Chapter 1 #3
I’m still assessing the odd veins when they begin to bulge, letting me know my time has run out.
I step away and shove the bottles back into my pack as the golden light breaks through the veins like cracks in a window.
His face is the last to beam with the bright light before his entire body bursts into ash, settling into a pile among the white powder.
If there’s one thing I like better about the vampires, it’s that their deaths are a lot less messy.
Even though I’ve never killed a wolf myself, I’ve seen the aftermath, and it’s anything but pretty.
Somehow, on my way out, I remember to grab the medicine.
After a quick glance around, I start for the forest, noticing the wolves are no longer in sight.
Personally, I would rather have eyes on them, but there’s slight relief knowing they might’ve moved on.
By the time I make it to the treeline, a storm has erupted.
Normally, I would duck for cover, but I welcome the natural shower, allowing it to cleanse me of the spoiled flour that has coated my hair and face.
I throw my head back and close my eyes as the water pelts my skin clean.
Once I’m satisfied, I trudge along, deeper into the forest, heading toward one of my hiding places so that I can drop off some of the stuff currently weighing my pack down.
As I arrive at the tree, holding my belongings, the rain finally begins to let up.
At the base of the tree is a hollowed out area concealed by raised roots.
I kneel down and pull out the small pack that only has a couple of items in it.
I keep what I need for the next couple of days and empty the rest into the small pack, storing it back in its hiding place.
Just as I’m standing back up, I’m hit so hard that my vision goes dark.
It feels like I’m being dragged behind a car as my back goes skidding across the forest floor, raked by twigs and roots.
The moment my body comes to a stop, I’m immediately pinned down.
Pain radiates throughout my body while violent pulsating fills my head.
As my vision fights to return, golden-white irises hover only inches away.
A scar marks the wolf’s left eye, making it appear that much more terrifying.
Time feels as though it has stopped, and I wonder if that is what happens right before death. The blurred edges of my vision finally clear, and as I stare up at the beast towering over me, I’m sure that death is what’s coming next.
Razor-sharp teeth snap in front of my face, teasing my inevitable end.
The werewolf throws its head back, releasing a howl that could be heard for miles.
My ears are still ringing from the sound when it refocuses its attention on me.
Once again, I’m face-to-face with the monster waiting to tear the flesh from my bones.
I squeeze my eyes shut and exhale what I’m sure will be my final breath.
It’s a miracle I’ve lasted this long. I knew my time would come, and it seems it has.
My whole life, I’ve wanted to live. No matter how terrible the foster homes got, how terrifying the streets were, or how dangerous this new world became, I still wanted to live.
But right now, in this moment, I feel a sense of peace knowing the end is near.
A wave of exhaustion covers me like a blanket, and it’s as if my soul knows the fight for survival is almost over.
All traces of fear seem to vanish as I wait for the jaws of death to claim me, but they never do.
Instead, I feel the wolf’s wet snout graze my hairline before letting out another howl.
Unlike the last one, this howl is followed by an echo of surrounding ones.
When I open my eyes, the black beast is staring down at me once again.
Both of us glare at one another for a long moment before it finally backs away.
Two of the other werewolves shift into their human form and lift me off the muddy ground.
I’m still trying to process what is happening when the black wolf takes off into the forest, leaving me with the others.
Those still in their wolf form threaten me with low growls before the other two begin dragging me through the forest.
“What are you doing?” I demand, attempting to pull my arms free. “Let me go!”
They stop walking and turn to each other.
I wait for them to say something, but instead, a silent conversation passes between the two, and their mouths curve into wicked grins.
My heart drops into my stomach when they turn their attention back to me.
I barely have a chance to try and fight them off before a strong arm wraps around my neck.
I attempt to kick my feet, but my legs are quickly pinned down by the other werewolf.
Between the two of them, I don’t stand a chance.
As the air in my lungs becomes scarce, blackness crawls around the edges of my vision once again.
My consciousness begins to drift further away with each passing second.
Eventually, my eyelids flutter shut, and as they do, I hear the faint sound of what I think is dark laughter before I’m pulled into a sea of night.