THE HIDEBEHIND

The Hidebehind is a fearsome predator of the northern forests, dreaded for its stealth and deadly habits, though curiously it never attacks those under the influence of alcohol, since the very scent repels it; indeed, a single bottle of beer has long been regarded as sufficient protection in even the most infested woods. Standing six feet tall and moving upright, it has a slender body that can vanish behind the trunk of a ten-inch tree, its thick black pelt and recurved tail resembling that of a French sheepdog, making it nearly impossible to tell which way it faces. Its short but immensely powerful forelegs bear claws like a grizzly’s, and its method of attack is both swift and horrifying: with a sudden leap from concealment and a maniacal laugh, it strikes a single blow to disembowel its victim, though often the unearthly howl alone proves fatal from sheer terror. True to its name, the Hidebehind is never seen in the open, for its uncanny speed and silence allow it to remain hidden behind a tree no matter how often its prey turns to catch a glimpse. Legends even claim it can endure seven years without a meal, patiently waiting until the moment is right.