Makkapitew

The Makkapitew is the main antagonist of the Prologue. He was the strongest of all the Wendigos.

The word Makkapitew is an Algonquin word, meaning "one who has big teeth/claws". He is described as the fiercest of them all by The Stranger.

Background
The Stranger's grandfather dedicated his life to hunting Wendigos. Despite his prowess, he could not defeat the Makkapitew, who in turn killed him instead.

One Year Ago
The Stranger was hunting the Makkapitew on the same night of Hannah's party. After she and Beth fled the lodge after Jessica and Mike's prank on Hannah, the Makkapitew began hunting them. The Stranger succeeded in killing the Makkapitew with a Flamethrower, but only after it drove Beth and Hannah off the cliff, killing Beth and seriously injuring Hannah.

Trivia

 * It is possible that he next possessed Hannah, who, after having resisted for over a month to her severe hunger and cravings of (human) flesh, resorted to cannibalism. Hannah's possession by the Makkapitew is indicated by her strength and dominance over the other Wendigos. However, this could also be because she transformed into a Wendigo more recently than the miners in the Sanatorium. It is possible that Josh will become the next Makkapitew if he survives until dawn, due to him being the next known person on the mountain to succumb to cannibalism around the mines.