michaeljasper.net
The characters in this story served as a very early sketching of the characters who would show up later in my first novel, The Prodigal Sons.
I wrote the first draft of this story back in '95, my last story for my first workshop with John Kessel at grad school, and it was the first story where I felt I'd really hit my stride. If anything, it ought to make you cold.
"Winter Hunt" first appeared at The Stirring in July 2000, and was reprinted at Climate Controlled in October 2002.
| Winter Hunt In the early morning darkness, Brad Koopman stepped into the tracks his older William made in the snowy hay field, his smaller boots fitting easily into each hole. William had taken the lead automatically, and his broad back deflected most of the bitter Iowa wind, also making it easier for Brad to move. The two brothers walked in silent gray darkness toward the trees as bands of red light filled the sky above them. Their father was deep in the woods, waiting for deer. "What time did he get up?" Brad asked his brother's back. The icy air of late December filled his chest, and he immediately regretted opening his mouth. It felt like his lungs were going to freeze. "An hour ago, I think," William said without turning around. His voice barely reached Brad's ears. Shifting the unfamiliar weight of the compound bow to his right hand, Brad shuffled through the crunching snow to keep up with his brother. Three inches taller and thirty pounds heavier than Brad, William was already breathing in short, fast bursts. Brad caught up to him as they left the clean expanse of the field and entered the overgrown forest where they used to hunt with their father.
Continued... |
First published at: Reprinted at: |
