We Run from the Hunted!
On a hunting camp in the swamps of Venus, two men, Gil and Harry, struggle to attract customers while facing mounting debts and the threat of closure. Their camp, "Venus on the Half Shell," has yet to see a single client, and their only guide, Talbot Kramer, abandons them for a job in Kenya, leaving them without a means to navigate the treacherous terrain. As they contemplate their dire situation, they learn of a dangerous creature known as the Wompan, a mimic capable of imitating sounds and appearances, which terrifies the local inhabitants. Despite the looming threat, Gil remains optimistic about the camp's potential, believing that attracting just one customer could turn their fortunes around. Their luck changes when a wealthy sportsman, Jason Woods Stevenson, arrives with his daughter, Ginger. Gil and Harry see this as their chance for success, but they must convince Stevenson that their camp is worth the visit. They fabricate stories about the hunting opportunities, but when Stevenson expresses concern over the lack of native trackers, Gil offers their cabin as a substitute. As they prepare for their first hunt, the atmosphere grows tense. Despite the excitement, the hunt proves fruitless, and the days drag on without any sign of the elusive Wompan. Stevenson becomes increasingly desperate, and on the thirteenth day, he insists on one last attempt. Just as they set out, the sound of a Wompan echoes through the jungle, prompting them to arm themselves. In a shocking turn of events, Stevenson becomes possessed by the Wompan's mimicry, attacking Gil. In self-defense, Gil shoots him, only to witness the transformation of Stevenson's body into the grotesque form of the Wompan. The horror escalates when Harry, entranced by Ginger, is confronted by another Wompan disguised as her. Gil is forced to shoot again, realizing that both the father and daughter were never real but rather manifestations of the Wompan's mimicry. With the Wompan slain, Gil and Harry are left to grapple with the emotional fallout of their actions. They recognize that their camp now has a chance for success, as they can promote the rare kill to attract future customers. Despite the tragedy, they plan to leverage the incident for publicity, hoping to revive their struggling business. Harry, still reeling from the loss of the imagined Ginger, is reluctantly encouraged by Gil to deliver their story to Spaceman's magazine, where he might meet the real Ginger, thus hinting at a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.
By Stephen Marlowe · First published 1962 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy · 6,463 words
First lines
Running a hunting camp on Venus appeared to be a good deal. But like any business, you had to attract customers -- and maybe a Wompan!
I dabbed at the nick on my jaw with a towel and said, "Ouch! Do you always have to read to me when I'm shaving?"
What this Textopian page supports
We Run from the Hunted! is listed on Textopian as a novel by Stephen Marlowe, dated 1962 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Stephen Marlowe
- Date: 1962 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy, Thriller, Humor
- Length: 6,463 words
- Structure: 1 section, 221 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for We Run from the Hunted! by Stephen Marlowe
- 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
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The story is set on Venus and involves futuristic elements such as space travel, alien creatures, and advanced technology.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around a hunting expedition, featuring exploration, danger, and the pursuit of a mythical creature.
- Fantasy — The Wompan, a creature that can mimic sounds and appearances, introduces fantastical elements into the narrative.
- Thriller — The tension and suspense surrounding the Wompan and the characters' survival create a thrilling atmosphere.
Tags
thriller · mystery · suspense · adventure · crime · detective · action · psychological · narrative · plot twist · character development · urban setting