Val had done this so many times, and he carefully removed his shirt, hanging it off a high branch to be collected in the morning. He was about to remove his trousers next, when he heard the faint sound of something- No, someone- nearby.

Turning, he sniffed the air.

"Oh, no- Hannibal. You can't be out here. Truly, please, just go back to the house... It's not safe here," he warned, his voice tight, as though he was in pain.

Above them hung a full moon, bright and only faintly obscured by clouds.