The Huntress by Richard Rein Smith
A traveling salesman picks up a mysterious and alluring hitchhiker named Almira. As they converse, he becomes captivated by her beauty and the depth of their conversation, which leads him to drive far off his intended path. They stop at a motel, where Almira's presence begins to drain him of all human emotions, leaving him numb and devoid of desire, compassion, fear, and joy. Almira reveals through a telepathic vision that she is an alien huntress from another planet, feeding on human emotions for her own satisfaction. Despite understanding her nature, the salesman is left powerless to warn others, as Almira departs to continue her hunt.
By Richard Rein Smith · First published 2016 · Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller, Horror · 2,256 words
First lines
_We have read a good many vampire tales by reading-lamp radiance, with the wind whistling eerily in the eaves, and a steeple bell tolling from afar. But seldom have we read such a vampire thriller as this, with its aura of billboards, weather, hitchhiking and quite realizable future science. This is Mr. Smith's third story for us, and with each new yarn his stature has grown._
= She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, and in her eyes was a promise of paradise. But to live in paradise a man must die. =
What this Textopian page supports
The Huntress is listed on Textopian as a short story by Richard Rein Smith, dated 2016 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Richard Rein Smith
- Date: 2016 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Thriller, Horror, Paranormal, Erotic Thriller
- Length: 2,256 words
- Structure: 1 section, 75 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Huntress by Richard Rein Smith
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Huntress?
- How does this short story by Richard Rein Smith fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
Genres
- Science Fiction — The narrative centers on an alien huntress, space travel, and futuristic imagery that are core to science fiction.
- Thriller — The story’s suspenseful atmosphere, unpredictable encounters, and tension-driven plot define a thriller.
- Horror — The disintegration of emotions, sense of dread, and inhumane elements evoke a horror aesthetic.
- Paranormal — Supernatural phenomena, uncanny transformations, and vampiric motifs contribute to its paranormal nature.
Tags
thriller · mystery · suspense · action · espionage · conspiracy · crime · adventure · intrigue · psychological · dark · hunter