Flash Fiction: Horrible Brother

Scandinavia, 378 AD

She shivered in the cold, trying to keep still.  She could hear the giants harsh breathes- in and out, in and out.  She didn't mean to, but she felt herself release her water, making her cringe.

Sniff.  Sniff.  Sniff.

The Giant growled.  The creature ripped the tree she hid behind out by the root.

She didn't recognize the breed of giant, only that had to be of a very ugly, feral variety.  One arm dragged broken behind it.  She blinked.

The giant's eyes both were popped out, in fear.  It stared down at her.  Then it looked around.  And it tried to reach a hand for her.

She bit her lower lip, closed her eyes, and prayed to the one thing that might help her.

She heard the ting of metal.  Slice.  Wet meat dropped onto the ground.  Splat.

She carefully opened one eye.

A hunched figure in furs stood atop the giant.  His wolf mask glimmered, covered in blood.  "Mara."

"Papa?"

The hunched figure dropped to his knees, giant gore all about him.  She ran to him.

He took off the Mask.  "Its done..."

"Papa, you... please..."

"Take it to your brother."

"No, Papa, please... no..."

"He is the Wolf now.  Dammit child, listen to me.  It'll change him.  Forget what small things you've thought of, this isn't for you.  Its his task... ugh."

Her father removed his hands, entrails falling out.

Mara shook her head, and did as she was bid.  She took the Wolf Mask, and took it to her brother.  The horrible boy that sold her sister as giant food.  The horrible elder son.

She cringed at the thought.  She paused, then shook her head.

"The Elder goes first.  Never the younger... but..."

Mara put on the Wolf Mask.  Then the Wolf God took hold of her.