The Prospector’s Feast

Michael was drinking with his friend in the bar. He was recently fired from his job for stealing office property. He was also thrown out from his apartment, his car got repossessed and his money in the bank was down to a few hundred dollars.

His friend put down his beer, “This is the last round of beer I’m paying. I also have money problems you know.”
Michael smiled, “I understand. I’m also down to my last few hundreds.”

“You haven’t found a job yet?”, asked his friend. “It’s a small town you know. Do you think everyone in town hasn’t heard that the reason I was fired was because I was stealing?”

His friend sighed, “It’s all your fault, Michael. You had a good job, but you’re so greedy that you turned to stealing office property to get more money.” “Don’t speak so loud, someone might hear us in this bar.”

His friend smiled, “Maybe you could try to be a gold prospector again. You did it before when you were young. Besides, there are many prospectors here who are finding gold in the mountains.” Micheal rubbed his chin, “Yeah, why not? At least I can be my own boss. I remember when I was young, I got minor success being a gold prospector.” His friend smiled, “That’s the spirit, Michael. You can even hunt in the mountains. Free food.”

“What about water?”, asked Michael. His friend put down his beer, “Have you forgotten? There’s plenty of water sources in these mountains. In fact there are already many settlers in the mountains. Get help from them.”

“Know any of these settlers?” “Papa George, he has a cabin out there. Here, take this old ID of mine. Tell Papa George that I know you. Here take a look at his location in Google Maps on my phone.”

Micheal smiled, “I know this place. You mean he’s somewhere out there?” “Yes, Michael, he’s somewhere out there. I’ve been to his cabin once. You’ll know him easily, he has a small man. About five foot tall.”

Micheal nearly laughed, “You mean a small man like that could survive in the woods against wild animals like wolves?” His friend frowned, “He’s a good man, Michael, don’t insult him.”

Michael was looking for the location of Papa George’s cabin. He was in a high place near a stream when he saw a small man prospecting for gold in the stream.

He smiled, “That must be Papa George and this must be his territory. Better watch him first to see if he’s really finding gold.” Then his eyes widened, “Holy shit! That old man is really finding gold. Lots of gold!”

He watched quietly, “This old man has a good setup out here. There’s plenty of gold to be found. I should have been here in this place prospecting for gold instead of rotting in my old darn job.”

He followed the old man to the cabin. He hid the pistol inside his jacket and proceeded to knock on the door of the cabin, “Hello, is anyone in there? I’m looking for Papa George. Sam Smith tells me this is where he lives.”

Papa George opened the door, “I’m Papa George. You say you know Sam Smith?” “Yes, Sam Smith sent me here, sir. He says that you are a prospector and that you help other prospectors find gold.”

Papa George smiled, “Sam told you that? You must be mistaken young man. I’m merely a simple prospector. I can’t even find gold myself.”

Micheal smiled, “Perhaps you would let me prospect gold in your territory. I’ll share any gold I find. 60/40. You get 60 I get 40. Fair enough Papa George?”

Papa George accepted his offer. He let him in his cabin and he cooked dinner. Afterwards, both of them started eating dinner. Michael chewed his dinner, “Papa George, don’t you feel lonely here by yourself?”

Papa George smiled, “I like it here. I’m with my family out here.” Michael was puzzled, “You have family out here? You mean there are other people living in this place?”

Papa George pointed at the window, “You hear the sound of animals outside? They are my family. They always howl to tell me that they are near, guarding me.” Michael can’t help but laugh, “You mean the wolves that are howling are your family?”

“That is right, Michael. They and the other animals are my family.” Michael became serious, “Forgive me for laughing. But I can’t comprehend why the animals in the forest would be your family.”

Papa George smiled, “You wont understand young man, unless you have lived in this place for a long time. But one day you will.” Michael changed the subject, “You say there’s no gold out here?”

Papa George sighed, “Michael, where you watching me before while I was prospecting in the stream?” Michael was flushed, “You saw me Papa George?”

Papa George sighed, “I felt your presence, Michael. I didn’t see you, but I know it is you.” Michael quickly took out his pistol and pointed it at Papa George, “Okay old man, you would give me your gold or I will put bullets in that old body of yours.”

Papa George sighed, “I knew you were an evil person the minute I saw you. I’m just waiting to prove it to myself.” “Old man, you’re right. I’m an evil person. If you don’t give me all your gold, I’ll kill you.”

“If I give you my gold, Michael, you’ll leave?” “I’ll leave Papa George, I just need your gold.” Papa George opened a hidden compartment in the wooden floor of the cabin.

Michael smiled, “I assume that the heavy bag you are holding contains the gold? Give it to me.” Papa George sighed, “Here it is. Now go.”

Michael opened the bag, “Wait old man, let me see first.” “It’s all there, Michael. Please, just leave.” Michael grinned, “I’ll leave all right. But not before…”

Michael violently swung his pistol at Papa George’s head. The old man collapsed in the floor, blood flowed from a cut in his head. Michael laughed, “Old man, do you think I’m stupid? I’m taking over here from now on.”

“Please, Michael. Just leave. Aren’t you satisfied with all the gold I have given you?” “I’m sorry old man. But you should have been more careful before letting people see how much gold this area has.”

“I warn you, Michael. Leave now before it gets too late. Be satisfied with all the gold you have now.” Michael laughed, “You forget, old man. I am the one holding a gun. I am also stronger than you, old man.” Michael began rummaging through the cabin despite the old man’s pleadings.

“Please stop, Michael. I have no more gold. Just go.” Michael became angry when he found no more gold, “Okay old man. You’re useless to me now.”

Michael, pointed the gun at Papa George and shot him, “See you never, old man.” The old man collapsed in the floor with a gunshot wound in his stomach. Michael was about to shoot him when the old man howled. His howl was that like of a wolf.

Michael felt a shiver down his spine as he heard the sound of wolves outside the cabin. He felt more scared when Papa George won’t stop howling. Papa George and the wolves outside the cabin won’t stop howling. The old man and the wolves outside were in unison in howling.

“Stop howling, old man. You’re starting to drive me nuts.” Then he shot the old man once more. This time in the chest area. The old man lay motionless in the floor after being shot a second time. Blood was pouring from his bullet wounds.

After Michael shot Papa George for the second time, the howling of the wolves outside just grew louder and more scarier. Michael was so freaked out from all the howling, “I must get out of here. This place is creepy.”

When Michael opened the door, he saw that there were people outside the cabin who were howling. This includes Sam. Michael was surprised, “Sam, is that you?”

Sam stopped howling and smiled, “Hello Michael, watch your back.” Michael was surprised by what Sam said. But before he can react, he felt someone embrace him from his back.

“I warned you, Michael. You should have taken my gold,” said Papa George. “Papa George?”, asked the terrified Micheal. Before he can move, Papa George ripped out his throat.

Michael violently shook for a while as he felt the teeth of Papa George slowly tearing the flesh of his throat. After a while, he stopped moving. He was dead. Blood gushed out from his now ripped throat.

By morning, Sam has removed the two bullets inside Papa George’s body. The other people who were howling last night were busy cooking. Inside the cabin, the dead body of Michael was laying in a wooden table.

Michael was naked. His body and head has been shaven. He also has been cleaned. Besides him, there were plates of fresh vegetables and fruits. There were also bottles of wine. It looks like the body of Michael was the centerpiece of a meal.

Sam sighed, “I told you Papa George, everytime I send someone to you, they are bad people and are worthy to be eaten. You do not have to hesitate in killing them. Next time, show no mercy. Kill them instantly.”

Papa George smiled, “You know we only eat people once we determine that they are really evil. Next time I won’t hesitate.” The woman cooking the gravy shouted, “Okay everyone, the gravy is finished. We can start the feast.”

Everyone sat on the chairs beside the wooden table were the dead body of Michael was. They all smiled as Papa George approached with a big knife in his hand. He looked at the dead body of Michael, “I’m sorry Michael, but you have been a very bad boy.”

Everyone laughed when they heard the words of Papa George. Then Papa George started howling as he begins to cut small pieces of flesh from Michael’s body. The other people also howled as they too started to cut small pieces of flesh from Michael’s body.