Hunted （Part 2）
"Quick, hand me your fire thistle pouch," Rowena said urgently.
He obeyed without hesitation, watching as she coated the spears and her short sword with oil.
She handed him a spear.
"Remember what I told you. The fire oil won't work unless you pierce their skin—their fur is too thick. Don't let them get too close."
The boy's breath came in ragged gasps. Tears shone in his eyes.
"Rowena, I'm scared," he whispered.
She cupped his cheek gently, forcing a smile despite the tremor in her own hands.
"Trust me," she murmured, her voice soft but fierce. "I have a plan."
Rowena reached for the precious weapon beside her, fastened it over his shoulder, then handed him the pack and tightened his cloak.
"I'm going to draw them away," she said. Her voice was steady, but worry shone in her eyes.
"After I go, count to ten, then run. Find the tallest tree you can and climb as high as you can. Stay there until sunrise—no matter what."
The boy shook his head, confused.
"But what about you?"
Rowena didn't answer immediately.
She removed the knife from her hip and placed it in his free hand.
The sounds of hungry predators returned, closer now.
Rowena tossed another smoldering stick from the dying fire. The wolves backed off again.
"If I'm not back by morning," Rowena said, fighting to keep her voice steady, "you'll have to leave without me."
"No! I won't leave you!" the boy cried. Desperation and fear tangled his words.
Massive wolves closed in, snarling and salivating. Sharp teeth and piercing eyes gleamed in the dim firelight.
Rowena kicked the campfire embers, sending a spray of smoldering debris toward the wolves.
As the wolves yelped and jumped back, she darted through the opening, yelling and swinging her sword at the shadows.
The wolves chased her into the darkness
just as she planned.
Panic overwhelmed the boy. He burst from the shelter, forgetting to count, and sprinted headlong into the dark. Wild eyes darted around, searching for a climbable tree.
Behind him, heavy paws thundered in pursuit, growing louder.
Closer.
His heart hammered so violently he thought it might burst.
Adrenaline surged, propelling him forward. The forest was a labyrinth of unseen roots and low branches that clawed at his legs and face. He stumbled, nearly falling—blind and desperate.
Sensing the animal was nearly upon him, the Dissolver spun with his spear raised.
But the beast pounced, massive and snarling.
It crashed into him, slamming him to the ground.
Its jaws clamped onto his shoulder. White-hot agony shot down his arm as razor fangs shredded his hide.
His scream tore through the night, echoing over the mountainside. Shock and pain sent his weapons tumbling from his grasp.
Desperate, he raked at the wolf's face with his claws, tearing at its eyes and snout.
The wolf yelped and staggered back, blinded by pain.
Seizing the opening, the boy jumped to his feet and sprinted, terror lending impossible speed to his injured body.
Fresh snow clung to his boots, slowing him down.
His lungs burned. Warm blood slicked his shoulder and fingers.
Then, suddenly, he caught sight of something.
Ahead, through the maze of black trunks, a tiny orange glow flickered.
Fire.
Hope surged inside him.
"Help!" he screamed.
But the wolf caught up to him.
Again the beast hurled itself at him, monstrous weight slamming him to the snow. Jaws like iron bit into his wounded shoulder, teeth tearing through flesh.
He cried out, writhing and thrashing, tail lashing in desperate defense—but the wolf held on.
Just as the wolf lunged for his throat, a figure appeared out of the darkness, waving a torch.
"Get out of here!" the stranger bellowed, voice deep and gritty.
He swung the torch, striking the wolf across the snout. The beast cried out and released the boy. The man kicked it hard in the ribs.
The massive beast toppled onto its side, then got up, wheeled around, and darted off.
"Are you alright?" the man asked, leaning down. "I thought I heard a child." His voice was thunderous but laced with concern.
"I can't get up," the boy sobbed, tears streaking his dirt-smeared cheeks. "My arm..."
The man froze for an instant, shock evident in his eyes. He knelt, hands rough but careful, and slid them under the boy's arms, hauling him upright with surprising strength.
The Dissolver swayed, dizzy, as the man steadied him.
He was about to examine the blood-soaked shoulder when a piercing scream rang out.
Rowena's voice
desperate and wild
echoed through the forest.
"Rowena!" the boy screamed.
Without hesitation, the Dissolver plunged after her, boots crunching through the snow as freezing wind whipped his cloak.
The stranger followed close behind, breath steaming in the frigid air.
Down the trail, the man's eyes flashed as he spotted the boy's spear glinting in the snow. He snatched it up in a swift, practiced motion as they barreled past.
They found Rowena a quarter mile beyond their camp.
She was sprawled on the snow, shrieking in terror as a huge wolf clamped its jaws around her ankle, dragging her backwards.
She hacked and slashed desperately with her sword at another wolf snapping inches from her face. Blood slicked her hair, stained her clothes, and painted the wolves' fur crimson.
Off to the side, a third wolf rolled and writhed in agony, howling at the fiery gash across its haunch.
A fourth beast, eyes wild and yellow, bared its teeth and lunged at the stranger with a menacing snarl.
In a flash, the man raised the spear and hurled it. It landed with perfect accuracy, tearing through the wolf's chest and striking its heart.
The wolf let out a soft whimper as it fell, dying instantly.
Abandoning the spear, the man hurtled into the fray, targeting the wolf on Rowena's ankle. He swung his torch, smashing it against the wolf's head. The beast yelped and released her, blood streaking the snow.
In a blur, it recoiled, then launched itself at him, fangs gleaming. The man dropped his torch and caught the wolf mid-leap, trapping its thrashing body against his chest.
With a roar, he plunged his hand into the creature's maw, grappling its lower jaw as they crashed to the ground. The wolf's teeth shredded his fingers, hot blood spurting between its jaws.
The man's scream was feral
a challenge.
Wrestling atop the beast, he locked it in place with his knees, seized its upper jaw, and wrenched its mouth open until cartilage popped and bone splintered.
The wolf staggered away, howling in agony, jaw hanging loose.
The man snatched up his torch and, with savage force, brought it crashing down on the animal's skull. The torch's flame flickered.
The wolf went still.
The wolf near Rowena's head whipped around, eyes burning with hatred as it locked onto the stranger.
At the same time, the wounded wolf staggered upright, snarling through clenched teeth despite its mangled haunch.
The two predators slunk in a deadly circle around the man, foam flecking their lips and murder blazing in their eyes.
The stranger hollered wildly. "Come on!"
The Dissolver, watching in awe, looked for something to help. Spying Rowena's spear nearby, he picked it up and tossed it to the man.
"Here! Take this!"
The boy's cry sent both wolves into a frenzy.
They lunged at the man.
He swung his torch hard, knocking one aside in an explosion of sparks. But the second beast clamped onto his arm, teeth ripping into muscle and bone.
He howled in agony, barely staying upright as blood poured down his sleeve.
The spear landed at his feet with a muffled thud.
Noticing it, he snatched up the spear just as the first wolf lunged again. With a primal yell, he rammed the spear into its belly, then wrestled the weapon free again.
The wolf, still thrashing on his arm, finally pulled him to the ground.
The beast twisted, jaws snapping for his throat, but the man was too fast. He jammed the spear through the wolf's skull.
Its body collapsed atop him, pinning him breathless beneath its lifeless bulk.
Rowena lay sprawled in the snow, her dark hair fanned out against the frozen white.
Her face was pale, lips tinged blue.
Her head lolled to the side, eyes closed, lashes dusted with snow.
The Dissolver staggered toward her, breath coming in ragged gasps. He dropped to his knees and shook her shoulders urgently, hands trembling.
But Rowena remained still, unresponsive.