The Night Hunter

A Science Fiction Short Story

Part One

Six weeks before she left Earth, Fiona went out drinking. She was scheduled to give her first presentation at a geology conference the next day and she wanted to calm her nerves so she could sleep. She finished her second cocktail and stood, a little wobbly but stable enough to walk home. She headed outside, shivering in the cool autumn air despite her cardigan. The sun had just set, and the temperature was dropping fast.

A couple of blocks from the bar, she heard a woman’s voice moan, “Oh, my phone’s dead! How am I supposed to get home?”

Searching for the source of the sound, Fiona saw a shadow down the alley. “Hello? Did you need help? You can borrow my phone.”

“Can you come here?” the woman’s voice said. “My shoe broke and I twisted my ankle. I’ve been limping for blocks.”

Fiona stepped into the alley. There was a flash of metal. A hand grabbed her arm. She couldn’t make out a face in the darkness, just bloodshot eyes floating in the dark.

Fiona stood at the window, watching as the sun sank below the wall. The four-meter barrier surrounding the colony was coated in silicone grease, making it difficult to climb. Difficult, but not impossible. Even the metal spikes along the top couldn’t keep out everything. The gates shut as the last colonists hurried back home, eager to get to safety before the night hunters returned. Their neighbor Val was still limping from an earlier injury.

“We never should have come here,” Fiona said. “What a horrible place.”

Hank shrugged. “It’s dangerous at night, sure, but it’s perfectly safe by daylight. There’s no reason for you to stay cooped up indoors all the time.”

“No reason?” She let out a bitter laugh. “The colony just had another closed casket funeral, but you think it’s safe here.”

He scowled, running a hand through his black crew cut. “It’s our home now. We might as well make the best of it. Even if Earth was safe, it’s not like we have the money to go back.”

She turned, glaring. “I suppose I should be grateful that the company funded our trip? They knew Epsilon IV was dangerous, but they had to start a colony before the new administration cancelled their government contracts. They rushed us to the spaceport before the budget cuts took effect. They hadn’t even finished painting the ship yet!”

He sighed, his broad shoulders slumping. Starting a new life on a new planet was hard enough. The endless arguing made things even more exhausting. “Yes, it’s not perfect,” he said, spreading his hands. “But people were suffering on Earth, too. Climate change, bioterrorism, pollution… Humanity couldn’t afford to wait another generation to find something ideal. We needed a new home now.”

“Don’t kid yourself,” she said, jabbing a finger at his chest. “This isn’t some noble mission to save our species. We’re here because of the stockholders. We’re dying so their profits don’t. I’m tired of losing friends.” She turned, storming off to her lab.

Hank followed, staying back just far enough to avoid the door being slammed in his face. He took a breath, waiting for the anger to leave, and hoping she was doing the same. He pulled the door open. The lab’s shelves were filled with equipment for her geological surveys: rock hammers, core drilling equipment, ground penetrating radar, gravimeters, and more. A long table held several rock and soil samples, waiting for analysis. She was in the corner, digging through the filing cabinet.

“Fiona, I think we should -”

She shoved a binder at him. The Colossal Night Hunter – Reports and Evidence.Inside there were dozens of blurry photos, black fangs and red eyes lurking in the dark. “When I asked about the planet’s wildlife, the company just told me not to worry about it. They said the giant spiders were slow and myopic and easily avoided. Well, tell that to the Westfields.”

He tossed the binder on the table. “The Westfields weren’t cut out for this life. They couldn’t run a farm or repair machinery. They didn’t even know how to do first aid! They would have died on any new world.”

She folded her arms. “That’s what I love about you, Hank: your heartwarming empathy.”

“We’re learning how to deal with the spiders. The wall keeps them out, mostly, and the patrols are cutting their numbers. Soon we’ll find a way to make them disappear completely. There’s nothing to worry about. Earth had bears and wolves and mountain lions, and humans survived just fine, right?”

She stepped past him and into the hall, heading back to the window. He followed, waiting for an answer.

“Earth predators didn’t set traps for us,” she said. “They didn’t try to lure us into striking range. And Earth predators couldn’t imitate our voices.”

“That’s just a rumor. Are you sure you weren’t just imagining it?”

“I’m not some paranoid teenage girl in an old horror movie. I know what I heard! That’s why I’ve been staying inside. Just the thought of that voice makes my skin crawl.”

“Just try not to think about it. I’ll keep you safe.”

She huffed, folding her arms. “Just like you did on Earth, huh?”

“That wasn’t my fault.” He rubbed his brow. “I warned you about that neighborhood. You knew I was working that night, but you decided to go to the bar on your own… Earth has too many people and not enough jobs. Folks are struggling to feed themselves, and getting more and more desperate. I couldn’t protect you from them, so I took you away. You’ll never have to walk those streets again.”

The next day, Hank was out making repairs to the colony’s automated tractors. Fiona was alone in the kitchen, cooking a late breakfast, when there was a knock on the door. Her body tensed. “The monsters don’t do that,” she muttered. “And it’s daytime. It’s just a neighbor. Nothing to worry about. Probably Ms. Thomas with more of her disgusting mushroom tea. God, I miss coffee.” She started to head for the hall, realized she still had a large kitchen knife in her hand, and put it on the counter. She turned off the stove and went to answer the door.

Val stood in the doorway, wringing her hands, her mousy brown hair up in a tight bun. She had on the multi-pocketed vest she always wore on her botanical expeditions. “I know you haven’t been out in a while, but I need to collect plant specimens, and everyone else is busy. I figure there has to be a scent that repels the spiders, like peppermint or lavender on Earth. I don’t want to go by myself, because of my leg. You know how I get wrapped up in my work, and before I know it, it’s dark and too late to hobble on home.”

Fiona nodded. “Oh… Okay. You know I would do anything for you, dear. You let me sleep over whenever Hank and I need a break from each other. But let’s stay nearby, and be back home by noon. I want at least a six-hour buffer between us and the sunset.”

“Sure, no problem. I just want to grab more of the native grain I’ve found. It almost looks like quinoa, but larger. With some genetic adjustments to increase the yield and make it drought-resistant, I think it could become a staple crop.”

“Sounds promising. We can talk about it on the way.”

“Great! Come join me!”

Fiona took a moment to put up her hair and pull on her overalls and heavy boots, and then the two women headed for the colony gate. They walked slowly, both because of Val’s limp and because of the higher oxygen level on Epsilon IV. While the extra oxygen provided a nice energy boost, too much exertion could lead to lung irritation and even oxygen toxicity. The handful of babies born in the colony had gene mods to cope with it, but they were still too young to know if the treatment had worked.

They walked for about half a kilometer, stopping to rest just inside the forest. The planet’s trees were about the size of Earth’s, but their brightly colored flowers made them resemble giant orchids. Val pulled a knife and a glass jar from her pockets and began collecting slime mold. She insisted it was edible and nutritious, but it certainly didn’t look appetizing.  

Fiona bent down to examine an interesting rock. As she took out her rock hammer to chip off a sample, she heard a sound that turned her stomach. “Come closer,” a voice whispered. “Come over here, quick.”

She stood, raising her rock hammer, ready to strike. There were no red eyes or black fangs, just Val. “Don’t do that! I thought you were one of those –”

“Quiet, you’ll scare it away.” Val waved her closer. A few meters away, an animal had stopped to drink from a puddle. It was somewhere between a deer and a moose, but with horns instead of antlers. Startled, the animal jerked its head up. It turned and bolted, disappearing.

Fiona sighed. “Nice to see at least one thing on this planet that doesn’t want to kill me.”

Val laughed. “I don’t want to kill you, either, in case you were wondering. And I don’t know much about men, but Hank seems like a nice guy. Very non-murdery.”

“Okay, three things. And most of the Green family, too. I don’t know Billy very well yet, so he could go either way.”

Val shook her head, grinning. “No, he’s definitely an evil baby. I would stay far away from him if I were you. He likes to throw oatmeal.”

“We should head back soon.”

“No need for that,” Val said. “It’s safe. Besides, I’m still hunting. The flowers, remember?”

“Sure, sure. I’ll help you look.”

“Thanks.” She pointed to a group of purple flowers in the distance. “If we can’t find a scent that works to repel the spiders, I have another idea we could try. I think we should set up some outdoor speakers.”

When Hank came home that evening, he was surprised to find Fiona dressed for the outdoors. “Did you just get back from somewhere?” he asked.

“You were right,” she said. “I don’t need to stay behind the wall. It’s not so bad out there in the sunlight. The spring here is quite nice.”

“That’s great! Maybe you can start making regular survey trips again.” He stepped over to the gun rack by the door. “You’re on your own for dinner tonight. I’m patrolling the perimeter with Porter and Richards again.” He reached for a rifle.

She pushed his hand down. “No, you’re not. I’m not spending another night here all alone. I would rather be chased by a real threat than hide from the fears in my head. I’m taking over your patrol duties.”

His eyes widened. “Are you sure you’re ready for that?”

“No, but I have to try.” Pressing her thumb to the print reader, she unlocked a rifle. “I know you don’t believe the night hunters can talk, but they can. Just trust me. I won’t be back until sunrise. If you think you hear me come back early, it’s not me. Even if you hear my voice begging for help, don’t open the door.” As she stepped outside, she called over her shoulder, “Just try not to think about it.”

Part Two

For the next three nights, the patrols found nothing. Normally, the spiders only stayed away that long during heavy storms or a cold snap, but it was just as clear and warm as the week before. Something unusual was going on. Fiona began to wonder if the night hunters had found an easier food source than humans, or if they were concerning themselves with something other than eating, like migration or mating.

She headed outside to join Porter and Richards, who were already waiting by the gate. Greg Porter was a former soldier, in his sixties but still quite fit. Zoe Richards was a mushroom farmer and mycologist about Fiona’s age. Her only weapon training was from a few visits to a gun range back on Earth. They were armed with the same high-powered hunting rifles that Fiona and Hank had at home, standard issue for all of the colonists.

“I wasn’t sure if you were going to join us tonight,” Zoe said, slinging her rifle over her shoulder.

“I made it,” Fiona said, yawning. “Just barely. Coffee hasn’t kicked in quite yet.”

“We should go a bit farther out this time,” Greg said, “past the northern hills. We need to keep checking for tracks. If we are really alone, we need to know for sure.”

Zoe shrugged. “None of the other patrols have seen a thing. Maybe the spiders are on vacation. It would be nice to not have to worry about them for a few weeks.”

“If we don’t find anything,” Greg said, “I’ve got something we can do on the way back.” He pulled his hand from his jacket pocket, showing off a silver flask.

The two women laughed. “Oh, you’re bad!” Fiona said, grinning.

“It’s the last of my stash from Earth. I’m brewing more, but it won’t be ready for a few months. Don’t tell my wife. She’s a baker, so she thinks making alcohol is a waste of grain.”

“Don’t worry,” Fiona said, “we’ll keep your secret.”

They turned on their headlamps and headed north. After a few hundred meters, the dirt path came to an end. A number of desire paths continued from there, little more than trampled grass marking the way to popular foraging spots. There were trees with fruit similar to apples with a hard rind. Tall bushes grew something like tiny bananas, if your only experience with bananas was with chewy, yellow candy.

They continued north on a narrow desire path that wove between the trees. A large hut appeared in the distance, as wide as one of the main rooms in a colony house but twice as tall. It was made from sticks lashed together with flowering vines. There was a curtain of woven vines hanging in the doorway, and a small hole for a window.

Zoe frowned. “This wasn’t here when I was foraging two weeks ago.”

“Kids maybe?” Greg asked. “My grandkids build lean-tos when they want to get away from the colony for a few hours.”

Zoe examined the wall of the hut. “This is more than a lean-to. Whoever built this thing really knew what they were doing. They might have even invented some new construction techniques here.”

“Maybe it’s someone’s cheating and they needed getaway spot,” Fiona said, smirking. “You know, a seedy motel.” She paused, waiting for a reaction. “You know, because it’s made of plants?”

Zoe rolled her eyes. “Leave the dad jokes to the dad.”

“I’ll ask around tomorrow,” Greg said. “Someone will claim it.”

“No need for that,” a woman’s voice said. Val appeared in the window. “I made it.”

Fiona raised an eyebrow. “Val? What are you doing out here, alone in the dark? That hut can’t possibly be as safe as a house at the colony.”

“It’s safe. The flowers, remember?”

“You found a scent they hate?”

“Sure, sure. Come join me!”

Fiona glanced back at the others, who just shrugged. She stepped inside and waited for the other two follow.

“Do the flowers really keep away the spiders?” Greg asked, stepping inside.

Val stood in the far corner, not responding.

Zoe plucked a flower from a vine and gave it a sniff. “How long does the scent last?”

She just nodded and waved.

Fiona frowned. “Are you okay? Why aren’t you talking?” Stepping closer, she saw something shining in the dark. An almost invisible thread led from Val’s hand up to the ceiling. Her back and head were suspended from thicker threads. As Val backed away, her mouth dropped open, thick blood dripping from her lips.

Fiona’s eyes followed the threads upward. Two night hunters were on the ceiling, black fangs and angry, red eyes lurking in the dark. They were massive, twice the size of a man. Their hairy arms were operating Val’s body like a marionette. Val raised her hands, dancing and turning in a circle. She had a fifteen-centimeter hole in the back of her head.

Zoe gasped. “She’s… she’s…”

“They killed her!” Fiona said, pointing. “Shoot them!”

The night hunters stared down from the shadows. “No need for that. We’ll keep your secret.”

Zoe raised her rifle. Before she could get off a shot, the night hunters covered her in white thread. They hauled in the web, dragging her up to the ceiling. With a single blow, a spider tore her head from her body.

Fiona and Greg screamed, running out the door.

“I’ve never seen night hunters set a trap like that before,” Greg said. “Those two spiders have learned so much about how humans act. They must have been watching us for days.”

“Did you see that hole in her head?” Fiona said. “They must have been moving her jaw from the back, like a puppet.” She shuddered, horrified. “We need to kill those two before they pass on their knowledge to the other spiders.”

He pulled a flare gun from his jacket, passing it to her. “You do it. My hands are shaking.”

She turned and took aim. After a few deep breaths to calm her nerves, she fired the flare. It flew through the darkness, landing in the hut. The vines began to smolder. “I need more!”

He unzipped an inside pocket. “I’ve got a couple of spares. Make them count.”

She took the extras, firing again and again. Smoke poured from the hut until, at last, the walls went up in flames. Hideous screeching filled the air.

Fiona raised her fist. “Die, you monsters! I hope it hurts!”

“I’ll radio it in,” Greg said. “We have to warn the others about the… Wait, what’s that sound?”

Twigs and leaves fell from the trees. A night hunter landed in the dirt, clicking and hissing. It was missing hair and badly burned. Fangs twitching, it spoke in her voice. “Oh, you’re bad. A scent they hate. They hate. Hate. Hate. Hate!” 

Fiona screamed as it leaped for her.

A shot rang out. The spider dropped, a leg falling a few meters away. Greg fired again. “Make sure it stays down!”

She lifted her rifle and brought the butt down on its head, splattering her clothes in blue blood. “I think it’s dead.”  She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Want a fang as a trophy?”

He shook his head. “Let’s get out of here. We can report it when we get home.”

“Right. The others need to know just how evil these things are.”

A week later, Fiona and Hank left Val’s memorial as the sun was just starting to set. The ceremony had been in her favorite spot, a clearing filled with blue and yellow flowers. They walked silently, holding hands. “He’s still upset with me for joining the patrol,” she thought. “There will be some tension when we get home, but he’ll get used to the idea. He just needs some time. For now, I hope we can focus on comforting each other.”

None of the mourners said a word as they walked home. At Fiona’s suggestion, the colony had a new rule: once sunset began, no talking outside the wall. It was safer for your loved ones if the night hunters didn’t learn to copy your voice.

As they walked, a woman’s voice came from everywhere along the dirt path. Val had come up with the plan a few days before her death, and Fiona and Hank had spent the morning setting it up. Every night, a recorded message would play on outdoor speakers for an hour. “I am a spider. Be careful and keep your eyes open! Get to safety as quickly as possible!” If the night hunters were going to imitate human voices, hopefully they would copy the recording and warn people when they were around.

As they passed through the gate, a warmth spread through Fiona’s heart. “Val’s voice will be watching over the colony for years to come,” she thought. “It’s like she’s still around, still out there exploring.” She squeezed Hank’s hand and smiled.