Crunch
Leaves withered upon contact with his shoes, the plastic bag in his hand rustled as it swung with his every step.
Looking ahead, West couldn't help but grip the bag tightly, his heart pounding as he traveled deeper into the forest.
"I'm lost" West muttered looking back the way he came before continuing walking.
4:30
He made contact with it.
The creature was hunched over, the sound of chewing reaching his ears.
Hiding behind a tree, West observed the creature's action before taking the screwdriver from the plastic bag.
"You can do it" He repeated under his breath, his eyes staring holes at the creature's back.
Gently placing the bag on the ground, West gripped the screwdriver with both his hands, his entire body trembling.
"For Zach" he said, his trembling eyes regaining their focus.
With fear clawing at his chest, West lunged at the beast.
The creature's ears perked before it turned back catching West mid-ambush.
'It's a deer' West thought caught off guard by the creature turning around, panic sets in almost immediately.
One part of him burned to act while the other whispered to run away, and neither would surrender.
Panicking, West tripped on his own feet before even reaching the deer.
Before he could even realize what happened the deer stood with its two hooves, its two large dark eyes reflecting West's helpless figure.
"So you're the one who trapped me" A hoarse sound came from its throat, and it raised one of its hooves.
"W-wait" West regained his reason but it was too late, a shadow came over him and the hoof descended with unstoppable force.
West winced in pain and once he opened his eyes, he was back on campus, his breath coming out ragged
He couldn't help but curse at what he did, he shook his head before heading back to the dorm to repeat it all.
He'll find a clue to what's happening both to stop what's happening to him and to rescue Zach.
4:00
He saw the deer in the same location, munching on what seemed to be a human body.
Breathing deeply, West dropped the plastic bag to the ground.
"Don't mess up again" He whispered to himself hitting his head softly with his fist.
Clenching the screwdriver with both hands, West released a deep breath.
"Now!" He charged at the beast and like before it took notice of him almost immediately.
'Don't panic' He said to himself, gulping nervously as he picked up speed.
Thud
The deer suddenly spun and swung one of its forelegs backward in response.
West was hit to the side unable to block the fast attack.
His eyes bulged seeing the attack but unable to do anything about it
The screwdriver slipped from his hand as he flew to the side hitting a tree with his back.
Falling to the Golden leaves that cushioned his fall, West could only look ahead in disbelief.
'How am I supposed to kill that?'
Sharp pain from the side immobilized him as the deer approached.
"So you're the one who trapped me" its hoarse voice echoed from its throat before raising its hoof above West.
Knowing death is imminent, he asked
"How did you know it's me?"
"I can smell it" it answered before everything went black.
...
"How many times was it?, Is this the eighth already?" West pondered, losing count of how many times he died.
He looked at the bright sky and his grip on his luggage tightened, his eyes hollowed of light, he looked East, the direction of the dorms.
"I'm tired"
"Wait!, Sir!" The familiar voice called to him, looking back he saw the girl holding a stack of fliers.
Without missing a beat she handed him two.
"Maybe you've seen them?"
He shook his head and the girl immediately left.
"Do I look that old?" He mumbled touching his face before taking a look at the two missing posters.
'It was supposed to be James, just James.' West couldn't help but think
He gripped it tightly before heading to the dorms
"Last...this is the last"
4:10
He found the deer again, taking a deep breath, he dropped the plastic bag, clenched the screwdriver with both hands, and rushed at the beast.
The beast immediately noticed him and spun in place, its foreleg approaching West.
'It happened again' He thought before rolling to the ground avoiding its path.
He almost lost balance as he stood up, clenching his fist holding the screwdriver he struck the deer to the side.
Thud
It hit its hide but couldn't push deeper.
West mouth opened agape as he watched the deer stand, its big dark eyes looking at him.
It was silent as it raised its foreleg striking West.
He kissed the ground a large imprint in the back of his head, his eyes wide with disbelief even in his final moment.
.....
West stood in place for a moment, before curses flew from his mouth, catching the attention of everyone nearby.
His face red as a tomato, he lashed out sending a kick to his luggage.
"A-are you okay?" A familiar voice asked him.
Looking back he saw the girl handing the missing posters.
"Do you have a knife?"
"Yes?" She answered, West nodded at her response, and held out his hand.
.....
2:30
After some mishap, he finally got a sharp weapon.
Looking at the hunched figure of the deer, West took a deep breath and clenched the kitchen knife with both hands.
His feet pushed off the ground as he dashed towards the deer.
It immediately took notice of him and spun in place, swinging one of its forelegs.
West rolled on time and immediately stood right by the side of the deer, he devoured the air in his surroundings, making his cheek puff out as he gripped the knife tightly before sending it flying at the side of the deer.
"You!!" A shriek escaped the deer's throat
The thick flesh parts ways and the entirety of the knife's blade sank at the side of the deer.
Seeing this, West smiled as he ran to the side to flee but he was too slow and was caught by the deer's wild thrashing.
He was sent flying into one of the trees, making him puke up blood.
"I'll eat you!!" The deer said in anger, its muzzle opened showing a set of sharp teeth.
It flew towards West, mouth wide open.
With intense pain, West rolled away from the tree to avoid the deer.
Crack.
The tree split in half, and a large bite mark could be seen on its side.
Chewing, the deer stood up and its throat vibrated
"Your next"
West's attention shifted from the deer to the tree.
The tree was oozing something red that seemed to be.
"Is that blood?"