.

If it is a beast, we shall confirm it.

If it is something else, we shall discover it.

What are you doing out here? Where is our son?

I heard a rifle. I was worried.

He's at the cave.

You left him alone? It's not safe for you out here.

I have men chasing me and trying to hurt me.

I told you to stay away from the town and the farm.

What are we gonna do?

We aren't doing anything.

You're gonna go back to the cave and keep him safe.

I will keep leading them far into the forest.

Why don't we go back together and get Pinecone?

Then we can find a new home. We can leave.

There's no time for that and it's too dangerous.

You head back and I will be back later tonight.

Go get to the cave, quickly.

Have you heard?

There's something troubling the farms these past nights.

A creature of some sort.

That's men's stories after dark.

Talk travels faster than truth.

The men have gone out with rifles. That's no story.

If there's something about in those woods,

it's not been there long and it's not afraid of men.

Three shots I counted and shouting after that.

Men shout at shadows when the light fails.

Shadows do not splinter timber

nor stand the height of two men.

I'd best be getting back to Kit.

With any fortune, they'll find naught but a wolf

and settle the matter soon enough

I'll be off then, my friend. Mind yourself, Davie.

Something's after the eggs again.

I seen it bolt toward the woods.

Hurry now. Let's head after it.

There it is. I see something moving.

The wood's gone still.

Patrick, Patrick, where are ye?

I'd have sworn he ran this way. Have you seen it?

I found not. There's no sign of him.

It's near our weekly ride, Uncle.

Miss Bessie is steadier than most folk.

You have a sharp head on you, girl,

but the woods aren't gentle.

I can handle myself, Uncle.

I've ridden those trails since I could walk.

You've courage, I'll grant you that.

But courage without heed can turn quick to folly.

There's more stirring in those trees than fox or stray dog.

I know those trails better than most, Uncle.

I'll not go wandering blind.

And I've not forgot, there's been queer stirring

across the countryside.

Stock gone missing, pens torn,

something running in and out of farms.

It's probably just a fox or a badger.

If I see danger, I won't be foolish.

That old mare is wiser than most men I've known.

But mind me, if there's truly something loose in them woods,

you turn back the moment your gut tells you.

She's minded me better than most ever could,

and she's never once led me astray.

Mind yourself now and don't forget a bite for the road.

Bring the bandage pouch just in case.

Don't worry, Uncle. I'll be just fine.

Be back before dark.

I will, Uncle. Will not linger.

I know. There you are, old girl.

I knew I'd find you standing quiet as ever.

He's worrying again. You know that.

Always thinking the woods are darker than they are,

but we've ridden them paths since I was small.

There's not a bend that you know better than I do.

You've near raised me yourself,

kept me from foolish falls and worse.

If they're stirring in them trees,

you'll feel it first, won't you?

Let's get you ready to go on our adventure.

It's going to be a wonderful day.

Nelly, I heard something running through the yard.

Have you seen anything?

Many odd things have been happening around the countryside.

Maybe I'm just worrying too much. I have to worry.

I'm the only one keeping that girl safe.

It's been hard without her parents here.

I promised them I would look after her when they left.

Didn't expect them not to come back.

Enough of me blabbering on. I have work to do.

Now what in blazes is that?

Where do you think they're going, Bessie?

It smells like trouble.

Let's head our way to the south trail.

We can get some hazelnuts for Uncle Davie.

Sorry I'm late. What hunt is this?

We're after a great beast. No common creature.

I found tracks leading to a cave and to the west.

I will do my best to help.

Where is Davie? Have you seen him?

Has he gotten word?

I haven't seen him. Maybe he's already out here.

We can't wait for him. We have to stay focused.

What do you need me to do?

You check the east side and I'll stay in this area.

Hopefully the constabulary will come.

Sounds like a plan.

We'll tread carefully and see this threat ended.

Take it alive, if we're able.

I'll circle back after a while.

What's the trouble?

You'd best leave these woods. We're hunting a beast.

A beast in these woods?

It's no wolf nor stag we're after.

And it leaves no good behind it.

This beast must be what my uncle Davie

was concerned about.

'Tis a horrible creature cloaked in dark fur,

and I tell you plain, there's whisper

it carries off folks into the wild.

I have traveled these woods since I was a child.

I have never been in any danger.

Times have changed. Now these woods are full of evil.

They are no place for a woman.

I have never heard of such a thing.

Do you need me to escort you home

before I head off after this thing?